Because I wanted a capable 4WD that didn't ride like a bloody truck. The Toyota is a good unit for what is basically a ladder chassis with a body attached, but considering the amount of time spent in the rough compared with your on-road time, I wanted a car to drive not a truck.

Also they are fun when you find a winding road!

Stuart...

 

I had 2 VW's in the driveway before we bought the 'reg.

I was searching for Landcruiser 4.2Lt TD HDJ100R Auto. Anything that was half reasonable was approximately 420k more than I was prepared to spend, after finding Touareg's were better appointed, better fuel economy, better torque, low mileage, better resale (vs original purchase price) and ALL this taking into account servcieability and parts etc.

The Touareg is such class, compared to the agricultrual environment I was finding in the LC 100 series that I was looking for.

 

Depends on few things, on your pocket on what terrain are you going to use the car, and are you going to tow.. Touareg is better, more luxurious, can tow more, pretty good off roader, its better allrounder than the toyota. Even the LC doesn't feel so comfortable and luxurious like the touareg.. Toyota is probably more reliable.. My cousine has a LC 3.0d, mine R5 is faster, more economical, better handling, and doesn't feel like a box.

 

Had a couple of Patrols before this and it's chalk and cheese. The Patrols were petrol admittedly and thirsty as all ....... especially when towing. Worst I got was with a GQ fully loaded with a fully loaded 8 x 6 tandem trailer of over 30l/100km, ouch. The GQ was probably more capable off road in standard trim especially as it had detachable rear sway bar but it was not real nice around town. The GU was less useful off road and no better on road and came with mandatory front end shimmy. The Treg, admittedly way dearer, leaves them so far behind in comfort, towing ability, fuel economy and not at all shabby off road ability that it's not funny. Reliability on Patrols was excellent, And so far although far less distance travelled so far no issues of note. Just my 4c worth, John

 

I am continuing to look around and it looks like Touareg or a Prado.From what I can see and have driven the Touareg is quieter, more refined / classier cabin and more "sedan like drive". It tows 3.5 ton versus 2.5 ton. However toyota offer fixed price servicing and the resale is very good. I am a little anxious about the potential for significant repair and servicing costs with the Touareg. Could I ask the group why they went with the Touareg?

Your call......... Buy the cheaper Prado, a wheeser D4D that may cost a tad less to service or enjoy a torque monster that will have you hooked ?

 

it's a simple enough equation really .....one is great handling ,compliant, tough and relatively expensive to own .... and one is a tractor.

 

Lol, best comment so far!

 

Yep, Now having owned both Prado and Touareg they are completely different vehicles and there is no comparison on interior, ride quality, performance.
The toyota 4D4 diesel is way past its use by date, in terms of power, economy and noise. The current Prado is clunky and hideous to look at espescailly the back.

 

many thanks for the candid comments, greatly appreciated, it confirms what I was thinking

 

Like Nike says... Just Do It!!!!

 

We're you telly looking for a balanced, unbiased opinion here?

 

We're you really looking for a balanced, unbiased opinion here?

This is the place where people reside who made a significant measured financial decision. In my reads to date they have been prepared to share in an open and honest way both the positive and negative aspects of Treg ownership. I consider your experience a valuable resource which I could not get access to at any other place. I think its very different to "preaching to the converted". Peoples responses to my questions have confirmed a number of my suspicions. I think it is more a case of "from the horses mouth". Though I also do see the subtle humor / irony in your question

 

I was in the same situation as StanII, an decided on the Treg over the Prado, and trading in my current 120 series Prado for the following reasons:

1. Didn't like the new 150 series Prado, backward step on 120 series
2. Treg better ride, handling and performance
3. Great technology in the Treg, Prado very outdated
4. Cost of Prado and what equipment it came with or lack of
5. I am concerned about VW service and long term cost
6. Lost 8 seats in Prado, where Treg is only 5
This forum has been very informative

 

Hi all,

As the current owner of a fully specced 150-series Prado, I don't believe that it's quite as one-sided as some are making out. These days, the Prados are getting quite advanced, with radar cruise control, area view cameras, 6-stack DVD player with Dolby Digital surround sound, pre-collision safety system with automatic emergency braking and much more. There are four things that I'm especially going to miss when my Treg finally arrives:

1. Keyless start - a REALLY useful feature that even sub-$20K vehicles have now. Why don't Aussie Tregs get it (esp. when other countries do)?

2. The fridge between the front seats (I use this every day, so will need to find an after-market solution for the Treg).

3. The comfort knowing I can find a Toyota dealer with Prado spares in-stock in almost every country town in Australia

4. A world of after-market 4wd accessories purpose built for the Prado (drawer systems, bull bars, LT- rated tyres, etc)

Having said that, I can't wait for my 4xMotion to finally get here (although it doesn't even get built till next week, so I've still got a while to wait), and I certainly agree with the comments about torque and refinement.

Just my 2c worth.

Cheers,
Mazza

 

Doesn't the new Treg have the chilled glove box option any more? Same with Kessy? I must admit I haven't looked up the specs, don't even know if they come in actual colours yet (rather than multiple shades of white, silver or black which included dark blue, green or grey like all previous models did, but these things were readily available before. John

 

Hi John,

The Touaregs have keyless entry, but in Australia you have to insert the key in a slot to start the car. In other countries, you can keep the key in your pocket and just push a button to start the engine (just like the Prado and half the other cars for sale today).

Also, the Treg has a chilled glove box, but the high-end Prados have a full-blown fridge that holds eight cans and cools them to just above freezing, regardless of what temp the climate control is set at. It's very handy for longer drives.

