Running Costs of... Patrol, Cruiser and GV

[supersean89]

Hey,

Pretty much the list of the cars I want to get has been narrowed down to:
Nissan Patrol (93-97)
Cruiser 80 series (diesel)
Grand Vitara
(im spending a max of 12 grand)

I am pretty set on getting a Patrol but its the running costs, ie fuel, servicing, parts etc, which I am worried about.

Im looking at getting a diesel, assuming its better on fuel. So basically my question is.. how does a Patrol compare to a Grand Vitara and a Cruiser in running costs?

I would be mainly city driving, not too heavily though. With a few times a month camping/4wding on the beach.

[steve patrol]

Just buy a patrol! Best thing youll ever do! There as tough as!!! What you save in repairs you get to spend on mods!!!!!

[+dj_hansen+]

Hey,

Pretty much the list of the cars I want to get has been narrowed down to:
Nissan Patrol (93-97)
Cruiser 80 series (diesel)
Grand Vitara
(im spending a max of 12 grand)

I am pretty set on getting a Patrol but its the running costs, ie fuel, servicing, parts etc, which I am worried about.

Im looking at getting a diesel, assuming its better on fuel. So basically my question is.. how does a Patrol compare to a Grand Vitara and a Cruiser in running costs?

I would be mainly city driving, not too heavily though. With a few times a month camping/4wding on the beach.

For city driving, you cant beat petrol/gas for fuel price and servicing interval.

Sure i get 13 around town, but diesel is atleast twice the price of gas, and i have to do oil and filter every 5k, oil is more expensive and filters are more expensive.

The only way a diesel works out better on fuel is in the bush and on long trips when my 13/100 loaded beats your 20+/100 when u consider on gas it is probably more like 30/100.

Both a patrol or an 80 on petrol/gas would be more than suitable and within your budget

[supersean89]

The vibe seems to defiknatly be with the Patrol, which is my 1st choice

Atm diesel is nearly less than unleaded.. do you think it will go back up??

Dont you have to service your car twice with gas?.. one service for the petrol part and one for the gas part..? I think that is what i heard.

[bogged]

but diesel is atleast twice the price of petrol,

your paying $2.40 a ltr for petrol?

[cmcd]

If you're running around close to civilisation, go for the dual fuel. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to run.

If you're really heading bush (Canning Stock Route etc), go the diesel.

My GQ was using just under 30L/100 on both gas and petrol out towards Mt Dare - a diesel would probably have only been using 15-16..

your paying $2.40 a ltr for petrol?

I paid $2.35 a litre a couple of weeks ago at Ross River Station..

[+dj_hansen+]

but diesel is atleast twice the price of petrol,

your paying $2.40 a ltr for petrol?

Doh... i meant gas, thanx, have editted now.

Trying to think of too many things at once!

[supersean89]

+dj_hansen+ wrote:
but diesel is atleast twice the price of petrol,
your paying $2.40 a ltr for petrol?

were paying $1.25 for deisel atm in perth, which is preytty much the same as unleaded.

[+dj_hansen+]

The vibe seems to defiknatly be with the Patrol, which is my 1st choice

Atm diesel is nearly less than unleaded.. do you think it will go back up??

Dont you have to service your car twice with gas?.. one service for the petrol part and one for the gas part..? I think that is what i heard.

Ergh?

About the only thing there would be servicing the gas setup, i;e the mixer and converter, but i think this would be like a once every 100,000km plus scenario.

[bogged]

Doh... i meant gas, thanx, have editted now

Then again, you use twice as much LPG as diesel..
oil is more expensive and filters are more expensive.
They are?

[supersean89]

ohh i was getting confused there.

ohh so the running costs of having the LPG is actually quite non existant.. i was under the assumption that it wasnt haha. Thanks for clearing that one up.

Would most costal towns have LPG? like margret river? and cannarvon (bad spelling, sorry). i dont want to be doing long driving just relying on the small petrol tank

[v840]

How big is your family?

How much stuff do you take camping/wheeling?

You tow a trailer?

Other than the beach, what is the hardest terrain you are likely to encounter?


To me, it sounds as though the GV is right up your alley. Lighter and more economical than the others, small revvy engine that would be great for the beach and light to medium wheeling, can carry enough for 2 adults and 2 kids, moreso with a rack, not to mention around 10yrs newer than a GQ or 80, I would imagine they would be a fair bit easier to drive in the city too.

From the sounds of it, the type of wheeling you do doesn't really require heavy front diff assemblies and heavier motors etc. From what you've written, I would be leaning towards the GV.

As with all vehicle choices though, it's your money and your choice. I would suggest driving all three options and deciding which one suits you.

