Not a Prado, a proper one? (I think they're Landcruiser Amazon in UK?)
A little context - we live in Aus. Can afford the fuel, size of the vehicle not an issue.
We've been looking at a trailer to take the bikes for us and the kids. We only have a Focus so limited towing capacity.
A colleague of my wife has been talking to her about a camper trailer his old man's selling. Looks great, rooftop tent, fridge, cooking etc etc. Bought with his retirement fund and had plans to tour Aus but never happened. Turns out, he's selling his Landcruiser too and it's only done 150,000kms (they still sell here with 500,000+ on and still hold value).
Now all I know is the car is manual and it's a 100 series. No idea what engine but could well be the V8. Apparently, he wants $30k for the car and the trailer, and I'm very tempted once I know a bit more and have seen it in t'flesh.
So assuming fuel wasn't an issue and you had the space to drive one.... Would you? I can picture the bikes on the back and me and the kids heading out or more camping trips without everything wedged in the car and trailer! We'd keep the Focus as the daily and Landy for weekend warrioring (remember the 4x4 guys on the Fast Show?)
Personally no.
I get that they're the Australian standard issue for adventure but I think they're overkill for the use you've outlined. There's better options and ones that are more economical.
As long as you are ok doing walkies a few times every day, aren't away from home too long daytimes and can get back to let it out, and can provide balanced meals then yes.
Mate had one. Ex UN vehicle made for Africa. No fancy stuff. Simple electronics. Really basic inside. Had extra fuel tanks in the front fenders.
He built it into a camper with a pop top roof.
Travelled with his missus and two kids from Germany through Europe, Africa and then shipped it to Canada and travelled the length of the Americas.
No, I already have a dog.
You might need to explain that a bit.
kayak23Full Member
As long as you are ok doing walkies a few times every day, aren’t away from home too long daytimes and can get back to let it out, and can provide balanced meals then yes.
Err... what?
RustyNissanPrairieFull Member
If I lived in Oz I’d have a 70’s series Troopy. Failing that a 100 series – they are fantastic vehicles if you have the requirements for one.
Well that's potentially what I could get, 100 series. I'm not planning on crawling up verticle inclines but by nature of living in Aus it would be used off road. (Which I think a few have assumed a Landy is a bit much for the odd family bike ride, I wasn't expecting to have to write a list of what I might do with it, but it's an off roader so... youknow)
70s are a hefty price and not even a consideration.
My brother lives in Tempe Sydney but visits the his wife's family farm that run a fleet of older 70's and 100's.
The good thing being in Oz is rust doesn't kill older 100's like it does in the UK, it's usually mileage that wears them out.
I have my eyes on a project one here in the UK that in my dreams I'm going to rebuild ship to Oz and do the Canning Stock route and Frazer island.
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Personally, yes, I would. They genuinely are a bulletproof wehicle to last a very, very long time - they are very sought after here in the UK, and even absolute dogs fetch a premium. Good condition equivalent mileage (100k miles) 2005 one for sale here for £23k - same age, double the mileage and a bit tatty, still £17k. But as a few have mentioned - seems very overkill for just towing a trailer with bikes... unless you do think you'll be heading into the bush with the camper? Plated at 3.5 tonne capacity in the UK, but will absolutely and happily tow significantly more. It is cheap mind, especially when the camper trailer is factored in, but maybe that's just the market rate for them in Aus. Parts can be difficult and expensive to get here - but I know that they're way better supported in Aus.
Personally I'd rather have a 70 series - which I think you can still buy new in Aus?
@aphex_2k - it relates to this-
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Put a roof rack on your Focus. No one needs an SUV just to move bikes and people.
Mrs S had the 4.2L Diesel for horse trailer towing duties and it still rates as the most comfortable car either of us has ever owned. And you can usually fix it with spanners instead of a laptop.
A friend has just bought a nearly new one, retired and moved to rural Ireland. He says it's great and manages fine round the tight lanes and parking. He also says it would have been a liability to have back in Stockport.
I want an FJ Cruiser when the S-Max dies, but haven't convinced the financial director who thinks they look awful and that it doesn't have enough seats.
