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I've ended up running a couple of vehicles that don't really suit my needs and would like to get one do it all daily driver/hunting wagon.
After assessing my needs (space/ability to sleep-in vehicle, some towing capacity, capable 4WD - not gut) I am poking around a few Terranos, mostly 91-95.
Anything in particular to look out for with these vehicles or just sharing your experience with them appreciated -- cheers.
I had a Regulus. 3.2 diesel Auto. Basically a Terrano. Good truck. 3.2 has plenty of power.
They can be weak in the steering idler arms, if you don't give it too much of a hard time it should be ok.
Rust.... Don't buy one that's been anywhere near a beach..,but then that goes for any vehicle
For any vehicle that old, take a tarp to lie on. Most of the important stuff to check out is underneath them;)
I had my 95 terrano for 19yrs. Sold it in Feb this year. Did a head gasket (fully repairable) about the only thing that ever went wrong with. Replaced water pump seals but not the whole pump. They are hard on bushes, I wasn't particularly hard on my wagon but last change cost me 1700. All bottom and top end bushes had to be replaced. Outside of standard wear and tear they were the only regular change. Only did 2 cv boots in that time as well.
2.7td are good, they rust at the seatbelt mounting. Avoid sunroofs
Ive always found them to be pretty gutless for a near 3l. Rust under rear seat and rocker shafts wear on the early ones and I dont know why but nissan shines when it comes to putting oil filters in cunty spots
2.7td been awesome wagon. Sleep in back on foam mattress,take base of rear seats out it gives bit more room. Cost us grand a year in maintainence.give or take. Can't think what we would replace it with so just keep looking after it.
I still have it 6 years later, still a good truck with heaps of power.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chur Bay
I've had a few. Fantastic vehicles. Need a regular wheel alignment. Don't touch the 3L(most have died now anyway) . 3.2 is the best. 2.7 good but weak power. Window trim rust is common but easy to spot. My last one had done 450000 klm when I sold it and the guy put another 200000 on it. He also loved it.
This was a 96. I'd stay with that model as it had way better extras than the previous.
Rust in the double skin under the rear seats, needs a bracket put in and a LVV cert to repair properly. would probably cost more than the purchase price of the car...
Keep an eye out for a mistral - same running gear as the terrano but I believe some came with an intercooler and they’re a bit roomier as a bit bigger body. Much less common though.
So many terranos have been picked up by hoons to be raided up the beach you want to find one that’s stock.
Can I suggest also keeping an eye out for pajeros of the same era? Again only if stock.
Finding a good 4x4 from the early 90s won’t be easy as so many have been beat to death now. (I was personally killed 2 hilux surfs in my early 20s)
The Terrano's are getting too old now and people are still wanting stupid money for them. I'm considering a 2nd gen Mitsi Challenger as same set up as the Tritons but without the tray overhang at the rear.
did alot of these when they first started coming into the country......Quote:
Originally Posted by makka
all had to be certified as part of the vin process ....
20 odd years down the track i imagine they would have all blown out by now around the repairs
rust never sleeps
I have been looking at the Challengers too, I like the foldaway rear seats they have & can still be had for good money. There are a lot of Terranos are suffering from what I call the Surf effect, where every apprentice in NZ is throwing the paycheck at them to make them look the part, running them ragged and then wanting all that back when it comes time to sell. Still some tidy ones floating about but takes a lot of due diligence having looked at a few that are shot already.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve123
Advice has been good, I appreciate the input. Rust as always is the killer.
Exactly, Terranos we and still are the budget Surf. The mitsi 2.5 turbo diesels are pretty bullet proof, had a work Triton for about 6 years and only had one issue with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by veryfuturistic
My 2 c worth. I wouldnt touch a terrano or a mistral. Ive seen so many of them with issues its unbelievable.
Turbo's, tranmissions, front hubs (the auto ones give out)
But like the guys have said previously, rust is the major killer.
Bear in mind that they are a very old vehicle now, and with that the maintenance of them is up there $$ wise now. You will be looking at water pumps, radiators, shocks, bushes etc. It wont stop.
Its hard to know what to buy aye. Anything getting a bit older will need extra attention. I always like the older hi luxes. The last of the 2.8 and the 3.0 turbos were quite good if you didnt want to get anywhere in a hurry.
Once again though, its all down to maintenance. The correct oil and filters on time, and being stored in a shed helps a lot too.
You said it, it's bloody hard. There's a premium on Hiluxes too though again there are some about in good nick.Quote:
Originally Posted by tac a1
The other big worry with the older vehicles is the security. So many lowlifes about in Auckland and I personally know of a handful of people who have had a Surf/Hilux/L200 etc. etc. pinched from a yard or house. They are magnets for crims unfortunately.
Casting the net wider to Pathfinders (R51 not the newer car body ones) and Challengers as mentioned previously and seeing what I can turn up
Just sold both my challengers to upgrade to a R51 4.0V6, both challengers bought for 2000$ each bit of work and tidying up were good trucks 4m40 is pretty easy to work on and reliable but they are abit gutless but better then other makes in their year, just picked up a 2006 pathfinder for 3900$ so new cheap hunting truckQuote:
Originally Posted by veryfuturistic
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Not a proper 4wd but my rav4 can still get me a fair way off the beatn track. If it wasnt my daily Id push it a bit harder....
And a Subaru Forester has more ground clearance than a RAV and a good all wheel drive system.
The old RAV's also have that silly camber rod suspension set up.
You do realise that all wheel drive simply means power supplied to all wheels??? And you can have three on hard and one on banana skin and your stuck??? Eg the vechille only has to turn any one of the four wheels at once....your no better off than with mums shopping basket traction wise.Quote:
Originally Posted by Backcountry Bob
Even some of the 4x4s will do that
Sometimes dabbing the brake if you know what your doing can over come that or traction comtrol
Some four wheel drives are DESIGNED to do that....but by flicking switch you can progressively engage more Axel's,wheels....on your shiney people moving shopping cart....not so much.Quote:
Originally Posted by blip
