Friday, May 28, 2004 at 00:42
Hi Ken,
Gotta agree with you here. I have seen the Nissan vs Toyota debate many times and it doesn't take long before the 'ferals' arrive.
For what its worth, I did a LOT of research before replacing my standard 80 series with the GU (the 80 series is one of the best 4WD's produced IMHO). I was also lucky enough to be in a position where I could afford the vehicle I wanted. Now the reasons for my choice will not be the same for everyone, but I wanted a vehicle that suited MY needs. Others obviously have different needs.
I actually tried to order a standard 100 series with turbo diesel and ABS. But Toyota didn't want a bar of it, even though I was prepared to wait for 6 months if thats what it took. All they could offer me was an RV troopy, no intercooler, no ABS and leaf rear springs. Definetly a great 4WD but not what I wanted.
The GXL 100 series turbo diesel was a serious contender, except for that bloody IFS front end. Many will say its "nearly" as good as a live axle or "fit a locker and its better" or "think of the on-road performance".
But 1) you can only safely lift it 35mm on the front - still not level compared to the back, especially if you want to add 50mm to the rear. 2) the rubber boots on the front CV's are a problem, as are the CV's themselves. Several reports of 100 series busted CV's, some overstressed and many from holed boots. There are also other issues (5 stud rims - need to change my van, horizontal tailgate - personal choice, rear tyre location, front diff size etc...) but none of these were purchase stoppers in their own right for me. Also the test drive, while good, did not have the on-road extra that I was expecting compared to others I was test driving.
Others may say buy the non-turbo 1HZ and fit an aftermarket turbo (after many years with the asmatic 1HZ, definetly had to be a turbo). But there is no way I was buying a brand new vehicle only to spend extra $$$ and lose my warranty (I checked with Toyota and they said not only the motor but also the drivetrain would not be covered). There goes the Landcruiser and even the salesman said Toyota were now targeting the evergrowing "softroader" market.
So, that only realistically leaves the GU or the Defender (basic requirement = diesel station wagon with live axles). I never seriously considered the Defender, it is most probably a good vehicle, but not what i wanted.
Now that left the 3.0TD or the intercooled 4.2TD. I drove them both and there is simply no comparison. The 4.2TD has the advantage down low, but thats where it ends IMHO. But I was concerned about the series 2 reputation. Hence a lot of searching and have yet to come across a series 3 that has suffered the same failure as the series 2. There are a few ??? about the EGR valve, but so far are a very small percentage. As for the rest of the electronics on the 3.0TD, well there are definetly more things to go wrong but I accept that for the advantages (many others will not and choose the 4.2TD and that is not a bad choice, they considered their requirements and chose accordingly).
So, I now have a 3.0TD GU. Do I think its the best 4WD ever. The answer is NO. But do I think there is a better new 4WD on the market for me, again NO.
If I could, I would get a brand new 80 series turbo diesel, but Toyota don't sell them any more!!! And their replacement is not up to scratch IMHO as outlined above.
So, while the 80 series is arguably the best 4WD in their day, the GU Patrol is also arguably the best 4WD now available!!!
If you make it to the end of this diatribe, thanks for taking the time. I actually enjoy the Nissan vs Toyota debate, particualrly when others post their view without simply sledging a vehicle without any facts.
Cheers
Captain
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