Yeah 30k plus a camper trailer is 15 grand gbp. 150,000km is what, 94,000 miles?
I've not seen it. But it would get off road use, just that's never even been a consideration with a Focus.
Will have a nose and see what it's like. Already got a dog. 😏
Personally I’d rather have a 70 series – which I think you can still buy new in Aus?
40-50k +++ and no free camper trailer tho
I've seen some 100s with 750k on them!
Yes, definitely. Was taken through an off-road experience in a beat up early landcruiser, that cruised the run, while feeling like a family car.
If you want to go into the outback, take a landrover, if you want to come back take a land cruiser.
lol yeah I've heard that many a time.
We went in Landcruisers when we went to the Sahara about 10 years ago, but I don't recall looking at the car much!
Seems to be the vehicle of choice for ex-pats in Gulf states - justified by dreams of off-road trips into the desert; actually used to drive to the mall. My experience was that they are awesome for sailing over wadis full of boulders, but I was surprised that the interiors aren't as big as I'd imagined.
If I was going to go off-road in Australia, certainly. If I didn't need the heavy-duty off-road performance, I'd think about something like a Subaru Outback that can handle dirt roads but would be much better around town and cheaper to run.
I rented one for a couple of weeks on a trip to Oman. It was slow, noisy, big, fairly low-rent inside, good on sand dunes, but not quite as engaging as I'd hoped.
I wouldn't if you don't need the off-road capabilities - I think something more road focussed would make a much better vehicle
Get one if you want something to last.
1994 Hilux still going strong, mates 1998 Landcruiser still working hard. Over 500,000 miles between them.
When Putin eventually decides to nuke us all, the few things that will be left will be Toyota Landcruisers/ Hilux, Shimano XT spds and insects. And crocks. ( not the crap shoes). 😎
Yes, absolutely. I'm thinking about forever cars at the moment and my current thinking is a sympathetically restored and upgraded Classic Range Rover. If I lived in Aus and was offered that Land Cruiser, it'd be on my driveway already. And I'd be down the local Toyota dealers ordering Euro-spec column stalks.
Just checking the dog jokes are done.
I remember someone saying if you wanted to drive into the depths of uncharted hostile terrain, get a Landrover. If you want to get back again, get a Landcruiser.
As I only need to drive on (increasingly shoddy) UK roads, I wouldn't buy a Landcruiser
I’ve seen some 100s with 750k on them!
Which just tells you they're not used for their design brief. That's 8 hours a day, for 4 working years on the motorways, a fairly dull adventure.
If you want to go into Peterbrough*, take a landrover, if you want to come back take the train.
FTFY
*other suburban sprawls that you've heard of and seen on a map but never visited and may well be part of some flat earth conspiracy where the edge of the world is actually somewhere east of the A1 in Lincolnshire may exist, the value of your 2nd hand car may go down and you may not get back in your initial investment, YMMMV, always read the label, keep out of reach of kids, a gasoline diet is not suitable for everyone, consult your physician before following any of the advice given.
Which just tells you they’re not used for their design brief. That’s 8 hours a day, for 4 working years on the motorways, a fairly dull adventure.
Sure, but this is what an Aussie motorway looks like.
If you want to go into Peterbrough*, take a landrover, if you want to come back take the train
The reason that's true is because the LandRover will get nicked.
Nieces husband has one & is all set for selling up in Brisbane & taking a year to travel around Oz with wife & kid. All I know is that it's a 4.5l beast that was great fun to drive on Bribie Island the other week & the main reason he got it was because parts are so freely available if anything breaks* & he knows his 4x4 onions. So in answer to your question yes buy it 👍
*I also drove one across Zambia many years ago that my brother in law hadn't been able to get quite the right brake seal for, so pared it down with a knife to fit - it worked to a degree 🫣
A def' yes from me.
Cracking utilitarian vehicles that were designed for what you haven in mind. Robust too. Solid choice, esp' with the low Km's... The only downside is they are thirsty, but you have already answered that.
The design brief of a solid car that’s built like a tank that lasts for ages? Big fail there, right?
