5 door VS 3 door - space and comfort question

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

Hi all,

We are thinking about 3dr Prado as a second 4x4... Main question - how comfortable/stable they are on a road comparing to 5 dr version?

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

Hi all,

We are thinking about 3dr Prado as a second 4x4... Main question - how comfortable/stable they are on a road comparing to 5 dr version?

I have an SX. It is great especially around the city and 'burbs where is it shorter than most family sedans and very easy to park with the sensors and camera.

I haven't driven the 5 door very much but the three door was noticeably 'pitchy' when it is new and you first drive it. I very quickly got used to it and no-one else has commented on it in the last few years so I assume it is getting less with age and a bit of sag.

I find it very comfortable and relaxing to drive and have no trouble doing Melb to Adelaide or Melb to Sydney in one go.

We have towed light camper trailers up through the Flinders, Oodnadatta track, Arkaroola, Dalhousie, Mt Dare, West MacDonald Ranges and up to Darwin, Litchfield and Kakadu etc. In standard trim except for dual battery and Polyairs in the back and standard Dunlop tyres.

Even towing the camper we still managed just over 10 lt/100k.

Having had other Landcruisers and Patrols over the last 25 years this is the only one my wife doesn't mind driving and she thinks it is easier to park than her Subaru Liberty.

Only downside I can think of is the BIG rear door with the tyre on it which can be a bit hard to open in a carpark or on a slope but that is the same in the 5 door.

Happy to provide any more info,

S.

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

Even towing the camper we still managed just over 10 lt/100k.

Is it diesel or petrol?

I had 120 model 4.0 petrol and I was getting around 14l/100km city driving and about 11-12l/100 highway/

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

Is it diesel or petrol?

I had 120 model 4.0 petrol and I was getting around 14l/100km city driving and about 11-12l/100 highway/

I don't think there were any petrol 150 3 doors.

The SX is basically a 3 door GLX diesel automatic.

Around home I do a lot of short trips with mainly stop and start and not very fast and I average 10-11 lt/100k

On cruise up the Hume at about 105 I average low 8s.

There is only a single 85Lt (approx.) tank but I have never had a range issue in the trips listed above. We make sure we can get to the next fuel stop at a time when it will be open.

Cheers,

S.

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

I have an SX which pitched a lot and fixed it largely with adjustable after market suspension with airbags. I also replaced the 87litre tank with a 133 litre one.
My fuel economy is usually under 10l but when I tow my caravan in Sports mode it goes up 15/16l

[iw2lxz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close iw2lxz]

Dear wannabe, next week my dealer will install the long ranger tank on my toy 155 .can you send me some imges of the installedtank taken under the car???? Many thanks, [email protected]

[NatSX Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close NatSX]

Hi,
I have an sx. The pitching was very noticeable on braking and speed-humps and off-road for first week or 2 then got used to it. Since upgraded suspension and added SmartBar and winch and long range tank. Will always pitch more than a 5 door but I haven't found it to be a problem. Note that you can fit slightly bigger tank depending on if you have factory tow bar... can't remember details, it's only a few more litres but worth asking.
Nat.

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

I have an SX which pitched a lot and fixed it largely with adjustable after market suspension with airbags. I also replaced the 87litre tank with a 133 litre one.
My fuel economy is usually under 10l but when I tow my caravan in Sports mode it goes up 15/16l

What is the make and weight of your vans Wannabe?

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

Van is Jayco 14.44-5 Outback, about 2T fully loaded with water. I tow in Sports mode no higher than S4, so revs are much higher

[Guru Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Guru]

I recently bought a ZR. Very happy with its performance overall.

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

Van is Jayco 14.44-5 Outback, about 2T fully loaded with water. I tow in Sports mode no higher than S4, so revs are much higher

I have just put in the Steinbauer chip. Will see what difference it makes on a trip to Arkaroola in May.

[Foxy48 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Foxy48]

I also have a SX and do a lot of towing .For parking and turn circle will out do a lot of normal cars .There is a bonus to, there is a 3 tonne tow (300kg ball weight) The normal 5 door has only 2.5 T (250kg ball weight)

[Wilco1256 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wilco1256]

My ZR is awesome, installed OME suspension and the ride now is amazing, many extras almost too many to mention you will love the car but not a family car due to the restrictive access to the back seats, have had passengers and they had plenty of room.

[Woopi Warrior Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Woopi Warrior]

Ive had a diesel 90 series prado and a diesel 120 series and now we have a ZR. The SWB is hands down a better car to drive, park and easier to handle around town. Of course you lose space inside but if the rear seats are up there is heaps of space. We also have a Hyundai Getz as the shopping car and the turning circle of the ZR rivals the Getz. Acceleration is better than the 120 as well and so is the fuel economy. Since buying it we have not looked back.

[Dzr69 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dzr69]

I have had my 3 door for coming on 6 years and I cannot fathom replacing it with any other car. Love it. Can be a bit jittery/pitching on some roads with the SWB but you get used to it. I will get around to doing some suspension mods one day with OME being the pick.