Nissan or not to Nissan?

[piglet]

We are looking to buy a bigger 4x4 vehicle. Our little Zook just does not fit everyone in and we want a car to take long trips in and to do some fun 4x4 driving. Someone had suggested to us that the Nissan GQ are a good buy. Not knowing too much about 4x4 cars, we were after some suggestions on what would be a good car. Also we are not too sure which way to go with the type of fuel the car should have with the prices of petrol nowadays is it wise to look for something with gas. Is a gas 4x4 vehicle safe when your doing off road driving, we are still on our learners when it comes to off road driving but we hope to get into the real 4x4 stuff. I know all cars have their problems too so please let us know of them as well.
Fire away
I'm eager to hear your suggestions.
Toni

[N*A*M]

if you're not overly serious about mods and worried about fuel consumption, i would not get a gq. i'm saying that even though i love them myself. if you're at the more fun oriented end of the 4x4 spectrum, i'd suggest any of the mid 90s IFS wagons - pajero, jackaroo, prado, etc...

[chimpboy]

Gas is great for off-road vehicles, and GQs are still a good buy for size and capability if you do want a fairly roomy seven-seater.

Having said that, I don't really disagree with NAM's reply; depending on what you want to do a pajero or similar could be a better choice.

[-Scott-]

LPG is cheap, but you don't get good fuel economy - and as the government loads up the excise, the price will rise.

Diesel is more expensive, but diesel engines are normally more fuel efficient, particularly for highway cruising. Diesel is much easier to find than LPG when you're travelling in remote places. This is offset by higher servicing costs.

There's no denying a GQ is an excellent 4x4, but you'll need to be doing some fairly hard 4wding before a Pajero/Jackaroo/Prado won't get you where you want to go. And I'm talking "hard" by OL standards - most 4wders on other Australian web-sites wouldn't dare to try tracks well within the capabilities of a well set up IFS tourer.

For combination of off-road ability and fuel economy I'd recommend a late '90s turbo-diesel Prado. Or a Pajero.

Good luck,

Scott

[midi73]

I agree pretty much with what has been said above. A choice that I think though, would be the 80 series cruiser. You can get them for a reasonable price now, cheaper than a prado and prob cheaper than a paj. They tend to be a lot more comfortable than the nissan, and close to paj and prado. A little later down the track if you find you would be wanting to set up for some harder stuff, they are every bit as good as the nissans to do mods to for hardcore 4x4ing.

[-Scott-]

I agree pretty much with what has been said above. A choice that I think though, would be the 80 series cruiser. You can get them for a reasonable price now, cheaper than a prado and prob cheaper than a paj. They tend to be a lot more comfortable than the nissan, and close to paj and prado. A little later down the track if you find you would be wanting to set up for some harder stuff, they are every bit as good as the nissans to do mods to for hardcore 4x4ing.

Yep.

I was thinking the four cylinder turbos would give slightly better economy, but the n/a Toyota 6 is still pretty good, and will probably last much better.

Scott

[MQ080]

we are still on our learners when it comes to off road driving but we hope to get into the real 4x4 stuff

I agree that something with IFS would be the go, diesel prado perhaps...

[4Speed]

GQ patrols are unbreakable (to a point) plenty of parts and are now very very cheap.

4.2s Petrol and diesels are bullet proof, but as everybody is saying you are going to notice a difference in your hip pocket when you fill up.

You could go with the 2.8 diesel GQ, lacking power but has allot of heart, never driven one. But I'm sure someone here has one. After market parts are everywhere and there is no shortage of people who have already done it before you, as far as mods go.

As for Paj's and Pardos well we just made a Hyundai Terrican swim on the weekend (which is a late model paj retagged) and it did just fine, it does have a 2" lift and no movement in the front end, but the dam thing just keeps going That’s got to say something. But I wouldn’t recommend it to most people.

Just had to show it again

[CRUSHU]

I would like to mention that the GQ is probably the cheapest 4x4 that has been mentioned so far, and they are quite bullet proof.

They are quite lacking speed wise, a 80 series will cream them at the traffic lights, don't know about pajero's etc. Fuel economy isn't great, but LPG helps.

