Disco 4 V Landcruiser Prado

But then the Commodore is just a road going cage.

No complex drive system, no offroad pounding, no dusty trails or corrugations or muddy water crossings.

These things wear parts out.

Road going LRs don't generally break. Off roaded versions wear out or suffer shorter component cycles.

We killed a new VN commodore in a week using it on gravel roads visiting numerous mines, back when they were new. It needed a new rack, ball joints, Windscreen, dash and a couple of window winders. The corrugations and dust killed it.

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Originally Posted by Tombie2

But then the Commodore is just a road going cage.

No complex drive system, no offroad pounding, no dusty trails or corrugations or muddy water crossings.

These things wear parts out.

Road going LRs don't generally break. Off roaded versions wear out or suffer shorter component cycles.

We killed a new VN commodore in a week using it on gravel roads visiting numerous mines, back when they were new. It needed a new rack, ball joints, Windscreen, dash and a couple of window winders. The corrugations and dust killed it.

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I agree that would be the case but coincidently I was talking tonight to a mate I've gone camping with for years. Before we both entered into 4WD - Land (well, he bought a Prado....LOL), we had VT Commodores. We were just re-living some of the ****ty places we took those cars.

I guess when a car loses just about all of its resale value in a few years, you tend not to be overly concerned about dings underneath and scratches on the paint. Surprising some of the places we actually got them though.... LOL!!!

Actaully, Tombie2 brought up an interesting point. Alot of wear & tear/ breakages etc depends on what you do with the vehicle.
The bloke who uses his for what it was built for (off road) will have more wear & tear than the wife who drops the kids off to school and does the shopping.
And there is the maintainance side. You could have two vehicles, same Klm's, same off road use, but one bloke doesn't keep up with regular servicing etc.
I had a 80 Series Landcruiser (petrol & gas) which had done 400K when I sold it. It has now done over 600K and not had a spanner near it. Mind you, it has been serviced by the book by Toyota from new and have used Penrite HPR Gas oil at each oil change.
I suppose the point I am getting across is that regardless of the brand of vehicle, regular servicing is so important. I bet that some of the stories we hear about parts / components breaking are due to just that.

Cheers, Craig.
BTW: Didn't mean to keep this thread running :angel:

Seeing the direction of the thread has changed, I will join in .

We had our D2 and my AU 111 falcon ute, the falcon has 157,000ks on it and has had 6..yes 6 p/steering pump, 2 alts, and a head gasket, along with numerous other stuff,and all it does is drive around town taking stuff to and from the boat.

The D2 with 240,000ks went round the country god knows how many times,done the desert tracks, the kimberley's, gunbarrel and CSR, and the only part that failed on that car was the uni in the front prop shaft, and that was 1 I had replaced 10 mths earlier, and a collapsed inlet hose on the turbo when the car had 12,000 or so ks on it.forgot to add a seized belt tensioner bearing..
The fact that I replaced the Rad, intercooler, and spent $$$ in other area's was not a fault of the car, it was my choice to keep the parts up before I had an issue, or because I tried to get something more out of the car.

There is a big difference between spending $$$ because something has failed, and spending Because you want something better,or because someone had a problem and you feel you need to "just in case"

My 2c worth..

PS was interesting reading the 1st 100 or so post's in this thread.

Cheers Ean

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Originally Posted by John W

My 1999 D2 and my 2001 VX Commodore have done about the same Km. The Commodore has had to have engine mounts replace on top of normal service but not a thing else. This car has been the best most reliable car ever.

D2 starting at about 18 000km has had nearly every thing replaced. Engine (big ends) oil seals. radiator. alternator , auto box. turbo. compressor. air bags. starter , fuel regulator and on it goes. There is no reason to keep it just emotional stuff like love driving it. I am sorry but LR do not have runs on the board for " lasting"

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Gday...

My first 4-bee was a Series III LWB petrol back in 1981... went everywhere and just loved it (except when touring and hills wif Cruisers on blacktop;)) .. have had HiLuxs and Cuisers since except for Hyundai Jerrycan before the D3.

Sure Jap stuff was very reliable (except for my last 100Series) but a little ruff etc and the Terry was excellent albeit a little 'soft'.

HOWEVER, after getting the D3 one realises just the sort of 4-bee you always should have. When I'm in it, purring along over and up and down anything ... ya jest gotta luv it. After 13,000km of ownership alternator has really been only whoopsee ... fingers etc remain crossed.
Cheers
John

I purchased a VT Commodore S with the 5 speed getrag manual and V6 new in 97. It used to chew rotors like crazy and yet I ran pads longer (by far GM admitted) than average (using the engine braking...). It went through accessories also. Overall it cost me a lot more time in the service centre and heartache (even down to the display on the cheap crap stereo failing at 90k, k) in 100k with a very easy life on long runs on the road than my D2 has in 175k, 9 years and heaps of towing 2 tonns and off roading. Couldnt get me back into a holden (or ford).

Cheers

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Originally Posted by Ace

Has your mate driven the D4? Would be interesting to hear his views, or is he a died in the wool yota man?

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Hi Ace,
My mate drove my D4 for the first time today for about half an hour. Up and down hills, through bends as well as stop starting at a few lights.
Here are his comments (keep in mind he has had both Landcruisers & Discoveries): -

• Ride - Better than his LC200. He mentioned that the suspension was smooth and didn't 'bump' at all (his wife has an injured back). His final comment on the suspension was that you could be blindfolded and taken for a ride in the D4 and swear that you were in a luxury sedan.
• Noise - The D4 is quieter in the cab. You can hear less road and engine noise. He made particular mention of the lack of noise when under heavy throttle compared to the LC200.
• Power - The D4 was more responsive both from a standing start and also once moving. We were leaving a 70Kph roadworks zone heading into a 100Kph zone up a steep hill when he decided to 'sink the slipper'. Not too far up the road I asked him to slow a bit as he was doing 120Kph. He couldn't beleive that he was doing that speed.
• Driveability - He commented on the driving position and feel. Felt very comfortable for him.

Summary - He is still happy with his LC200, however if the choice was totally his and not his wifes, he would have gone with the D4.
It rode and drove much better than he expected.
Oh yeah, he mumbled something about 'Bloody Women'.

Cheers, Craig

Just got to the end of this 12 page thread.

I think the OP wanted to talk about comparing a D4 to a Prado, but the conversation seems to have focused on the D4 vs the LC200.

Which may mean two things:

1. A D4's true competitor is the LC200, not a Prado... We can have a discussion all on this topic alone... :angel:

2. There were not enough folks on this forum who previously owned a Prado and have now switched to a D4 (or D3) to be able to make a comment or contribution to this thread.

Anyways, it was interesting reading from start to finish.

BTW, I'm a Land Rover and Toyota owner - a D2 V8 auto and a LC200 TDV8. Like Gumdriva, my needs were to tow a caravan, not go offroading, so it was interesting to read that his requirements and saw how he drew his conclusions. Very similar thought processes and outcome on decisions.

But back to the original topic - now that there are heaps of Prado 120 Series and a growing number of Prado 150 Series drivers out there, how many have bought a Land Rover Discovery 3 or 4 and can comment on their experience when they changed badges? Or perhaps went the other way, i.e. from D3/D4 to a Prado.

I am not fishing for a debate, just interested in the topic and what the thought processes were. Admittedly, if someone has sold their Landie and bought a Toyota, they probably won't still be here on this forum to comment. ;)