Terios - yes or no?

[ads85]

G’day to all,

Just after your advice, tips and any other info here as I am looking at purchasing a Terios sometime in the near future.
The car will be used half and half for city and rural driving. When it comes to rural driving it won’t be the traditional 4X4 bush-bashing, more so gravel and dirt roads as well as a lot of travel time on ‘goat-tracks’. With that being the case I’ve had my eye on the terios due mainly to its price, however it seems to meet my requirements regarding clearance and lightness (for driving in loose ballast etc). Does the terios sound like a good option for these above conditions?

One of my concerns is that the vehicle is known for its high revving. I plan on doing a lot of highway/freeway driving, eg. Melbourne-Sydney, but I fear the high revs will make for a somewhat uncomfortable trip or more so a nuisance over the long distances at freeway speeds.
This is a problem I have with my current car, 1987 Nissan pulsar.
It’s a good, reliable car, however travelling at speeds over 90Kph for long periods of time does put my driving foot to sleep (due to the vibrating accelerator pedal at these speeds)

What have your experiences been like with the Terios?

Cheers
-adam

[HotFourOk]

The are on okay car for normal driving... I think most small 4x4s are likely to rev higher with freeway driving, due to thier gearing setups.

2 of my mates have them and one has had no problems, one had to have a new head installed. They are okay for light 4x4ing, such as loose ground where you can engage the 4 wheels. (Eg Goat-Tracks)

If you are doing lots of freeway driving, but want the benefit of 4x4, why not look at a Subaru variant like the Forester?

If you need it, I can ask what revs they do at freeway speeds.

[lay80n]

I would stay away from teh Terios, as Nick said look at maybe a forester. Much nicer car, better perfromance (as you said, its only for gravel road and on-road work). The Terios IMHO are crap.

Layto....

[murcod]

While I haven't driven a Terios I too would say no for any long distance highway driving. Given they only have a 1.3l engine I would hazard a guess that you'd be looking at the best part of 4000RPM at 110km/h? I imagine they wouldn't be the most stable of cars either at highway speeds?

The Forester would be a good choice, but resale values on them make it hard to find a good one secondhand for a reasonable price. I'd say avoid the Nissan Xtrail (if you were looking at them?) after the number of "issues" I've been hearing about them... Another option would be a Rav4- they're supposed to be very good at basic offroad stuff (ie. gravel roads.)

[ads85]

Thankyou all for the above replies. Greatly appreciated.

4000RPM at 110km/h sounds about right, that’s roughly what I get out of my ’87 pulsar at present.
I can see myself taking the pulsar on a long trip such as Melbourne-Sydney, but rest stops would be needed perhaps a little more frequent then I would prefer – still I guess that is not the end of the world.

My other concern is not necessarily the revving, but how the engine and car in general will cope with the long distance drives. I haven’t been able to find too much written about this aspect of the terios and how the car will cope with trips that average 300-400kms per day.

In terms of my off road driving I was looking for a vehicle that is slightly more narrow than average, with decent clearance. That’s where I first got the idea of the terios. As I said earlier, I won’t be doing any of the traditional 4X4 ‘bush bashing’, but some of the routes I am looking to travel do often have potholes that can be a minor obstacle in the wrong vehicle. Thanks again for the advice, I will take it all on board. I’ll also research the forester, however serving the purposes of a 2nd car I am trying to make a purchase for under $8,500.

From some of the articles I’ve read on the terios the car has been rated from ok to ‘good enough’. With no overly positive or negative comments – which seems to be consistent with your above replies.

Thanks again.

[RockyF75]

Mate my 85 Pulsar saw more offroad than half of the terios's out there ever will and it held up ok . From what it sounds like you want to do, you'd be best with a solid RWD car. I can't see a Terios being any stronger than say an old Foulcan or Dunnydore when it comes to hitting potholes, the only differance will be that the taxis will be more comfortable ride and probably cheaper, and also handle better. You could also put some larger tyres on them with an A/T or even M/T pattern if you wanted. Even lift it an inch or so in the suspension department and have the perfect setup for your needs. Could prolly see some change outta that $8500 too.

[murcod]

From what I've read (old posts on here, try searching) the Terios is suprisingly capable off road.

You really need to talk to someone who owns one or has driven one extensively- we're all guessing going by what we've heard. I don't think we have any active Terios owners, have had some in the past though.

[lay80n]

I havent driven the terios on road, but have worked and driven them a bit on road. Honestly, there are much better options for what you want than the terios. I'm not a great fan of them, didnt like the driving at all. They seem like an okay car mechanically wise, but i still wouldnt recomend them. Off-road i have no idea, and have no interest finding out It would last about 2 seconds in my hands.

Layto....

[scotto_feroza]

my girlfriend used to have a terios and it actually did about 4000rpm at 100km/hr which was pretty shit for driving long distances. she got it up to 130km/hr once, and i don't want to imagine how high it was revving then.