[badger]

from my point of view the gq is unbeatable unless you can afford a gu
80's and 100's are more comfy and perhapse a lil more economical but the maintenance costs of the patrols and the lack of maintenance needed in comparison to other vehicles like pajeros and prados makes them a winner for me

ps i own a triton and its for sale because i have spend 4k this year alone on mechanicals, all because i wanted to save 20 bucs a week at the bowser and didnt get the patrol.

[Hoonz]

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/t4498-ho ... 16000.html

ITEM:
excellent touring or towing vehical!
1991 GQ wagon supercharged diesel!

CONDITION:
QLD RWC used

REASON FOR SELLING:
cause i want to sell it buying a new car

PRICE AND PRICE CONDITIONS:
RWC qld buyer can drive it home
16000ono

EXTRA INFO:
1991 GQ wagon (ex TB42) 300k kms
TD42 Supercharged new motor 150k kms Engineered
TINTED WINDOWS
extractors and 3" exhaust!
NEW 3" lift (kings coilsss, procomp shocks, castor correction bushes, ADJ panhards F+R
NEW tyres 5 x 33" BFGs on 15x8 sunraisers
NEW custom Stainless snorkle and donaldson aircleaner
NEW outback roller drawers
NEW cargo barrier
Rhino racks x 3
2x lightforce 170s bullbar mounted
JVC head unit with sony speakers all round
GME tx3400 radio programmed for police scanning
alloy side steps and bullbar


LOCATION:
TOWNSVILLE
0439747130
aleong3@bigpond.net.au

PICTURE
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/attachme ... mentid=395

[-Scott-]

ps i own a triton and its for sale because i have spend 4k this year alone on mechanicals, all because i wanted to save 20 bucs a week at the bowser and didnt get the patrol.

badger, can you elaborate a little? I think your experience isn't typical; it sounds to me like you bought a lemon!

Excluding work for mods (suspension lift, body lift, transfer gears, front air locker, new wheels and tyres) I doubt I've spent $4k on mechanicals in 6 years - that's including the $1k for the 100 000km service including replacement of the timing belt.

What model Triton do you have, and what's failed?

Scott

[dirtyGQ]

i got into 4wding 4 years ago and at that stage i thought i would buy a 4wd i liked the look of and that was a gq 94 gq 4.2 diesel .
i have been 4wding with landcruisers,pajero's prado's suzi's and what i come to realise is how unbreakable a gq is and unreal value for money.
In stock form they are extremely capable compared to the pajero and unbreakable compared to the toyota's having said that a non turbo patrol really lacks serious power on road and are far less comfy than a 80 series landcruiser . if you want a 30 % road 70% bush 4wd get the gq ,if you want something for 70% ROAD 30 bush get a pajero or landcruiser ..... btw my opinions only.

[RoldIT]

Pajeros (I've owned one and still miss it) and Prados are highly underated 4WD.

Only reason I'd go a Patrol is for strength when is comes to big mods and hard offroading, if you aren't going that way not point buying a Patrol as they are thirsty, even on gas. I own a Patrol deisel now but run big tyres and do panel damaging trips in it.

For good touring and medium offroading, Paj or Prado have my vote.

[Beastmavster]

Considering that an LPG Patrol is going to be thousands of dollars cheaper than ANY of the other alternatives, that's a lot of weeks worth of fuel.

You should get a good LWB LPG GQ for $7k approx, maybe less.

Whats the difference between that and a prado diesel? $5k? $7k? $10k?


Ask yourself how many kilometers you're going to travel in it each week and do your sums. It takes a very very long time to recover even $5k, if at all (no way ANY diesel is cheaper to run than an LPG in any conditions btw).



Even a Paj will do what you want, and I think would be a way better option than a Prado - much cheaper purchase price.... but in the end a LPG Patrol is by far the better bet.