It'd be a short list of new-ish cars that I didn't think would do that mileage (anything with a wet belt or a Subaru badge ruled out for a start) in a dry climate. Past a quarter of a million miles it's more down to that dry climate making the chassis worth keeping working parts bolted to, and the limiting factor in modern engines is things like Nikasil coated alloy blocks rather than pressed in iron liners (at 750k I'm guessing it's been re-lined).
Guess I need to go look at it and have a chat, take some pics, at least find out what engine it has... I do know it's a manual. Majority of people buy autos here but for a 4x4 I'd much prefer manual.
Obvs I'll have a drive and take some pics.
Appreciate the responses, thank you.
A friend in Sidney just bought a 4x4. A huge chunk of the road network in Australia is unsealed. Even basic holiday planning for us showed up places can only be reached with a 4x4. But I’d be wary if that v8 is petrol
The dog thing isn’t true because it made incorrect assumptions about what dogs eat
Petrol is $1.79 a litre (93p)
LPG is 12.5c per litre (7p)
Plus I salary sacrifice so I have a fuel card too.
The V8 is thirsty, but diesel is more expensive (and I think the diesel also has a turbo) so swings n roundabouts. But financially not a problem.
Have taken the Focus on corrugated roads. You need to go over 40 or its bumpy as hell... But risky as you don't have grip. And the orange dust gets EVERYWHERE. It's also awful if you're following someone as you need to hold back or you just can't see.
Yeah, that's what I remember from driving on unsealed and corrugated roads, there is a minimum speed you need to hit, but it gets all a bit exciting. Most cars are fine though, although my mate's Lancer was a handful, sliding everywhere. But then I swapped to a hire Camry and it was soft and wallowy, but felt planted on the dirt. The other car in our party was a hire Falcon and that similarly was soft and wallowy, but stuck to the dirt ok.
I imagine a Legacy or Outback would be a good choice if not towing a massive trailer tent. But with the trailer then, yeah the Landcruiser seems a good plan.
it might be a straight 6 rather than a v8. both engines are similar size and power
@thisisnotaspoon No one should be compelled to vist Peterborough. That's a cruel and inhumane punishment.
I get this is a Good Deal for you.
But do you *need* the adventure trailer / camper thing? Are there alternative caravans which would do the job and could be used behind a more efficient and compact vehicle?
While towing a huge trailer, multiple bikes and kids, off-road, I can see the appeal. But what is the other 95% of your time going to need? Are you around town, using smaller parking places? Other things can be more comfy and better on road etc.
Fuel is only going to get more expensive, are you sure you want that cost and a growing niggle that the planet really doesn't like a V8 land cruiser of carbon emissions....?
IME, most people own 'more' vehicle than they really need.
"Seems to be the vehicle of choice for ex-pats in Gulf states – justified by dreams of off-road trips into the desert; actually used to drive to the mall."
Same in Australia. Most of these things are never driven off road and live (like most Australians) in large towns and cities close to the coast. Most of the off road trips they take could be driven in a normal car quite easily. You can get into the absolute middle of nowhere in a Kia Rio. The logical solution is to buy a towbar and a trailer for the Focus.
But if I were the OP I'd still be tempted.
Brilliant things in the right environment. We typically used 100 series for work when I dug holes in the Pilbara. They are a bit basic on the road and have the turning radius of a small country.
How well do you know the guy selling this as it sounds like an absolute bargain....
High lift jacks look the part but can be bloody deadly as well. It's a bit like the classic do a skills course comment on here but a basic 4wd drive course is a)good fun and b)good for confidence when you inevitably get bogged.
We had courses through work. I still got bogged....
7p a ltr ? Is it 1970 in Australia still?
So long as you stick to graded roads a Subaru Outback or the like would be fine but on my recent trip my sister still managed to find places that we needed to turn back from not far from the coast in new south Wales, so hardly dipping our toes into what Australia has to offer. A landcruiser would have no problem but the wallow on my nieces is enough to make you seasick on the road.
Go for it!
If you can afford it and its a good package, do it. If it's more capable than you need, well you're not going to worry about getting stuck or reliability, do it.
Or, spend more money on something with less ability.
Nieces husband has one & is all set for selling up in Brisbane & taking a year to travel around Oz with wife & kid.
We did that BEFORE kids 😉
A chipped TD5 with gas injection and a 1000km range tank and Hi-tough axles was perfect.
