Buying a new facelift 150 series

[scottsr8 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottsr8]

Just placed an order for a 2014 Diesel auto, tint, carpet mats, cargo mat, tow-bar, TJM bull-bar and Rear DVD player for 64K driveway.
Pretty happy price wise

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

I had been nearly 6 years and about 290,000km in a 120 series, and for the most part very happy. Old faithful was traded for the new "facelift" 150 series at very short notice while in the middle of a sales trip. My opinion of the 150 series is clouded due to my overwhelmingly positive experience with the old beast.

If you are looking to trade up from a 120 series, I'd stay with the 120 if you have the option.

The 150 is a nice vehicle and with a proven heritage, I have little doubt that it will perform just as well or better than the 120.
If you use the last row of seats often, then perhaps the reconfiguration provides an advantage for you. Most of my gripes are just that, my gripes, not necessarily shared by others. Never the less, I'll share them.
Daytime running lights. Why bother adding a light that is barely visible from 3km away on a country road?
Space. Considerably less space (usable cargo space behind drivers sheet) in the 150 than the 120. Huge amount less.
Seats. 2nd row doesn't lay flat. 2nd row can't lock verticaly.
Rear door. Can't for the life of me work out why they moved the wiper from the bottom to the top. The wind deflector is a dirt collector, and a bugger to get the dirt out of.
Drivers mirror. My opinion is that they should be flat in order to clearly see what is behind you (approaching or reversing into). Positioned correctly, enough of the adjacent lane can be viewed. I have a dim view of designing things for the dumbest to use. (possibly a case of "if the hat fits")
Indicators. use of clear lens' that is not sufficiently large creates problems for other drivers not seeing my indicators. (more an issue of Euro design being accepted in Oz)
So much of my complaint is more than likely unique to me and won't affect anyone else, but these are things that bother me.

Thanks

Sounds like your complaining every new car being made today, not just the Prado. Welcome to 2014, what year did you last inspect the progress of motoring? Poor thing, being forced to buy a $60k vehicle. First world problem.

[camdyson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close camdyson]

Interesting about the seats not folding flat - that'd almost be a deal breaker for me. Having 362,000 k's on my '90 series - and still purring - I'm happy to treat myself to a new drive, but I almost ALWAYS have all the seats out/flat. Makes the Disco 4 look better when the increased towing capacity and overall higher level of tech and luxo' is considered - going to a VX still won't solve those issues. Rear cargo area is huge and flat in the Disco. $30K of reasons why I'm still wanting a GXL though!

Hmm, might have to do some serious test driving me thinks...

Cam

[RMM Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RMM]

My first post!

Got my brand new metal storm GXL Auto delivered yesterday!
Total price $60K for car+nudge bar+towbar+front tint+mats.

Will be checking this forum every day for tips and advices.

[maulbeagle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maulbeagle]

RMM - diesel or petrol ?

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

Why are they so cheap over east? Last time I checked here it was 70k

[RMM Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RMM]

Diesel

[RMM Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RMM]

RMM - diesel or petrol ?

Diesel

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

Buying a new facelift 150 series

Interesting about the seats not folding flat - that'd almost be a deal breaker for me. Having 362,000 k's on my '90 series - and still purring - I'm happy to treat myself to a new drive, but I almost ALWAYS have all the seats out/flat. Makes the Disco 4 look better when the increased towing capacity and overall higher level of tech and luxo' is considered - going to a VX still won't solve those issues. Rear cargo area is huge and flat in the Disco. $30K of reasons why I'm still wanting a GXL though!

Hmm, might have to do some serious test driving me thinks...

Cam

D4 is good, but few things to note with ours:
1. Each oil change is about $1200 because they remove the body and service the rolling chassis on the ground, no room in the engine apparently.
2. Brakes cost $1000 to replace, has to be done by land rover dealers because they sell the parts and have to disassemble the sensors in the pads to fit the new pads
3. Windshield, don't crack it or $1200. Land rover part no third party versions yet
4. Aluminium front control arms flog out after 100,000kms and cost several thousand to replace
5. RHS turbo drain pipe blocks causing oil to build up and burn, can't be fixed with removing the engine, and if the pipe isn't blocked than the turbo is leaking, $3500 to fix.
6. Tyres are $500 a corner and the road versions only last 40,000km - coopers about 70,000

Currently at 180,000 on ours and going strong despite the above common problems.

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

Damn that's some big money

[Cuvier100 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Cuvier100]

Why are they so cheap over east? Last time I checked here it was 70k

Onroad costs are higher (sales tax), greedy dealers plus a WA demand that equals supply.

If you hunt around you can get a better price but its time consuming.

I wonder if they will provide a price to an email request to save time.

[Esquire Member Find all posts View Profile Close Esquire]

When Matt Hannas and I bought ours, dealers (south east Qld) were more than happy to provide email quotes but the best one came in over the phone with a time limit to rush things along. We ended up buying 3 GXL D4D at the same time and was told the dealer really needed the numbers and we're able to give us a price that was way better than any others. I think the number of dealers in SEQ also helped push the price down.

[maulbeagle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maulbeagle]

Hey all, for anyone who had the tyres changed at the dealer (opted for different tyres than factory), did you get a credit/refund for the factory tyres ?
I'm about to purchase and wondering if it's better to get the tyres changed upfront or later. It'll be a novated lease so trying to get all I can done to the vehicle pre-delivery up to the Luxury Car Tax threshold.

Thanks !

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I hear real pain in your post B.Col.

In the spirit of giving, and as a fellow PradoPointer, Im prepared to swap your new 150 for my 120 (with 120k as it happens)

This is of course subject to the usual caveat - it must be WHITE.

Sure some of those issues you have highlighted would also annoy me but I'll 'take one for the team' and help you out!!

p.s ignore my picture on the left, its never been off road and only driven to church on sundays by my mum...

WTF, your handbrake doesn't work, it has extra paint that matches another Prado, you must disclose these things!

[camdyson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close camdyson]

So, having settled on a GX Auto, I've managed to get the dealer down to $56K drive away - seems pretty good. Also can get tyres changed to 265/70/17 BFG AT's at $870 with trade-ins. Then it's the big list - reckon about $12K more once all the fruit added :-)

Will do a build-up once I get the ball rolling.

Cam