Not a Nissan/Toyota bash

Hey Footloose,
I had a VR Calais that i wanted to swap for a 4WD (didn't care what, just wanted a 4WD)... I had a guy send me a message asking if i wanted to swap for the Pajero... I went & looked at it, took it for a drive, & the rest is history... I'm happy with the Paj, its surprised me & a few others. I think i'll keep it for a while (well... until SWMBO lets me upgrade, anyway LOL)

Cheers, Brad

GU 04 Cab chasiss. low klms 46,000 6 months ago and proven reliability
Don't really care about 16l/100klms economy but love the 450,000 (hopefully) trouble free klms ahead of me

Couple of friends bought Sahara hj 61's in 88 and 89. I liked them and so bought one. Never seen the need to upgrade. Has never let me down. 415200 on the clock now.

Good evening there Mr Footyloosey.
We bought the Zuk to tow behind the motorhome it is light is 4by 2seater can take half the roof off if we want to enjoy the fresh air more & got to see more places off road.
Then i/we bought F250 1& 1/2 cab tray back which is used for rooftiling business,& which will ultiately be used to travel outback when i retire soon maybe 5yrs & will have it fully set up for that purpose.
Cheers Bob.

Footy,
As a stock photographer I do not want to have pictures of the same vehicle all the time so once every 3 years I buy a new vehicle.
Although this latest (only 11 mths old) I really wished I hadn't but you live and learn. And due to customer service will never go that make again.
Will be ordering the next one in a month or 2.

I had an old clapped out XD Falcon ute that I drove into the ground, SWMBO ended up refusing to drive it if it rained, it leaked like a sieve.

We bought her a 2 door Feroza and I had to have another ute so we ended up with the Triton, partly because SWMBO like the colour :) and the Toyota Dealer refused to sell me a new Hilux (they reckon I couldn't afford it) so I paid cash for the Triton.
I am now considering upgrading to a Wagon (either Toyota or Nissan) as we need more leg room for the kids.

Cheers Kev

I've always driven busted arse 4x4's including Landrovers, Toyotas, Nissans and Suzukis and some others.

My latest acquisition(2004) is 13 now years of age.

I wanted a strong 4.2 litre diesel non turbo, for the simple reason of fuel availability in the outback and non turbo because turbos are finnicky things.

My 4x4 before this one was a Nissan and the one before that a Toyota.

Nissan are $10,000 less expensive than Toyota's so they take preference in my way of thinking as both vehicles are very capable on and off road.

So after looking around and the missus wanting to buy a Xtrail I saw this old GQ in the same yard at a rediculously high price. So we offered them a stupid price for the two vehicles and they accepted it. Traded in a a Commodore Wagon as well.

And that was that. Have done 70,000km with the GQ since buying it and it is still sailing smoothly. It has acquired a few small dents along the way since then and lots of scratches. I service it regularly and it should last a while.

Cheers

Wanted a low km, new as possible proven 4wd. That would tow my van around australia and have a wide range of aftermarket acceries available. Was after a GQ 4.2td but couldnt find one with low km's so ended up with 97 80 series with 140Km on the clock for $16K(18 months ago). Wish I had of been able to find a turbo but they were all 92-93 with high km's and high prices. Happy with my choice. Fitted it with what I wanted how I wanted. Capable and tows well. Though if I won lotto a brunswick diesel conversion and twin air lockers would be on the card.
Matt

Hey Footloose.

In 1976 my old man bought his first Cruiser it was a 1974 soft top short wheel base petrol.

This was the first 4wd I ever had a drive of, age 12.

My first 4wd was a 1984 BJ 40 4cld diesel.

Since then I have had a 82 Hilux a 78 short wheel base petrol a 86 troopy a 89 Hilux a 93 80 series a 99 troopy currently a 2000 STD 100 series , 2000 troopy , 2002 GXL 100 series and a 2003 GXL 100 series.

My Fathers side of the family has always drive a Toyota, Dad currently has a 2006 RV TD ute my sister just traded a RAV 4 for a 07 Carolla.

