[Closed] Nissan Patrol... Talk to me.

No direct experience of the Patrol,or Land Cruiser....but my In-Laws spent a lot of time in Australia.They went on fishing trips in the outback,The guides used bothof the above to tow the boats to the river. Father-in-Law likes 4x4s and asked about reliability etc...no problems with either of them...Added that they can't afford to have unreliable motors.

They're OK, but parts availability (s/h and new) is much better for the Toyotas.

The Patrol and Land Cruiser are both hugely thirsty, so no great reason to choose one over the other. They also drive appallingly on the road but very well off-road.

Finally, A$10k for either of these? Might want to spend a little more and get something a bit younger. A 10-15 year old off-roader will not be in the rudest of health if it's been actually used off-road.

10k's the limit really unless we're talking finance / loans which I'd prefer not to.

The pics I've seen on eBay seem to show up some immaculate machines. Yes, I know that they probs would have been valeted and spruced for the pics but some appear quite genuinly "mint" and little or no off road use. I suppose once I'm there it will be easier to pick the lemons out.

Missus is concerned that a Landcruiser might be too big for her to drive - having said that, she drove a Transit van and trailer for best part of a year so a 'Cruiser might be OK. A few people we know reckon a Toyota is the best to go for as out in the sticks there's more chance of getting parts or at least someone who knows how to get one up and running again.

Also, on-road handling isn't so much of an issue as generally the roads are long straight with very little in the way of bends and technical driving. I appreciate that you can't really have a 4x4 that's both good off road and a performing drive on road with a 10k budget.

I was initially looking at Discos but practically everyone said forget them and look at something Jap. A few even said they'd rather go for a Jeep than a Landy! Awful shame as I'd love a LWB Defender. A bit too utilitarian. Decent aircon is a must when it's 40c + outside.

Here's one my 'toy' 4wd snatched out earlier 😆

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Which Patrol you got Zokes? If they're good enough for Pat Callinan...

Decent buy second hand or money pit?

Tough reliable Jap 4 wheel drive for not much money ?

Nissan Terrano !

My 12 year old 2.7tdi has had nothing but routine servicing and parts and keeps passing its mot with no work required.Engine can do mega miles and its not really too bad to drive considering its weight.
Fantastic for towing,especially with the low ratio box.

I don't, mine's the Freelander 2 pulling that stuck Patrol out 🙂

Pat Callinan probably drives Patrols because Nissan pay him to - just like ARB give him the accessories!

I do actually drive patrols for work long distance and off-road. I've driven the old 3L TD, 4.2L TD, and the new 3L Common Rail Diesel. They're OK, and TBH better than a defender on a long haul, but I've not been impressed with them in standard spec off road. The old 3L TD was pretty gutless - underpowered.

They just seem cumbersome, but then I am biassed as I always drove defenders off road for work in the UK. I've not been anywhere yet in a Patrol in Oz that our 'softroader' Freelander can't manage with a bit of care. We've followed our mates in their Prado without any issues...

A mate had one.
It got stolen.
Found in a Patrol graveyard in the bush.
Just saying.

joeegg

thanks.. worth a look. standard 5 seater looks like it has enough boot space.

edit: I'm not saying there's none, but eBay Oz is showing 5.

There's some nice looking Pathfinder's though.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2002-Nissan-Pathfinder-ST-4X4-Blue-4sp-Wagon-/230787573838?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item35bc02e84e

Avoid Nissan Petrol cos it's addicted to fuel/petrol ... it drinks petrol like no tomorrow and bulky.

... go for Landcruiser.

Now I've finished flying the flag for LR, I know a couple of people who run the old Toyota 4runners without many issues, and they seem reliable enough

Do you really need a full-size 4x4 or would a Subaru Legacy/Outback suit?

I think "want" is stronger than "need" but still... Always wanted a Landy here but could not justify the insurance, tax, fuel yadda yadda. Owning one would be (in my mind) cheaper over there - fuel certainly.

We went on lots of road trips around WA when we were there last and there were heaps of times we had to turn back or change route because we just didn't have 4x4 or clearance. Although Outback / Forresters are 4x4s there probs isnt that much clearance over a "normal" car?

hmm......

Added that they can't afford to have unreliable motors.

Yes it's true if you brake down on the way home from town your beer will get warm and your ice cream will melt.

Although Outback / Forresters are 4x4s there probs isnt that much clearance over a "normal" car?

