zd30 owners unite
Submitted: Sunday, Jan 16, 2005 at 09:12
ThreadID:
19422
Views:
2704
Replies:
12
FollowUps:
5
This Thread has been Archived
Member - toohey
Gidday to all.
Over the last 12 months the anti nissan brigade has been very vocal,
I would like to hear from satisfied zd30 owners,lets post the positves not the negatives.For example, no. of km,driveing conditions,towing,weight ,year model etc.I am towing a1450kg pop top.My vehicle is a tray back,loweline conopy fitted alluminium boxes and all the gear blokes must have,it weighs 2250kg,have done 50.000 km. in 12 months very happy with it.ditronic fitted.
MINE IS A NAVARA 2003
There i've said it,lets hear from the rest of youse'
regards toohey
Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 01:01
Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 01:01
Hi All,
I have a 2003 3.0TD GU with Dtronic and have done over 30,000kms now, regularly towing my 1.6T offroad van. When loaded up for touring, its must be very close to 5 tonnes all up and I couldn't be happier with it. Runs absolute rings around my old 1HZ 80 series (but that too was a fantastic vehicle, just a bit slow onroad but unreal offroad)
Of all the knockers of the 3.0TD, the common thread amongst them is not ONE of them has ever owned one. I don't know what makes others so insecure about it, but the sheer volume of hatred is unbelieveable. Its about the only vehicle I can recall where even other owners (non-3.0TD GU) bag it. Sure, it had some early issues (just like the early 80 series turbo), but in series III guise has performed very
well. One only has to look at the sheer number of them on the roads to see how many are out there and just how popular they are.
Check out the redbook value and see how
well they hold their resale value (makes one of the arguments by the knockers not hold any water).
We are all lucky there is such a big choice off different vehicles on the market. No vehicle is perfect and everyone has different requirements and budgets for a vehicle. Every different vehicle has advantages and disadvantages and one needs to make sure the vehicle they choice has the most advantages and the least disadvantages.
To buy a particular vehicle because "its the most popular/highest seller" simply means you have the most common requirements as everyone else. It doesn't mean its any better!
If I could, I would get a vehicle with a Nissan drivetrain and a Toyota engine/body. But I cannot so I had to settle for what suited me best and in 2003 it was the GU 3.0TD. Who knows what it will be in 2006 when I replace it, but at this stage I haven't seen anything I would prefer.
I used to get quite heated up about all the negative posts on the 3.0TD, but after a while I started to feel sorry for all those that have such a passionate hate for the vehicle without ever having owned one. Imagine having that much hate/anger inside you for a vehicle you don't even own...just gotta feel sory for them don't you!
Cheers
Captain
AnswerID:
93503
Follow Up By: Outbacktourer - Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 18:28
Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 18:28
Captain,
Top post as usual you make some valid points, all of which I agree with.
I'm not sure why the 3.0Di cops flack either. I've been accused of being defensive about my purchase of the 3.0Di, but it does not really worry me (irks maybe) because, like you, I CAN justify it.
Interesting anecdote from the hol's. We were travelling in SWMBO's car, a Toyota Kluger (best for her requirements) and ran into another family with one...usual conversation..how do you find it etc etc. Both very happy with the vehicles. I was asked if I had looked at the Territory and replied that I had, but not driven it (she was looking for something more "compact" in the width dept), but said I had heard good things. I then got a tirade about how bad the Territory was, no where near as good to drive etc etc. The parting shot though was that one should not buy a Territory over a Kluger because one would not buy an Explorer over a Lancruiser!. Kind of Kluger = son of Prado. Interesting insight into some people's decision cycle.
Your observation on "Nissan drivetrain and a Toyota engine/body" is a little controversial, but does highlight the fact we all have preferences and most often cannot find the vehicle that conforms. Right now I would have a Patrol built by Toyota with the Cruiser 4.2 Turbo and 5 Speed Auto for a Patrol 4.2 price, but you can't get that, last I heard, so the 3.0Di it is.
FollowupID:
352628
Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 19:18
Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 19:18
Hi Outbacktourer,
Thanks... and as for your choice of theoretical vehicle, its EXACTLY what I am after. Hadn't thought about the 5 speed auto, but would be icing on the cake. And I am sure we are not the only 2 here who would like one of these Nisota's!!!
Cheers
Captain
FollowupID:
352640