25,000km around the country with no real issues.
Sister and BiL had exactly the set up you’ve been offered OP. They took my 2 nieces out of school for a year and did a figure of 8 round Oz and had a ball. We then visited and the 6 of us did a West Coast road trip which was amazing.
Do it, especially at that price!
My BIL restores land rovers as a hobby. Including everything as old as Mark 2’s. Think he has four in the go at the moment. His workhorse for daily use is a Landcruiser. After 15 years and 250k miles, he’s just replaced it with another. Our own CRV refuses to die at 190k despite my own efforts.
And if you get tired of it.... can sell it to me in a few years when we move back ha.
Put a roof rack on your Focus. No one needs an SUV just to move bikes and people.
Not in the U.K., even with our shitty roads. Aus, though, the Focus would be suitable only for shopping trips - I’ve seen what Aus roads are like on telly, and seen enough warnings about what you need once away from ‘civilisation’.
They are a bit basic on the road and have the turning radius of a small country.
Good thing the OP’s living in a large, mostly empty continent, then…
Anyone seen the price of the new models and these are second hand? Jesus 😳
Good thing the OP’s living in a large, mostly empty continent, then…
Australia has one of the most urbanised populations in the world. Unless OP is one of the outliers in LandCruiser ownership, the car is going to be doing most of its driving in towns and cities.
I think the OP is keeping the focus for daily stuff and the Landcruiser/Trailer is for weekend outings/camping etc.
I have only done a short trip to Aus, but it did involve a lot of dirt roads to access crags. Hire cars are awesome and can go anywhere with enough will, but if I actually lived there and regularly drove dirt to get to the fun stuff, then a bit more ground clearance and ability would be better. So a 100 series Landcruiser, yeah. Maybe a LPG conversion too?
A landcruiser would have no problem but the wallow on my nieces is enough to make you seasick on the road.
🥺
I wouldn't buy another Landcruiser. I had an automatic Colorado. Coolant got into the gearbox via the radiator and hosed the gearbox completely. I went to the Isle of Wight and struggled to get back (no broken cars allowed on the small ferry) - hardly the Outback. This is a fairly common problem with the design. Maybe a manual won't have the same issue? As a car for the farm it was ok until it wasn't.
Yes if I lived in Australia and went into the bush a lot. Having spent part of last year driving them up very steep gravel roads in Spanish mountains pulling a trailer they are great fun and appear pretty bomb proof. Have a great time and adventure, wish I'd had one instead of a Holden estate when I was in Aus.
Argh nearly fell through...
Had been watching endless youtube vids on 100 series, watching people use them off road and upgrading. Got quite excited until....
Missus said she's decided against it. He plan was to hire out the camper trailer for a bit of cash then just decides she CBA as it's too complex to organise insurance for hiring (and expensive). So last night I gave up hope.
This morning she's changed her mind again. It's all go. She said if it's looking like we're not getting the use out of both the car and trailer we could always sell on. So I showed her examples of Landcruisers which have done 300-400,000 kms and still commanding high prices, if we bought this one at 150,000 we'd have no issues flipping it (so to speak!).
I'm waiting on the guy to send her a pic (for now) and ask if it's petrol or diesel. As much as I'd love a V8 the TD makes more sense but they're both gonna be thirsty, I get that.
PaulyFull Member
Sister and BiL had exactly the set up you’ve been offered OP. They took my 2 nieces out of school for a year and did a figure of 8 round Oz and had a ball. We then visited and the 6 of us did a West Coast road trip which was amazing.Do it, especially at that price!
Well we did 6 months round Europe post covid shenanigans.... But some touring around WA would be amazing, such a vast expanse of land, essentially half of Aus is WA. I'd be happy just chucking my camping gear in the back and some little over-nighters, let alone big camping with the kids and bikes!
For the school run , no chance.
For what you want to do, definitely. Built like a truck, designed to to huge mileages . Relatively easy to DIY as everything is big.
Spares are bonkers cheap in Dubai for some reason.
Expect 20mpg at best out of the deisel.
Long range tanks are available, lift kits , roof tent , bull bars and off you go .
