Hi all

Looking at my hubbies message about Big 4x4's....can anybody advise on
reliability, running costs etc, etc, etc of either a LWB Landcruiser (say
97-98 onwards upto the last face change - 52 reg or thereabouts) or the
Amazon.

Again, we'd be interested to know about towing with one

Cheers
Jo

"Jo Bowyer" <jobowyer@ntlworldspamblocked.com> wrote in message
news:0_L6f.2448$Sx4.594@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net...
> Hi all
>
> Looking at my hubbies message about Big 4x4's....can anybody advise on
> reliability, running costs etc, etc, etc of either a LWB Landcruiser (say
> 97-98 onwards upto the last face change - 52 reg or thereabouts) or the
> Amazon.
>
> Again, we'd be interested to know about towing with one
>
> Cheers
> Jo
>

I have experience of [what was the prado/90/colorado] the small one with3.0l
D4D engine. It goes well and even very well after being chipped. Almost
totally reliable. Tows well.
I own and run a '98 Amazon, the 100series or just about the latest model if
you like, with 4.2diesel and auto. This one compares well with my year old
Range Rover, being quieter and more refined. My four speed automatic is very
good and controllable but the latest five speeder makes for better
performance.
Speaking of my big one, in 90,000 miles it has only blown two bulbs and had
the air-con belt changed apart from routine fluid services. Oh, and the CD
multiplayer has recently given up. It is halfway through its third set of
tyres and also the third set of front brake pads. Fuel consumption is not
fantastic but 22-24mpg is not bad either. This compares with 25-27 from my
chipped RR. My Toyota is not chipped.

I would buy either Land Cruiser again, but then again I would also buy the
Range Rover again as that has also been faultless over a year and 18000
miles. Perhaps I should say that if it was a choice between the Colorado
type and a new Discovery, I would certainly choose the Disco but if it was a
choice between the Range Rover diesel and the Amazon then the Amazon would
probably get my cash.

Huw

"Huw" wrote>
>
> I have experience of [what was the prado/90/colorado] the small one
> with3.0l D4D engine. It goes well and even very well after being chipped.
> Almost totally reliable. Tows well.
> I own and run a '98 Amazon, the 100series or just about the latest model
> if you like, with 4.2diesel and auto. This one compares well with my year
> old Range Rover, being quieter and more refined. My four speed automatic
> is very good and controllable but the latest five speeder makes for better
> performance.
> Speaking of my big one, in 90,000 miles it has only blown two bulbs and
> had the air-con belt changed apart from routine fluid services. Oh, and
> the CD multiplayer has recently given up. It is halfway through its third
> set of tyres and also the third set of front brake pads. Fuel consumption
> is not fantastic but 22-24mpg is not bad either. This compares with 25-27
> from my chipped RR. My Toyota is not chipped.
>
> I would buy either Land Cruiser again, but then again I would also buy the
> Range Rover again as that has also been faultless over a year and 18000
> miles. Perhaps I should say that if it was a choice between the Colorado
> type and a new Discovery, I would certainly choose the Disco but if it was
> a choice between the Range Rover diesel and the Amazon then the Amazon
> would probably get my cash.
>
> Huw
>
Thanks for that reply - we are probably looking at the Colorado as opposed
to the Amazon based on size and overall economy etc (esp when towing)...
am I right in saying that the Colorado was the "UK version" whilst the Prado
was technically the imported version, thus, we should be looking at the
Colorado ?
If we were to see the right baby (but doubt we will - reasons to follow..) I
would love to opt for an LC5 model but............

as I understand it, the "newer" LC4/5 etc are available from 2003 model
upwards (or therabouts)? In terms of spec, we're looking to the VX model
Colorado, so we can retain leather etc, etc, etc, and we're looking to buy
used so that somebody else can have the depreciation (!) and I'm prepared to
spend upto say £25K as a limit. We've seen a few 52 reg Colorado models
for c.£18-19K with 30-50K miles.

I understand from the bit of reading I've done that these things are
effectively bomb-proof, so mileage shouldn't be too much of an issue...do we
need to look out for anything particular with these babies ?

Finally, to save me boring you all with my niaive questions, is there a
website that I can refer to to get all my answers in one go !

Cheers for all the help and comments - really appreciated.

