05.11.2016
Toyota land Cruiser Prado ) - legendary, the dream of many motorists. Potential buyers of this car are attracted not only by its cross-country ability and its brutal appearance but also, of course, an impeccable reputation. The 120th Prado is the most popular among all modifications of the Land Cruiser, it is even more popular than the new 150th. And all because the true connoisseurs of the model consider this car the most successful in the history of the model. For some, this is a true friend and assistant, for others it is a confirmation of status, they write about the 120th that it hardly breaks, and the key word here is " nearly". In addition, many Pradiks already have a mileage well over a hundred, and unpleasant surprises await the new owner on this run, but now we’ll figure out which ones.
A bit of history:
The first generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was introduced in 1987, its important advantages were high cross-country ability with comfort worthy of passenger car. This model was offered in a three- and five-door body, with petrol and diesel engines. This generation of cars was produced for nine years and had an index of "70". The second generation, which received the index "90 » , was introduced in 1996, it was the first car in the family to be equipped with an independent front suspension. Prado, with an index of 120, began to be produced in 2002, the car was built on the same platform as its predecessor, and, traditionally, was offered in two versions - in a three- and five-door body.
At that time, equipment and comfort were simply revolutionary. It was the first car in the world to feature Hill Climb Assist, which assists in moving uphill on slippery roads and prevents side slip. In addition to this system, the vehicle is equipped with a range of electronic systems and assistants responsible for safety and comfort. In 2005, a light restyling was carried out, while the appearance has not changed much, but the list of modifications has noticeably expanded. The third generation of cars lasted until 2009. In 2009, as part of the Frankfurt Auto Show, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 (fourth generation) debuted. . The car was built on an improved platform of the previous generation.
Problem areas Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120
Paintwork, as on most Japanese cars, very soft, besides, the anti-corrosion treatment of the body is not the best. All this leads to the rapid appearance of corrosion at all welding points of the frame. Outside, the rear doors, sills and wheel arches require special attention. Most quickly, the red disease spreads on cars imported from the emirates. If on tailgate established spare wheel, check the door for sagging. If, when driving over bumps, a rattle is heard in the doors, most likely the reason is plastic lining or hinge play. The chrome body elements of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado are very afraid of reagents and become cloudy in the first years of operation, and then they begin to peel off.
Power units.
Weaknesses of the chassis Toyota Land Cruzzer Prado 120
The front suspension of the SUV is independent, the rear - dependent, spring, continuous axle. This model can be equipped with both conventional and more comfortable air suspension. Depending on the operating conditions, air bellows live 120-150 thousand km, a new one will cost from 150 to 300 USD. The pneumatic compressor takes care of 180-200 thousand km, they ask for about 300 USD for a new one. The body position sensor lives 100-130 thousand km (if the sensor fails, the car will always be in the upper position), replacing the sensor will cost 500 USD. Shock absorbers have a very long service life and are able to last more than 200,000 km.
Ball bearings serve 150-180 thousand km, replacement is quite expensive, since they change as an assembly with the lower arm. Replacing the stabilizer struts is required every 80-100 thousand km. Wheel bearings have to be changed quite often, once every 50-80 thousand km. Also, close attention needs to be steering rack. On a 5-7 year old Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, you can notice the car is skewed to the left side; to fix the problem, you need to swap the springs or replace them with new ones. I would like to note that the cost of suspension parts is not more expensive than that of other manufacturers, but they have a longer resource. After 5-6 years of operation, the braking performance deteriorates, the so-called "cotton pedal", unfortunately, this problem is not treated by standard methods. Calipers and guides can sour and wedged, therefore, at each MOT, they must be lubricated.
Outcome:
Toyota Land Cruzzer Prado 120, in most cases, is used for slaughter, so it is not recommended to buy a car from hunters, fishermen and off-road enthusiasts. It is better to give preference to a car that was used in a metropolis, as cars from the regions are usually not in the best condition. Purchase of a machine operated in big city, significantly reduces the risk that the previous owner serviced the car in an unofficial service center and refueled with low-quality fuel. Pay as much attention as possible to diagnosing a car before buying, as non-killable cars attract a special type of owner.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your review that will help readers of our site when choosing a car.
