Comment: Buying a 4WD

Gday
You must have had a fare idea on fuel cost before you left. That type of information is readily at hand on the computer .

It's a lot cheaper here than anywhere in Europe. Really it should be dearer everywhere to discourage people using what is becoming a scarce resource. That's why in Europe you can drive a 6 cylinder diesel that does 0 to 100 in 8 seconds, has 550 nm torque and gets 8 liters/100 kms on the freeway for a range of over 1000kms per tank. Not much waste in those figures.

I crossed the Simpson a few years ago in my GQ 2.8td. We did 11 litres / 100km across from Mt Dare to Birdsville. Petrol Pajero (current model) did high 20's.
you probably paid alot less for the petrol model rather than the same in diesel so if you take that into account you're probably out in front; just

Not sure what model pajero you have but shouldn't be worse then my 4L V6 Prado ?? I know the 3.8L pajeros were a tad thirsty and the 3L and 3.5L were reasonably ok. Freeway driving loaded cargo barrier in place and full up and rack on top (only small one, Half the roof size) I can get 11.6L per 100 doing the speed limits upto 110, just because its 130k in NT doesn't mean you have to do it. In sand yes drinks it, in the very low 20's but I'm talking soft sand like say stockton beach not desert sand. What was your consumption L per 100k ?? Around town Im roughly 15/16 per 100, put the boot into and drive with a lead foot and you will see 20. I believe there is issues with the new CRD patrols drinking it, 15/16 round town ?? Would be worse then your pajero. I have had 2 diesels one turbo one not, and 5 petrol 4wd's, all toyota except 2 of them. At the moment the petrol suits me fine and I love the get up and go when driving around town (90-% of the time) overtaking power, and in the sand. Filters costing me 1/2 the price and only doing oil and filter every 10 instead of every 5, and don't have to worry as much about picking up crappy diesel and stuffing 4 injectors x $1000each and fuel pump easy 5g upwards which will cost an easy 9g upwards out of pocket if insurance doesn't want to pay up..............just my opinion between petrol and diesel, plenty of us on here could debate for days between the two, always has been a debatable issue.........

Barry,
Consider gas, its cheaper per litre and more environmently friendly and cheaper than upgrading if everything else about the Paj. is to your liking.
Regards Zappa

Barry,

We bought a petrol Patrol 2nd hand in 2001, it was 7K cheaper than the comparable TD Patrol at the time so we figured you can buy a lot of extra fuel for 7K. However, at 23ltr/100 towing the trailer you soon forget that.

We have done 330000km since then and had no issues at all with the Patrol,(apart from exhaust falling off once), just routine services. 3 Diesels in the extended family are cheaper to refuel but cost twice as much to keep on the road during every day use. When we finally change it over in the new year we will however get a TD (Ranger????).

Catcha.