[badger]

its a 98v6
and ive spent 6k on the engine alone in 2 years
every time i look at its sprung anther oil leak. severe valve train noises. 2 transfer mounts. lost a timing belt after 8000kms due to faulty hydraulic tensioner. computer died and alternator rebuilt 3 times due to tappet cover gasket leaking into it

car has done 120000kms serviced every 10 on the dot and oil n filter every 5 since new treated ectreemly well. ive never had a car even have one of these dramas before this one

i do agree mitsus can be great trucks alot of mates have had no trouble at all but then one or 2 have bought ones just like mine
guess they were built on a friday or sumfin. my mechanic says the same thing 1 in 5 will be no end of dramas rest are great cars

ps i also own a 98 magna with same motor and its never ever been a problem in its 200000kms

guess ive just never heard of nissan having as much "lemon" trouble with the patrols

[GQ Bear]

I've been trying to convince my brother to buy a gq for a few years now. But you know how bigger bro's can be- had to learn the hard way. Now mind you we push our trucks HARD and on some very scary tracks too.

NM Pajero was virtually killed on one outing at gembrook. He quickly sold it and bought an 80s cruiser which toughed it out on a few Toolangi and Woods Point trips before it was just about had it too. And in that time he'd replaced 2 CV's, ripped off guards (plastic), spent countless hours removing radiator for clean and flush (all day compared to 10mins patrol) and eventually cracked the head. A mate of mine also bought an 80s also to encounter dire consequences. Needless to say all vehicles are now sold. And my gq and my other mate's mavrick keep chugging along after being everywher the other's went plus some.

My brother now is the proud owner of a 3L turbo GU for day and is currently shopping for a gq shortie for play.

For road use, touring and light off-road duties i'd suggest an 80s on gas. Better ride, more powerful engine, better tower than the trol.

For heavier off-road and mods i'd say the gq for sure (deisel or d/fuel carby). Just remember too, you might be a learner now but 4wding does quickly become an addiction.

The pajero imho are far too thirsty for what they are. And if you do get addicted you're always going to be very limited.

If you can afford one, go a 4.5l GU hands down

[evanstaniland]

The pajero imho are far too thirsty for what they are. And if you do get addicted you're always going to be very limited.

´
i also think if you go a prado and get hooked you will be limited...........
but saying that i did a 2week tour through west Qld, North west NSW with my Dad, Mum and Sis (total 4), made a set of drawd for the back and depending howmany females you have to travel with will depend on howmany bags you need to pack!! we had the chairs, tent and my swag on the roof!! went awesome the whole time.
also when i take my bundy off road i get my brother t ocome in the prado as my recovery vechicle. when i get home will try and get my dad to put a small lift on it and some 33s just to give it a tad more capability (get him to expand his driving skills)

imo i would look for a GQ with dual fuel (if you dont want diesel) so if you do go to remote places you wont be stuck with NO GAS!!
my 2c
Evan....

[cloughy]

Wange Wover

[-Scott-]

We are looking to buy a bigger 4x4 ... to take long trips in

I don't think anybody is seriously suggesting LPG won't be the cheapest solution for around town. It's the "long trips" aspect they need to consider carefully. Along the major transport routes LPG is pretty readily available, but in more remote areas it can be harder to find. If you're not planning on remote travel, this isn't an issue. Go LPG.

If you are planning remote travel, you may still be OK if your conversion left you with a decent sized petrol tank. I imagine a Patrol would at least have the sub-tank left - what's that, 45 litres? Won't get you far if you run out of gas, so trip planning becomes a little more involved.

If remote touring is a large part of future plans, I maintain diesel is the only option. Not as easy to find around town, but easier to find out back - and you'll get greater range from any given volume of fuel.

If the 4wding is primarily weekend trips, and "long trips" will be primarily bitumen bound, go LPG - no question.

If the "long trips" includes places such as Simpson Desert, Canning Stock Route, any of Len Beadell's tracks - I'd go diesel, and wear the extra cost.

Cheers,

Scott

[piglet]

Thanks Hoonz but at the moment we need to do our homework before we jump into anything. It sounds great, couldn't see the pictures, but it might be too worked on for us Learners.
Toni

[Hoonz]

Thanks Hoonz but at the moment we need to do our homework before we jump into anything. It sounds great, couldn't see the pictures, but it might be too worked on for us Learners.
Toni

its a basic set up really just for camping and towing
definately comfortable for long trips with the new suspension
all the accessories are there but yes do the research

ps good car for learners too

[Hoonz]

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=79251


this is just blantantly advertising my wagon ... but yeh :p
some thing that might interest some one theres lots of pics