Patrol or Cruiser Diesel

Turbo diesel would be the way to go, will give you better power and fuel economy.

Toyota have the name, but if you drive one that you can afford, it will be non turbo, and performance is not good.

The Patrol which it is a bit more agricultual, you are likely to get a better car for the sort of money you want to spend. Be carefull though and would suggest an auto, as the Nissan manual gearboxes, have been known to give problems.

You realy should hang out for Direct injection diesel engine, with a turbo, I would hate to see you spend all that money, and then you are disapointed.

My Brother in Law, purchased his patrol from the Government auctions, had low milage and was very clean, just a thought.

Regards

Col Tigwell

LOL yes hang out for direct inj, that will be $24k specially with the new models around the $70k mark..

Both cars will do the job exactly the same. They are both capable offroaders, and on road, and both have good and bad points. Both have the same amount of accessories available.

Your budget is going to be 80 series Cruiser, or GQ Patrol if these are the 2 you are looking at. GQ is more of a solid truck, where the 80 is more of a Toorak/George St Farmers car. Look outside any school in the morning...

Not that it will bother you with your budget, but early GU 3.0's suffered in the first models from 5th gear, after mid 2001, they were rectified.

Also depends on the cars history, any car thats had a hard life, towing lots all the time eg a 60 series with 6.5 chev in it, I looked at once permantly towed a 2.5t dozer! asking for problems, worn clutch etc.

Comfort levels are about even, Ive been in 80/90/100 GQ/GU st and Ti offroad, and all have their good points, Im a fat prick, so I notice it more than most.

Without doubt for towing Petrol will kill you in cost. Turbo Diesel is good..

Do youself a favor spend a week test driving everything out there. All flavors of 80's and GQs cause you wont get a 100 or GU for $25k. You will see what you like, and what you dont like.

80scool and Patrol list for fuel ecomony figures.

Diesels are easily turboed, and if done with a reputable brand, are quite reliable. The best free advice that can be offered, is to get whatever from a private buyer with books. You will be way infront if you get a 1 owner early model whatever than a later turbodiesel which has been flogged. Parts are expensive on these trucks, i would stay clear of the early t/d cruiser as it will be worn out for your money, if you like the beach, Discoveries come in t/d for that kind of money, but get an oil tray for the driveway though. They use some alloy panels, which is good for salty enviroments.
Take a non turbo for a descent drive up and into the mountains before you commit-they are not fast....
Andrew

As mentioned above, you will get a much better Patrol for the money you mentioned. The Toyotas I beleive are overpriced, for no real reoson other than the supossed "name". The Nissans are extremely robust and reliable vehicles, and I have never met a dissatisfied Patrol owner!! The TD42 diesel is the pick of the bunch, and for the dollars you mentioned, you could be driving an early to mid 90's GQ, with around 150,000kms on it. They have no trouble towing heavy trailers, and are very capeable offroad. They are great tourers, and for an all beam axled fourby, are very comfortable, and i beleive that a fourby is not a real fourby unless it has rigid axles front and rear. They can take a turbo no worries, but unless you want to go places really fast, whats the point?? No end to the accesories for them, and parts are cheap compared to Toyotas, not that you'll ever need them though. All things considered, I think they are a better vehicle than the Cruiser, unless of course you want something pretty to pick the kids up from the private school. Just my oppinion, so get ut there, and drive as many as possible, and as with any vehicle, get it checked out by the RACQ, RACV or whatever. Best of luck. Tristjo.

I own a GQ 4.2 diesel. Get underneath and look at the size of a Patrols driveline ie transmission, tail shafts, diffs etc and then have a look at an 80 series driveline. You'll notice how much larger the Patrols is. If you dont wish to get dirty then park two of them together and compare the size of the front diffs.
I spoke to a gearbox overhaul shop once and asked them how many Cruiser gearboxes compared to Patrol gearboxes they had fixed or overhauled. The response was Patrol 1, Cruiser 100's.
A Cruiser in my opinion is nicer to drive though and in standard diesel form has more grunt and is quieter.

Excellent decision, mate!! It sounds like you have got yourself a beauty, i am a bit jelous, actually!! Congatulations and welcome to the club of very happy, completely satisfied Nissan owners!!

Have fun in it, ya lucky fella!!
Tristjo.