So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[Quickstatus]

pays the electricity?

In new apartments - the user when they lease/own the parking bay. The electricity is metered accordingly

 

[jb747]

The boss decided to sell our (her) Range Rover Sport a couple of months ago, and replaced it with a Golf GTI.

I’m now considering selling the Jaguar XE, and getting a VW T-Roc R. TBA on that at the moment.

 

[Quickstatus]

VW T-Roc R

At least there are no additional costs for paint colour selection

 

[DeKa]

I very much doubt though that I could load everything we put in the Prado into an EV.

Interestingly the new Prado has quite a low payload - around 600kg. 5 large adults and a couple of big suitcases will consume all of that .. let alone if you put a bull bar on the front. If you put a 2 tonne trailer on the back with 200kg downforce you only have 400kg payload left in the car.

As an example only, a Tesla Model Y has a just over 500kg payload and doesn’t get heavier when you “fill the tank”. The boot is probably larger too (as the Prado has that silly raised platform for the mild hybrid battery).

 

[markis10]

Interestingly the new Prado has quite a low payload - around 600kg. 5 large adults

5 large adults will exceed it if you have a bull bar and full tanks, I had a look and decided it was terrible value at its price. Since reading the reviews I have noticed a lot on the roads sans towbar. From next month I will be driving the Tank 300 diesel as I need to tow a reasonable size tradie trailer from time to time.

 

[Quickstatus]

As an example only, a Tesla Model Y has a just over 500kg payload and doesn’t get heavier when you “fill the tank”. The boot is probably larger too (as the Prado has that silly raised platform for the mild hybrid battery).

That is true however they are different vehicles though
For example, You cant tow a 2 tonne trailer in a Y and while they say the max towing capacity is 1600kg, the max tongue weight is only 100kg meaning that i would not tow anything more than 1T. The power consumption is horrendous though towing 1.6T - maybe 150km range. Then add a bull bar in front of a Model Y.......
On the other hand Prado certainly can tow 3.5T easily.

Comparisons are not really valid when comparing cars which are often used differently

Most vehicles have limited payload
My 2014 Sahara LC200 is 3T with bullbar, full fuel tank and no driver - I measured it on a commercial weighbridge.
The GVM is 3350 - so 350kg payload which has to include the driver

That said there are several aftermarket engineering outfits which purports to be able to increase the GVM before rego.
Basically they are uprating the springs/shocks. Sure, but be prepared to have a very harsh ride.

 

[markis10]

On the other hand Prado certainly can tow 3.5T easily.

255kg payload when at the maximum permitted 350kg towball weight is not great, that’s two adults and nothing else in the car.

 

[Quickstatus]

255kg payload when at the maximum permitted 350kg towball weight is not great, that’s two adults and nothing else in the car.

Agree,
I suspect the Toyota engineers realise that Most prado owners wont tow much apart from a Bunnings box trailer.
And then there are those who are clearly going to be over the limit with roofracks, bull bar, bariatric passengers, car full of stuff and towing a 20 ft caravan and then driving at the 110 speed limit.

 

[JessicaTam]

That said there are several aftermarket engineering outfits which purports to be able to increase the GVM before rego.
Basically they are uprating the springs/shocks. Sure, but be prepared to have a very harsh ride.

There are some very good pre delivery GVM upgrades available. Worth doing some homework for and a lot easier than trying to do it post delivery.

 

[tgh]

A friend has a Prado with the suspension upgrade, towing a decent van…..all legal
Not sure of the details but it has been very reliable family wheels (for a tractor….)

 

[Quickstatus]

are some very good pre delivery GVM upgrades

They come with new compliance plates but I am always wary of claims that the resulting vehicle can safely carry increased weight beyond the original design.

The upgrades usually mean the vehicle has a very stiff unladen ride which may be less safe, the brakes are not re-engineered to account for the increased weight, the centre of gravity is usually increased and most importantly the chassis is not also strengthened.

 

[JessicaTam]

They come with new compliance plates but I am always wary of claims that the resulting vehicle can safely carry increased weight beyond the original design.

The upgrades usually mean the vehicle has a very stiff unladen ride which may be less safe, the brakes are not re-engineered to account for the increased weight, the centre of gravity is usually increased and most importantly the chassis is not also strengthened.

As like everything in life, you get what you pay for.