Slug in sand compared to it's older 4.2 counterpart but still a good option with price in mind. You will be ringing it's neck in highest load applications. The twin turbo v8 landcruiser as just as good fuel economy, loads more power and engine size plus it's only just over twice the price. That would be fun to lose to a high tide!!!

Summing up if your on the road the 3 should be ok. If you want to go proper 4x4 get the older 4.2 and spend a little coin on it. If your rich get the 4.7l twin turbo diesel v8 landcruiser. Prrrrr.

My mechanic has a new Nissan Patrol diesel 3.0.

Uses it for beach driving, going fishing and towing his boat.

He likes it but he said it losing/using a bit of oil. Even though he is a mechanic and has his own workshop, he takes it to the Nissan shop to get it serviced. He said he does this so there are no warranty issues incase the engine is a lemon.

the unfortunate part about the "hand grenade" saga of the 3.0 is that whether the problem is sorted or not, the resale is shocking.
And it'll be much worse when the new V6td comes out.

Its a NISSAN.............say no more.

Thanks for the info

I'm confused now - I'm after a 4wd wagon and the landcruiser is a bit too much.

There doesn't seem to be any others on the market that I think are suitable.

Any ideas will be well accepted.

wayne

What fb said above or

the 4.2 patrol in the lowest kms best condition possible. If it's older than say 10'years spend some dollars on it coz you've got it cheapish anyway. If you've maintained cooling system well (get it flushed properly) it won't cook. It willrun warmer as mentioned but in tolerance.
Same goes for old landcruiser but I know me old tonker poo troll better.

If you get the three litre, you can be happy coz you got it cheap, it's fuel economy can be ok, it will have all the creature comforts and smoothness of a modern car. And you won't get any speeding fines when towing. Alot of people have them and the guys on patrol forum are a wealth of knowledge and confusion not unlike here!!!!!

I have a 94 diesel patrol ute 4.2 no turbo just got to 260k
Paid 10k (it was in good condition and advertised for 14)
If I spent say 15k on it .. It would leave everything for dead I'm sure. Which is what you would pay for a good condition newish car.
Worth thinking about all the things you could do after you've bought it. Especially having driven it around a while looking at the other dudes and becoming friends with her!!! That way you can sell it and try again if you think she is a bit suss.
Try to get good service history is a real bonus.

Hi Wayne
I Love 4wd's I own a 94mod 4.2td 80 series, my mates own and have owned
4.2d gq patrol
4.2td gq patrol
4.2td gu patrol
4.8ti petrol gu patrol
60 series petrol landcrusier
70 series 4.2td landcruiser
Many many diesel and petrol surf's and 4 runners
And a few late model nissan navara's

Every vehicle has been excellent, all have issues and fuel consumption can range from 11lt/100kms(navara) to 28lt/100kms(4.8 petrol gu patrol) all of these vehicles tow decent weights the non turbo's all struggle up hills but will still get there.
The older turbo's 60-70 series and gq turbo(non factory) will overheat on long hills and those who wish to sit on 120kms towing will aslo have a high temp needle.4

All of the above vehicles where owned by a large racing team mechanic and a shop supervisor and I am also a aircraft engineer. We choose these vehicle's with many many hrs (sometimes weeks) of research.
We all have stayed away from the 3lt patrol due many reason as in above post and many more unlisted just on the engine. Gu patrols also can suffer from major rust as we have found out.
If you want long term reliability vehicle with good resale, minimal maitenance cost
go the navara or the 100 series 4.2td landcruiser you should get either of these vehicles for 25k-30k in top condition and hopefully with a few outback mods.
Time is your friend and enemy. We have found it takes 1day to 3months to get the car we want. I had to wait 5yrs due to finnancial issues.

Happy hunting and I hope this helps. happy to give detailed advice on any of the above vehicles if req.

Cheers

I'm sure you have all heard the term,

'INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION
But some may not know exactly what it means.

When one front wheel of a vehicle hits

a bump or pothole,

it will move up or down to compensate

while the other wheel remains steady.

Both wheels are independent of each other,

hence that expression.

Watch the TV commercial for the Nissan Pathfinder,

to find out exactly how this works.

Brilliantly explained

MIKO said...

Hey wayneg, Got a mate who HaD the 3.0 turbo and er blew the turbo within 3000 k, had it fixed and is still going.
You stated you wanted a wagon , 3 cars ago i had a 100 series that did everything well even with a fully ladin trailer . was a bit of a slug if you want power, but a great vehicle . Since have had an 08 hilux diesel (slug as well) followed by the latest 140 kw navara, it blows nearly every 4 bee away.

Yes Miko the Navara has some go - but again Drivetrain issues (clutch / gbox) have dogged them - just google it

My experience - Work bought a stack of new vehicles all at once - two hilux's rest Navara's - and they get driven (towing / off road etc) - the hilux that I drive just got handed in with 230k of 50/50 on / off road driving (no beach sand) in 3 years without anything but routine maintenance. The Navara's have each had min 3 clutches and on average 0.8 gearbox rebuilds (obviously across the fleet). My old man decided (in his retirement) that he wanted to take up caravan touring (he took us camping once and finished the trip with the immortal line "right I have taken you camping"). He got a navara (new) much to my horror after I had told him to buy a Prado diesel auto - why should he listen to me - I never listened too him until the age of 25 - two short trips and one clutch later he traded the Navara on a prado and blew 15k in the process (plus his pride "I wont stuff a clutch, I have driven machinery all my life")

The Navara is a good vehicle, as I am sure the 3l patrol is - (qualifier) for the right purpose. They are still a good vehicle at the price but they also come with some faults.


BTW - Mineral - very envious - our family just made the decision for a short stay OS (6 weeks) rather than a longer ( 6 month) OZ trip where are you know?

www.arctictrucks-experience.com/?PageID=3946