Hi I'm new - from Cambs looking for advice

[beagle182]

Hi all,

so i am new and looking for some advice really, i am looking at getting a Nissan Navara which is going to be mostly used for the odd runs to work and the odd bit of off road fun - this is my first "car"; i know its not a car and nor a sensible choice for a first car but heck you only live once so lets have some fun hey.
So looking for some advice on what would be recommend for sensible day to day running but also going to give it that little be of extra for off road fun to avoid getting stuck but not make it to impractical for day to day runs.
I.e. skid plates, suspension etc.

I am really new to this (and yes i know your all going to say get some driving experience behind you before you do something stupid, and i know i am going to learn the hard way) but its something i want to do before the gf becomes the wife and the babies happen and then the chances of off road fun goes out the window and i aint getting any younger lol

[AlexD333]

Hi all,

so i am new and looking for some advice really, i am looking at getting a Nissan Navara which is going to be mostly used for the odd runs to work and the odd bit of off road fun - this is my first "car"; i know its not a car and nor a sensible choice for a first car but heck you only live once so lets have some fun hey.
So looking for some advice on what would be recommend for sensible day to day running but also going to give it that little be of extra for off road fun to avoid getting stuck but not make it to impractical for day to day runs.
I.e. skid plates, suspension etc.

I am really new to this (and yes i know your all going to say get some driving experience behind you before you do something stupid, and i know i am going to learn the hard way) but its something i want to do before the gf becomes the wife and the babies happen and then the chances of off road fun goes out the window and i aint getting any younger lol

Hi dude, nah screw that get a 4x4 :thumbs

When looking for my missus and quotes for first cars the difference from a silly 1.2 to a 3.0 v6 was only another 200 quid... So enjoy if you can afford it.

You might (big word might) find that a navara ruins your life, I have heard about premature cam chain wear and also cam chains snapping on so. Models as little as 41,000 miles :eek::eek:

Now here comes my very biased opinion, a 2.7 terrano is entirely bomb proof, you wont kill yourself in it (speed wise) and they can be cheaply run on vegetable oil with no conversion :naughty

The engine has no timing chain or belt, it runs solely on a series of gears, so it will go forever (the same engine in the black cabs)

So some food for thought, welcome aboard to a very friendly forum, the help I have received here it amazing, and some good banter too :D

Show us what your looking at dude :thumb2

[AlexD333]

Oh and if you want to talk your future wife into a 4x4 it's all about safety, the children wont be safe in a silly 1.0 fart mobile... :naughty

What you need is a safe four wheel drive (in the right scenario) vehicle. The vantage point is good t see traffic stopping ahead too :augie

My er bull.... List goes on :D

[beagle182]

I had looked at the Terrano's but the age puts me off a little to be honest - since they stopped making them in 2006 all the models i have seen are over 10 years old (yeah i know the newest models are still going to be 8 years old).

And i know they dont make um like they used to and in my day age didn't matter its how ya drove it lol.

And as for the issues on the Navara they are new ones on me i had seen a few but out of the trucks i have looked at the Narava seems to be best all round.

[AlexD333]

I had looked at the Terrano's but the age puts me off a little to be honest - since they stopped making them in 2006 all the models i have seen are over 10 years old (yeah i know the newest models are still going to be 8 years old).

And i know they dont make um like they used to and in my day age didn't matter its how ya drove it lol.

And as for the issues on the Navara they are new ones on me i had seen a few but out of the trucks i have looked at the Narava seems to be best all round.

Well if you've got your heart set on a navara then that's what you'll get. Can I make a suggestion and take a terrano out atleast. They have great engines, 7 seats and are very comphy, there we many different looks for a terrano, mine probably being a more extreme one with no bumpers... Or as they like to say on here, scaffold poles as bumpers :augie

And they do flex well.. http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23304 :augie

[beagle182]

Well if you've got your heart set on a navara then that's what you'll get. Can I make a suggestion and take a terrano out atleast. They have great engines, 7 seats and are very comphy, there we many different looks for a terrano, mine probably being a more extreme one with no bumpers... Or as they like to say on here, scaffold poles as bumpers :augie

And they do flex well.. http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23304 :augie



I will defo take Terrano out for a spin, I am not 100% heart on a Navara and just weighing up the options at the moment.

