Hi all -
I don't mean to start a flame-war here, but I've had a genuine question for a while now that has only become amplified as all Cruisers continue to sell for crazy prices.
In a nutshell, unless price and/or vehicle availability were a consideration, is there a reason to get a Prado over either a standard 70 series or an 80-series?
It seems to me that the original 70-series was a "capability over comfort" vehicle designed first and foremost for rugged offroad capability at the expense of comfort. Leaf springs, stronger rear diff, bigger less-stressed engines, front locker options, etc. The sort of thing you get in something like an HZJ73 or HZJ77.
The amenities offered in the Prados in terms of coils, slightly more luxo interior, etc. might make them more comfortable on the road, but if you were looking for a comfortable daily and willing to sacrifice the top 5% of offroad capability, why wouldn't you get an 80-series? Way more comfort and features than a Prado.
It just surprises me to see a N.American Land Cruiser specialist shop offering (at the time I write this) three sample vehicles - a 92 HZJ77, a 92 HDJ81, and a 94 KZJ78, all in apparently similar good condition, all within 15,000 miles of each other on the odo, and all within $2K of each other in asking price ($20K, $22K, and $21K respectively).
Don't get me wrong, I'd take any 90s Toyota product over just about any other comparably-aged offering every day of the week. Nothing at all wrong with the Prado per se.
But can someone explain why, if I were looking at those three vehicles, I'd choose the Prado over both of the other ones?
Thanks!
I don't mean to start a flame-war here, but I've had a genuine question for a while now that has only become amplified as all Cruisers continue to sell for crazy prices.
In a nutshell, unless price and/or vehicle availability were a consideration, is there a reason to get a Prado over either a standard 70 series or an 80-series?
It seems to me that the original 70-series was a "capability over comfort" vehicle designed first and foremost for rugged offroad capability at the expense of comfort. Leaf springs, stronger rear diff, bigger less-stressed engines, front locker options, etc. The sort of thing you get in something like an HZJ73 or HZJ77.
The amenities offered in the Prados in terms of coils, slightly more luxo interior, etc. might make them more comfortable on the road, but if you were looking for a comfortable daily and willing to sacrifice the top 5% of offroad capability, why wouldn't you get an 80-series? Way more comfort and features than a Prado.
It just surprises me to see a N.American Land Cruiser specialist shop offering (at the time I write this) three sample vehicles - a 92 HZJ77, a 92 HDJ81, and a 94 KZJ78, all in apparently similar good condition, all within 15,000 miles of each other on the odo, and all within $2K of each other in asking price ($20K, $22K, and $21K respectively).
Don't get me wrong, I'd take any 90s Toyota product over just about any other comparably-aged offering every day of the week. Nothing at all wrong with the Prado per se.
But can someone explain why, if I were looking at those three vehicles, I'd choose the Prado over both of the other ones?
Thanks!