I think the Forrester has clearance of 205mm, whereas the staple Aussie 4by, the Prado, has 220. I know our 'car' Freelander has 215mm and better ramp-over and departure than the Prado. So there really isn't much in it. Even when lifted 2-4 inches, the diffs, which are probably one of the main parts you want to avoid pranging on rocks are still the same height unless you put bigger wheels on it - they're also the lowest part.

What you gain by lifting is greater articulation, but I'm skeptical as to just how much true extra clearance you get as the axels and diffs must remain at the same hight relative to the centre of the wheels. I think the biggest issues with the forrester are a lack of decent tyres / accessories, and approach / departure angles. They have been across the Simpson before now...

I think, I need to find out exactly how much space the missus needs, and how big a car she feels happy driving round town. It's gonna be our daily drive / family car / and her work car. I'll be pootling back and forwards to my hospital on a wee scooter. As well as the Tranny, she drove an old Pajero, which she loved.

I could just turn things round a little, get her an Outback and perhaps I could get that V8 SWB Defender I've always been tempted with for a project... More chin stroking needed.

Where are you planning to take this beast apart from coles?

Not sure what the rules are there but in Tas the road tax is done by number of cylinders. We are currently paying about $550 for a 2.5l forester (4c)

Fuel is going between $1.50-60 here currently

All around WA with Freo as a base. Got friends as far down as Denmark and up towards Derby.

No idea how rego is worked out or tax but as the missus is gonna use it for work I'm sure we could include it in the her returns.

Coles or Woolworths. I'm not fussy. Do you have Farmer Jacks over in Tassy?

The cylinders thing is the same in SA, so it might be fairly uniform state to state. It doesn't take into consideration turbos though, and by that I mean the one on the Forrester XT 😈

No we mostly grow and catch our own.....

Looking round here most of the bigger 4x4's are the same as the UK -massive tyres and never sees anything a ford focus couldn't manage. Just you have to have one and a V8 as they don't break down...(like I said before you wouldn't want your beer to get warm on the way back 😀 )

I think WA's probs worse for that. Gotta have a v8 4b, gotta have a souped up Commadore or Falcon, boat, jetskis, pool, 27 bedrooms....

Which is why I reckon some of the 4by's I've seen on eBay look mint. The owners would cack themselves on a corrugated road let alone off-road.

Well, I'll be there in August.

From 2 mins in - no need for 4wd in tas.....
(warning contains road bikes and Rapha clothing)

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1984 cruiser...dual fuel....$3000 and some spanner time, will go anywhere.

Patrols look good though, just avoid the gutless new 3L

No idea how rego is worked out or tax but as the missus is gonna use it for work I'm sure we could include it in the her returns.

My OH sounds like a similar "user" (similar industry too, perhaps...) to yours: self-employed, 3-6 appointments a day etc. Rolling around in a massive lump like a Patrol would just about murder her with costs (esp with A/C blasting in summer). Don't forget also that servicing is incredibly expensive here (even if you do it yourself).

Nope only one session per day, 3 days a week. Baby sensory group.

Well, I'm just sitting tight and awaiting my VISA to come through now. We have the removalists coming Weds to pack the house up. I spent a good 5 hours cleaning 2 bikes to forensic levels (which is gutting cos clean bikes look like they need riding!).

There's all sorts of cars now in the ideas pot, from Patrols to Pathfinders, Pajero's to Foresters. Diesel and LPG....I just wanna get there and get out of the drizzle. Mind you, my mates there say it's freezing. It's 18c. *sigh*

Nissan Patrol... Talk to me.

Cars can't talk, silly. Apart from Mr/Mrs Tomtom or Austin Maestros.

Igmc

KITT.... Talk to me.

Prime example of a car that CAN talk. So, take your coat...:p

hmm somewhat of a shift from the patrol

now looking at things around the x-trail size. and the budget has increased to aud12k (yay)

why do so many aussie drivers insist on buying autos?

so... x-trail or similar?

X-trail's OK, but much smaller than the Patrol, and not much cop off road beyond unsealed roads. If I had $12k and only wanted a softroader, it would be a scooby every time.

I would suggest a Freelander, but for that price you'd only get a Series I, which isn't advisable if you want it to actually move beyond the garage. Not sure how much the older Freelander 2s go for, but given the lack of depreciation here, I'd suspect it's a lot more than $12k

If you want a Patrol get one. They are built like tanks, that is why they weigh so much, and take a hell of a beating. Honestly there is not much between a Patrol and a LC apart from personal preference. I drive an LC out there that has over 500,000km on the clock and has spent a very long time off road (WA, Simpson desert, Canning stock route and lots else besides). You can work on them and do a lot of your own spannering if that is what you want. Yes they are used as 4x4 child delivery systems, but when you need to go off road then either one is a good bet as you can get in to some very serious situations very quickly.

