Navara

[ShaneC]

Hi all,

My new Cruiser ute dream has been shattered and unless I can get one for 20 odd grand, I am going to have to look at new options.

Chances are I won't be able to legally get a new Cruiser for that money so I have narrowed down to a few cars.

One is a Navara, around 2003-2004 era, which has the towing capacity I need, in a diesel, at a reasonable price. I figure I could pick one of these up in my price range easily enough.

I have always been a Toyota fan (only got rid of my 07 Hilux due to the 2250kg towing limit) but cannot justify forking out the dollars for a LandCruiser at the moment, and have never owned a Nissan. Do these Navaras have any inherent dramas that a potential owner should be aware of??

Any info on economy, reliability, and performance (especially when towing a heavy glass boat) would be most appreciated, plus anything to look for when buying them.

My choices at the moment are between the Navara, newish BT50 and an older Cruiser ute, which will probably have quite a few kays on it for the cash I am wanting to spend. If anyone has any other suggestions, I am all ears.

Many thanks,

Shane

[Black_Rat]

Shane,

I will be putting my 2005 STR Dual Cab Navara on the market in 3 - 4 weeks time.
It's a 3.0 T/D done 121,000 ks. It has a tow bar, Bull Bar and a hard top lid. Needs the 120k major service done (Logbook servicing done every 10,000ks by Nissan) , 4 new tyres all round and the paintwork a cut and polish due to some superfishal scrathces from 4wding. Towing capacity is 2800kgs, the DX dual cab had a capacity of 3000kgs from memory.

Not sure how soon you want to buy but will send you a PM when the works done if your interested. Price will be 20 - 22k, i'm not sure of what there going for at the moment on the private market. :-/

There are a couple of owners on AF that tow big boats with them so they might be best to comment on towing a heavier boat.

Damo.

[ShaneC]

Hey Damo,

Thanks for the info mate. Essentially I do not really need to buy until late February. Due to being away with work and other commitments, I guess I am lucky to have time on my side, but if a bargain pops up I will grab it. I am o/s with work atm, if your wheels are still on the market come mid December when I am home, please send me a PM, you are pretty close to where I am and I'd like to take a look.

Thanks mate

[snatch]

That model is an excellent tow vehicle. Off the line grunt is superb.I used to tow right up to the 3 tonne mark with my single cab.

[Guido]

Shane,

Shouldn't have many drama's with the Navara. I did a fair bit of research before I bought my 2002 3.0 STR dual cab and it was a clear favourite by many for towing applications. In its age group it was ahead of rivals Rodeo, Triton, Hilux. Like always, if you can get an honest history of the vehicle it would be great knowledge.

Don't be put off the ZD30 engine because of the bad 'bang' reports from the Patrol's. Time has proven it's not an issue in the Navara's.

I keep all my fuel records and over the last 7 months my best consumption was 10.2L/100km (90km/hr, mostly highway, no load). My worst was 11.8L/100km (City driving).

It tows a 2 tonne haines up to 100km/hr and has no trouble on the ramps in 4L.

Hope this helps your search. Good luck!
Guido