[2roky]

save your self the bother and get sumthing like a rav4 120km at around 3000rpm no probs and they don't cost the earth either. all the daihatsu's i know of rev like a bastard at anything over 90km

[ads85]

Thanks very much for all the replies guys.
Can't say for certain, but I think you've talked me out of a purchase. (just depends if I can afford a reliable car other than a terios)

Again, I appreciate the effort.

Happy trails.
Cheers

[nicbeer]

How bout a vitara. can get them for under 8500

Nic

[murcod]

I'd go a Rav4 if it's only for light off road stuff; it will be a lot better to drive than a Vitara on long trips. Just watch the short wheel base ones as the ride can be a bit choppy (apparently from what I've read?)

[ter105]

I'll admit, a Terios is not a patrol or cruiser, however they are more than capable in the right hands.

I've been on many a trek in my 01 Terios, and it has not been thwarted by any obstacles that couldn't be backed up, and tackled via a different track. I do drive with my head although, so anything that's just plain rediculous, I have a real hard look at. I like driving these roads, and coming out the other end with nothing but dirt, mud, and a smile on my face. Not in the business in paying other people to repair panels!!!

ads85 said "I was looking for a vehicle that is slightly more narrow than average, with decent clearance."

IMHO the only "narrow" 4x4's that fall into that category are the Terios and the Jimny, along with the older Suzuki's.

Mates of mine who own Cruisers and Patrols are amazed at the clearance, and travel of the rear wheels when we are in convoy on 4x4 tracks. They are often annoyed at the fact that I can be heading down a track, with them behind, and I escape without a twig touching the duco. Meanwhile a professional polish is needed to the heavier, and wider vehicles.

Highway driving, is definately a downside to the Terios. 4000rpm = 116kph on the speedo, which actually turns out to be 111kph on the GPS.
Milage is about 7.7litres per 100k's. I've done about 140,000k's in mine, only just replaced the tires, and front brake pads. No AC Problems, no Power steering problems.

One thing to consider with a Rav is they don't have a centre diff lock. This has had a friend of mine a few times at having to attempt a hill several times before all 4 wheels could get traction. 1st attempt successfull for the Terios.

Interior room in the front is a little scarce, however I'm only a small fella, so interior room doesn't need to be of "limo" size standards. Larger people will find the Terios unsuitable for them.

Now someone in this thread has mentioned that there used to be active Terios owners on this board, but not anymore. A little secret....... Those who don't own one, nor have driven one for an extensive period should stop bashing them to death. It's all I've seen on this board for the past 6 months, and made me think twice about posting in this thread. Maybe if the unheralded Terios bashing stopped, more owners would frequent the forums?

Regards,
ter105

[r0ck_m0nkey]

I'll admit, a Terios is not a patrol or cruiser, however they are more than capable in the right hands.

But what exactly is "more then capable". Capable of what exactly?

[HotFourOk]

and travel of the rear wheels when we are in convoy on 4x4 tracks.

Well post up some pics

Maybe if the unheralded Terios bashing stopped, more owners would frequent the forums?

The fact is most owners of a Terios don't go 4x4ing... hence they don't visit this forum.
To this day, I have never seen a Terios without HT stock size tyres.

Post up some pics of your rig in another topic... be nice to see.

Hey, i get bashed for having IFS, so do Feroza's... but we pick up our bottom lip and move on

[MightyMouse]

I lke the concept of "driving with your brains", and think it covers most vehicles. I have seen very capable vehicles stuck with dumb drivers and "useless" vehicles do great things.

Whilst I agree about the revs in small vehicles at speed - off road capability is a mix of car and driver.

My one ride in a Terios confirmed this, not my idea of a road car for constant bitumen use, but more than capable of "easy+" club trips.
I think they just are more appealing to the non offroad set at the moment.

I also remember hearing the same stories about Jimnies - and I know of a couple ( modded - but who drives stock ? ) that are serious 4WD's and regularly tackle HARD trips.

[r0ck_m0nkey]

I also remember hearing the same stories about Jimnies - and I know of a couple ( modded - but who drives stock ? ) that are serious 4WD's and regularly tackle HARD trips.

But a Jimny does actually have a long list of readily available aftermarket parts if you're wanting to modify, it's really chalk and cheese in comparison to a Terios in both the way it's made and whats available for it.

[murcod]

Don't the Jimny's also have a live front axle and proper transfer case?

I did a search yesterday and IMHO the Terios' haven't been bagged much at all in the last six months. In fact they're rarely mentioned! The last Terios subject was actually well over 6 months ago- February IIRC and was another post asking about buying one.

There's been a lot more bagging of Ferozas for having IFS, it's all light hearted and not worth getting upset over! If you've got something to add then post away.

BTW any posts that do not have any technical merit and simply bag something for no valid reason I'm always quick to delete (with no warning!) So if anyone's post suddenly vanishes, have a think about why before you post again!

[HotFourOk]

Jimnies are solid front also

There are some mad Jimnies around Newy... One is lifted massively and has a full exo, and a dark green body (well whats left of it after cutting) with huuge tyres under it.
But as said, you can buy lots for them.