So we have always been a Toyota Family.

In my Survey years and Touring years It has always been Toyota's.

I simply couldn't imagine driving any thing else.

Cheers Steve.

First, let me say how well behaved everyone is, so far. I'm impressed.
Fascinating reasons for your selection. I'm not doing market research, but just looking around and wondering. You never know, we might all win Lotto one day.

Why the Patrol.
Brother owns one and is reliable.
Tough and proven IMO
like the styling
Like the engine, 4.2iTD
Like the room
Like the 3.5t towing ability
Like the availability of parts + accessaries
Found one with the major add ons on it, bull bar etc, with low km, 64000 when i bought it, and for a gold price $42k
Modified it to my liking,
and love it to bits.
not the most powerful, not the most economical, but you can't have your cake and eat it too (which i think most people want) ie V8 turbo, with low 10's fuel consumption........hhmmm
and now it is exactly what i like and love, and is unique!!

cheeers Wayne-o

Hi Footloose, we were in the market for a 4wd wagon to replace the ageing Pajero we had. We looked at Patrol's and 80 series Cruisers. Main reason we chose the truck we have now was price and value for money.
We were camped at Bendethera at the time and was browsing the local Southern Trading post when we spotted the Patrol. I took one look at the price and immediately thought it was either a 3 litre they were trying to off load, or it had very high k's.We looked at all the extras it had at the time,snorkel,outback roof console,new GME uhf,IPF lights,XD 9000 warn winch, ARB winch bar, Hayman reese towbar. Rang the dealer to get the rundown and check that the price wasn't a missprint and to check k's.
1999 4.2 diesel/ non turbo 197000k's it was originally priced at $19999 and after some swift talking we paid cash 3 days later at $17000. Ex Narrabri council all books and services kept up to date.I'm the 3rd owner , the guy before us didnt keep it long, he was preparing for a cape trip and his wife got very ill.

I hate vehicles and I hope one day to be able to do without. So much money and work and traffic and other drivers its a pain. Trouble is I like travelling in the bush so I put up with it. When I am older I may get bored with all and start taking the bus and taxis. You can buy a lot travelling with what it cost to own a car a get a chauffer to boot. (taxi). I will have plenty of time anyway so no need to have the getaway vehicle in the carport.

Maybe a small house in a country town? Sigh..

Owen

Because Nissan Don't Make Troppy's easy peasy.. :-)

Hi Footy,

Bought mine purely on bamg for my bucks. Enabled me to have a Vehicle with all the running gear of an earlier model Paj but at about half the price, also wanted duel fuel and at the time of purchase ADR's had made it that all new vehicles had to pass for LPG.

Lastly Mitsi's 5 yrs full warranty with 10yrs drive train. Means I don't have to stress to much with repairs for awhile yet..

Created a spreadsheet , with values I thought impotrant , and got specs relating to those , to arrive at a short list.

This was simple part - it lead to 3 big wagon finalists.

Got hold of one of them and it didn't match the old car so it was down to 2.

Both were excellant cars and splitting them was really hard.

List was weighted towards 4wd touring performance and saftey, one had
slightly better performance and other had slightly better safety.

Drove a couple of samples and still couldn't quite decide.

Then at next 4wd show went over them carefully on stands , on one the gear
lever throw was long , and centre armrest was to high to rest arm on.

Figured I could modify arm rest - but decided that no real fix for gearbox
shift on the other.

Went over to opposition stand and did deal on the spot.

Robin Miller

Footy,
I bought my Landcruiser HZJ105 because I couldn't walk away from the deal that I was offered.

Also, in every 1/2 horse town in western Queensland, therein lies a Toyota dealer, so there is no problem with spare parts.

And another thing, most mining companies use them, and they don't often get it wrong.

My .02

I bought a Nissan Patrol cos I couldn't afford a Landcruiser. Been happy with the marque ever since. Hell, I know they are not as refined as the toyota brand, but IMHO they are tougher in the all-important drive-train area.....and that matters more to me than having a slightly better fit and finish inside etc.

