Mad Dog Morgan (Vic) replied:

Jeez Kev, hasn't this been done before.I may be mad but I'm not crazy
Hooroo
Ray

Jimbo replied:

Which models give problems? I had a 92 GQ and it was great, tough as a two dollar steak. I'm now looking at a GU 4.8 and would like to know of any issues with them, but please first hand information only; foul gossip and rumour will be treated with contempt it deserves.

Thanks,

Jim.

ross replied:

Being a firm believer in never knocking others mode of transport I was wondering that myself .I dont seriously believe that landcruisers are much if any any better than patrols but I have noticed a larger number of queries re nissan problems.Maybe the average nissan owner is just more mechanically challenged than landcruiser owners who can nut their own problems out ect.Its also possible that there is another forum out there in cyberspace where all the broken down landcruiser jalopies are piling up while their owners frantically wait for someone kind enough to offer some guidance.If anyone knows of this site can they please inform the rest of us

Tristjo (Brisbane) replied:

Hey Kev,

Maybe it is because Toyota owners spend so much money repairing their inferior vehicles, that they can't afford internet access, nor a computer!!!

In all seriousness though, both Patrols and Cruisers, if treated with respect, are very robust and reliable vehicles. I have owned seveal Nissans, and have been amazed at the torture they have endured, without ever letting me down. But my uncle is a passionate Tojo man, and says the same things about his trucks.

So it comes down to personal preference and experience. I wouldn't change for quids.

But about the threads, maybe its because Nissan owners, like their trucks, are tough. Tough enough to speak openly about the problems they have experienced with their steed, without being embarrased or ashamed.

Or then again, maybe it's because they can read and write!!! LOL!!!

Tristjo.

Cobra replied:

I could say that Patrols owners are more in touch with self and are more touchy feely that Toy owners, but I won't sling off at an inferior make.
Truly, this only seems to have arisen with the release of the GU, mainly in the 3.0 guise. I am in a Landrover club where there is about 30% LR, Nissan, Toyota and 10% other. From my experience, there is about the same amount of problems from each brand, some are publicised, some are not. Landrover and Nissan seem to be more open and Toyo are quite secretive in testing of malfunctioning vehicles. But, to my knowledge, Toyo are the only ones that sent techs from Japan to test faulty vehicles. Who knows the inner workings of the corporate mind ??

Member - Des Lexik(SA) replied:

Kev, The answer may be as simple that more Nissan owners visit this site than Toy owners.ne cede malis

Fenno replied:

A lot more beginners get them too, far cheaper to get into than a toyo. Like has been said before though, there's good and bad in everything.....and perhaps toyo owners are too proud to say when they have had dramas ;) my mates at work are LOL

Kev - (Cairns,QLD) replied:

Maybe thats it, beginners are more likely to buy them because there cheaper therefore needing help/advice to fix small problems opposed to people just getting on with fixing faults. Who knows.

BTW- i didn't throw mud or slag another vehical make........unlike some peoples comments ! LOL.

Brian replied:

Hey guys... great thread here.... and now for my two bobs worth.. As a relatively new 4X4'er, I had to do a lot of homework before purchase. I read this forum heaps... I read ALL the 4X4 mags... and asked lots of questions to lots of people.
In the end my idea was to get a 4X4 with the following in mind;
1) I wanted a large vehicle to take our family of four to the shops or to the desert.
2) I wanted a tough, strong drivetrain that would take the punishment that someone with no idea up front could likely dish out
3) It had to be affordable.
4) We wanted something 1995 or later

The choices came down to Nissan or Toyota, ( we found Disco's too small for our needs, Prados too dear) but Toyota's were either $5-7K dearer than our budget... or the ones in budget were 5-7 years older than we wanted. So the choice was for a Patrol! Our Nissan Patrol is tough, hasn't let us down... we go everywhere we point it to without any fuss ( and have progressed from the "easy" trips to the "medium-hard"...) and I like the look of it! So what if it resembles a 60 series? I have yet to see a truck climb a gorge/ford a river/descend a steep hill where the deciding criteria for its success was the body design.. :-)

Something else that intrigues me is that there is always a lot more spares in the accessories section of the Trading Post for the Toyota than the rest???

Anyway.... enough of my rambling.. It doesn't bother me what the "best" 4X4 is.. (although I was happy to see Patrol crowned 4WDOTY) ... I don't think there is a "Best"... theres just a truck out there for everyone!

The above is just my humble opinion... nothing more... nothing less
Cheers
Brian

Member - Bradley replied:

Geez, aparently i'm a terry tightarse for owning a jackaroo - LOL :-)

seriously, EVERY vehicle has faults and EVERY vehicle breaks eventually, it comes down to how they are treated ( abused ?? ) and how the manufacturer backs up their product, they will all give good backup - until it costs them margin !!
Our farm workhorse 96 hilux 2wd can't be killed but then again it comes with the standard toyo design criteria - if it doesn't make much power it doesn't break anything !!!!!!! Nice try for a shiza fight Kev - the humidity must be kicking in....Life is short- but there's always time for a yarda.