We're moving to Zambia in a few months and we want to buy a Prado; my
wife works for an aid organization, so we can buy a new vehicle from
Toyota-Gibraltar -- customized for Africa / "extreme climactic
conditions".  Alternatively, for just over a third the price, we've
found a 95 (75,000 km, KD-KZJ78W-MET body ) Japanese import already in
Zambia looking for a buyer.  We can afford the new one, but it is a
lot of money that will be lost over our anticipated 3+ years in
country in terms of new vehicle depreciation and probably higher
insurance (assuming we don't get the next post in another
right-hand-drive country).  On the face of it, and I am a novice
4-wheeler, it seems like the 95 would provide 95% of the enjoyment of
the newer one -- a friend with a 94 Japan import Prado in Zambia is
150% happy with hers, she test drove the 95 and reports it is better
than hers.

My current concerns about the 95 are the 95/96 changes I've been
reading about.  In 96 they switched to full-4wd from part-4wd, and I
find books (like an english-language owner's manual) on Amazon covering
96-02 but nothing else.  The vehicle would certainly be used for daily
school commutes with the kids, but we're buying because we intend to
do lots of cross-country on the weekends and holidays.  I'm
anticipating bad and washed-out roads as opposed to more enthusiast
dune climbing or super-offroad action.  I don't understand what
"part-4wd" means for the older Prados -- it clicks in automatically
when a wheel starts to spin, shift into it, or "dirt road coming
honey, let's get out and fiddle with the hubs" ?

Besides the extra money, the main drawback that I can see of the new
one is the (probably small in Zambia) carjack risk.

Both vehicles have similar accessories - bullbar, central locking, AC,
etc.  Both are 3.0l diesel, manual transmission.

I'd really like to read your response on my dilemma one way or the
other.

thanks,

rob.