Good Tow Cars?

[JZP]

My old man has a 2004 D22 navara STR with the 3.0lt turbo diesel, manual 5 speed box, and it has been the most reliable car he has ever had. It is a work vehicle that tows 2 tonne regularly (once a week), and has done 250000 without anything major gone wrong. Perhaps it is the 2.5cr that isn't as good?, He tested both at a similar time and he said the 2.5CR (common rail) didn't "feel" as good as the 3.0. I also heard that the 2.5CR was primarily manufactured in Spain, while the 3.0 was made in Japan. Whether that has anything to do with build quality is anyone's guess.

Well, Spain vs Japan says it all....

I've heard the 3l is a good vehicle, but it seems the 2.5 ain't so good...

[Marlin]

Well I've heard just the opposite, so there ya go! haha

[blackrex]

I had the 3l.

[hrd-hr30]

lol the old 3l Nissan ZD30 earned the nickname 'Grenade' among Patrol owners. It had less problems in the smaller, lighter Navara, but still had them.

The D22 version of the 2.5l is severly de-tuned compared to the D40. Something like 100kw ws 140kw. The D40 2.5 is pretty impressive. No idea about how the D22 version feels to drive, but its got a bit less than the old ZD30 put out. What do you want for $28K? Throw an $800 chip at it and you'd be in business.

Edited January 27, 2013 by hrd-hr30

[Marlin]

I've driven my mates D22 3l and his subsequent 2.5l. The smaller donk definately drives better everywhere than the larger one, but is still no weapon.

I still reckon they represent decent value for that kinda money. Chinese crap is the only opposition, and at least the Navara has a resale value.

And yes Harry, I had a couple of mates with 3l GU Patrols, my word they were awful. One was a real problem child, we called it "The Kettle" as it was always a steaming overheating mess, even while under warranty.

[JZP]

Ahh, I didn't realise the 3 litre was the same lemon that was in the Patrol...

The inlaws had one of the Patrols and sold it within a year. Couldn't tow a caravan without overheating on a warm day....

Meh, if it were me - I'd ignore value for money and look at the Ford and Mazda utes. Too much of a mine field in the buying Nissan department.

[Marlin]

Well in the dual cabsI've been driving and comparing all the current crop ad nauseoum, and I keep coming back to the Navara STX 550.

As a complete package it's hard to surpass. And the engine/box simply blows the others away.

[Marlin]

DP

[warps]

The ST550 is indeed appealing, but they seem to be overpriced for a busted arse second rate Nissan. I don't know if they have come down much in cost, but a year ago when I bought by Pathfinder Ti, it would have cost almost $20k extra on the road for the V6 diesel. I Just can't justify that sort of coin.

[Marlin]

Under $57k on road with 12 month reg, all the fruit inc hard drive thing, reverse cam etc, leather, leccy seats, liner.... seems reasonable value to me?

Compare that to what you DON'T get in a Ranga....

[warps]

Sounds good - must have dropped their pricing. My Ti was $60 on the road with all the abovementoned fruit. At the time, the Ti 550 was close to $80 on the road.

At $57 for the ST 550 you're mad if you don't.

The pulling power will astound you. Even the 2.5's do a bloody good job IMHO, using the old fashioned 5 sp auto. 7 speed will be heaven.

[260DET]

Had a couple of traffic light challenges in the Challenger, for some reason it attracts a bit of (good) attention. The little old 2.5 with auto goes quite well in those situations, trucks can be fun

[Marlin]

Sounds good - must have dropped their pricing. My Ti was $60 on the road with all the abovementoned fruit. At the time, the Ti 550 was close to $80 on the road.

At $57 for the ST 550 you're mad if you don't.

The pulling power will astound you. Even the 2.5's do a bloody good job IMHO, using the old fashioned 5 sp auto. 7 speed will be heaven.

Just closed the deal (finally) on a new top of the range STX 550. $54k drive away with a couple of small options. Pretty good buying I reckon. Well, at least a far more realistic price than what they were asking for them.

[260DET]

Yay Ben, sounds like a great buy, wanna drag?

[Marlin]

Low range sand drags never get old. Just about anything feels like a weapon in low range

[warps]

Well done, Marlin

Look forward to seeing the beast. At that price, I might think about upgrading mine

I see a couple of brand new Ti 550's for sale for low 60's drive away. That's some good buying

[zoidbergmerc]

I've got a 2003 D22 ZD30 Navara, just ticked of 330,000 kays, original motor and gearbox, living the dream, either tows the race car or a horse float most weekends.

Mate of mine has a 2011 D22 YD25 Navara, his drives a lot nicer than mine, but I was putting that down to my old clapped out suspension

I think mine is better at hill starts with a trailer on, his is quicker though, even with the 33" mudders on it.

[trez]

Just closed the deal (finally) on a new top of the range STX 550. $54k drive away with a couple of small options. Pretty good buying I reckon. Well, at least a far more realistic price than what they were asking for them.

Seems your such a fan Benny, should hav saved some coin and bought this instead http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/great-wall-v200-2011-13950485

Heaps more style than expected!

[Marlin]

Now THAT, is fawking awesome!

I'm cancelling the paperwork first thing in the morning!!!!

[FineLine]

Had a look at the new v8 patrol yesterday, So much want but at a starting proce of 88 kay theres no way.

The old 4.8 clicked over 350 kay last week and will do it again by the feel of it. It still hands arse to the v8 deisel landcruiser boys. they dont like being chopped by the patrols royce towing a trailer.