[thehanko]

Hey,

Pretty much the list of the cars I want to get has been narrowed down to:
Nissan Patrol (93-97)
Cruiser 80 series (diesel)
Grand Vitara
(im spending a max of 12 grand)

I am pretty set on getting a Patrol but its the running costs, ie fuel, servicing, parts etc, which I am worried about.

Im looking at getting a diesel, assuming its better on fuel. So basically my question is.. how does a Patrol compare to a Grand Vitara and a Cruiser in running costs?

I would be mainly city driving, not too heavily though. With a few times a month camping/4wding on the beach.

For city driving, you cant beat petrol/gas for fuel price and servicing interval.

Sure i get 13 around town, but diesel is atleast twice the price of petrol, and i have to do oil and filter every 5k, oil is more expensive and filters are more expensive.

The only way a diesel works out better on fuel is in the bush and on long trips when my 13/100 loaded beats your 20+/100 when u consider on gas it is probably more like 30/100.

Both a patrol or an 80 on petrol/gas would be more than suitable and within your budget

firstly diesel is not twice the price of petrol, at worst it is 20% more currently its about 5% more.

secondly the long trip call is also bs, as they will also be more ecconomical around town / city as well as long trips.

Both petrol/gas and diesel options are worth looking at, but i would by a diesel over a petrol/gas anyday.

The diesels are very very tough engines and will need little more than an oil change for most of their lives. BUT if an injector pump goes or you do an engine the costs will be heaps more than a petrol.

Petrols on the other hand have more regular consumptions such as plugs leads etc and more little things to go wrong. in a petrol if your alternator dies you cant still drive home etc etc.

So realy world figures. A full loaded car, roof rack and trailer we got 16-17L per 100km out of a patrol diesel and 13 around town.

The petrols would get on a good day 20L per 100km around town and if pushed loaded can chew 30+ with ease. then add more for gas - plus gas cars CAN be a real pia!

Both cruiser and patrol are much bigger trucks, both are good, though the patrol will be cheaper to buy and more mods around cheaper. crusier looks a bit more modern if that matters.

GV i dont have much info on but are a littler car, though it will be about 10-11 L/100km probably 14-15 fully loaded.

Personally I would go a hilux failing that a Patrol.


just buy one already and go wheel it!

[Chucky]

for a DD, 80 over the patrol.
For a more off road weapon go the Patrol.
And as said. if just cruising around town gas/petrol but if you want more longer trips and remote areas, just can't beat the diesel. In either of the above.

The suk is also a good car, if you can fit hte family and all the camping gear in it, then go for it.

[supersean89]

I dont have a family unfortunatly, the size will mainly be used for surf tripping with mates and stuff.

I try to keep the camping gear to a minimum, i think any size boot would be good enough, most 4wds seems like they would be able to carry the gear.

Trailer would be every now and then, but not often, so its not a big deal either. I would say that we would eventaully start to venture away from the beach on 4wd trips, on trails etc.

The GV is a good car, no doubt about that, n it would be more than capable one the beach, its just the fact that u cant hardly mod it that i am streered away from it. I have put aside money for mods to be made to my new car after i have brought it, and i dont want that money to go to waste haha

which is why i ended up thinkin that a deisel patrol would be the way to go as it is only a bit more thirsty than the GV and i can mod it up

[thehanko]

for a DD, 80 over the patrol.
For a more off road weapon go the Patrol.
And as said. if just cruising around town gas/petrol but if you want more longer trips and remote areas, just can't beat the diesel. In either of the above.

The suk is also a good car, if you can fit hte family and all the camping gear in it, then go for it.

I would personally go the other way, dd patrol over 80. When two families were touring 1 in the patrol 1 in the LC, I much preferred to drive the patrol as it had less body roll and just felt like it drove with more confidence than the cruiser.

Having said that the crusier is a little more comfy. so whatever they are both good trucks.

the gv is not my thing but would be a nicer dd again.

[supersean89]

i think i feel the same with the GV not being my thing. But i keep thinking i should put those feelings aside cos it will be a newer more reliable car...

[bogged]

Go and drive all 3, you will narrow it down yourself in about 5 minutes.

[thehanko]

i think i feel the same with the GV not being my thing. But i keep thinking i should put those feelings aside cos it will be a newer more reliable car...

as long as what you want is reasonable, then your better off going that way otherwise you will always be a little dissappointed and end up changing cars sooner. trust me i was the king of vehicle swapping for a while.

[v840]

a deisel patrol would be the way to go as it is only a bit more thirsty than the GV and i can mod it up

Depends. If those mods include bigger tyres, barwork, roof rack etc. Watch that gap increase.

Still, it sounds as though you are getting closer to a decision, good luck with whatever barge you go with.

[supersean89]

yes i think i will have to go drive them to make my mind up.

any car would be better than mine atm haha