Sincerely, editorial Autoavenue
Inspection order received TLC 120 from the driver npoxop, he found the car himself, punched it, checked it visually, I just had to check the paintwork, and the condition with an expert look, so as not to fall for scammers. If possible, find anything that an ordinary motorist may not know or forget when viewed.
I had to go to the city of Istra, where the owner showed it to me. When I got on the train, I had time to think about where else to look. And not like you staring at instagram for hours at busty women
Toyota Land Cruiser 120 with mileage 1 99 000
km. On the automatic rear air suspension, center lock, year you
launch 2006. Two owner by PTS.
So let's start looking
General view of the car, good condition.
Let's start measuring the thickness of the paintwork.
-hood- 130 but the hood is chipped. Might as well repaint it.
-roof- 98
- doors on the left -98-100
Nameplates and stickers are all in place, the openings are not painted.
The VIN code is still on the frame, if you turn the wheels to the left, then under the right wheel you will find it.
Factory painted doors
The rear right fender was painted, I didn’t find putty, but according to the hostess there was nothing serious, there was a lap.
The rear right door was also painted, the condition of the paintwork is good, there is no dust and shagreen.
Since two adjacent elements were painted, from experience I had to remove the seal at the top of the door opening and look in there, checking if there was a side curtain airbag in place. She was right there.
Right front door and front fender factory painted
The windshield was replaced in 2015 due to a stone hitting the old one. The rest of the glasses are original.
Now let's move on to inspecting the engine compartment:
There are no leaks and jambs. The oil and coolant levels are normal, it tastes like it was recently changed.
the engine runs smoothly, without extraneous noise. Engine displacement 4.0 liter V6
Seams with factory sealant, no traces of repair found.
The cooling radiator was recently changed, as you can see.
We proceed to inspect the suspension and the bottom.
No leaks or damage
There are no shock absorber leaks, pneuma pumps up and down, raises, lowers.
Found a torn anther of the inner CV joint of the left front wheel.
The condition of the rubber is quite acceptable, front wear is about 65%, rear wear is 40-50%
The front brake discs have a collar, but they also run.
Salon in good condition Nothing is torn, but there are small scratches, scuffs.
The test drive did not reveal any suspension rumble, brake squeal, or any extraneous sounds, automatic transmission kicks or other problems. After my inspection, the buyer will decide whether or not to take it, he will drive it to the service. About "sores" in the form of rapidly wearing wheel bearings, steering rack leaks, and wear of silent lever blocks, I warned him. He also warned that I would not be able to identify this without a lift, and it was not my task.
Owners give away winter tires in addition.
UPD: after my "report" npoxop decides to take a car, goes to the service and makes the following remarks there:
- overhaul of calipers
- silent blocks of the front upper control arms
- silent blocks of the rear levers
-drive bulkhead, replacement of the anther of the front left wheel.
- change pads front/rear
-brake discs -before replacement.
Total about 70,000 rubles.
(IMHO I would not do half of it due to the lack of sounds from the suspension)
So we have a pretty decent car, which is on secondary market less than others loses in value.
It doesn't take a lot of investment to bring it to perfection. He will serve his master for a long time with proper care and a normal driving style.
With you was #anti-outbidding Valiqe Al Torsion, let's move on vroom, vroom))
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 is a combination of off-road capability, comfort and reliability. He also knows how to charm his owners - 8 out of 10 are happy with everything and are not ready to part with him. In the article we will understand how everything goes smoothly. Is it worth getting involved with a big frame SUV with mileage? If you decide, then read below what to look for when buying a used Prado 120.
