four wheel drive

Submitted: Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 11:56

ThreadID: 18179 Views:2914 Replies:7 FollowUps:5

This Thread has been Archived

MaskedRider

To all concerned people;
I am planning to buy a 4wd vehicle particularly between a Nissan terrano or Toyota Hilux Surf. In your own opinion, which of the two is better to buy in terms of all specifications.
Thanks very much for all your response.

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member - glenno (QLD) - Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 12:34

Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 12:34

Get a toyota troopy.

AnswerID: 86379

Follow Up By: 80scruiser - Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 12:47

Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 12:47

OR 80 SERIES.

FollowupID: 345021

Follow Up By: Member - John C (QLD) - Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 22:43

Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 22:43

or a Niki Musso.

FollowupID: 345086

Reply By: Happy GU Owner - Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 13:08

Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 13:08

GO THE PATROL

No Really, it is up to you as to your intended use. They are both good vehicles, and both have strong points and weak points.

The Surf probably has more points going for if its intended use is for rockhopping use and extreme four wheeling. It also has lots of goodies, which Luxes don't get, and probably more goodies than the Terrano. There are question marks over parts availability for the Surf, but many owners swear by their ability to source the required imported vehicle spares, and probably, once you are 'in the know' won't have that much trouble.

The Terrano is more probably going to be more comfortable on the road, and won't ride like a brick (no offense for any Surf or Lux owners intended). It has the backup of Nissan Parts through the dealership, although parts are probably still hard to come by due to the low volumes of sales in Aust. The Terrano has great little engines, but will lack in the aftermarket accessories department, if you decide that extreme tracks are your thing.

AnswerID: 86382

Reply By: Gossy - Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 13:49

Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 13:49

I would stay well clear of the Surf. I have been told that because they are a "grey import", parts are very hard to get. Because of this reason Insurance is almost impossible to get. I believe there is alot of uninsured Surf's driving around the place. Best to check on that before buying one.

AnswerID: 86392

Follow Up By: theshadows - Tuesday, Nov 30, 2004 at 06:25

Tuesday, Nov 30, 2004 at 06:25

total bull.
shadow

FollowupID: 345101

Follow Up By: floyd - Tuesday, Nov 30, 2004 at 17:42

Tuesday, Nov 30, 2004 at 17:42

Biggest load of CRAP that I have ever heard. Parts are plentiful. Motors are standard Prado and Hilux. Insurance is easy to get and they are a well optioned vehicle.

how do you believe that there are a lot of uninsured ones driving around?? Asked every driver have you. This comment is based on nothing.

They are a good vehicle well supported by spares, accessories and mechanics.

FollowupID: 345192

Reply By: Skinny- Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 14:56

Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 14:56

went throught he same ideas. Insurance is possible for the surf. parts are possible. But when it comes to possible I did not want every part to be an epic. Eventually i bought an 80 series. Parts are easy. For a good surf you will pay the same as an 80 series or troopy. However if youmust have electric windows, and falsh trim then I guess you will buy one of theother two.
For me, give me wind up window and parts that are easy to come by.
Best of luck. Most of buy something soon and get out of the city.
cheers skinny

AnswerID: 86403

Reply By: Rob! - Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 15:31

Monday, Nov 29, 2004 at 15:31

Maskedrider

I went through the same excercise about a year ago. I was searching for about three months and drove both the surf and torrano ( as well as some others) The surf seems more capable off road while the torrano is great on the road and doesn't feel like a truck. The torrano is still a great car off road, as it is lighter, with the only real limitation being it's lower clearence.

In the end I bought the terrano mainly because it was 30% cheaper and I don't regret it. I'm not really into hard core 4WD (ie the need to go up/down vertical cliffs). I just needed a car that could get me to some of the great places of this country.

I think more companies will insure the Surf over the torrano but the majority will not touch either. Insurance was between $700-$1400 a year (rating 1) I've got mine insured with this 4WD Insurance mob. Next year I'll just insure for "Third party fire and theft", which should be about $150-$250.

Parts for the terrano are interchangable with the pathfinder and Navara so not a real problem there, and I assume most parts in the surf are the same as the hilux / 4 runner.

In the terrano look for rust under the rear seat. The Surf had a problem with cracked cylinder heads (prblems with the cooling system.

Accesories for these imports are a little harder to get, especially secondhand ones. So if you are planning to go down that road get a Patrol or a 'Cruiser instead.

