They are a good family / starter 4wd. Very capable 4wd if driven properly. 2inch lift and some bigger tyres maybe 33's if they fit is more than enough to get you places. If i had to go gwt a more family friendly 4wd prado would be at the top of the list.

You just looking at doing beach trips etc?

Looking at the beach but more camping and Gibb river etc.
Nothing too rough just family camping and getting away for the weekend.

 I just bought the 2015 run out model for $62k. I wanted to get the 200 series but they are another $32k and the running costs are significantly higher when being used as a daily driver. My first impressions are great vehicle and with a little bit of modification they are a great 4wd and being a lot lighter than the 200 it will be much better on the sand too. The biggest down fall is they only have a 2500kg tow limmit but my boat is only 2000kg so for the amount of time I will be towing long distances I am fairly sure it will be just fine. They do hold value too so better than the previous Navara that lost $30k over 3.5 years...

 Would only be towing a jetski so not an issue there, so all good 

Very capable all-round 4wd.  I have a 2013, well-fitted out, very comfortable, economic, and can tackle any 4wd trip. 

I have a fitted out 2010 gxl diesel and have never had any issues and goes anywhere I would deff put a lift kit on and bigger tyres don't think my bash plates will last much longer

 I've got a 2010 GXL diesel that I'm probably going to sell soon. Only has 57,000kms and never been off road (by us). If you are interested in a 2nd hand one let me know.

I had one of the 120's for nearly 7 years. By far the best car I ever owned. Did all the servicing myself for 150000 kms and the only thing extra I ever changed was a battery and tyres. ( was ready for suspension and brake pads when I sold it) 

I quite often have the 150's for a work vehicle and just don't find them as comfortable for me. Drivers position a bit cramped and the layout is not as natural. 

 i have the prado at the mo, its due for the 3 year trade in next month and was looking at the new Fortuner. same engine and gearbox as new prado 2.8 with less weight better performance and bigger towing capacity may be worth a look? they are being rolled out next month im told and with a price similar to the gxl prado but fully loaded 

 I've had my 2004 GXL for 8 years now. Has never missed a beat it's coming up to 335,000 ks. Same as Dodgy do all my own services, easy to get to filters. Pulls the Tinny into Peron Nat Prk up Shark Bay no worries at all. You can't go wrong IMO. 

New Prado is $68000

Great 4X4 driven one before and will definitely be getting one.

Had one 06 Prado for fisheries research and drove it weekly between Exmouth and Carnarvon bush bashing over 2 years, never a drama and took it some crazy places.

Ex missus and I had an 05 model from 08-14 and never had an issue.

Just bought myself another 05 model 6 months ago and don't expect any dramas, great vehicles.

 Yep. Mine was the 05 gxl too. 

 I live in Thailand for six months of the year and purchased a new fortuner two years ago here awsome car also have the latest 200 series in Perth I will be home this month and will be ordering a fortuner for the wife we have always said wish they brought fortuners int aus now they have of this month.

the fortuner has all the bells and whistles and I would rate it not to far from the 200 series I'm interested to see how much they are going to be as I bought mine new here in Thailand top of the range pearl white for 43k aus so let's see how much extra we are going to get slugged 

You will be able to do much better then $68k on the price of the new model. I wouldnt accept anything more then $65k drive away.

 I bought a 2010 GXL Prado 2 years ago and love it. Great touring car and have been to Karijini and also take it up to Quobba. 

I would look for a second hand one less than 3 years old. You will pay a lot less than new car price and some will come with the fruit on it already. Also I was able to extend the new car warranty for another 3 years. Normal used car warranty was $1500 and i paid about $2000 for new car warranty extention. Defintely worth paying the extra as more covered.

If considering doing Gibbs River etc consider upgrading the suspension. I will be heading up there in a year or so and plan to upgrade once warrnaty expires

A new car at the time was about $55k and i got mine for $45k with ARB bullbar already fitted.