A bit of history
The Prado model was born in 1985 in the form of the 70th series. They have little in common with the 120th (in fact, only the name). In 1996, the Land Cruiser Prado was reborn in the 90th series. Like the 120th, it was created on the Toyota 4Runner platform and with an independent front suspension. He positioned himself as the main competitor of Mitsubishi Pajero. But there were no sales records, perhaps due to low-power engines.
The real breakthrough for Toyota was the third generation of the Japanese SUV. Many people still like the LC Prado 120 both externally and in terms of performance. Although technically it is not sinless. More details further.
The 120th series was produced from 2002 to 2009. Official restyling during this time was one in 2007. The changes are purely cosmetic: they darkened the headlights and chrome on the grille, added buttons on the steering wheel and black woodgrain inserts in the interior. And in 2008, the edging of the audio speakers in the doors was made silver.
More significant changes were made in August 2004. Then the 4-speed automatic was replaced by 5 and the 2.7-liter engine was updated.
Body
The frame of the TLC Prado 120 is associated with something unshakable and eternal, but this is not always the case. Its first enemy is corrosion. This is especially true for instances in the possession of “true SUVs”. Dirt and water get inside the frame and make the corrosion process almost irreversible.
In urban use and with anti-corrosion treatment, the problem of a rusty frame may not be. It is imperative to check, since a number is stamped on the frame (sometimes there are non-numbered ones). If the number is damaged or there are traces of non-factory welding, registration will not be possible.
The body itself corrodes reluctantly and also largely depends on the operation. The more dirt Prado sees, the more rust on it. Check the first outbreaks on the back door and under the plastic lining of the arches and doors. With severe chips on the hood, the paint may “swell”.
Toyota Prado has very easy to change plates with Vin-number. They are on rivets. Do not spare the money and time for a legal check of the car before buying. The love of Prado in criminal circles and the popularity of the model significantly increase the likelihood of meeting a “dubious copy”. The body number, frame and documents of the car should not raise any doubts.
Transmission
The gearboxes of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 are also designed with a margin of safety. Mechanics are rare (21 out of 659 for sale). automatic box until August 2004 it was four-stage (A340), after - five (A750). This did not affect reliability. 200-300 thousand mileage without repair is quite a standard indicator.
Service life is greatly reduced by off-road “sally”, aggressive “rides” in the snow and constant towing of heavy loads. Therefore, before buying a Toyota Prado 120, be sure to pay attention to any shocks when switching and the smell of burning on the automatic transmission oil dipstick - this should not be. The probe, however, is only on a 4-speed gearbox. Changing the oil in an automatic transmission is not regulated by the manufacturer. But for a long and trouble-free operation of the box, it is better to change the oil every 60 thousand km.
Four-wheel drive does not cause much trouble. The margin of safety of gearboxes is 250+ thousand km. You need to keep the breather clean. If it is clogged, then due to pressure, the oil is squeezed out through the seals. And with insufficient lubrication, increased wear occurs. In other words, a clogged breather can quickly "kill" the gearbox. 
Some 120s are equipped with a differential lock. But it is intended for use in extreme situations (if firmly stuck) and at minimum speeds (up to 8 km / h). It's like a firefighter - break the glass only in case of fire.
Brakes and steering
The braking system is not as thoroughly reliable as the rest of the components. Often due to irregular service. In order for the brakes to work like a clock, it is necessary to regularly clean and lubricate the guides of the calipers and pads. It is advisable to do this with every pad change. Replacement brake fluid every year or two (depending on mileage) will also extend problem-free braking.
Check the handbrake before buying. Replacing soured cables with work will cost $ 100.
The margin of safety of steering rods is huge. But the splines of the steering column and the cross of the steering cardan can disturb before 200 thousand mileage. If on potholes it “gives” into the steering wheel, then it’s time to change the elastic coupling. At "famous" services, the problem with the steering column is solved by replacing it as an assembly. At the service station it is simpler and with a “creative approach” you can solve the issue several times cheaper.