Fuel economy in the terrano. I get 10L on city/highway and 12L in the sand (fraser etc)

So it really depends on what you want it for. Two of my mates also have a terrano and they both love them. One of them had a SWB Patrol previously, so they can't be that bad.

One last thing. Don't nother looking at the km travelled on imports. AFAIK there is no law that prohibits anyone adjusting the speedo before the cars arrive in Aus.

R.

AnswerID: 86406

Reply By: theshadows - Tuesday, Nov 30, 2004 at 06:50

Tuesday, Nov 30, 2004 at 06:50

I own a 96 terrano and love it. Its been the one of the best cars I've owend bar the 80 series.
The 89 terrano do look a bit dated and the front suspension do sag a bit. but tweak the torrsion bars and they pop back up to the proper ride height.
You can get insurance anywhere but the major companies like to slug a extra surcharge on for being an import. try Forum insurance from WA they wll cost you about $500 a year to insure. Parts are everywhere motor parts are from Navra's and bodie parts are from the pathfnder. Getting OEM parts from nissan is not a problem most dealer you order parts in{ though I've heard that most of the WA dealers are stil a pain in the butt to deal with,} Then nissan parts fishe is avaible on the web so you walk in and tell the person the the part number you want.

I cannot comment on the surf for parts, but from accounts from friends most parts are on toyata's selves but expect a 2 week wait to order in from japan. Parts are a bit dearer and toyata slug a surchage to freght the into the country.Insurance again is not a problem if you shop around for the best quote.

Now what is the better car for you........drive both. If you can handle the hilux knee pain the surf is better down low and off the start.But the suspension is too harsh for me. For a better driving postion and better ride the Terrano win's hands down but loses out with fairly poor sub 40 kms performace in the auto. {the manual is fine} over 80kms the terrano wins hands down with a better motor and higher gearing.
In both cars look for rust and interior damage they both over 15 years old now.
the younger te car the better it will be. I have a 96 with the updated interior and its surpurb.
good luck and hunting. dont worry about the idiots that say you cannot get part/insurance or they brake down all the time. If you could cull all the clowns out there it would be a lot less interesting .

shadow

AnswerID: 86484

Reply By: Gossy - Wednesday, Dec 01, 2004 at 09:17

Wednesday, Dec 01, 2004 at 09:17

Sounds like you have one!
Just going by a veh report in "4wd monthly" a while back. They said to stay clear of them for the above reasons I mentioned.
We are here to help, not get personal. If you don't agree with something said in the forum then reply with facts and courtesy.
Cheers,

AnswerID: 86749

Follow Up By: theshadows - Wednesday, Dec 01, 2004 at 18:34

Wednesday, Dec 01, 2004 at 18:34

Yes I do currently have a Nissian wd21 terrano series 1 MK2 96 model.
Now your a resonable intellegent person so I wont have to go into why a large "4WD pubucation" would print a totally load of bollacks why not to buy a grey import. Hell can you imagine the advertising budget from the big "4" dissapear completely if they encourage not to buy the local product. first of the block the journo would never see a road test again and the editor would be looking for a new carear.......secondly why have you heard a journo ever letting the facts get in the way of a good story?.... just how many times can the ford terrtory get a 4wd of the year badge?....

now getting back to and I quote
> I have been told that because they are a "grey import", parts are very
>hard to get. Because of this reason Insurance is almost impossible to
>get.

you then follow it up with and quote
>Just going by a veh report in "4wd monthly" a while back. They said to
> stay clear of them for the above reasons I mentioned.

either you been told or you have read in a single biased magazine? which is it ? or youre just spourting off because you dislike grey imports?
Honestly it dosnt matter because when when of these threads come up time to time there will be anther brain washer clown to sprout off like this with out any facts. today its you tomorrow it will be anther and he will be right and nothing I can say or do will change he feeble mind set.

Now just to shock you I can get new parts for my terrano shipped in from nissan Maylsia over night. straight from the factory { who now have the tooling } for a fraction of the price from nissan local. Fancy that one email or fax and the next afternoon anypart straigt from the factory. Non of this going to dealer who dosnt have anyparts in stock for the local models, who then ring the state whare house ,the state wharehouse rings the australian whare house to be backordered from a slow boat from japan.
You have a hide to say you cannot get parts...... i'm being polite here if you dont know pull your head in.

BTW the NRMA has a standard insurance policy for the surf and terrano. wake up.

shadow

FollowupID: 345421