Cheers,
Mazza

 

The 'proper' chilled box with decent capacity would be nice but not a deal breaker. Mine's only an 08 but the key never leaves my pocket except to reprogram the key's memory for seats, etc. The fixed price thingy is an nice sounding ploy but you have to know what price and you can get Vw dealers to quote you per service as well but both will still charge for any extras. It's really up to the seat of the pants, which feels right for you regardless of anything else. John

 

Here is the solution for that fridge, and you're still going to end up driving a beautiful SUV.. instead of a box..

http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale/car+portable+refrigerator.html

 

May be just driving the two will answer the question for you there really is a marked difference power and economy are way apart and you need to compare the two on an even model base and compare a 4x4 motion against a kakadu people here can give exact pricing but a 4x4 motion will be around $95000. on road the prado will be around $99,000 service shedule on the vw is 12 months or 15000 Kms the prado is 6 months or 10000 Kms first 3 years or 60000 Kms capped at $210.00 per service plus extra's i know from experience the toyota services get fairly expensive after that period if you dont do heavy 4x4 driving you can buy the 180 tdi 4motion at around $85000 or cheaper on road and that makes the two very seperate vehicles. Go for a drive and see what you think.
Colin

 

I looked at the Prado, the Landcruiser, Lexus LX570 and Lexus RX400. None really compared to the Touareg. I was after width between the wheel arches in teh back, to carry certain sized boxes. The Crusier and 570 were the smallest, at 90cm, the RX next at 95cm, Prado at 100cm, the biggest was the RAV at 105cm.

Also looked at the Cherokee and ML Merc, both based on the same car, 102cm.

Porsche, Q7 and Touareg 116cm, the X6 BMW was 110.

I then drove several and based on that the best feeling was the Touareg, the Toyotas are a very old design, with new bits just bolted on. The Touareg and Porsche are new vehicles and are up to date, the Q7 also feels old these days.

So I purchased a fully optioned Touareg. except for the 4X4 Motion, I do not need it.

Very happy with it, drives as quite as my Lexus LS430 and smoother in Comfort Mode and handles like a Porsche when in Sports mode.

 

My sister-in-law has a Prado Kakadu D-4D. Mainly for her business write-off, but also the added seats. Now 2 years old, she's off-loading it. Not really her thing anymore. Too prissy to get dirty and not really needing its size. It's not a bad set of wheels either. Very capable. She's looking into a Passat 125TDI and a family clanger 4wd to get dirty on the weekend.

So, the Treg or Prado? If it's a stock 150 - hard to say really. But the 150 is still rated at 3500kg towing and the Prado ain't! When we start spec'ing up a Treg to 180 with 4xmotion and air, well, it changes some of the equation. In favour of the Prado is none of the crap with the Treg, as in kitting it up straight off the rack. Not possible with any Treg. But, we are speaking off-road, bull-bar, winch, lift kit/suspension upgrade, LR fuel tank. All easy to buy and fit. Most Treg owners don't do hard dirt.......they just don't and it's a fact! So, if it's 5 seats with rug rats, some mild tracks and an occasional decent tow, a 150 would tick most boxes. I'd be looking for a used 150 for even better value!

 

Touareg vs ????

Personally as a prev Landcruiser 100ser owner I would say that comparison with a Prado is unfair .

A Touareg and a Cruiser is much more of a fair comparison

Tow limits are similar whereas the Prado is a toy in comparison.

My Cruiser a TD FTE towed a 3t van around the country with no troubles and didnt even get a puncture.

Only needed regular servicing.

At 150,000 had one set of brake pads at 70,000 and rears at 120,000.

Discs at 150,000 barely had a lip on them.

Parts were available almost anywhere due to the number being used by the mines.

Admittedly not as sophisticated as the VW but was comfortable to travel in and reliable.

As an owner now of two VW's I find that dealer service costs are high, reliability seems an issue, even though ours are Ok atm.
It costs more for a regular service with my Polo than the Cruiser cost and I sold it because I though it cost too much.

Out of the frying pan Etc Im afraid.

If I went vanning again I would again buy a Toyota Landcruiser

 

snip...
Out of the frying pan Etc Im afraid.

If I went vanning again I would again buy a Toyota Landcruiser

I wouldn't.

 

Well I own a Landcruiser 200 series. No problems at all, plenty of power towing my caravan. But this is the big But.
It's handling leaves an awful lot to be desired, in fact it handles like a big fat cow, my 100 series handled far better. Thus I am looking forward to getting my. MY13 4XMOTION just such a awful long wait for delivery. I know that I will go down a bit in torque, but more luxury and comfort will and truly make up for this. Will be good to sit IN some good seats instead of on them.

 

Don't fear - I came from 3 V8 200's before my Touareg - Comparing the 2 is valid - The Touareg is nearly as big externally, some would be surprised. Wider track and longer wheelbase too. On the power side, the weight of the 200 makes the difference. The Touareg is faster, feels sporty/spritely in comparison. I agree on the handling, even with KDSS, the cruiser just can't hide its mass in a corner.

 

Toyota LC will never be as good as the touareg in handling and everyday road drive..

 

So, if you would be in search for a 7-seated SUV, would you get the LC150/Prado, LC200 or something else?

What to expect for when going from the T-Reg into one of these Land Cruisers regarding a) handling on the road/tarmac, b) driving in "tight corners", c) city traffic?

Don't get me wrong, very satisfied with my T-Reg currently, just already doing some survey-type investigation in advance if some day I need to change my vehicle into a seven-seater.

(The Q7 would probably be closer regarding handling, but there is just something unexciting in that particular car, IMHO... Plus I understood that you can only get full-size spare to Q7 with the 5-seated version, which pretty much defeats the whole purpose of the car.)