Have been looking at cars over the past few day... would love a land cruiser but at $120 000 its hard to justify. I'm putting my vote towards a Nissan Pathfinder. They are taking orders for these cars now and they will be ready for delivery in March. Lucky we don't plan on beginning our trip until the end of next year.
What are people's opinions on these cars. Also looked at the Nissan Navara in case we go with a 5th wheeler but their towing capacity is a tonne shy of the Pathfinder.
Donz and Les
Bent Axle Bob said
07:50 PM Sep 22, 2011
I thought the Navara Turbo diesel was rated at 3 tonne towing capacity. Thats a fairly heavy van to pull .
signwilson said
09:12 PM Sep 22, 2011
pathfinder is a toy buy a good second hand landcruiser or buy a 70 series cruiser wagon
justcruisin01 said
09:54 PM Sep 22, 2011
Do your self a favour , go a cruiser. There has to be some good 2nd hand ones around.
Cruising Granny said
09:58 PM Sep 22, 2011
I would recommend against the Pathfinder as well. Not good towing vehicles I've been told. If you can get a good 80 Series Landcruiser you should pay about $15000 to $18000 for a good one. They're a bit thin on the ground because they're so hard to kill. A 100 Series is about as recent as I would go with that series of Landcruiser. As Sign Wilson suggests, the later 70 Series V8, 4.5 litre turbo wagon is a good choice to do the job, if you can find a good 2nd hand one. If you go to auctions you may end up with an ex-mine vehicle which may be a little worse for wear. Ex-rentals should be ok with low mileage. What are you towing? If you're looking at 5th wheeler you need a good, strong, sturdy ute or tray back to do the job reliably. My next vehicle will be a V8, turbo 4.5 Landcruiser Troopy. That's the dream anyway. I have to do a lot of miles to earn enough to get that one.
Wombat 280 said
10:12 PM Sep 22, 2011
I DRIVE A 2009 PATHFINDER DIESEL TURBO AUTO, COMMONLY KNOWN AS A TOYOTA RECOVERY VEHICLE lol . HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS TO DATE, HAS A 3000KG TOW CAPACITY AND I CONSTANTLY ACHIEVE 9LT /100KM AROUND TOWN AND WITH 16 FOOT VAN 10.5/100KM AT 90-95 KPH HIGHWAY
justcruisin01 said
10:48 PM Sep 22, 2011
Wombat 280 wrote:
I DRIVE A 2009 PATHFINDER DIESEL TURBO AUTO, COMMONLY KNOWN AS A TOYOTA RECOVERY VEHICLE lol .
WOMBAT, You have been in the burrow to long.
Delta18 said
12:33 AM Sep 23, 2011
justcruisin01 wrote:
Wombat 280 wrote:
I DRIVE A 2009 PATHFINDER DIESEL TURBO AUTO, COMMONLY KNOWN AS A TOYOTA RECOVERY VEHICLE lol .
WOMBAT, You have been in the burrow to long.
....and with no-one to talk to he is now YELLING at everyone!
Elle on Wheels said
12:47 AM Sep 23, 2011
Suddenly there are a lot of wombats around here.
johnq said
01:53 AM Sep 23, 2011
Les,
This test by Overlander mag could interest you, http://www.overlander.com.au/vehicle_tests/index/full/274/2006-Tow-Testart-1---Large-Wagons
The other considerations (not tested) are durability for long distance towing and ease (or more likely lack of it) of getting parts around the country.
You will also be interested in this car reliability survey, US based but large numbers and independent, http://www.jdpower.com/Autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-brand/
See also, http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/revealed-the-most-dependable-car-brands-20110321-1c35l.html Because this survey is completed by owners of the vehicles you expect it to be reliable.
Here is the same survey the year before so you can look for consistency in quality of manufacture,
If you do go ahead with a Pathfinder (and they do like a drink under load) be very wary of the Nissan fitted tow bar which I am told is secured to a cross member (ie weak) not the chassis.
I have a LC 100TD auto which I can personally recommend to go the distance and be kind to your bodies.
-- Edited by johnq on Friday 23rd of September 2011 02:03:55 AM
NeilandRaine said
06:42 AM Sep 23, 2011
Don't discount a Pajero. I would probably buy a cruiser if I could afford it but our Pajji has been great.
blaze said
09:13 AM Sep 23, 2011
Dont discound the landrover discovery3 or 4. As for getting parts for any new vehicle, it just dosnt happen unless in a major city and it wont matter what the breed of vehicle the parts will have to be freighted in cheers blaze
gubby said
09:45 AM Sep 23, 2011
Elle on Wheels wrote:
Suddenly there are a lot of wombats around here.
