Nissan Terrano

gotta ask which terrrano ? There were so many including a 2.4L petrol and an intercooled turbo diesel that were imported by nissan from Spain, an terrano's that are grey imports that had nothing to do with nissan.

I had the 2.4L petrol non-grey import and sold it 6mnths later, just no grunt at all - seemed fine on bitumen, but loaded up and off road it just sunk and wheels would not turn. The intercooled turbo diesel, however, was by all accounts a gem, just not a popular shape and came out at a time when small diesel engines weren't popular.

What year are you after Brian? I have a '92 model and it has been a reliable car. I am selling at the moment because I have just bought a late model Pajero. In the two years I had it, I overhauled the alternater and that was it. By the way it is an import. Just trying to understand pauls statement, not a real Nissan?????? It was made by Nissan for the Japanese market so is full of extras which you don't get here in the same priced vehicle. If you are after a later model Terrano (australian compliance) these have the same size motor as the jap imports. 2.7 TD not 2.4 as paul said (this is the earlier Hilux Surf). I have an auto and I get around 10l per 100 k's so if your mate is getting 13 he's doing well. If you are looking for an import, don't be fooled by people telling you you can't get parts. Nissan have a full parts list fop these vehicles. Most of the part numbers are the same as the Australian Pathfinder and the rest aren't a problem. As far as towing goes. we have an auto, there has never been a problem but remember you are looking at a 4 cylinder diesel. It is never going to be a race car even if it has a turbo. If you are looking at jap imports, lift the carpet under the rear passenger seats and check for rust. This was the most important issue I found when looking for mine. I reckon the manual is the way to go if you are constantly towing but the auto works well off road. Hope this info helps......
By the way I am not trying to sell you mine!
Good luck
cheers
mike

Brian.
I commented on the terrano once before and got an angry response, so I just recomend buying some thing else, even a disco diesel will be less trouble and a hole lot better on fuel and off road. Eric.

Brian,
I have been in the motor trade for all my working life.
Several years ago I was involved in preparing Terrano's for WA licensing after import. As far as I am aware the majority around are imported from Japan, and I have seen some pretty shocking ones.

Some parts I believe are not available locally for a lot of imported vehicles, so be aware of what you are purchasing.

Clive

Brian, I have a 99 nissan terrano II AUSTRALIAN relase 2.7tdi owned it for about 2 years now and have done sand and rocky tracks in SA, vic and found it to be very good have had only 1 problem with so far and was very low on power turned out to be airflow meter bleep it self , replaced by nissan (around $1000 part) under warranty and back to flying agian and even better with my new set of cooper ST havent been able to stop it yet.
Have also towed 8ft inclosed trailer on highway and still had plenty of go. fuel alot better than petrol 4wds

Hi - we have had our '91/92 model Terrano for just over 3 years - 2.7 turbo diesel - we get about 11k per on average towing a 7x4 dingo camper trailer fully loaded - never had a problem - we have manual -
we too, have done the alternator - and am just replacing the water pump - we have done 100,000k since we bought it - up to the Center, back down the Ooodnadatta and all places thereabouts - up to outback Qld - a week on Fraser Island and my Terrano has never put a foot wrong - as for parts - go to a Nissan dealer (in Melbourne I have found Dandenong to be the best) - any auto lec worth his salt should be able to fix anything electrical and any good mechanic can fix anything else - we also get out oil filters, petrol filters etc from a truck parts dealer - don't go to speed shops or 4wd shops they sometimes
don't want to know you - are thinking of updating later this year - would like the Terrano 11 about 89 - manual of course diesel of course
by the way I drive this car every day to work and have no problem approx 70k each day - through heavy traffic no problems.

Hi Brian
I dont't own a Terrano but my mum does.Its a 1992 auto model and she reakons its the best veicle she has ever owned. Exelent fuel economy 800 k's+ per tank when travelling on the open road at about 100-105kph.Yes, i think the manuel uses a little more fuel as my friend owns one the same model and it uses slightly more.
Definately check under the rear seats as my mums had a large patch of rust,$300 to get cut out.Another inherent problem seems to be the altenator, have heard of many in the Terrano's needing replacing, cost my mum $700 to replace.
Other than that it runs beutifully, very reliable and easy to maintain.
I've taken it off road a number of times and the only problem was its ground clearence, if your gonna be doin alot of off roading i'd suggest upgrading the suspension. On the other hand on the open road its a pleasure to drive.I was supprised at the amount of leg room in the front and back,very comfortable.

I'm only 19 so i dont know how much you will value my opinion but im so impressed by the Terrano that im saving my bucks for one.
I'm planning on doing a trip around oz and towing a 12-15 foot pop-top so im gonna buy a manual model and fit a turbo timer,bull bar and up grade the suspension. I'm also interested in their performance when towing a van so hopefully we can get some feed back on that issue.

Oh well, their my thoughts and opinions, hope it helped

Cheers.......Dan