Taxiing is not the best forte 120th Prado. There is even a myth about his super propensity to roll over. There is some truth in this due to the high center of gravity and the “roll” of the suspension. But with adequate driving and a working suspension, it will be difficult to overturn the Prado.
Electrician
Without third-party intervention, electrical problems in the Land Cruiser Prado 120 rarely occur. Most often they are associated with air and adjustable suspension. These are body position sensors, the failure of which causes the body to skew. Cleaning helps for a while, but needs to be changed in the long run.
If the adjustable suspension does not respond to switching modes, then most likely the wire in the corrugation on rear shock absorbers. Most often the left. It is repaired elementarily, some even do it with a paper clip.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 V6
Dominic
Release year: 2004
I read here people who bought Pradik 2.7 and crying that the car is crazy. Are you people? You would have stuck the engine from Matiz in the TLC 100, and then walked around and were surprised - yes ... the car is not going! This is a jeep, and not a Rav4, but a serious SUV weighing almost 2 tons! V6 is the minimum for him! There are no grandmas for a normal configuration, there is nothing to look at in his direction. 2.7 for the Arabs, they set that the shepherd would ride behind a herd of camels with a conditioner, and not on a donkey :).
Since 1999, I have only experienced Japanese women (in order of ownership): Mazda 626 1.8 gas-gasoline 1990 (as the first woman), Honda Accord 1.8 1998 (as it turned out, assembled from 3 Accords of different colors. Hello Lithuania, but the car is good), Toyota Camry 3.0 2002 (sofa on wheels - after Honda quickly got tired. Two pluses - reliability and smoothness. My bathrobe and slippers would really fit this car :), the last 2.5 years Toyota Prado 4.0 2004 .- on the highway super and shit (rarely), in the city there is no pleasure, except to scare everyone away with a kenguryatnik. I miss the Honda most of all, namely, its handling. Toyota has nothing to do with this, definitely. While visiting a Toyota dealer for the last two years, I began to feel like a visitor to some market, not a car dealership. The darkness of the people, no attention to you. In short - sign up for a queue or don't get confused here, and you won't even call the service.
I ran into sedans (albeit inexpensive Japanese) and Pradik. I can say that both sedans and serious SUVs have their pros and cons. The sedan is good in the city, but in the winter you get stuck here and there. It’s scary on the track - they’ll drag you under Kamaz and remember your name. You can’t drive into a snowy yard, it’s scary to drive through a deep puddle. Landing is again low - you predict the situation on the road worse. Jeep type TLC 100, Prado, etc. it’s good on the highway, both in winter and on a country road, but in the city it’s inconvenient on it - it goats, falls, doesn’t rulizzo, shakes in the pits because of the frame and the bridge at the back.
I had problems with this car. He gave me such a shit once that I was disappointed in the Japanese. All their quality comes from simplicity, the second is competent PR. I'll tell you more. The first winter the car was in the open air, often driving through snowdrifts. IN THE FIRST winter, absolutely unprotected wires to the rear electronically controlled shock absorbers rotted. Halfway to Moscow, at night, the air suspension moved to its highest position and refused to lower. The course of the rebound, of course, became zero. Can you imagine what it is? You ride like a ball, every crack on the road is like a kick in the ass, the headlights shine somewhere under the bumper, there are almost no brakes. I reached Moscow somehow at 40 km/h. In the morning I began to call Toyota's officials for an urgent repair. In Elk Island (I took this miracle from them), the queue is 20 days, in the rest it is no less. Somehow I persuaded in Otradnoye to fix it in 8 days. I had to turn around according to acquaintances while the car was stuck in the parking lot. While driving to the service on this ball, I almost died of shame - all sorts of gazelles slowed down, turned around, poked their fingers and neighed like horses, watching me dance on the bumps and pound the ceiling with my head. Further, it is even more interesting - in Otradnoye, the warranty engineer did not recognize this as a warranty case! They bred 4,000 rubles to replace the wiring, they sold the replacement of the air suspension sensor for $ 400 (which had to wait a month, although after replacing the wiring the car went fine). To my question, why not under warranty - you yourself damaged the sensor. Huyase! How? This is usually during an accident. But the car is not an emergency never! And the wiring? The hooligans in the yard tore it off for you. Service freaks! And where should I go in a strange city? It's time to go home. I had to pay. If there was Elk Island, everything would be changed there for free. Came home, insulated this wiring nakuy tightly.