Oh No!!!! Suddenly our worst fears have been realised......
_wombat_ said
11:02 AM Sep 23, 2011
gubby wrote:
Elle on Wheels wrote:
Suddenly there are a lot of wombats around here.
Oh No!!!! Suddenly our worst fears have been realised......
wombat 280 is a friend of mine, watch out we are multiplying.
I drive a 80 series, and will never part with it, when it requies a new heart I will have one fitted.
If you go 2nd hand LC make sure you have it checked b4 purchase, a lot of LC are being shipped from FNQ to WA and they are rust bucket's been used in too much sand driving.
03_troopy said
12:31 PM Sep 23, 2011
If you are looking at 2nd hand 70 series (ute or troopy) make sure it isn't one from the mines. I have seen some shockers offered for sale, they had low K's, but were rusted out from driving in mine sludge all the time. It took me almost a year to find a decent one for a reasonable price here in the Newcastle area 2 years ago.
Mine is an ex ambulance and is a 2003 4.2L factory turbo that had under 40,000km on the clock when I bought it. We've since done just over 60,000Km with it, including 2 trips to Alice and out to Uluru. Both trips were towing a trailer (bike trailer first trip camper trailer 2nd trip) Due to time constraints both trips were hard driving with the first trip from Newcastle to Alice taking 3 days and a total or 6,500Km in 11 days. The second trip was much more leisurely with 8,500Km in 25 days. At those sort of speeds and towing a trailer, the Troopy was using about 17L/100K. With normal driving at Highway speeds without the trailer I use around 13L/100K with my last refuel I got 12.05L/100K. When towing the fairly heavy camper trailer with the Troopy I had heaps of grunt for the hills with plenty of accelleration to be able to get past slower moving vehicles safely. As for comfort, I admait they are pretty basic, but mine has Stratos seats fitted and even after a 12Hr drive from Newcastle to Broken Hill I didn't feel too bad afterwards. It doesn't have Bluetooth or in dash GPS or even a latte machine, but it does the job it was meant for, and does it very well. And there's enough room to sleep 2 people comfortably in the back if you want to.
johnq said
05:06 PM Sep 23, 2011
Alternatively you could buy from a government vehicle auction. At least one I am aware of provides a comprehensive independent test in writing with each vehicle. You may also be able to make an offer pre-auction and you have access to the usual range of prices.
The good makes in good condition are not discounted, no surprises there.
blaze, "As for getting parts for any new vehicle, it just dosnt happen unless in a major city and it wont matter what the breed of vehicle the parts will have to be freighted in"
You took care to qualify that to a new vehicle, presumably meaning a new model, but even so I will still disagree with you.
Stations, communities and small towns do stock the commonly needed parts and supplies that suit the main vehicles used in the area, which also usually happen to be Toyotas and they know how to work on them, as do many on farms and on the road. This advice is not intended to promote a particular make, simply to recognise and quite rightly too that the uncommon vehicles will present a challenge in getting parts - sometimes even from metropolitan areas too - and then there is the difficulty of repair through lack of familiarity and manuals
milo said
04:39 PM Sep 24, 2011
what are the mazda bt50's like for towing?
Cruising Granny said
11:15 PM Sep 24, 2011
but it does the job it was meant for, and does it very well. And there's enough room to sleep 2 people comfortably in the back if you want to. That's my kind of truck, and that's what I'd like to get when Rosy passes on or goes to a boat owner who'll use it to launch the boat trailer. lol The ex Govt auction is a very good source for the best value. Shop around.
Hi all
Have been looking at cars over the past few day... would love a land cruiser but at $120 000 its hard to justify. I'm putting my vote towards a Nissan Pathfinder. They are taking orders for these cars now and they will be ready for delivery in March. Lucky we don't plan on beginning our trip until the end of next year.
What are people's opinions on these cars. Also looked at the Nissan Navara in case we go with a 5th wheeler but their towing capacity is a tonne shy of the Pathfinder.
Donz and Les
Do your self a favour , go a cruiser. There has to be some good 2nd hand ones around.
If you can get a good 80 Series Landcruiser you should pay about $15000 to $18000 for a good one. They're a bit thin on the ground because they're so hard to kill.
A 100 Series is about as recent as I would go with that series of Landcruiser.
