Good Tow Cars?

[FineLine]

I'm sure nissan arent expecting these to sell like hot cakes Harry. me thinks the target market can be found at the pony club and like places where v8 rang e rovers, toyotas, merc and bimmer suv's are the norm.

What makes them good in that environment also transfers to towing racecars. Loaded horsefloats are not light.

[Marlin]

Most of those makes and models you list sell in great numbers in the TDi versions. Seldom is a petrol version spotted, and when they are, they're rarely used for towing but rather commuting.

Of course the new Patrol would be a great tow car with ample power, BUT, the reality is that economy matters to most people, and the TDi versions do that better.

Nissan dealers that I've spoken to recently are all disappointed there'll be no diesel option, stating that enquiries are all about "when is the diesel coming?"

Slightly different market, but look at where Jeep is with the WK2 Grand Cherokee which is a good tow vehicle with 3,500kg capacity and 350kg ball weight.

The 5.7 "Hemi" makes 260KW and 520Nm and is a sporty drive, but the diesel outsells is massively. Why? Yes, fuel economy.

If it's massive petrol V8 grunt you want, get the SRT8 version. 344KW and 624Nm..... that'll run 12's.

[FineLine]

all true woosta but even the smallish market must be big enough. the 4.8 accounted for less than 5% of patrol sales also but nissan obviously felt it was enough to keep it in the lineup.

As for buying a pos jeep. Not in this lifetime bud.

[Marlin]

LOL, Hey, I'm just saying! (Oh, and trying to get you to STFU about this "hugely impressive" power figure of the Patrol!)

[Marlin]

One dealer I spoke to shifts an average of 28 Navaras a month. The diesel Patrols used to sell in numbers around half that consistantly they said. How many of the NEW Patrol have they sold since the release.... with all the "new model hype" etc? Three. Yes, fawking THREE. lol it's a dud.

[FineLine]

Mums the word Woosta.

[FineLine]

One dealer I spoke to shifts an average of 28 Navaras a month. The diesel Patrols used to sell in numbers around half that consistantly they said. How many of the NEW Patrol have they sold since the release.... with all the "new model hype" etc? Three. Yes, fawking THREE. lol it's a dud.

One dealer I spoke to shifts an average of 28 Navaras a month. The diesel Patrols used to sell in numbers around half that consistantly they said. How many of the NEW Patrol have they sold since the release.... with all the "new model hype" etc? Three. Yes, fawking THREE. lol it's a dud.

Thats probably 2 more than the 4.8 in the same corresponding time period but those that own them swear by them.

[Marlin]

Hey at least the 4.8 is a cracker when Turbocharged. Now get to it.

[FineLine]

with near on 400 k on the clock I wouldnt have the stones to bolt a To4z on Ben.I want it to do at least another 200 k before it goes to wanless.

[trez]

Most of those makes and models you list sell in great numbers in the TDi versions. Seldom is a petrol version spotted, and when they are, they're rarely used for towing but rather commuting.

Of course the new Patrol would be a great tow car with ample power, BUT, the reality is that economy matters to most people, and the TDi versions do that better.

Nissan dealers that I've spoken to recently are all disappointed there'll be no diesel option, stating that enquiries are all about "when is the diesel coming?"

Slightly different market, but look at where Jeep is with the WK2 Grand Cherokee which is a good tow vehicle with 3,500kg capacity and 350kg ball weight.

The 5.7 "Hemi" makes 260KW and 520Nm and is a sporty drive, but the diesel outsells is massively. Why? Yes, fuel economy.

If it's massive petrol V8 grunt you want, get the SRT8 version. 344KW and 624Nm..... that'll run 12's.

Woo have you come across this before:

thoughts??

[FineLine]

Jebuz..Imagine trying to control a tank slappin down hill trailer with that setup.

[Marlin]

Yeah I have seen it.

It wouldn't stop me from buying one to be honest, and there is a couple of question marks over the test procedure and the testers themselves.

I don't really have much more of an opinion on it than that.

What stopped me from buying another Jeep was my desire for something more utilitarian and my concerns over the WK2's list of issues that Jeep Australia seems unable to find fixes for.

Way too many instances of these things on the beach and a "Servie 4WD" light comes on and they lose all 4WD ability. People are getting embarrasingly stuck all over the country. I think they rushed this one out, and being over a year ahead of it's "twin under the skin" ML Merc says the same.

[Marlin]

Jebuz..Imagine trying to control a tank slappin down hill trailer with that setup.