Steve

"Steve Bowyer" <sbowyer@spamtrappedntlworld.com> wrote
>
> Thanks for that reply - we are probably looking at the Colorado as opposed
> to the Amazon based on size and overall economy etc (esp when towing)...
> am I right in saying that the Colorado was the "UK version" whilst the
> Prado was technically the imported version, thus, we should be looking at
> the Colorado ?

In a nutshell, yes. They use different names in different countries.

> If we were to see the right baby (but doubt we will - reasons to follow..)
> I would love to opt for an LC5 model but............
>
> as I understand it, the "newer" LC4/5 etc are available from 2003 model
> upwards (or therabouts)? In terms of spec, we're looking to the VX model
> Colorado, so we can retain leather etc, etc, etc, and we're looking to buy
> used so that somebody else can have the depreciation (!) and I'm prepared
> to spend upto say £25K as a limit. We've seen a few 52 reg Colorado
> models for c.£18-19K with 30-50K miles.

Be careful that the very latest model was available as a 2004 model from
late 2003 on IIRC. The perfectly good older model was available from its
launch some 10 years or so back. It was fitted with the less efficient 3.0
indirect injection diesel until about four years ago and that version drank
more fuel than the Amazon 4.2. So at your budget you should be looking at
examples with the newer D4D engine exclusively.


>
> I understand from the bit of reading I've done that these things are
> effectively bomb-proof, so mileage shouldn't be too much of an issue...do
> we need to look out for anything particular with these babies ?

Just the general mechanical condition and some evidence of regular oil
changes.

>
> Finally, to save me boring you all with my niaive questions, is there a
> website that I can refer to to get all my answers in one go !

Not that I know of. There are some discussion groups on the like of Yahoo
Groups but they are mainly populated by Aussies comparing roo bars and short
wave radios and, believe it or not, the relitive merit of rival hot shower
units.
The Colorado [the name has now been dropped] is indeed pretty bomb proof and
drives nicely even though it rolls a bit. It is full time four wheel drive
with live rear axle and independant McPherson strut front end. The engines
on the latest ones are more subdued than earlier versions and the latest
five speed automatic is superb.
Tows three tons with ease. My friends one tows a 16ft twin axle Ifor
Williams dropside with regular loads above two tons and my Amazon tows a 16'
triple axle livestock box with regular loads of 3.5 tons and occasionally a
bit more. Mind you, even my old ['93] Isuzu Trooper has absolutely no
problem with 3.0 tons. These kind of vehicles are built to take it. My
friends Shogun 3 door has just hit 160,000 miles and the original clutch has
only now started to slip. Both his newer Toyota and the Shogun tow an
improbable amount and are not serviced spot on while operating in probably
the most testing of hilly Welsh conditions, yet they are incredibly durable
and reliable so you have no need to worry towing only a 1.5 ton caravan. It
just will not test the towing vehicle at all.


>
> Cheers for all the help and comments - really appreciated.
>

No problem.

Huw

"Huw" wrote a really great reply to my message which I've snipped totally
to save on screen space !

Huw - just like to say a really big cheers for your help. We seem to have
ruled out all of the other options, and are (relatively) settled on the LC
in whatever guise.

In summary we need to look for the D4D engine whether we go for the "older"
colorado or the newer "LC3/4/5" etc.

Once again - many many thanks !

Steve

> Finally, to save me boring you all with my niaive questions, is there a
> website that I can refer to to get all my answers in one go !



The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club site is quite good with a reasonably
active forum - but it does cover all models including the Amazon.

http://www.tlocuk.co.uk/

Bob


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"Bob Edwards" wrote
>
> The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club site is quite good with a reasonably
> active forum - but it does cover all models including the Amazon.
>
> http://www.tlocuk.co.uk/
>
> Bob
>
Great - I'll have a looksee thankyou !!!!!!!!!

"Jo Bowyer" <jobowyer@ntlworldspamblocked.com> schreef in bericht
news:0_L6f.2448$Sx4.594@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net...
> Hi all
>
> Looking at my hubbies message about Big 4x4's....can anybody advise on
> reliability, running costs etc, etc, etc of either a LWB Landcruiser (say
> 97-98 onwards upto the last face change - 52 reg or thereabouts) or the
> Amazon.
>
> Again, we'd be interested to know about towing with one
>
> Cheers
> Jo
>
There's a website for further inqueries: http://www.tlocuk.co.uk/forums/

Happy reading,
Frank