As Sign Wilson suggests, the later 70 Series V8, 4.5 litre turbo wagon is a good choice to do the job, if you can find a good 2nd hand one. If you go to auctions you may end up with an ex-mine vehicle which may be a little worse for wear.
Ex-rentals should be ok with low mileage.
What are you towing? If you're looking at 5th wheeler you need a good, strong, sturdy ute or tray back to do the job reliably.
My next vehicle will be a V8, turbo 4.5 Landcruiser Troopy. That's the dream anyway. I have to do a lot of miles to earn enough to get that one.
WOMBAT, You have been in the burrow to long.
....and with no-one to talk to he is now YELLING at everyone!
Les,
art-1---Large-Wagons
This test by Overlander mag could interest you,
http://www.overlander.com.au/vehicle_tests/index/full/274/2006-Tow-Test
The other considerations (not tested) are durability for long distance towing and ease (or more likely lack of it) of getting parts around the country.
You will also be interested in this car reliability survey, US based but large numbers and independent,
http://www.jdpower.com/Autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-brand/
See also,
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/revealed-the-most-dependable-car-brands-20110321-1c35l.html
Because this survey is completed by owners of the vehicles you expect it to be reliable.
Here is the same survey the year before so you can look for consistency in quality of manufacture,
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/the-most-reliable-cars-20100319-qjc6.html
If you do go ahead with a Pathfinder (and they do like a drink under load) be very wary of the Nissan fitted tow bar which I am told is secured to a cross member (ie weak) not the chassis.
I have a LC 100TD auto which I can personally recommend to go the distance and be kind to your bodies.
-- Edited by johnq on Friday 23rd of September 2011 02:03:55 AM
cheers
blaze
Oh No!!!! Suddenly our worst fears have been realised......
wombat 280 is a friend of mine, watch out we are multiplying.
I drive a 80 series, and will never part with it, when it requies a new heart I will have one fitted.
If you go 2nd hand LC make sure you have it checked b4 purchase, a lot of LC are being shipped from FNQ to WA and they are rust bucket's been used in too much sand driving.
If you are looking at 2nd hand 70 series (ute or troopy) make sure it isn't one from the mines. I have seen some shockers offered for sale, they had low K's, but were rusted out from driving in mine sludge all the time. It took me almost a year to find a decent one for a reasonable price here in the Newcastle area 2 years ago.
Mine is an ex ambulance and is a 2003 4.2L factory turbo that had under 40,000km on the clock when I bought it. We've since done just over 60,000Km with it, including 2 trips to Alice and out to Uluru. Both trips were towing a trailer (bike trailer first trip camper trailer 2nd trip) Due to time constraints both trips were hard driving with the first trip from Newcastle to Alice taking 3 days and a total or 6,500Km in 11 days. The second trip was much more leisurely with 8,500Km in 25 days. At those sort of speeds and towing a trailer, the Troopy was using about 17L/100K. With normal driving at Highway speeds without the trailer I use around 13L/100K with my last refuel I got 12.05L/100K. When towing the fairly heavy camper trailer with the Troopy I had heaps of grunt for the hills with plenty of accelleration to be able to get past slower moving vehicles safely. As for comfort, I admait they are pretty basic, but mine has Stratos seats fitted and even after a 12Hr drive from Newcastle to Broken Hill I didn't feel too bad afterwards. It doesn't have Bluetooth or in dash GPS or even a latte machine, but it does the job it was meant for, and does it very well. And there's enough room to sleep 2 people comfortably in the back if you want to.
The good makes in good condition are not discounted, no surprises there.
blaze, "As for getting parts for any new vehicle, it just dosnt happen unless in a major city and it wont matter what the breed of vehicle the parts will have to be freighted in"
You took care to qualify that to a new vehicle, presumably meaning a new model, but even so I will still disagree with you.
Stations, communities and small towns do stock the commonly needed parts and supplies that suit the main vehicles used in the area, which also usually happen to be Toyotas and they know how to work on them, as do many on farms and on the road. This advice is not intended to promote a particular make, simply to recognise and quite rightly too that the uncommon vehicles will present a challenge in getting parts - sometimes even from metropolitan areas too - and then there is the difficulty of repair through lack of familiarity and manuals
That's my kind of truck, and that's what I'd like to get when Rosy passes on or goes to a boat owner who'll use it to launch the boat trailer. lol
The ex Govt auction is a very good source for the best value. Shop around.