By the way, a week ago I returned from TO-50000 to Elk Island. Again, 2 air suspension sensors were replaced under warranty, the handbrake was tightened. Everything was done right. Eyes rolled out at my story about Otradnoye. In general, the air suspension on the Prada is scary. The managers themselves in the salons admit that it was just an unsuccessful marketing ploy. The skin on the car is also very bad - slippery, wrinkled, my driver's seat has already been worn to holes from jeans.
There were still problems with this car. The airbag light is on all the time. Diagnostics does not give errors. Once the climate fan failed in the spring at 0 degrees. It’s good that it resolved itself, otherwise I had to go to Moscow the next day. Probably a computer error again. And all my Toyotas terribly rattle and creak in winter on rough roads. You go along the highway or Moscow - the silence is perfect. If you come to our potholes, it's scary to turn off the music. The seat creaks, the sofa rattles, the side glass rattles.
These are the reliable Japanese: (((
In the spring I will change the car - it will be exactly 3 years old. Cars like Q7, X5, RX350, FX45 are just what I think are the most convenient. Off-road, I rarely go even on Pradik, because. zadolbalsya after such pokatushek polish and tint, set thresholds. I'm not a hunter or a fisherman - sometimes with my wife we go to the forest sometimes to stir up :) and that's it. For off-road it is better to take something cheap and maintainable, such as UAZ, 2121, TLC 100 GX or Defender - you don’t feel sorry for them, because they were created for this. Crossovers seem to me to be universal - landing is high, rulizzo, powerful engine, prestige, spectacular appearance, universal body(baby strollers are convenient to carry) in the city, the cross-country ability is excellent and on the highway it’s not as scary as on a sedan. If I lived in Moscow without getting out or in Europe, I would most likely take a sedan. But now I need a universal machine!
I ordered an AUDI Q7 4.2 FSI, 350 horses. I refused a diesel engine, because. I drive no more than 20,000 km per year - it will not justify itself. My first German will be. I'll post my impressions in the spring.
ADVICE: now the officials have a Prado 4.0 version on sale without leather, air suspension and a third row of seats - who decides to take this car - take ONLY this version, even if you have money for the most expensive equipment! It costs 5 or 6 thousand bucks cheaper (around $ 53,000-54,000), and even in this car there will be nothing superfluous and problematic. Himself would take only her with any money, if he looked closely at such a machine.
Yes, and more about gasoline consumption - 18.4 liters in the city, no more than 15 on the highway. This is not on a computer, but repeated calculations on gas station receipts and odometer mileage. Now they are installing a 5-speed automatic transmission - it will be even more economical, because. I have 4 speed.
Alexei: I read your reviews. Because You are still the owner of a 120, I strongly advise you and other owners of this very good car to look under rear arches wheels and find the wires going to the shock absorbers there. You will see a protective cover on them (such a ribbed braid-tube), and there are no penny clamps at the junction of the casing and the shock absorber, therefore, if the casing moves slightly away from the shock absorber, you can see the wires in the slot. Sand, salt, mud, snow, etc. are clogged under the casing in winter. and they just corny rot, then fall off and that's it - if you raised the car - you won't lower it anymore. Servicemen generally recommend not to use the change in clearance on the Prado out of harm's way - he has one more disease. It's an airbag valve. You raise the car by inflating the airbags, the valve closes and won't open again - congratulations, you're on the ball! They keep a decent supply of these valves in the warehouses of dealers - those goats in Otradnoye told me that they lied me for more than $ 500 for an obviously warranty case. Everything I wrote is true! He himself was a fan of the Japs for a long time and especially all LCs, but after such jambs the attitude changed. Tell me, why the air suspension in the Prado? Weaves without these air suspensions are still being supplied to our market, and even the LX470, because. they themselves recognized them as unsuitable for Russia, and then they decided to show off! A week ago, again, the sensors (2 rear) of this pneuma were changed to me under warranty for 50,000 km. It’s good that it’s under warranty, otherwise each costs $ 400 + $ 100 for work, because to change them you need to remove the gas tank, total $ 1000. And it’s also good that after that incident 1.5 years ago I don’t lift the car at all, otherwise I would again ride 600 km to Moscow, like a fool, 40 km / h without light and brakes. I don’t drive off-road, the car is very well maintained, so this is the manufacturer’s jamb, and not my atrocities in shit.