They DO have "trailer sway mitigation" and by all accounts are an excellent tow vehicle.

[FineLine]

I dont understand..... (see what I did there ?)

[hrd-hr30]

One dealer I spoke to shifts an average of 28 Navaras a month. The diesel Patrols used to sell in numbers around half that consistantly they said. How many of the NEW Patrol have they sold since the release.... with all the "new model hype" etc? Three. Yes, fawking THREE. lol it's a dud.

meanwhile their volume selling large 4WD has been in desperate need of an engine update for over a decade. The ZD30 was below par when it was released, 13 years later they barely surpass the Great Wall or Sannyong 2litre diesels FFS. Even the cheapie tradie D22 Navara did away with the ZD30 5 years ago. And D40 Navaras have been more powerful than their bigger more expensive Patrol stablemate for 8 years now.

Edited February 11, 2013 by hrd-hr30

[JZP]

Yeah I have seen it.

It wouldn't stop me from buying one to be honest, and there is a couple of question marks over the test procedure and the testers themselves.

I don't really have much more of an opinion on it than that.

What stopped me from buying another Jeep was my desire for something more utilitarian and my concerns over the WK2's list of issues that Jeep Australia seems unable to find fixes for.

Way too many instances of these things on the beach and a "Servie 4WD" light comes on and they lose all 4WD ability. People are getting embarrasingly stuck all over the country. I think they rushed this one out, and being over a year ahead of it's "twin under the skin" ML Merc says the same.

Arrgh, SAND! don't mention the war! I got stuck at Stockton. There is a service TSB/fix under way for both the traction control and ABS. Mine had an upgrade since I threatened the dealership with 'no more Jeeps for you'... till they fixed my WK2. (I'm in the market for an updated Wrangler as the wife's truck). Jeep Australia sent one of their techs out to reprogram my car.

Having said that, sand aside - the car is a pearler, I can't say a bad thing about it. The quadralift (push-button lift kit) is a pleasant very useful tool that I thought was going to be a gimmick.

I also saw the new ARB Patrol on the road yesterday. Had personalised ARB Y62 number plates. I thought the front end looked like a giant Navara, with a bit of LC200 styling around the body/rear. Don't mind the styling, but I'm wondering why no diesel too - I think they have missed the mark in Australia (unless they are going for soccer mum/corporate business only).

[Marlin]

How is your WK2 for squeeks and rattles. My mate's Hemi Limited has them everywhere..... too many to begin chasing them in fact.

New Patrol, I could maybe live with the styling, but really, how awful are those front guard vent things.... chuck-spew!

[JZP]

How is your WK2 for squeeks and rattles. My mate's Hemi Limited has them everywhere..... too many to begin chasing them in fact.

New Patrol, I could maybe live with the styling, but really, how awful are those front guard vent things.... chuck-spew!

Nothing (thankfully). And I'm pretty fussy too!! It's the first I've heard of that. Can't remember seeing anthing about it on Ausjeep too.

I know the first ones had some build quality issues - Was his one of the first into the country?

[Marlin]

There's a bunch of threads about it on jeepgarage.org.... full length sunroofs get plenty of airtime.

His has them in the big roof, the c pillars, the seats, and something under the floor.

It also wants to turn left all the time, and nobody seems able to align that out of it. Nearly like they didn't alter the geometry for RHD vehicles. The dealer has given up and is running the "they all do that" line.

I feel particularly bad because I suggested he get one after I had such a good run from my Austrian built WK1 which he loved. Doh!

Thankfully, HE still loves it

[JZP]

There's a bunch of threads about it on jeepgarage.org.... full length sunroofs get plenty of airtime.

His has them in the big roof, the c pillars, the seats, and something under the floor.

It also wants to turn left all the time, and nobody seems able to align that out of it. Nearly like they didn't alter the geometry for RHD vehicles. The dealer has given up and is running the "they all do that" line.

I feel particularly bad because I suggested he get one after I had such a good run from my Austrian built WK1 which he loved. Doh!

Thankfully, HE still loves it

Yuck, makes me thankful that I got a good one. I think Fiat has increased build quality which is an improvement over the previous Merc ownership (believe it or not) .

On an unrelated item your comment "alter the geometry for RHD vehicles" prompts me to think you'd appreciate Gojeep's skills on his ratrod thread. Maybe you've seen this on Ausjeep:

http://www.ausjeepof...ead.php?t=97856

Back on topic - tow cars!!