In Oz a good 4x4 can get you to some amazing places that you and the family will love. Get a compressor, tyre defaltors and some decent tyres and you will be amazed at where you get to.

Zokes... I'd love a Patrol but various bits and bobs have chipped away at what we had saved. Missus looked at a Patrol and said it was too big for her to use but liked the x-trail (and Forester XT) and really for the amount of "off roading" we will do i think the x-trail will be fine. Little more clearance than the Forester and acceptable off bitumen roads.

12k would get us a 2005+ x-trail or Forester. 2.5l manual with about 100-150kms on the clock. Perhaps in a couple of years I can look at a project car, something like an old Patrol or Landcruiser. Can just see it, sitting on the drive, covered in oil and in bits.

If it's just for blatting about on dirt roads, the scoobies are hard to beat. Th X-Trail just seems a bit neither here nor there - neither car nor 4wd!

I really really want a Defender, but MrsZ really really doesn't, so the Freelander remains!

We shall see - got a busy few days ahead. Marred by the fact that we arrive at 1am at Perth Int but we cannot book a maxicab with Swan Taxis. Their advice was to "just get two taxis from outside and stick the little un on your lap". Yeah. He's 12 months. Not only illegal, but just not happening. Great advice Swan taxis.

We have a rental car for 6 weeks and after that it's shopping time.

I'd shy away from older freelanders especially petrol ones as the engines are made of cheese

If you want reliability stick with the japanese manufacturers....

Hmm dunno Zokes. The reviews I've seen (and I've seen a few now, been geekin it up!) seem to suggest it's quite a capable softroader. Having said that, an XT Forester that hasn't been too badly spanked would be tempting.

@T100 - yeah, I wouldn't go near an old one either! The new ones though 🙂

@aphex_2k - Yup, Swan Taxis are ftards I'm afraid. In fact, most taxi companies seem to be. I even had to give directions to Adelaide Airport once (christ knows how he usually gets his business!)

I have seen many old scoobies in the lesser places we've been, but not seen any x-trails beyond suburb shopping centre car parks! I did look carefully at the specs when buying the Freelander 2, but with neither the speed of the scooby, nor the off-road ability and comfort of the Freelander, it was swiftly dropped from the equation. But I appreciate you have different economics to play with given you've just arrived.

Zok

I'm not impressed with the reliability of the current freelanders i've encountered either generally the landrover group score quite poorly for an alleged premium brand it's ashame as I liked the freelanders I've used

Well, mine's OK, and off for another thrashing off road this weekend. Honestly not had a peep out of it! I think if you look hard enough with any brand you'll find faults - usually these seem to be injector / ECU related issues on spanky new diesels...

We have a forrester, going ok, only happy as the price of fuel is low - not what I'm used to in diesel economy. Loading space is slightly lower than I expected can't get my bike in stood up front wheel out.

2.5l Petrol x from 06 was about $14k.

Spent time in the mother in laws xtrail a few years back, noisy and plasticy 🙁

Has to be a Toyota for reliability , don't go near a x trail , turbo and fuel injection problems to common , newer patrols have Renault electrics in them and any I have dealt with have been a nightmare with electrical problems

newer patrols have Renault electrics in them

Seriously, of all the car makers of this world to get to do your electrics for you, why as a Japanese company would you get the French to do them?!?!?

You must be lucky then......
Having had an ecu failure in Finland last winter .... I'm not impressed .... Thankfully after 2 hrs at minus 25 the breakdown guy arrived... Thankfully it wasn't out in the wilds.....

Gordy
The op was talking about an xtrail in Aus the t30 mk1 was only sold as petrol so comments don't apply t31 mk 2 has different engine and turbo

Yeah diesel x-trails in Oz are rare. Also rare to see diesel Foresters. If I can find some with manual gearboxes I'd be happy. Just doesn't feel nice driving an auto.

Diesel / manual rocking horse poop.

Ended up doing a novated lease through my work. Car / fuel / repairs paid from pre-tax salary then the remainder of my fortnightly salary is taxed.

Will be cycling to work so the missus will be using it predominately. Ended up with a 2011 series IV X-trail. 125kw 2.5l petrol with 50,000km on the clock. It's mint. The price was right I'm pretty chuffed with it, just can't wait for a blast in it. Mean to be going down Dwellingup this weekend. (Grr... another 2 weeks for our shipping and bikes to arrive though).