Thoughts/ Help on Buying new 120 series

[tknz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tknz]

Hi

I just wanted to get others opinions on buying a second hand prado (I am ready to buy) and have been watching this prado:

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de...16960524/?Cr=0

So I happened to be driving in the area and dropped in for a look this afternoon and then a impromptu test drive. Car drove nicely and the misses liked it to so easy to get some 'approval'….anyways, couple of things got me a little unsure:

1. The Car is a ex novated lease vehicle (they didn't actually have all the service records available but will be in the office on Tue). The guy assures me that it has had every service required since new.
2. The car did look a bit 'worn' in the sense that every window seal was falling apart (rubber seals at top of door where window drops into). No biggie but made me wonder whether this car was looked after well - refer back to point 1.
3. When opening the rear door, there was a definitely clink and some trouble where the gas strut was. As I wasn't intending to go down and formally inspect, so didn't get prepared to check everything, but this seems it could be the rear door issue that many prados have? easy fix?

They have also had the car in the yard for over 60 days (finance fell through on someone who bought it 3 weeks ago) so they are keen to get ride of it or it goes back into the AHG internal auctions and another car yard will / may take it, bump the price up and try and sell it higher. The Wholesale manager actually showed me their records and that they bought it for 31000 so they want it gone hence the extra price drop.

The car has only done 56 000 km's so is very appealing in that sense, but it does look well used for its age, not on point work but on some trims and inside door handles etc- even the 4000V6 decals are fading falling off!

How concerned should I be when buying a ex novated lease vehicle?

I will go back for another look on Tuesday as the vehicle is a good price, and obviously get a full mechanical inspection if I go ahead, but would like any thoughts opinions on ex lease vehicles too?

Thanks
TK

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Window seals failing on an '09 is odd, never heard of that happening.

It's green so not a mine lease vehicle. Novated lease is really not something to worry about. The lease companies are pretty anal when it comes to servicing.

Judging by the paint difference, the rear trims not aligning and your comment about the rear door, I'd say it's had a hit in the rear.

Check the numbers and history very carefully, there are a lot of cut and shut Prados in WA.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Isn't there a common issue with 120s where the rear door sags? That might be just an adjustment to fix.

I noticed in the pics the spare seems to be the original Grandtrek so might be getting a bit long in the tooth so check the date code.

The Ks seem low for it's age, my 09 150 has 67,000K on the clock and we don't do a lot of driving (bought it in 2012 with 44,000K on it). When I had a novated lease vehicle it had to do a certain amount of Ks to maintain the FBT free status, not sure if that's the norm though. As D4D said, check the history and numbers very carefully, maybe it's had a new engine or ODO swap for some reason.

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

I would not pay $32k for 09 v6 . klms might be low , but its near doubled priced also

[tknz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tknz]

Awesome thanks for the info.

Yes I did mention that the KM's seem very low for a car of that age, but the Manager said he has all the servicing records and dates showing thats the km's are true and accurate. So ill see what he has to show me on Tue.

Yep the spare is probably only just roadworthy…will ask for better to be thrown in.

Oceanrunner - yes it seems high but over here in WA, that is probably the best priced 09 120 series prado in the state! well close to it anyways.

Will getting the VIN number be enough to get the right background check?

Thanks for your help
TK

[D4Dforme Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4Dforme]

I would not pay $32k for 09 v6 . klms might be low , but its near doubled priced also

Well you better show us where you can buy these $16000 dollar 2009 GXL Prados with 50 odd k on the clock.....i'll on sell them like hot cakes.

Dan

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

3. When opening the rear door, there was a definitely clink and some trouble where the gas strut was. As I wasn't intending to go down and formally inspect, so didn't get prepared to check everything, but this seems it could be the rear door issue that many prados have? easy fix?

I don't think a gas strut was standard on a '09 120. It certainly wasn't on my '08. Perhaps part of the problem there is an aftermarket gas strut install.

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

As above. 120's don't have gas struts on the rear door. There is a mod for it so if it's gas, it's not original.

That's way too much for a 120 series in ordinary condition, low km's or not.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

My advice is to always get a mechanic that knows prado to check it over, and if you don't feel comfortable go with your gut. If your gut feeling is something doesn't seem right with the car, find another one. It's just a guess, but I have seen cars with low k's and very deteriorated external condition, they spend a lot of time near airports or high industry places. The industrial fall out destroys rubbers, particularly where jets fly. The jet fuel in the air just ruins them in no time.

It looks like you're sold on a prado, just maybe not this one. If you're not in a rush move on and look for another, the right one will come up

[gspy4u Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gspy4u]

Would definitely get it checked out by someone you can trust, also good look at service history. I would say by looking at the paint it has lived most of it's life outside in the sun so would explain the rubber failure on the window trimmings. It looks like it's been polished to the death to get it looking shinny.

Low k's would be town car taking kids to school and back or close to work managers car or something maybe, and would concern me about lack of use more than anything, but that being said, being a V6 and auto you couldn't really do much bad to it i guess.

As long as it hasn't had accident damage, hail damage, or water damage then it could be ok but not for that price. Don't care if it has low k's it's the age that determines the price. I'd be looking at maybe $28,000 as a max and point out all the sun damage to it.

[Linedropper Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Linedropper]

Wyndham number plates in the photos. That could explain the sun damage.

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

Well you better show us where you can buy these $16000 dollar 2009 GXL Prados with 50 odd k on the clock.....i'll on sell them like hot cakes.

Dan

dan , it seams to be very high priced for a 120 series v6 in my opinion ( and take that with a grain of salt)
.If you think its a great deal - go for it .
Yes your right there wouldn't be many 120 series around- priced @ $16,000 with 50 odd K's ,probably more at 180,000 klm plus at that price.
you can buy a brand new triton ute dual cab for $30k - drive away- but there are horses for courses

anyway good luck in your search

[D4Dforme Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4Dforme]

dan , it seams to be very high priced for a 120 series v6 in my opinion ( and take that with a grain of salt)
.If you think its a great deal - go for it .
Yes your right there wouldn't be many 120 series around- priced @ $16,000 with 50 odd K's ,probably more at 180,000 klm plus at that price.
you can buy a brand new triton ute dual cab for $30k - drive away- but there are horses for courses

anyway good luck in your search

Don't think there would be any actually mate and a Triton is Not a Prado and are priced accordingly due to being a throw away vehicle IMO.



Dan

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

Don't think there would be any actually mate and a Triton is Not a Prado and are priced accordingly due to being a throw away vehicle IMO.



Dan

yes your right once again dan a triton is not a prado.
like I said there are horses for courses- one is a 09 model and one is a throw away in your opinion (being triton )
this thread is Thoughts/ Help on Buying new 120 series.( everyone has an opinion )
at the end of the day if your happy with the deal- go for it.
maybe the 120 are on the price way up- I hope. as I drive one
I was thinking $32K - would buy me a nice 150 series.
anyway all good for 120 series owners if they are increasing in value

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

We bought our 07 facelift (so same spec as 09) gxl auto with a heap of fruit already on it for $22.5K. Yes it has 180,000kms but it was well looked after and no signs of the wear you describe.