Disco 3 or Toyota Prado

[Argonaut]

Hi all,

I know your probably thinking this a Land Rover forum how dare he blaspheme on here with the T word, but I couldn't control myself. My dilemma is that that I am looking at purchasing a used 2007-2008 diesel 4wd in A/T and have narrowed it down to the 2 candidates as per the subject line. It will be used mainly for daily driver / touring nothing really hardcore but hey if it's in the way then it must be conquered ! I am looking to keeping it as a long term car and have read about issues regarding both. I haven't test driven either yet, but I think I will have to to get an idea on how they drive. I understand there are a few issues and things to changed, EPB, transmission pan, and I am hoping to do the minor servicing myself, and was wondering if it's fairly 'straight forward' ?
I have the support of the other half who quite likes the look and feel of the car. My biggest concern that if anything does go haywire that it would be costly.

Your comments and thoughts are appreciated and it would be intersting to hear if anyone has gone from a Prado into a Disco or vice versa.

Thanks
Argonaut

[Tombie]

I have a D4 and a 150 Prado for work.

The D3 is essentially the same as a D4.

There is no comparison.

Just for back from boiling my backside off in the Prado (their A/C is rubbish) and hopped into the Disco.

Like chalk and cheese!

[~Rich~]

I drove them both and fell in love with the D3!!!
Could not compare the two really - the difference is so great, the Prado engine feels & sounds agricultural in comparison.

I bought a 2005 model and has not had any major issues.
Engine fine, gearbox fine, car awesome!
( Apart from getting a new eDiff and alternator under Allianz extended warranty!)

[chuck]

I went from a 2009 D3 TDV6SE to a 2012 Prado D4D Altitude.

With in 4 months I had sold the Prado and bought a D4.

Luckily I bought the Prado at fleet pricing & sold it for $2K less than I paid for it.

At the same time Landrover reduced the price of the D4 SDV6 so ended up getting a good price.

Go the D3 with tte best service history, least kilometres & best warranty you can afford.

I still regret selling my D3.

Cheers

[oldsalt]

I've got a 2007 D3 - I've changed the auto oil & pan, and it runs like a swiss watch... and compared to the ride in my mates Toyota it's a limo....
Don't get me wrong - I think the Toyotas are good vehicles but they just aren't in the same class as the Landrovers.
Do your homework re service history etc and scour this forum and you won't go far wrong. They really are a special vehicle... just make sure you do an off road course and learn how to use all the various TR settings - it helps quite a bit.
cheers

[discotwinturbo]

They are chalk and cheese. Two very different cars.

A more closer comparo is the 200 against the D4..... The D4 won out even though I had my heart set on the 200 (did I say that aloud?).

The driving, the style, the performance, the handling, the economy, the ability to tow heavy weights without messing around with WDH's.....the D4 is just a better all rounder.

Plus I had plenty of inside knowledge with family and friends that worked keeping Toyotas on the road....they are just as reliable as each other, but the LR problems don't seem to be catastrophic as the Toyotas.

Brett....

[Ashes]

Get out there and drive both of them and I'm sure if you are mostly looking for a daily driver then the D3 will win hands down. Internally a very practical vehicle with 7 very good sized seats and having the 2nd and 3rd row seats able to fold flat is brilliant. Extremely capable out of the box, even with road tires.

[roamer]

I bought a 2005 model and has not had any major issues.
Engine fine, gearbox fine, car awesome!
( Apart from getting a new eDiff and alternator under Allianz extended warranty!)

Come on ...a new e diff and alternator, are major issues
no matter who paid for them.

[DoctorJ]

I too was weighing up between the two when I was purchasing do yourself a favour if you truly want the Prado do not drive the D3 because you will not go back, don't get me wrong I highly rate the Prado but they simply do not drive anywhere near the D3 the engine and suspension setup is so much more superior you could not believe they are in the same class. The other thing that swayed me was the issues that the D3 have are substantially cheaper to fix than the Prados. So do I regret buying the D3 well let me put it this way a guy in a Prado on my last trip was coming down Billy Goats Bluff and said for me to be careful and not go the way I was going as it would be too difficult, well the D3 just ate it up without any issues.

Best of luck on your search

Cheers
Julian

[Tombie]

Prados wobble... Track the highway...
Handle only mediocre on fast dirt.
Easily knocked offline in wind
Poor A/C and that's in the front!
Rattle like buggery
Use 1-2l/100km more than D4
Noisy engine, NVH
Poorly spaced 5 speed Auto

Not a good 4wd...

Just a well priced 4wd...

So they sell like a Comalcon or Falcadore based on price!