But in general, the machine is good, but take only 4.0 without this stupid pneuma, otherwise after the end of the warranty it will ruin you. Of the serious stocks, only pneuma - otherwise super! I agree that you can’t burn it in the city, which I wrote about earlier. Only in a straight line if. Therefore, tired. But good on the track! The seats are also uncomfortable - you drive for more than 2 hours - the whole lower back hurts. Support is lacking. I'm tired of these Toyotas - that's all consumer goods. A means of transportation for those who do not have enough or feel sorry for the money for a normal german car. The exception is Weaving for off-road and RAV4 for girls - these cars with charisma are narrower, unlike everything else model range. But they are still far from the Germans. Went to AUDI, because. the opportunity arose.
Bulatu: You drove 35 km on a broken pneumatic and then covered the "dream" with cues, and I was 300 and was ready to burn this miracle in the middle of the field! Yes, even at night. Moreover, I spent an extra week in Moscow because of this "dream". This is not enough - they also got bored at the Toyota Center Otradnoye service when they saw a non-resident in a hopeless situation and ripped off money for repairs - pay $ 500 or go get the hell out of here. There are no words - not people, but whores!
You correctly noted other disadvantages - there is no light on the car at all. Even after I stuck xenon on the middle one, it’s really scary to drive on the highway more than 100 km / h, because. you won’t have time to slow down if a mudag drunk on a tractor with a trailer without lights wants to cross the highway at night (this is a real case from my life - however, I was on a Camry then. I barely managed to slow down, otherwise I wouldn’t write here already). I put additional high-beam headlights on the kangaroo Hella Jambo Xenon (rectangular, round mounts tear over time). True, they are expensive - one costs more than $ 500. But they shine just fabulously - you go like during the day! This Sun is personal. Minus, in addition to price, they have a derivative of dignity - they are too bright. At night, people who meet 3 km away begin to blink distant, begging to turn it off :). I turn it off, of course, and again you are left with a dead neighbor, so you have to slow down the speed.
Steering wheel without music control - you rightly noticed that. It is also thin and therefore uncomfortable - under Japanese miniature little hands. The grip is as thick as on the TAZ 2105. In the X5 or Q7, the steering wheel is simply fabulous. I ordered the steering wheel to be redone at the Lika-Design tuning studio in Moscow. They glue it out for 2 weeks from the native one and sheathe it with first-class leather - this pleasure costs $ 650. But in the end - the same as on the Brabus.
Let me summarize once again - do not take the Prado if you will mainly drive around the city. It is just right for the track and primers. If you take it, buy the version without pneuma, leather and the third row (there will be no other differences) - save $ 6,000 and rid yourself of hemorrhoids with pneuma. If you need leather - in a tuning studio for $ 2000 they will sew such an interior for you that even Lexus owners will click their tongues. Moreover, choose any color (at least orange or red), the texture and quality will be at the level, and not gray dermantine squalor from a Japanese factory for the same money.