Well I had a 1985 4.2 Cruiser diesel ute and felt it was the best vehicle i have ever had and it was purchased for my business, it was only 4 year old when i got it. Stopped that business and sold it, not required around the city. I was not into 4x4 then.

Several years later started a business for my son and needed another vehicle my current 1997 Rodeo was not my choice but it was offered to me at a fantastic price I could not resist. The fact also I knew the vehicle and where it had been with only 36000 on the clock two and a half years ago.

So in a nut shell ........ Price for me for my current vehicle.

Next if all goes to plan is a 80 series.

Brian

Well I'd never had a 4WD before in my life, but after a trip to Cape York, travelling with friends and family in a Land Cruiser, 2 Prados and a Discovery in 2000, I was able to convince SWMBO that if we were going to have an element of adventure in our recent retirement, we needed to upgrade our Ford Futura, or we'd be left sitting in a caravan park, while everyone went and got their feet dirty.Now I know there's been a lot of flak thrown, but we bought a brand new Ford Explorer XLT in November 2000. It hasn't missed a beat. We tow a 1978 vintage Jayco Dove camper van, and have had a ball. Did a 6 month trip around the West half of Aus. in 2002. Gibb River Rd., Kalumburu Rd. etc. Out to Steep Point earlier. Veh. performed admirably. I've spent nothing on it other than services, tyres battery etc. The price was right at the time, and so was the deal. Bottom line is, we're both happy, and the veh.does everything we ask of it. Don't see many Explorer owners post on this site. Cheers.

I had a 93 GQ 4.2 petrol and wanted a diesel, liked the GU's body shape along with the tried and tested drive train and chassis and thought I might as well upgrade to the GU.
Traded the GQ in on the GU 4.2 N/A diesel that i saw in the in a car yard, and never looked back

Cheers Luke

Reputation basically decided it - the 4.2 GU Patrol.
Needed reliability, bush proven with good towing ability.
Found one 3rd hand at $30k with low klms (1999 model).
Previous owners had paid for the major extras, so I only had to fit snorkel; roof console; compressor and GPS.

Owned a Yoto SWB , then a Disco - both diesel.
Absolutely love the GU. Fitted out with the necessary gear, it can take me (in comfort) as far from the rat race as it is possible to get (geographically at least)........Keith.

I've owned a 1980 Hilix, 1983 Hilux dual cab Hilux, 1981 landcruiser, 1990 Maverick and currently a 2001 Jackaroo. All the vehicles were purchased as they suited my needs at the time and were good value for money. The only vehicle I have had problems with is the Jack.

Wrote up a list of musts and wants, the musts ended up deciding it all and were.
1 Live axles, coil springs.
2 Diesel (balance of economy/power)
3. Auto
4. Carry +6 (4kids)
5. Reputation and proven reliability
6. Value for money.
Except for the last 2 criteria it came down to only 2 vehicles Patrol and Discovery (I did want a Toyata but there is nothing matching this short list at any price) but value for money and the fact that Nissans are so popular made it a no contest. PATROL.

Always loved the GQ'S from when I was a kid, so bought one of them 4.2 duel fuel, to see if 4WDing was for me...loved it so after a year got the GU as it had all the gear already low km's 114k and a $14000 change over, could not say no.

Cheers Stefan

It followed me home ...... honest, Mum :))))))

Simple, I am 6'4" (in the old stuff) and I would not fit in a Nissan

Needed a bigger car as our Magna was to small for the whole family. I wanted at least an AWD... We went and had a look at Territory and Kluger. SWMBO didn't like both but liked the space in the Prado so we bought it :)

Footie,
Just as a thought :- Why did you put Nissan in front of Toyota in your post headline.
LOL.
Cheers,
Bros.

After buying a schmick looking 1985 FJ62 with 160,000 k on the clock and on LPG (my 3rd 4wd) which turned out to be the biggest lemon / bucket of crap / money pit to ever leave the shores of Japan my ever generous boss gave me the opportunity to upgrade with some help from the business.

The criteria was no older than 4 years and not over 40k. It was suggested I look at a new or near new TD dualcab but I knew I wanted a wagon and simply could not find a diesel GXL 100 series (or troopie) within this criteria that wasn't already buggered, so after a little bit of badgering from 2 others who already own one, a 2000 3.0TDi auto Patrol it is.

From Ford Falcon to Landcruisers: Way back in the past, we were trying to operate a small farm in a hilly area with only a Falcon wagon, which would get stuck on a gravel road unless all the kiddies sat across the back axle to get traction. I was trying to do the day to day work with an old tractor on which i couldn't reach the brake pedals, with a small toddler on my lap. We saw an FJ40 short wheel based Landcruiser for $4000, so bought it. This started a long Toyota history of Landcruisers in the family (a few with V8s replacing original engines), although one son had a series of Hiluxes (a couple of those converted to V8s too).

Nissan Patrol: A few years ago, our Hilux man decided Nissans were the best, and bought a Patrol wagon (he sold it last week as bought a Patrol Ute to do up for camping). We picked it up and drove it until our daughter took it to him where he is based up North. We drove it to Perth to look at a Winnebago 4wd camper, found it so comfortable, that we came home with a 3 litre td Patrol (we wanted diesel and he wanted auto due to deafness). "And I've always been a Cruiser man" as the advert used to say. We still have a Cruiser Ute working hard on the farm.

Ford - really? Yes back to Ford: Wanting something more suitable for towing our caravan (heavier than the legal load for our Auto 3 ltr), we have recently purchased an F250. The beaut Patrol will be for sale soon - we all want to keep it, but too much value to keep in our front yard full of cars just because we love it.

So when i throw barbs into the Toyota - Nissan debate, it is because i have one of each! Now i have a Ford too, but i drive a little old Commodore to work, so can join the Ford - Holden bun-fight on either side too.

Have always owned Nissans , when i bought this one i looked at price and suitability , well for the price i paid in 2004 for a 2000 4.2TD series II GU Patrol $30000.00 it suited my needs , i love it and plan on keeping it for a few more years yet....also just love the shape of Nissans over the Toyota.

Cheers.......Dave

Wanted a Prado but couldn't quite justify it.

Wanted a 4WD with Low Range to get me beach fishing. Got a new Kia Sorrento. Was a reasonable car, other than 14L+ / 100km fuel economy, the sympathy look when you tell others you have a KIA and the boot was just too small.

Regretted the purchase after a year and wished I got a Prado. Promised myself I'd never get a Petrol 4WD again.

Then won $75K on Lotto.

Sold the Kia, the Prado was now the D4D instead of the 96kw. Couldn't be happier. Got it because of larger boot, biggest fuel tank and econmoy. Getting 9.2L / 100km in the city. Name & reliability was a factor. NVH levels better than Pajero as well.

The most well behaved, and successful post i think i have see yet......Cheers Footloose, i really enjoyed reading everyones posts'.
Thanks guys.

Wayne-o

With three teens we needed room. The Falcon's back seat and the middle hump in the floor was murder for our daughter, who sat between two gangly boys. The Falcon is supposed to be a large family car but the small, uncomfortable rear interior belies the size of the car.

Most fourbys were too small for 5 people plus gear. Then there was the problem that most had an uncomfortable second row of seating - the middle passenger was usually required to sit on a split seat (a recipe for a 'numb bum').

Next problem was that most fourbys lacked a head restraint or a lap/sash seatbelt (or both) for ALL passengers and especially the second row of seats.

The vehicle had to be kind in city traffic and parking for the spouse, although we were keeping a Falcon as well for some city cycle.

So the final result was a Landcruiser 4.2TD auto. The diesel was my personal preference - always liked diesels. The 5 speed auto is beaut for all uses, including towing.