Looks like I might be on the hint for a used Prado soon

cant speak about the new ones

but my 2003 3 litre intercooled turbo diesel has been one of the best vehicles ever
goes wherever i want offroad and on , bush or beach
very light on the beach compared to some other 4bys

it has ticked over 385 000 kms , without any major issues , biggest expense has been timing belt services
i put bigger wider tyres on it , dual battery and engel etc , air bags

its known as the tractor in our house lol
i keep it as it has been such a great low maintenance vehicle , comfortable & highly capable
for what i use it for id hesitate to take a new one into the same places

hezzy

One of the first things regardless of what 4x4 you buy is to sign on and do a 4x4 introduction to off road course. There are a few operating in Perth do your home work to get a good one. Always remember, one thing a 4x4 can get you into a lot of places but.

They are not a tracked vehicle, they are not a boat, and the can't fly.
They can get you into some places where you will have to move heaven and hell to get out of if you don't think before plunging in feet first.

Happy 4x4 experiences to you, oh yes get the seller to chuck in a long handled shovel.

Just something to keep in mind, if you are going to chuck any modifications on it, tyres are probably one of your best investments, but it depends on the type of driving you're doing.

If you're going to be going off-road over rocky territory, or through mud, a set of A/T's are worth their weight in gold (M/T's if you're really keen). If you're mostly going to be beach driving, its not really an issue. It's a fallacy that you need special tyres for beach work. In soft sand, its often better to have bald tyres since all aggressive threads do is to dig up the sand and throw it away from the wheel. You want as much of the rubber on the sand as possible. This also speaks to the width of tyres. Wide tyres are great usually, but on the sand its often better to have narrow tyres. Your contact patch of the tyre on the ground is a measure of your vehicle mass and the pressure of your tyres, nothing more. A wide tyre and narrow tyre have the same contact area, just a different profile. Wide tyres spread perpendicular to the length of the vehicle, and can have a greater tendency to dig in. Thin tyres tend to spread parallel to the length of the vehicle, distributing load in the direction you want to travel.

Just something to keep in mind.

Sorry, double post

 Good 4wd, put air bags in the back makes a big difference when loaded up, especially under braking for stability. Not much room in the back for luggage but you manage. We came off the Gibb in July loaded to the hilt two fridges in the back plus roof rack full of swags, water, chairs etc and every other nook and cranny used for storage...under seats gloves some tools, behind seats in front of cargo barrier lights and leads. Did two tyres but that was due to speed and too low pressure with weight. Car travelled really well across Gibb. 

Towing capacity fine for touring gets up and goes fine especillay with the 6 speed box. In fact a bit of a speed trap.

I am not a fan of the 3L motor but thats a personal thing...overall view yeah a good 4wd, comfortable for long distances, okay on fuel...would I buy another one...no...only cause I want a bigger donk.

Hi Shano, not sure what model Prado you are chasing but I thought I would mention that I was thinking of selling mine just in case it is what you are looking for. It is a 2007 model with the D4 diesel & 6 speed manual. 138000kms. Has ARB bar, Alloys,window tint, hard wheel cover & has been faultless for the 5 years I have owned it. I am chasing $28500 ono. Driving lights are not included though. Also I am in Exmouth so viewing may be difficult. If you need any info or pics don't hesitate to contact me.

 Little bit old for but thanks anyway

 Just bought the missus a '15 Altitude Prado and she bloody loves it. She had a 200 Series Sahara before that, and reckons the Prado shits all over it for ease of driving and comfort and tells me it uses half the diesel.

 Never noticed the difference in fuel between the prado and the 200. Only when towing the 200 loves the drink. But then again the Prado could never tow over 3 ton at 100 comfortably with the cruise control on.

 Found the 150 series to be the opposite of the tardis. Quite a bit more cramped in the drivers position and layout wasn't as intuitive. I'm a big guy and even things as simple as winding the window down is awkward when your leg is jammed up against the door trim. 

got one last week. my biggest problem is speeding. its so smooth and quiet i dont even realize im speeding every time til i look at the speedo. so not relly a problem at all haha. I cant see myself driving anything else anymore. soon to put  lift kit and bigger tyres.

 Can't comment on the diesel, but my 4 litre petrol is sweet. Uses about 14 litres per 100 km average, cruises at 10l/100km and about 21l/100km towing my 2 tonne boat. Much cheaper to buy as well, but mine is also 2005 auto.

Only do 15,000 km per year so it's not much per dollars wise.