I originally had ruled them out but there does seem to be a lot of love for them on here.


On kitting a Terrano up any advice

[bry]

Howdy.My two Terrano's both passed their M.O.T's this year with no advisories. One a 2000, other a 2001.Good strong trucks, but each to their own...

[AlexD333]

I will defo take Terrano out for a spin, I am not 100% heart on a Navara and just weighing up the options at the moment.

I originally had ruled them out but there does seem to be a lot of love for them on here.


On kitting a Terrano up any advice

Yep a few essentials and the rest is fun. I've been chucking money at it
since January and my list still grows, lots of fun mods.

The main one and only important thing apart from a rust free motor is tyres.

I'm sure everyone will agree with that, everything else is just mods, suspension, removing arbs, bumpers, winches, snorkels, power and tuning chips, lights, man steps :augie

The list is long, oh and entertainment system :cool: read my signature underneath, all my speakers are done and a 10" kicker in the boot, mirrors shake violently with the right music like dub for example. :lol

Terranos are very capable offroad too, don't believe some of the videos you see on pootube, people getting stuck in puddles...

They have a limited slip rear diff and you can also buy a Lokka kit for the front and have the front wheels locked and spinning together :naughty

[AlexD333]

If your down this way, your welcome to have a play in mine :thumb2

[Blocky10]

Hi and welcome. A common conversion is to swap the navara engine for a terrano engine. But they are usually pre 2006 or 2007. Can't be sure though.

[Banshee]

If your down this way, your welcome to have a play in mine :thumb2

THAT'LL PUT HIM OFF FOR LIFE!!!! :lol

[beagle182]

If your down this way, your welcome to have a play in mine :thumb2

I hope you mean ya Terrano ;)

And thank you for the offer

[johnb5177]

Terrano or Patrol.......choices, choices......I really like my T2, but lust after a late model Trol........:nenau

[Barrbeast]

Did someone mention a Patrol :sly...

[Ianinessex]

Did someone mention a Patrol :sly...

I am glad someone has, too much Terrano talk for my liking :augie:augie

Ian

[firebobby]

I thought Navara engine issues were more to do with bottom end problems, not timing chains and more at the 80000 mile mark. :nenau

After 2006, the road tax shoots upto £500 on a lot of large vehicles like 4x4's

[AlexD333]

I thought Navara engine issues were more to do with bottom end problems, not timing chains and more at the 80000 mile mark. :nenau

After 2006, the road tax shoots upto £500 on a lot of large vehicles like 4x4's

Hmm, all I remember on this issue is - terrano terrano terrano terrano terrano terrano :augie:augie:augie

On the other hand, if you want huge space and great offroad capacity a trol might be the way :cool:

[solarman216]

I thought Navara engine issues were more to do with bottom end problems, not timing chains and more at the 80000 mile mark. :nenau

After 2006, the road tax shoots upto £500 on a lot of large vehicles like 4x4's

Funny how memory clouds, I thought it was top end/piston probs, Rick

[Blocky10]

I thought Navara engine issues were more to do with bottom end problems, not timing chains and more at the 80000 mile mark. :nenau

After 2006, the road tax shoots upto £500 on a lot of large vehicles like 4x4's







Funny how memory clouds, I thought it was top end/piston probs, Rick

Not a good track record. If it's a navara he wants, I'd get hold of a good terrano engine and be ready for a swap.:confused:

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk

[AlexD333]

Not a good track record. If it's a navara he wants, I'd get hold of a good terrano engine and be ready for a swap.:confused:

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk

I know they are compatible bit I don't think it's just a case of "pop it in" loom issues and various electrics ect. Fly by wire pump is needed too i believe :nenau



*****what is it that attracts you to the navara*****??? :nenau

[beagle182]

I know they are compatible bit I don't think it's just a case of "pop it in" loom issues and various electrics ect. Fly by wire pump is needed too i believe :nenau



*****what is it that attracts you to the navara*****??? :nenau

I by no means have the skills for swapping an engine lol, i rebuilt a cortina with a mate a few years back but that was simples compared to modern stuff.

as for what attracts me to a Navara, well there are several things:

- its a big truck :) i know its not a valid reason but its on the list lol
- a friend has an 06 Navara D40 and has had it a few years now and has been solid as a rock for him.
- i do a lot of activities that involve a lot of large kit (pretty large lockable gun cases, snowboards, mountain bikes etc.) and the occasional pile of camping stuff on top of that, and trying to fit more than my stuff at times into a bean can of a car doesn't work to well so space would be really handy.
- Other than that my understanding out of the 4x4 trucks out on the market the Navara seems to do well on reviews for best all round for reliability, comfort, gadgets, mpg / running costs etc.