Some say that the Landcruiser is dearer than the nearest competition - but what value should we place on having a proper lap/sash belt with a headrest for her? Again, what is the use of paying less and requiring her to sit on an unconfortable centre split seat for thousands of kms? Further, what value should we place on having a comfortable flat roomy floor area for her to wiggle her feet?

If you are buying a vehicle, try all non-driver seating positions while someone else drives the truck and remember that the kids are not little for very long.

EV700

I've never ever heard of a cruiser ute breaking down - and I'm no mechanic so I need reliability.

Landrover, only 4WDs we have had, but have served our requirements well. Sturdy off-road vehicle that have answered everything asked of them, plenty of room and price is competitive versus alternatives....

Didn't read other responses so as not to bias my own.

Why, exactly, did you choose your particular brand of vehicle ? Patrol 4.2 turbo GU because of the reported strength in the drive train.
Because it was the one you liked , of course. But exactly what did you like about it ? It suited my needs.
Was it a matter of money ? YES
Inclusions ? Not really.
Power ? YES
Ability to tow ? YES
Fuel economy ? Not at all interested.
Reputation? YES
Colour ? Not really.
A mate has one ? YES 3 family members have had good runs out of theirs.
Your wife chose it ? NO
You just wandered past and thought hey I like the look of that :)) NO

The fact that I was going to spend 11 or 12 grand doing up my 100 series to suit what I needed and the change over on a brand new worked 4.2 Patrol was only 14 grand helped also.

I'm not biased to one make or another and will buy whatever brand suits my application. I will however bag the "other" make all day long in good humuor.

Cheers, Trevor.

I got the Troopy- coz Footy's got one...
73s mate ._ ._.

Our first 4wd was an imported Terrano but power and internal space left a lot to be desired. However it was a great vehicle to learn to 4WD in.

In searching for a replacement I had always liked the look of the patrols and their overall reputation for being indestructible apart from the obvious engine issues with the earlier series. In looking around and trying to avoid the dodgy years it became clear that it wasnt going to cost much more to buy a new GU4 which to my mind was a lot nicer looking inside and out to the 3 series. Also not being mechanically minded, the warranty was extra piece of mind.

On reflection tho the warranty does limit my willingness to perform modifications but 2 years down the track nothing has gone wrong (touchwood) and we are very happy with everything apart from its sluggish performance around town (although we appreciate the trade off with offroadability)

Things I would change - definitely should have gone for the auto and cruise control would be great!!

Cheers
Darren

Why did I get the Landy? In order of preference:

Tow, get up and go, show, dough.

and they're not the same car as every other bugger is driving.

Oh, and I'll probably learn how to be a mechanic too.

Cheers,

Russ.

For around $20k I wanted a base model car for a family of four, non-turbo large diesel that will go forever. It doesn't sound like a lot of requirements, but out of all the 4wds on the market it left us with a choice between a Troopie, 60 or 80 series 'cruiser, or a Patrol. With young kids, the Troopie needed to have forward facing rear seats which are pretty rare 2nd hand and they have no rear passenger door. Not many 60 series around with low k's. Out of the other two, it was an immaculate 80 series with low k's that came along first.

Our old '84 Tarago had taken us all over the top end of the NT and whoop whoop SA, including down a few 4WD tracks, but by 1999 she was getting tired and needed replacing. We still needed 6 seats back then so we went looking for a 8-10 year old Tarago but they were asking stupid prices. We were in one yard and realised that the window prices on the 4WD's next door were $10K cheaper than the Taragos of similar vintage.

So we started looking at 4WD's instead and picked up the Paj in Windsor NSW because the price was right and we liked the boxy look. The minister for war and finance was not sure about the 4WD thing but after a few trips away she was sold.

Now the Heritage Listed Paj only gets used for trips away but we would not be without it. We do not use 4WD a lot but the ground clearance gets lots of places that my work dunnydore would not have a hope of tackling. And occasionally we just go out and have fun!

We will be looking for a replacement sometime next year and have decided on a Nissan 4.2 about 2000-2002 vintage. We would like a Troopy but can't justify the price.

