Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 18:31
Grant
Howdy there.
I was in exactly the same position a few months ago as you are now. I only wanted a Patrol or Landcruiser, and was going to pay pu to $35000 for it - needed the larger amounT of room in the back. We ended up getting excited over a camper trailer and so decided not to outlay more money for a while. that is until we met a couple with a 2000 Jackaroo TD Manual while on holidays one day. All of a sudden it clicked that we did not now need the copious amounts of room in the luggage area now that we had the camper trailer, and started looking around at slightly smaller propositions - the same ones you had. Ended up buying a 99 TD Jackaroo Manual - and here's why-
Positives:
-$23000 (could only get the dearler down that much from $24000)
-Vehicle is an ex Government car from the country and was serviced regularly. Bull bar/2xroof racks/tinted windows
Cop this:
Jackaroo TD - 118KW at 3900rpm - 333NM at 2000 rpm
Pajero TD - 92KW at 4000rpm - 292NM at 2000 rpm
Discovery TD 101KW at 4200rpm - 300NM at 1950 rpm
Patrol 3.0 TD 116KW at 3600rpm - 354NM at 2000 rpm
Hilux 3.0TD 85KW at 3600rpm - 295NM at 2400 rpm
(2001 model - probably the equivalent of the Surf)
Jackaroo TD power to weight ration 17KW/Kg - the best of all the 4cyl diesels.
- It gives punchy accelleration, almost whips you back in your
seat in 2nd.
-Believe it or not, there is more leg/head room in the rear
seat of a Jackaroo than in a 100series, just look at the measurements.
-Jackaroos blow SURFs and Pajeros away power wise, looking at about 118kws vs about 85(or less in the older surfs) to 90kws.
-Jackaroo is very quiet, comfortable seats and ride.
-Looks good, especially with the big bonnet scoop!
-Mine is a base model, but came with air, steering.
-Have taken it bush and performs extremely
well in sand.
-The body shape has been around since 1992, and I am yet to see one with any rust perforations (I know someone out there will have though!)
-Very good turning circle. (10.8m I seem to remember from my magazine)
-Fuel economy for me averages about 12l/100km (not as good as the 3.0 TD Nissan engine at about 10.8 claimed average around town.)
-Good factory recovery points front and rear.
Negatives as I see them:
-Jackaroos TDs have a transfer case guard that drops fairly low to the ground. Has not been a problem for me yet, but I could invisage it a problem over big boulders or washouts. A bit of careful driving can overcome this, but only necessary in hardcore 4wd situations.
-Independent front
suspension and using torsion bars inhibit the amount of lift you can give the front end, but same problems arise with Pajs and surfs.
-Base model seats were too sloped down for me. Replaced them with SE seats at $450 pair - tilt adjustable and armrests.
-Only has one air filter, no precleaner. I added a sorkel for this and other reasons.
-Later models (1999 on) have two starting batteries, making fitting an aux battery a pain in the but. But you can fit a high cranking amp battery to replace them and then do the dual battery thing no problems.
-Standard tyres (goodyear wranglers me thinks) are dodgy - replace with something else when worn (or earlier!)
-Using correct oil as I just found out fixes starting problems in cold weather you may encounter.
-As for the seals, I have read heaps and spoken to many people - I think it only applies to 1999 models - about 2001, but a recall was conducted on applicable models and even now that factory warranty has expired on most, the dealer will replace free of charge (or that's what they told me before I was sure mine had been changed over) There will be a green sticker inside the glove box to indicate the seals have been replaced.
-Ride is soft and body roll fairly evident
-compromise of rear
seat leg room is smaller luggage area - plenty for around town or if you tow a trailer/caravan, but not really large enough for the family on a week long trip.
Apart from these things, there have not been any major problems with them. I would be interested in all the stories that have turned you off Jacks.
A publisher did a 4wd comparrison of 100 series, Patrol and Jackaroo (only the three of them for some reason - think because they wanted Holden/Nissan/Toyota comparison. Jackaroo proved itself over and over - watched it for an Hour at a car dealer one day, can't remember the name of the video though.
Everyone I have spoken to says they are an extremely underrated 4wd. Continue to do your homework and I think you will end up with the same results as I did.
I have tried not to be biased, but it is hard! Hope the negatives have balanced it a little bit for you. Hope it all helps
D-JACK
AnswerID:
49565
Follow Up By: WDR - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 18:55
Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 18:55
I would argue about the limited storage - You can put al awful lot in there if you pack it carefully. We had a jeep cherokee before and were looking for extra room (two terrors, one 14) - Looked seriously at the Nissan but my wife was scared by the size - I was worried about the wheel wobble inherrent in them - Even the one I was
test driving had it, dealer was blase and just said it was a Nissan quirk - Possibly could be fixed with off vehicle balance - I wasn't going to start with problems so forgot about them (anyway its pretty hard to overcome a wife who is terrified of the size) - Couldn't afford 100 or the Prado I wanted - Even new the Jack was best value and largest inside for the buck. They are even better as they depreciate.
Not a rattle to be found after 140,000K
Seats have been steam cleaned once and kids' seats have been protected by blanket - no sign of wearing or tearing yet.
They float a bit on the freeway but stick em on a
hill in low range and you will fall in love.
Mine has an irsome quirk of not allowing me to do a three point turn in 4wd - different speeds of hubs I suppose - can be a pain but not a problem.
Some of them (mine included) whine like an aircraft (inside the cabin) in 4wd over 40K or so - Depends if the original owner whinged enough to have the box reset, i didn't and as promised 4wd has never been affected by it.
I am talking petrol here - beeeeeeutiful motor with plenty of get up and go. Quieter than many cars.
FollowupID:
311359