newbie looking at purchasing a 4wd opinions wanted

Submitted: Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 21:35

ThreadID: 67352 Views:3408 Replies:7 FollowUps:6

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27rich

Hello all.

I am new to this site and am looking at buying my first 4wd, so I thought I would ask 4wd owners there opinion.
Now I am on a strict budget of $10,000, the need for 7 seats. Also only occasionally tow a 6X4 trailer.
The 4wds that I am looking at are all late 90s and possible an early 2000 models, manual or auto (don’t care but need reliability to cut costs down),

Now:
Nissan Patrol GU, (however for the money I can spend the kms are high usually 250,000-300,000 and above), furthermore what engine to go for/stay away from, either the 2.8 turbo diesel, 3.0 turbo diesel, 4.5 diesel or 4.5 petrol, and what are the common problems?
Holden Jackaroo, (for the money I can spend the kms are around the low 100,000 for petrol engines or usually 200,000 for the diesel, what engine to go for/stay away from either the 3.1 turbo diesel, 3.0 turbo diesel, 3.2 petrol or the 3.5 petrol) and what are the common problems?
Discovery, (again, for the money I can spend the kms are around the low 100,000 for petrol engines or usually 200,000 for the diesel), for the discovery it would be the Discovery 11 (as come with forward facing 3rd row seats), so either the ?2.8 turbo diesel or the V8. and what are the common problems?
Mitsubishi Pajero, (again, for the money I can spend the kms are around the 150-200,000 or higher for the diesel). Again either the ?2.8 diesel (is this a turbo engine) or the 3.5 petrol and what are the common problems?

I am in the throws of deciding whether to go petrol and put it on gas or plain diesel. As most of my driving will be around the city long tank range is not so important, however fuel economy is (I know that 4wds are not exactly fuel efficient, however am looking for the best of a thirsty bunch)

Now if I buy a petrol model and put it on gas, what are the running costs on gas?
And what are the running costs on diesel?

Yes I could go a mini van but I am trying hard to avoid that prospect, and furthermore even though it would mainly be used around the city I would like to go 4wding (beach/sand dunes) when on holiday.

Thanks Richard

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Reply By: Madfisher - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:04

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:04

Hi Richard,
We own two petrol 3.5 v6 Jacks one auto and one Manual. The 98 se manual is very economical to run for a petrol down to 11/100 on trips and even 13s towing my 4.2 m boat. The auto is very smooth and quite but a shocker on fuel. 18 to 22 arround town and down to 13s on the open road. The manual is a powerfull 4wd, the auto less so. Minor problems with the manual over 40000ks( now at 140000) have been the inlet manifold gasket, maf sensor , and a good tune up. The auto has not missed a beat but only has 78000ks on it.
Diesels Jacks the older 3.1 are very reliable, the newer 3lt dohc is unfortunalty unreliable and very expensive to fix. Problems with injector tips breaking off and wrecking a very expensive motor, Injectors seals going and doing the same.
I believe the Petrol will be much cheaper in the long run.
We have just sold a 93 nh Paj 3lt that was very reliable, only repairs was a timing belt and a air conditioner compressor over three years. But the motor felt crude after driving the Jacks.
I am not a patrol expert but stay away from any 3lt turbo diesels. The older 3lt petrol ( rb30 ) was superb, these where in the GQ range.
Cheers Pete

AnswerID: 357140

Reply By: Willem - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:13

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:13

Richard

I would go for a Nissan GQ 4.2lt diesel RX or ST up to 1997
7 seats with everything. Comfy and very reliable and pretty much unbreakable. Not all the grunt in the world but longevity of engine guaranteed.

250-300K on the clock is only half its life used.

For $10,000 you should pick a good one up. Do an engine flush for around $100 and then you should have no more to spend

Cheers

AnswerID: 357144

Follow Up By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 23:54

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 23:54

"......and then you should have no more to spend ......."

C'mon Willem,

I would have thought that after a lifetime of 4WD expeditioning that you would know better than that!!!!!

There is ALWAYS something to spend!!!

;-)

Cheers,

Mark

FollowupID: 625252

Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 06:46

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 06:46

Yerrr Mark :-)

I meant initial cost of the vehicle in a suburban environment.

My vehicle works hard and needs constant maintenance. Still, it is a cheaper form of hobby by buying at the right price and maintaining it. Cost to me was $13,000 in 2004 and about $11,000 since then in maintenance for 110,000km and hopefully some years and distances to come!