Cheers

Pete

Were looking at a cab chassis, either 4.2 TD Patrol or TD 79 Series, didn't care. Got Toyota to within $1,500 of the patrol. So price was not an issue. Toyota played nice and were willing to talk, Nissan didn't. So basically customer service got Toyota home.
Money No
Inclusions Helped as offset price difference
Power slightly
Ability to tow, no
Fuel economy No
Reputation no as both OK
Colour No
Mate has one No
Wife chose it, she did prefere the Toyota slightly but was not a deciding factor
Both look ok to me

Basically wanted a tough vehicle you can get parts for easily. Decided a tray was the way to go. I would look at a defender also but I was over breaking down and the local mechanic having a a shelf of parts for Nissan and Toyota and nothing else.

Steve

This is my first ever 4wd.
I was sick of the XF and the constant leaking engine seals and i wanted a 4wd.
I was going to get a hilux dual cab, but when i had a ride in one (member sam) with the kids in the back i realised that i would need a wagon.

Started looking at 80 series because my friends all like Toyota. Not knowing the first thing about them i started researching. Every time i looked at a certain price range of toyota i started comparing what i could get an equivalent nissan for and there was always a constant differential in price in favour of the nissan.

Eventually i realised that for the same price i would get a nissan in better condition because toyotas keep their resale value, rightly or wrongly its a fact. Resale isn't a factor for me because i tend to hold on to my cars till they drop. So i started looking more closely and noticed the stronger drive train and started to like the shape of the GU. Anyway I found my car and have never regretted the choice. I will possibly try a landcruiser in the future if i get the choice and there is a better deal that steers me that way.

I am not a one-eyed Nissan owner, i realise that the 80 series and the GQ/GU are very capable offroaders. It all about the value for money to me.

Ive a HZJ75 landcruiser trayback. I bought it because its the most common outback vehicle and parts a readily available,has legendary reliabilty,good payload,reasonable economy and reasonable on road manners.
And of course it goes well offroad with little or no modification.
Its also easy to do most of the maintenance yourself due its simple and spacious engine bay.
I guess a Patrol wagon might have been my second choice for the same reasons.

Because after working 10 years in Mining and Exploration I knew only 1 make has proven itself in the toughest of situations (comps dont count coz itdoesnt matter if you make it back or not) My 80 was fully kitted out for explorationwork so I bought it. The only thing that is a PROVEN better performer out bush is a trayback

Hi Footy,
We got a Hyundai Terracan. Why..... price and a 5 year warranty. Not too many accessories out there for it though, which is a bit of a bummer. Great power, enough to tow a 1.4T camper trailer over to Ocean Lake on Fraser Island.

Greg

Hi Footloose,

My first 4wd was a '97 Nissan Pathfinder TI, chosen by myself and (now ex)wife as being not too big for a family runaround in the city, yet (we thought) a suitably capable off-road machine for camping adventures. Yes it was capable enough at a reduced pace, but turned out to be just too small to fit all the gear in that a family of four required for even 5 or 6 days bush camping. Otherwise loved the vehicle, on and off-road except for the bad habits of the ABS system off-road, and a little low.

A couple of years later in '99, we decided to buy a larger 4x4 wagon, so I proceeded to look at all the alternatives available, both new and second hand.

So my results were;

Ford Explorer: too expensive for the better engine/trim option and really too small, too new to really be viable second hand

Mitsubishi Pajero: a little small otherwise very nice

Jeep Cherokee: too small and a horrible rear seating position

Holden Jackeroo: Dealer would not even provide one for a test drive so got wiped immediately

Toyota Landcruiser 80 series used: too expensive for anything with reasonably low k's

Toyota Landcruiser 100 series new: just too damn expensive, but bloody nice to drive

Nissan Patrol GQ used: I simply could not find one in reasonable nick, they all seemed to have been abused and/or butchered

Nissan Patrol GU new: great vehicle at a very sharp price. I had the choice of TB45 petrol or the 2.8 TD. Drove both wasn't overly impressed with the diesel and the wife didn't like the idea of "that smelly stuff trucks use" so we bought the petrol.

