Diesel vs Petrol

I think if you have your heart set on a Troopy and then buy something else you will always be thinking ,wish I had bought that Troopy.
When it comes down to petrol or diesel the main issue I feel is the matter of fuel consumption, especially if towing. As we know fuel is only going one way and that is up,who knows what we will be paying in a year or two. A diesel should cost little more to service than a petrol unless you are servicing any of the fuel injection components and that will only be required every 100,000 km or so. Yes petrol's are cheaper to buy but they also do not have a very good resale value either. I personally have owned diesel 4x4 vehicles since they came on the market and would not own anything else, but then as a diesel mechanic I admit I am very biased.

good luck finding a petrol one

servicing costs wouldnt be hugely different

the difference in cost of the oil filter and a bit more oil would be less than the fuel saved on 1 tank diesal compared to petrol

I just had my Troopy's timing belt changed at a Toyota Dealer in Nowra NSW. The cost was $200 including the beltI. I dont think that was expensive concidering my 2002 model Astra cost $480. 2 years ago!! and that has to be changed every 60K. I dont concider diesels particularly expensive to service especially if you can do the simlpe services yourself. Get a diesel for peace of mind

Regards.......................Jeff

Go a Diesel and do most of the servicing yourself. It helps to know these things when travelling anyway. Oils and Filters and greasing points shouldn’t be too hard to work out, once you’re on top of that it will reduce costs considerably. Wouldn’t hurt to know how to change the belts either. Stuff like valves, injectors and timing belts can be left for a qualified person to do.
Good Luck

Lyndon

CruisinDub
Just as others have said, get a diesel, for all the same reasons too
My old Toyota hasn't seen the inside of a mechanics shop, with the exception of injector and pump adjustments, since it run out of warranty about 6OO,OOO K's ago, do everything else yourself, including belts, get to know what it is that makes them run forever and save a heap of money to boot, then maybe just because it's a Toyota it's still running :-)
My next vehicle will also be diesel powered

Maîneÿ . . .

A diesel troopie will go 1200km on full tanks - try getting that out of any petrol vehicle. Range is important - means you can do most desert crossings without jerries.

Diesel fuel is cheaper in remote areas than petrol, and is more available.

The later model 1Hz and 1HD-FTE troopies are 10,000k servicing - same as the petrol 4wds. They just take a few litres more oil and need fuel filter changes every 20,000k. The $$$ are not an issue. Resale is sooooo much better with a diesel landcruiser.

And remember you are buying a LIFESTYLE.... not just a vehicle. Get the troopie and fit it out the way you want ... and enjoy.

Hi,

Kevin hit the nail on the head, you will regret not buying the troopy every time a beauty comes rolling past. I also agree with the diesel, the petrol engines are thirsty thirsty thirsty, of course they go like scalded cat, so its a trade off.

T

Hi Cruiser dub,

I'd go the diesel all for reasons others have said, Have you thought bout a tray top with lockable aluminium canopy?

Just a thought but if you like the troopy, get one and enjoy.

Cheers Wilko

Being the devils advocate...
you don't need to buy a Troopy to get a good, capable 4wd. Any standard cruiser or 4.2 diesel patrol will do the job. Some of the new dual cabs or, as you mention, pajero, jackeroo etc will be perfectly fine if a heavy duty vehicle is not required.

These vehicles have the advantage of having 4 doors, and being more comfortable to drive. These 4 cylinders turbo diesels should take you to all of the places you want to go and use very little fuel.

I would recommend a diesel regardless of which vehicle you get. There is a reason why even many newer passenger cars are running turbo diesels now.

If you decided on a troopy, yes you could sell it after your year long trip, or if you wanted to do more trips then keep it but then you are stuck with this big, thumping impractical vehicle as a daily driver. The smaller vehicles should do everything your want and still be useful after your trip.

Just a few thoughts. Most important though is that you enjoy the trip, regardless of which vehicle you own.

Barnesy

Hi Cruisin

I wouldn't be considering a later model troppy for simplicity !

They have changed a lot since my 1964 International Harvester tractor was built.

They are much more complex than my petrol 2002 Nissan Patrol , and
as a general rule are less reliable since they went electronic fuel
metering and added turbo chargers etc.

Have you seen Rockapes recent replies about complexity and issues
with just removing the starter motor and multiple failures ?

Often these posts about fuel types come up and I have tended to argue
the petrol side for many reasons, by and large the costs are the same
its just that with the petrol you pay a 1/3rd more each time you fill up
where the extra diesel costs come in particulate based health issues
extra sevicing costs, extra outlay up front, extra cabin noise - and heaven forbid if you need an injector with many now costing $1000 or more, or you happen to drown it.

There are the odd extreme requirements, and minor pluses and minuses
but I believe the only real reason for getting a diesel is because it has about a 1/3rd extra range.

My petrol guzzler can do 1000km on a tank and there are not many places
left where you more than this and for those occasions you do need jerries
so think it thru carefully.

If you have read many of this sites posts you probably know that troppies
have a shocking roll over angle and are over represented with accidents
both in number and severity as they often lack basic occupant protection
measures.

Think it over carefully !