strange request

[gary5687]

I am looking for a new vehicle.... I want to get rid of a zafira and pajero jeep... the problem I have is this....both the individual vehicles have different jobs, but I have to pay for twice the insurance, tax and mot's, fuel.


I quite like the X5 simply because its bombproof and can cart the wife and 2x kids around in plenty of space and comfort.... but it cant go across field and it is really a Chelsea tractor rather than a work horse.

but...

I also like the Nissan Navada, carries the kids/wife around but not as spacious as the x5, but it can also go across fields to collect logs and tow a decent weighted trailer.

Both do about 30mpg (that is better than the zafira) and both are around the same price range, year with similar mileage and both come in at the price of the pajero for road tax.

Anybody own either of these vehicles and can give feedback on either.....


everyone is probably saying keep the pajero and ditch the zafira, well the pajero is a 92 model that does 18 to a gallon if driven tidily but can go anywhere and it does not matter if I scratch or cover the thing in mud.

[Renrut]

Not owned either but I do know people get the Navaras chipped up to about 240bhp which makes them not dog slow. Alledgedly they have problems with cranks (very long throw engine) though but I think that might have been a bad batch as its only a heresay thing.

Have you considered the Nissan Pathfinder instead? 2.5dci same as the Navara but in a smarter suit. Last time I saw the prices were still rock solid though.

Can't really comment on the X5.

Do you really need the off road ability? Opens the game up considerably if you don't.

I would suggest a diesel range rover but they're still thirsty and not particularly reliable if you go for the later V6 diesel.

[fha772]

I've not owned either, but I have lots of friends who have owned both.

The consensus is:
X5, is like the old P38 Range Rover, if you get a good 1 it's fine, but if you get a bad 1, you'll have your local garage on speed dial. It's a very nice car, but it isn't a proper 4x4 at all.
Everyone I know who bought 1 to use for work, got rid within 6 months, and everyone who I know who's owned wouldn't have another.

Nissan, a good all rounder, comfortable inside, but could do with a little more rear leg room (only comfortable for kids). As said before once chipped they are great, the remap really transforms them.
They tow very well, and will go almost anywhere.

As a side note, most of my friends who had X5's, now own Nissans, and some are on their 2nd Nissan, I think that speaks volumes.

[Relentless Rob]

I don't know about your budget but how about a tidy Land Rover Defender? As robust and capable as any off roader, classic insurance (so could be cheaper), the TDi is good for 25+mpg when driven carefully, seats up to seven and you won't be paying through the nose for parts, servicing etc.

The X5 is crap compared to a similar spec'/price/age Range Rover and the off road capabilities of something like a Megane RX4 cross over is limited to say the least. I would suggest one of the AWD estates like the Subaru Forester or Volvo V70 but if you want an off roader you can't beat a Land Rover.

[mjslonergan]

Landcruiser anyone?

[Relentless Rob]

Landcruiser anyone?

I suggested the Defender because today's St Georges Day.

[owelly]

I'm guessing the Defender must be the only car Rob hasn't owned because if he had, he wouldn't be recommending it to replace a Pajero! Defenders, and all Series Landys are great at what they do but unless you need one, don't buy one! However, a Discovery would be my choice over an X5 any day. The Nissans seem to be losing a bit of the 'Buy Jap for reliabilty' tagline and the spares when they do go wrong can be very expensive. You can rebuild a Disco for a fiver.

[Renrut]

I'm not sure what off-road requirement you have but my Aunt used to own a dairy farm and for ~20 years would swear that her Subaru estate would do anything asked of it bar crossing a muddy field to drag a cow out of a drainage gully. She had a tractor for that. Her Subaru was a Legacy iirc.

Although I'm not sure how many seats you need as a Zafira is 7 isn't it?

[Relentless Rob]

I agree with Mr Boot about the Discovery. A more refined version of the Defender without the stigma you get from the Range Rover. I don't think you'll get "classic insurance" yet but they do come with factory immobilizers so that could help keep the premium down.

My top tip; don't buy one from anyone who calls the car a "Disco". It will be ragged half to death and bodged back together.

Step plates, bull bars and other outer add ons will rust and keep an eye on the chassis and outriggers.

[OilyFingers]

What about a freelander. They are a bit more carlike and they used them for the Camel Trophy so mudplugging is not an issue.

[gary5687]

I need to go across fields to collect logs and drag a 1 1/2 tonne trailer full of logs that is the only cross country requirement I have, I do this probably once a week, depending on the weather depends on the depth of the mud in the field (I don't have a tractor to pull me out), the rest of the week it will be used as daily transport to and from the police station.

I had a legacy but it really struggled with ground clearance and with a trailer load and muddy field it didn't go anywhere hence the move to a pajero.

really struggling to decide at the mo....

[Relentless Rob]

Enjoy...

http://youtu.be/jWq3blzuMTk

[Renrut]

Sounds to me like a Navara is a good bet from your description of what you need. Try one out and see if you can get on with it.

[majic79]

Toyota Landcruiser or HiLux Surf

I've always found Nissans to be at the bottom end of the "jap reliability" credentials, Toyota are usually at or near the top

[Mr Bounce]

My father-in-law's Navara is a pretty useful bit of kit. It's also suprisingly comfortable over long distances. We drove to Brittany and back in it last year 4 up with a shed load of luggage and had no issues. I also used it to tow my Midas Project back from Eastleigh to Ipswich. Was a bit juicy but not entirely unexpected. Plus it hardly knew the trailer was on the back The turning circle isn't that great though.