Dmitry: What happened to my car and Bulat's car is not an indication that the same should happen to you or your friends. Here, many wrote about the flowering of the hood and swelling of the paint on both the Prado and the Camry. But my body is in perfect condition - I have never repainted the glands and never changed the chrome - everything is like new! On the hood for 1.5 years there was a chip from a large stone caught on the highway, the size of a penny coin - it didn’t even bloom - then smeared it with a brush for beauty. Painted only plastic moldings on the doors in a circle, because. then the passenger will hit something when he opens the door, or I myself will scratch with boughs in the forest. And with my Camry, too, there were no questions about the color. Perhaps I just wash my car more often than others + serious polishing after the winter (removes all plaque during the winter and the car sparkles like new - in the province it costs 2000 rubles, in Moscow, obviously - more expensive).
The fact that the steering wheel is not thin for you is probably just my fingers are longer and I have nowhere to put them :), but sit in new five BMW and you will understand what a steering wheel is for a driver, and not for a collective farmer.
Do you most likely live in Moscow? So on Moscow roads and on the highway, nothing creaks or rattles. Not so in the province, unfortunately (in winter).
Different jambs on the same model of Toyota most advertised for its impeccable reliability (who has air, who has paint, who has something else) or their absence at all reminds me of a bearded anecdote about basins, the quality of assembly and coloring of which depends on before lunch they were collected or after, what was for lunch and whether the picker was hungover, whether his wife gave him, etc. But it's not TAZ! I admit that I was just unlucky and the assembler of my car (or the inspector of components) did not calculate sake the day before :), but a car for $ 60,000, and even with such a reputation as an eternal car, should not be a LOTTERY! I do not scold very much this a / m. I like it and it has its pluses and considerable ones. I just don’t believe in Toyota’s impeccable reliability anymore and I don’t advise you to rely on it when you go somewhere hundreds of kilometers from civilization. Otherwise, you don’t have to go back on foot or freeze without a stove when the fan fails :(. Now Toyota of all stripes around the world is in great demand due to aggressive advertising, inexpensive prices and PR tales about reliability. everyone is swept away, not particularly looking closely. Hence the quality suffers. I think there is no such thing on Lexus yet (although I haven’t rolled it, I don’t know). In general, according to the latest ratings, Hyundai outperformed Toyota in reliability - I don’t know, probably also PR. Remember, on at the dawn of the nineties, everyone considered the standard of reliability Mercedes? Now these voices have quieted down. Too, Toyota is waiting, IMHO, if quantity replaces quality. Forge the loot while it's hot.
Bulatu: You correctly noted about the pneuma algorithm. He is none at all! According to the mind - the car should sit down as soon as you turn off the ignition. On my own car, he stopped, turned off the ignition, got out and closed the door. The car squats a couple of centimeters. What for? I already got out of it! At the same time, without feeling the need for her help (legs are long :). If only in order to get luggage, but with my 96 kg and height 186 this is not a problem even without pneuma - 2-3 cm do not affect anything. Pneuma on Prada is utter nonsense! She only spoiled the whole impression of the overall good design of this Japanese UAZ and of the Toyota brand in general. I don’t know how pneuma affects the smoothness of the ride, because. I didn’t ride the Prado without pneuma, but on this car it’s the most lame knot - sensors, wires to the shock absorbers (where the wires go together to the shock absorbers and to the pillows in one casing, most likely), airbag valves. Or take it without pneuma or, who has already bought it with it - do not touch the button for adjusting it out of harm's way! Off-road, this feature is completely useless. Last winter I went with my wife to the country (for the sake of pampering, not out of necessity). The snow is not cleared there at all - only the track from the UAZs, and then brought in. Sat in deep snow rear axle. All pribludy - ponizhaykoy, differential lock turned on. Uselessly. He began to raise the pneuma - to no avail. She does not lift the bridge - only the body! I called my brother - he has Padzherik 2. And then such evil took me! I feel that one wheel has some kind of very weak grip with the ground. He began to push it back and forth (I almost ruined the box, probably). Ripped it apart in 5 min. I dug to the ground with wheels - the car was heavy, the snow was crushed by the bridge, stood on the ground and drove off. I respected Pradik for this later :). But if he had pissed me off again then, he would have sold it for sure. So pneuma off-road for the Prado is not an assistant, because. The bridge is in the way anyway. Here in Q7 there is no bridge - here it will help, because the bottom is flat and you can only sit on it entirely, and then raise the body and leave. Pneuma on Prada is pure marketing! Which will suck thousands of dollars out of you after the end of the warranty, and even set it up at the most inconvenient moment.
