Amazon or Patrol GR?

Clip-Clop

Folks,

Hilux went to the scrapyard after years of abuse at the weekend and am casting about for replacement. Budget is not great (about 15k) which puts out the Disco 3 (not that I am at all convinced about them - too many horror stories there even if I had the cash).

I need it to seat 7 adults, pull a horse box and a boat and do a bit of off roading. Mileage (very little city driving) will be high and running costs are a consideration.

In my budget I've seen an Amazon (4.2, auto 100k miles, doe'd even though 7 seater and mild fishy smell from that but otherwise immaculate, 2002) and a Patrol GR (2004, 75k miles, nct to 06/12, immaculate but havent seen how much towing its done) - both are asking 12k approx.

Current thinking is that the Amazon is a nicer jeep, more toys, pulls like no tomorrow, more room for rear seat passengers and bullet proof rep. Against that I'm worried about getting absolutely crucified on MPG (22 odd sound about right). Patrols are a bit of a mystery to me - this one looks gleaming, is newer, is renowed for reliability and the mpg will be better (27 odd?). Against that ride is pretty agricultural, brakes are not the best and I know of a few that lose their turbos with worrying regularity. That leads me to lean toward the Amazon but I'd appreciate any feeback, positive, negative or any angle I havent thought of.

Thanks

Conor_M1990

How can a 7 seater jeep be doe'd outta interest ? whats the tax on it

personally myself id go with the Toyota every time those Amazons are a lovely jeep

CJhaughey

Those 100 series had a special deal going where Toyota Ireland cut a lump out of the rear compartment and welded in a big ugly steel box.
This allowed them to make the volumetric cutoff for commercials, subsequently the rules were changed and they no longer qualified under different rules.
So there are a few 100 series with a crew cab designation floating around.
If you think it might be one just look under the rear deck and you will see a big black steel box welded in between the frame rails.

Top Dog

CJhaughey wrote: »

If you think it might be one just look under the rear deck and you will see a big black steel box welded in between the frame rails.

So thats what it is! There's a couple of them floating around down this way - always thought it was an auxiliary fuel tank or something hanging off the arse of it

Eric Cartman

amazon, the most comfortable 4x4 around , the 4.2TD is a brilliant engine , lots of power and acceleration

Fishtits

Amazon all the way, I've had both, the Toyota is a million mile vehicle. The GR is not bad but the big Toyota is in a class of its own IMHO.

Clip-Clop

Thanks for the feedback - leaning heavily towards the amazon. one question about it - does anyone with the 100 (2002 'Amazon' model) know if the second row of seats slide forwards and backwards. Hunted around on the tinternet and no solid information (I know the later models do but waaaay outside my budget). I will occasionally need to carry unusual combinations of tall people and babies and just want to know how flexible the seating will be.

Even if they don't does anyone have any experience of carrying passengers in the rear (third row)? will it accomadate reasonably sized adults (say 5'10) for journeys of an hour or thereabouts?

Many thanks again.

CJhaughey

Clip-Clop wrote: »

Even if they don't does anyone have any experience of carrying passengers in the rear (third row)? will it accomadate reasonably sized adults (say 5'10) for journeys of an hour or thereabouts?

I was in the third row of an 80 series in Africa and the floor was a little high, not enough to really annoy you and fine for an hour or more.
If you had to sit in it for more than 2 hrs, I would be swapping with others in the car.

Bearcat

amazon all the way.....dont forget religiously to change the oil/filter every 6k and do it yourself....piece of p!ss. as far as I'm concerned our amazon will see me out and i'm only in my mid 40's....thats how bloody bullet proof they are.

Those GR patrols harbour a rattly 4cyl 3.0 I think.....yuch

_Conrad_

3 litre patrol is straight 3, the others are 4.2 and 4.8.


The older, 1990s patrol 4.2s were unreal, but not as comfortable or user friendly as the big landcruiser, the one to pick though i suppose is the 'cruiser as it's as good as a car when used like a car, and still a bit of a beast when venturing into the wilderness

MrFoxman360

I would definitely point you in the direction of the Cruiser Amazon. Far more refined than the Patrol in my opinion and extremely comfortable. I have one and do a lot of long journeys, and I cant fault it. They have all the toys you could want and are the definition of reliability.

Off road ability is excellent, and they are extremely good at towing, and I think thay actually can leaglly pull more than the 3500kg it's licenced for. I tow a lot with a 16ft ifor williams tilt bed, mainly cars, tractors and diggers and never had a problem.

They are huge inside and out and you prob will notice the extra width compared with the norm especially on narrower roads and parking etc... 7 seaters are roomy inside but could't say much about rear passenger seating as mine is commercial.

MPG ranges from 22.5 to 26, depending on the journey, assuming your going for 4.2 diesel and not 4.7 petrol :rolleyes:

oflynno

wh y send the hilux to the scrapyard?

i could mess around with loads of bits from it,no matter how bad it is.

sob,sob

Bearcat

_Conrad_ wrote: »

3 litre patrol is straight 3, the others are 4.2 and 4.8.


The older, 1990s patrol 4.2s were unreal, but not as comfortable or user friendly as the big landcruiser, the one to pick though i suppose is the 'cruiser as it's as good as a car when used like a car, and still a bit of a beast when venturing into the wilderness

apologies conrad....from the noise of em i'd thought it was a 4 pot and a big one at that

oflynno

i'd go for the amazon hands down

much better bus

i want a early 90s one so if anyone has one in the way,shout me:D