New Patrol

Which if I hadn't hit the wrong bl---dy key would have been in the original post!! So i will try again;
The Nissan steel bull bar factory fitted - or buy one myself and get it fitted?
Same with a 9,000 lb winch - get dealer to supply and fit Nissan model or source later?
and finally - is the Nissan Sat Navigation system worth the money or are there better available? - if so - what?

Hey apwaddo, I can vouch for the Nissan factory bar as well, its definatly an ARB bar produced for nissan...

Regards,

Babs

Apwaddo,
If you purchase them after the original transaction you won't pay stamp duty on the accessories, purchase them at the same time you pay, I learnt. I'm assuming the same applies everywhere in Oz not just WA.

Sorry i dont agree with the insurance comment,i have approx $15000 worth of accessories fitted after purchase,just sent list to insurer and there covered.

I'd be careful with Satnavs built into 4WD's. They are great in your Lexus or mercedes road beast but not much good if oyu want to leavge the beaten track.. all they will probably give you is your coordinates which means you still have to buy a good ol paper map to see where those coordinates are in relationto the ground..
Not sure what the one in the Nissan actually is, but they are great if you never want to leave the bitumen.. at least with an aftermarket handheld you can link it to Ozi exlorer and use Topo maps and other non street maps.. I would check out just what kind on navigation you can do with the built in one. .if it's doesn't have an external connection point to allow you to plug into Ozi explorer via a laptop/PDA or the ability to load Topo type maps into it (which should be avialable from Garmin by end of 2005) be warned it be useless to you once you leave the bitumen.

I'd be careful with Satnavs built into 4WD's. They are great in your Lexus or mercedes road beast but not much good if oyu want to leavge the beaten track.. all they will probably give you is your coordinates which means you still have to buy a good ol paper map to see where those coordinates are in relationto the ground..
Not sure what the one in the Nissan actually is, but they are great if you never want to leave the bitumen.. at least with an aftermarket handheld you can link it to Ozi exlorer and use Topo maps and other non street maps.. I would check out just what kind on navigation you can do with the built in one. .if it's doesn't have an external connection point to allow you to plug into Ozi explorer via a laptop/PDA or the ability to load Topo type maps into it (which should be avialable from Garmin by end of 2005) be warned it be useless to you once you leave the bitumen.
I highly recommend calling Johnny Appleseed GPS in Brisbane. They are more than happy to advise you on all issues GPS... They also have a great website

Best way is to compare the prices. The bar is certainly not made by Nissan as others have said it is an ARB Bar. The nissan winch is a WARN. Get the price from the dealer and then get a quote on similar products from elsewhere.

I bought my Nissan with the steel bar from the dealer as it worked out significantly cheaper. You get significant bargaining power when your buying a $50k item and you can do good deals. Assecories are alwasy good things to use to bargain with.

If you go and buy a BAr elsewhere afterwards you dont have the same bargaining power so you usually pay full price.

Alan

nissan bar is made by arb but to nissan's specs - not good. i've got the nissan steel bar on my gu and have found:
1. the steel on the nissan bar is somewhat thinner than arb
2. nissan has only one antenna bracket - arb has 2
3. arb has hi-lift points - nissan does not
4. arb has recovery eyes - nissan does not (not a real issue - nissans have good recovery points on the chassis)
5. my biggest gripe - nissan bar will only take warn xd9000 winch - arb will take any (9, 9.5, 10)

my bar was part of a promotion. if u have to pay for it, go the arb.

Took delivery of an ST-S 3.0 diesel 2 weeks ago. Wrapped even though I did Cape York in July in a 4.2 Troopie. The dealer threw in a fridge (Nissan promo), bars, head light protectors and window tinting. I am sorry I didn't try for a snorkle, nav sat etc etc. I don't think the friendship would have stretched that far. Also got an excellent trade.
Cheers
fredl

I have a Nissan Bar on my 2003 GU and nbext time I will get the dealer to fit a proper ARB one, the Nissan is pretty lightweight and I don't think it would stand up to a rood hitting toward the sides. Also mine cracked around a weld on a Cape York trip and was replaced under warranty.

......... and as much as I hate to admit it I also think Leroy's ARB one looks better.

Definately negotiate accessories as part of the vehicle purchase, the savings (even on ARB branded stuff) can be quite significant if you are a reasonable negotiator.

The ARB winch bar to suit a Nissan only supports a WARN winch.

I had a lot of fun fitting my Brawn 9500 to this bar. I was not told this by my friend who bought the gear for me from ARB at wholesale prices but I suspect he did not know either.

I've heard that if you buy the warn winch through nissan, it will be covered by the three year vehicle factory warranty. Might be worth confirming this with nissan.

How u going Dave,
I got $25500 for a 02 Tribute which only cost me 32k. Changeover total on road was a bit under 30k. Had 1st service yesterday and checked out the snorkel price. It has just jumped $100 to about $740!!! Bit much I thought. I was surprised to get a refund of $120 from the insurance co too - insurance is less on the ST even though it was worth about $20k more.
Fred