Hundreds of thousands of accomplished men dream of this car. But not everyone can afford it. Expensive. But if you really want to, then you can consider buying a used car. But how hard on the wallet will owning a Toyota be? Land cruiser Prado 120? Now we will find out.
If anything rusts on this car, it's the frame. The first traces of rust may appear on it after five years of operation. Around this time, the chrome parts will lose their external gloss, and the hood will be covered with small chips. Also, over time, be prepared for the heavy fifth door to sag. Fortunately, its loops can be relatively easily adjusted. Most often there are no problems in the cabin. Most often, owners complain about the noisy stove motor. To eliminate excess noise, it is enough just to lubricate it. But the electrician can remind himself, but this will not happen on most cars very soon. It is possible that after a run of 300 thousand, you will have to change the ignition switch and starter. About 200 thousand kilometers is a generator.
No special claims gasoline engines. They will rarely have to be serviced, since a chain is used in their gas distribution mechanism. After a run of 100 thousand kilometers, it is advisable to clean the nozzles. Engine thrust should improve and fuel consumption should decrease. And at all they will have to be replaced only after 300 thousand kilometers. Also, at the turn of 150 thousand kilometers, it is desirable to replace fuel filter. Usually by this run it clogs up. The fuel pump can withstand under 250 thousand kilometers.
There are a little more complaints about diesel engines. But they arise mainly due to the fault of bad fuel. fuel injectors they can remind of themselves already after 100 thousand kilometers, and they will have to be changed after overcoming the mark of 180 thousand. There may also be problems with boost. yes and serve diesel engines will have to do it more often. The belt used in their gas distribution mechanism will have to be changed every 120 thousand kilometers. And in any case, no matter what engine is on your car, pay attention to the integrity of the radiator of the cooling system. After a run of 150 thousand kilometers, it may begin to leak. Usually, by this time, the cooling system pump also fails; you need to diagnose it before buying.
mechanical box it is very difficult to meet gears on the Prado, so all the attention is on the “machine”. And he is quite good. Cases of failure are rare. Yes, and they arose only on those cars that managed to dash off huge runs.
In an all-wheel drive transmission, an electric motor mounted on transfer case. But again, this problem is more typical for "killed" cars. And here are the front and rear gear can leak even on relatively "fresh" cars. This usually happens in the region of 200 thousand kilometers.
In the suspension, every 120-140 thousand kilometers will have to change the CV joint anthers, front wheel bearings and front stabilizer struts. Ball joints changing in tandem with lower control arms, serve approximately 200 thousand kilometers. And shock absorbers can even hold 250 thousand kilometers.
Sometimes on the market there are cars with air suspension. It is also quite reliable, although its parts cannot be called cheap. Pneumopillows can withstand 170 thousand kilometers, and a pneumatic compressor can last all 200 thousand. But the body position sensor will have to be changed more often. Usually it does not serve more than 100 thousand kilometers.
In steering, every 200 thousand kilometers it is necessary to change the steering rods.
The braking system, too, will not remind you of itself up to 150 thousand kilometers. But after the indicated figure, you will have to repair the calipers and change the master brake cylinder. And don't forget to use the handbrake. Otherwise, his cable just sour.
The reliability of this car is amazing. The resource of most nodes without any problems steps over the mark of 150-200 thousand kilometers. So, if finances allow, then it remains only to pick up a car. And ride and ride and ride. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 will break down very soon.