Cheers

FollowupID: 625267

Follow Up By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 10:33

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 10:33

Yer doing better than me, given how hard yours works.Mine only gets a couple of trips a year, plus a few weekends here and there.

$30k purchase
$15k since including the accessories fitted to basic truck.

Oh Well, back to work!

Cheers,

Mark

FollowupID: 625317

Reply By: 27rich - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 08:49

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 08:49

Thanks to all that replied, looks like I still have a way to go before deciding.

Will keep coming back to this page for further comments.

Thanks Richard

AnswerID: 357200

Reply By: Frankie Paj - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 09:39

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 09:39

Hi Richard,

I was in a similiar situation at the beginning of the year. I was looking for a 4WD that would be 70% city 30% offroad. I did lots of online reasearch and read many forums that gave me a lot of great ideas.

You are now at a stage where I would start taking the 4WD's for a test drive. I thought "Nissan Patrol GQ will be best for me! They are robust, strong and reliable!" This was all true but when I took it for a drive it felt too much like a truck and for all the city driving I would be doing it wasn't practical.

I then took a 97 Pajero 2.8Turbo Diesel for a drive and absolutely loved it! It was a lot more comfortable and easier to drive round the tight city streets. I purchased it and have since taken it off road and it is more than capable.

Set a weekend aside Richard and I think you will find your list shorten.

Frankie

AnswerID: 357213

Follow Up By: Psi - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 13:41

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 13:41

Yeah I liked the Pajero too but could fit in the bloody thing....LOL. Its not made for 120kg 190cm bodies

FollowupID: 625333

Follow Up By: Psi - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 13:44

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 13:44

could NOT (bloody typos)

FollowupID: 625334

Follow Up By: Frankie Paj - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 22:27

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 22:27

haha you have a few centimeters and a few more kgs on me!

FollowupID: 625469

Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 10:03

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 10:03

G'day Richard, another vote for the Jackaroo from me, a biased owner . My 2000 3.5 V6 auto has been trouble free over 25k..
87 to 112k. Did 15L/100 towing a C/t over 13k outback trip, inc
Mereenie,Ood, Tanami, GRR & Bungles, with 4 adults aboard. As Pete said earlier, a gentle foot will pay big dividends, if you hoof it
you will pay. Big interior, strong motor. Should get a good one for your budget...check Ebay & Carpoint as a guide.....oldbaz.

AnswerID: 357216

Reply By: Davo_60 - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 11:47

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 11:47

G'Day Richard,

I can't comment on some of the vehicles you have mentioned but definitely some of the less mainstream vehicles such as Jackaroos and Pajeros offer great value. Patrols and Landcruisers can be more expensive for what you get and if well worn the cost of repairs can easily exceed the cost of purchase which is fine as long as you budget for that. If you look carefully and are patient, then you should be able to find a GQ patrol that doesn't require much work within your budget. I purchased a 60 series Landcruiser about 2 years ago with just over 100k for about 5 grand. Since then I have spent the following:

Injectors, timings check, valve clearances: $1200
Transmission service, new cooler lines and cooler clean out $1000
New radiator: $700
New hoses, belts and water pump $600
New Alternator $700
2nd battery tray, battery and: $500
Second hand UHF and HF radios, fitted myself about $800
Full service including bearing repack etc $800

Before heading out this year to the Kimberley I will get the rear springs reset, new bushes all round and a set of Koni shocks: $1700.

So I have spent an additional 8k approx, so 13k in total. I have done some local camping, the Simpson and will travel through the Kimberley this year - hopefully more trips to come without spending too much more. Some of the work done is for peace of mind when travelling and certainly money can be saved the more you can do yourself. Just wanted to give you an idea of how the maintenance costs can add up even on a vehicle that is basically sound. Good luck and hope you find something that suits your needs.

Cheers,
Dave

AnswerID: 357240

Reply By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:21

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:21

"Nissan Patrol GU, (however for the money I can spend the kms are high usually 250,000-300,000 and above), furthermore what engine to go for/stay away from, either the 2.8 turbo diesel, 3.0 turbo diesel, 4.5 diesel or 4.5 petrol, and what are the common problems? "

Don't want to open a can of worms here, but I'd suggest you steer clear of the 3 litre Turbo Nissans. Do a search on the site for ZD30 and you'll get the picture.

Otherwise, most are good - realistically the most important thing in looking at a 2nd hand vehicle is how well it's been maintained and serviced. If it has the records and looks neat, then it may be a good buy, if it looks like a sh*tbox......

AnswerID: 357288