We have since separated and I kept the Patrol. It is now a work-in-progress of improvement up to and beyond perfection! LOL

Hope this is not too long-winded for the readers!

Ross

Evening Footloose,

I have the 05 Nissan Patrol DX 4.2TDi because I followed it from a government dept here in NSW where I knew it's complete history to auction. And I love it.
Runs like a dream, tows the CT like it's not there etc etc. Sold a 13 year old Subaru Liberty s/wgn as soon as I bought the 4x4. Loved it too but it was getting old and with 250k's on the clock things ......... and it could not tow the CT that was on order

Cheers

we needed a new car that would fit 6.
i was taking a patrol back to a yard after fitting some tyres and thought i want one of theese so we bought one
cheers

After 6 Toyota's (FJ40, Hilux and four troopies) in 30 years I decided that the time had come to get something that wouldn't be running at or over GVM on long outback trips.
Having driven one of the first civilian Hummers to come to Oz in the early 90's I was hooked, but the asking price was too steep. When the chance to grab an ex Desert Storm ex USAF Humvee came up in 2002 I grabbed it, spent the next nine months converting it to RHD and getting it ADR compliant for rego.
It is the best vehicle we have owned for long trips, uses less fuel than a 1HZ troopy and is much more comfortable especially in rough terrain.

I got bored with Station Wagons. Camping out of them was a pain.
Decided that a traytop and canopy was the way to go - that way the inlaws and the kids couldn't come with us either :-)) Great Payload, and access to the canopy is brilliant.

I missed my old HJ47Troopie, and I missed the sweet TD I had in the 61series. So the opportunity to get a factoryTD in a traytop, and have a vehicle that I could drill holes in and hammer was too good to refuse.

I traded the Prado at the right time - almost 3 years old and in demand, got a great trade and paid for the Traytop on Mastercard.

I would have bought a Patrol if one had come up. We own 4 Nissans and 2 Toyotas, and have had a bunch of Subarus, so our only biase is towards those nicely engineered Japanese made vehicles.

If you are after a realistic tough turbo diesel trraytop , then its Patrol or Landcruiser

Had two Patrols to tow heavy loads and both overheated on long climbs. Then Nissan decided to down rate their towing capacity to 2.5 tonns. I had no choice, but to buy a rough ancient retro ( new ) 2003 Landcruiser 79 turbo with a brilliant engine but with cart springs in the back !

But retro Landcruiser's are Ok and reliable.

modern cars are just so reliable (Rovers being the exception )

Dunedigger

F'loosie, I guess Moses became ours when we sat in some Nissans and Toyotas at field days and found that Nissans were easier to climb in and out of, easier for my length of leg and more comfortable too.

A few years earlier we had been driving our ML Mercedes following a Nissan on a dirt road. The Nissan was so stable in comparison to our Mercedes at speed. Nissan suspensions were more flexible for the rougher conditions with the coils.

Nissans and Toyotas are relatively understressed but the Nissans seemed better able to take a wider tray. We thought the creature comforts were better able to cope with my tall frame in the Nissan.

Who knows in five years though if Nissan don't come up with a viable replacement diesel to the 4,2. We have built up the ability to tow, to carry and strengthened quite a bit around Moses, now a leader in the pack!

G'day Footloose,
From an lpg conversion point of view mate, the L'cruisers have they're spare wheel underneath so when converting to lpg you need to spend more & invest in a spare wheel carrier where as the Nissan Patrols already have the spare wheel on the back door so when converting to lpg you are not looking at any further expense.

Vaguely related i know but could be helpful info before you walk into it head-on.

Kind regards
Dallas Green

Because its red ,{ well realy maroon} and we all know that red ones go faster .its an auto [no matter how good one is at changing gears an auto is better on sand ] she's a turbo diesel so power and fuel economy are in sync , and best of all

its mine.