Mate drove his around the Sahara ,and the Tibor forest with no problems.
Dude I don't even like taking my Focus to pick the kids up. School parkers have no common sense or parking ability.... it seems. Kids ride to their schools anyway.
5labFull Member
it might be a straight 6 rather than a v8. both engines are similar size and power
Diesel 201HP and 430Nm 2.4 tonne
Petrol 235Hp 435Nm 2.2 tonne
So close really. In my head I'm thinking I'd love the V8 but really, I'd probably be just as happy with either.
There's always the Cybertruck if you want something a bit unique.
Late response, sounds like you’ve made your mind up.
We have a ‘21 prado. I know it’s not a “proper” ‘cruiser, but it does allow us to get places a “normal” car wouldn’t. This weekend we’ve been camping near Oberon, to the west of the Blue Mountains. This morning I woke up at 6, hopped in the car and (naughtily) collected some fallen wood for a camp fire from deeper in the forest. Went through deep muddy puddles, over lots of rocks, and had zero worries about getting stuck or breaking something. This matters when you have a 2 year old in the car with you and zero phone signal!
If you get out and about in Aus, a Toyota is worth having. We bought ours because they last well, and when they do break, spares are available and cheap enough.
In short, for $30k, I’d have it for the car alone.
Anyway, I’m off to bed, I’m knackered 😃
Sorry - meant no ill by dissing the Prado saying it's not a "proper" 'Cruiser. 🙂 If the deal was a Prado it'd probably be just as good and I'd be just as excited. Or any other solid 4x4 really.
Yeah everyone says you'll find parts, or someone can cobble something up at least to get you home, if you ever break down out in Woop Woop.
Glad you could have a fire. Still TFB here. That's the best part of camping!
I've made my mind up... Think wifey has too. Just gotta be careful and avoid pi55ing her off..... Last time she promised me a car was on completion of my degree.... I wanted a Caterham kit and she PROMISED........And, no doubt I'll be sent on missions to pick up something "big" from so and so's house cos "you've got the big car" 🙂
Visions of Simpson's "Canyonero" here.
Surely in Oz it should be a Ute with a detachable camper for the bed?
It's essentially a ute. With a fixed canopy :s
Ok so a bit more info...
It's a 105 not a 100 series
4.5l Twin Cam Petrol unsure of trim level, but manual.
Has had some upgrades but I'm messaging the son as his Dad's still over in Tassie. Son drove it today to keep the battery alive while his Dad's away. Will send me the rego tomorrow so I can search for info.
The new LC has just been 'launched' in the UK starting at £75k!!!!! 4x4's are mental prices nowadays.
The 4.5petrol won't be cheap to run but like my 3.2V6 Cayenne if you buy them cheap enough (£500 in my case) and only use them very occasionally then their fuel economy doesn't really factor into the man maths equation.
So in summary - get it bought.
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-japanesecars/new-toyota-land-cruiser-launched-in-uk/48459
The new LC has just been ‘launched’ in the UK starting at £75k!!!!!
thats the prado rather than the true landcruiser. The real one is only available as an import, at the rather eye-watering prices from autotrader above
It’s a 105 not a 100 series
afaik the 105s are a bit lower trim, more sturdy than the 100s - count yourself lucky its not the (130bhp) diesel
Well I'll drive it to and from work, but I only do 3 shifts a week and I'm 15 mins away. Max speeds are only 70kmh mostly and I don't use the freeway often.
Annoyingly I'm car-less at the moment. Focus had a coolant leak which thry fixed but had to order two other hoses in and the car went back for that today. Now they're telling me my rear brakes are less than 1% and need doing asap and told not to drive it but they can't do until next week.
I am also going to a rave in a millennium falcon replica somewhere in Perth on sat night. May the 4th etc... Someone else driving though...
Yes. Rented an old beat up one in Chilean Patagonia years ago, it was absolutely bullet proof and great fun to drive. Very comfy over long distances on very poorly kept "roads". Perfect for the Australian outback I'd say.
Pics! (if this works...)
Looks okay but it's the oily and metal bits underneath that matter.
I follow TJ & Mac in Oz who tinker with LC's - this is what $11k of 60 series buys for comparison.