I am more than happy to be directed else where as i said this is going to be my first "car" and i would like to get something that's more than ya average clio, and for me at the moment its the Navara - the Terrano i am going to check out probs this weekend

[Barrbeast]

I know they are compatible bit I don't think it's just a case of "pop it in" loom issues and various electrics ect. Fly by wire pump is needed too i believe :nenau



*****what is it that attracts you to the navara*****??? :nenau

Always gonna be some wiring needed bud and it's the throttle that's drive by wire (not the pump ;)) - would be surprised if the D40 is a cable throttle though as a lot of vehicles these days are drive by wire.

Anyway, he says he doesn't want to do that :lol

From the sounds of it you don't specifically need a pickup - a LWB 4x4 would also do :nenau

What's your budget mate as that will help us come up with alternatives :thumbs

[don simon]

I'd agree that a LWB 4x4 might be the solution. I was looking at Toyotas for the same reasons as you and the ultimate aim was to put one of these on the back. http://www.uro-camper.com/web/en/
I went for a Terrano instead.
The reasons in no particular order;
If the engine is good enough for London Taxis, it's good enough for me.
The interior is a bit more comfortable than the Hilux.
Handling is OK, but it's still a big barge of a thing. Probably better than an un loaded pick up.
I can sleep inside the Terrano for stealthy camping trips with the mountain bike. I`ve also got an awning and tent for more sophisticated trips, eventually I'll be looking at a roof tent for proper posh camping trips.
Bikes are carried on the inside for security.
Insurance is quite good, I think.
Can run on cooking oil with minimal modifications.
Not the latest technology, so less to go wrong.
I've seen the YouTube videos of poorly driven Terranos getting stuck, on each ocassion i'd say it was driver error and not the car's fault.
As a first car, I'd probably look at something that has fewer bells and whistles and is more likely to be reliable (and fun.... my first 4x4 was a Lada..... Mucho fun...)
I still hanker after a pick up, but the practicalities pushed me towards the Terrano and I loves it.

EDIT: How terribly rude of me... Welcome to the forum.

[firebobby]

Funny how memory clouds, I thought it was top end/piston probs, Rick

I'm sure it was to do with the big ends going and there is a garage that can do something to make it stronger :nenau:nenau

[briggie]

I'm sure it was to do with the big ends going and there is a garage that can do something to make it stronger :nenau:nenau

billcar engineering springs to mind :thumb2

[firebobby]

billcar engineering springs to mind :thumb2

That's the one, well done briggie :thumb2

[beagle182]

Thanks everyone you have given me a lot of food for thought (for want of a better term).

So next question, where in East Anglia would you recommend hunting out a Terrano given the amount of "luv" for these cars on here i would be a fool not to give them a serious look.

Have checked out Auto trader there are a few on there, just wondered if anyone had any recommendations.

[Banshee]

See here on the Navara issues

http://www.navaraownersclub.com/2009/10/the-infamous-d22-engine-problem/

[AlexD333]

Thanks everyone you have given me a lot of food for thought (for want of a better term).

So next question, where in East Anglia would you recommend hunting out a Terrano given the amount of "luv" for these cars on here i would be a fool not to give them a serious look.

Have checked out Auto trader there are a few on there, just wondered if anyone had any recommendations.

It doesent really matter where you look, the advise I got on here was good advise and thats what I stuck with "check for rust, then check again, and again" :lol

If you can find yourself a rust free motor that feels like its running well not too much will go wrong, of course theres always sensors and cvs and bearings but yeah, a rust free motor will keep you happy for a long time to come.

Theres alot of free advise on here, save your pennies :cool: