G'day from down under - advice re Nissan Terrano/Mistral sought

stobbo · 20-09-2010, 10:40

G'day everyone i am a newbie here, well there actually cos i live on the other side of the world (unless you are on this side too, that is)...

Anyway before I pay my $10 I would like to get an opinion on the Nissan Terrano (called a Mistral here in NZ). We only get the 2.7TDs here (no petrols were imported). There are loads more "trucks" here in NZ - everyone has one, basically for towing their boat, which is what I want to do... across hard sand beaches & up and down sometimes slippery boat ramps. We also have a lot of unsealed (gravel) roads here which can be a bit tortuous in your normal family car...

But compared with other trucks the Mistral is NOT popular at all, most people go for e.g. a Toyota Surf/Prado/LandCruiser rather than the Mistrals and therefore Mistrals can be picked up pretty cheap.

What I want to know is - is there a valid reason for this like that they are unreliable, poor performers, a 'lemon' or something ? Or is it just "auto snobbery" ? I would want to get an automatic - is this going to be a problem for towing a trailer sailer ? Is there anything I should really look out for before I put my money down ?

Any advice/input welcomed... and if I get one i will definitely pay my $10 !

zippy656 · 20-09-2010, 11:09

Hi Welcome, we have two members in NZ, one on the north island and one in the south..

(RIP) PLANK · 20-09-2010, 12:21

G'day mate welcome to the club, A misral should suit you fine, they are all auto's I beleive? It's worth joining the club for all the support and fun!

robobone · 20-09-2010, 17:44

hi mate hope you pay your tenner and become a full member.

i had a mistral back in 2005 for about 3 years apart from needing a new water pump which is common on those they are quite trouble free.
as for towing and being an auto this is fine and the mistral can more than cope. off road you have a great advantage over manual gearboxes and that it hard to stall and i have took the mistral on greenlanes and a dedicted off road site with no problems(even had to pull out a landrover that got stuck)

as for people buying other 4x4 available it is a matter of personal choice but you wont go far wrong with a mistral

hope this help

Heroes Legend · 27-09-2010, 20:11

Just so you know, you're not looking hard enough. I have a terrano, and in Auckland, and its 3Ltr petrol

And for the record, its more than adequate for the job, if you're tyres are big enough

clivvy · 27-09-2010, 20:44

id say its choice. if all you can get in NZ generally is a Mistral, there you go. They arent common over hee in the Uk either, but for no reason really, they are great trucks, speak to Briggie, and more than capable, end of the day they are towing trucks, its what they were designed for I believe. I say if you find a good one, go for it.

20-09-2010, 10:40	#1
stobbo Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NE and NZ Vehicle: Mistral Posts: 1	G'day from down under - advice re Nissan Terrano/Mistral sought G'day everyone i am a newbie here, well there actually cos i live on the other side of the world (unless you are on this side too, that is)... Anyway before I pay my $10 I would like to get an opinion on the Nissan Terrano (called a Mistral here in NZ). We only get the 2.7TDs here (no petrols were imported). There are loads more "trucks" here in NZ - everyone has one, basically for towing their boat, which is what I want to do... across hard sand beaches & up and down sometimes slippery boat ramps. We also have a lot of unsealed (gravel) roads here which can be a bit tortuous in your normal family car... But compared with other trucks the Mistral is NOT popular at all, most people go for e.g. a Toyota Surf/Prado/LandCruiser rather than the Mistrals and therefore Mistrals can be picked up pretty cheap. What I want to know is - is there a valid reason for this like that they are unreliable, poor performers, a 'lemon' or something ? Or is it just "auto snobbery" ? I would want to get an automatic - is this going to be a problem for towing a trailer sailer ? Is there anything I should really look out for before I put my money down ? Any advice/input welcomed... and if I get one i will definitely pay my $10 !

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20-09-2010, 11:09	#2
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	Hi Welcome, we have two members in NZ, one on the north island and one in the south..

20-09-2010, 12:21	#3
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	G'day mate welcome to the club, A misral should suit you fine, they are all auto's I beleive? It's worth joining the club for all the support and fun!

20-09-2010, 17:44	#4
robobone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: midlands Vehicle: 1997 maverick gls Posts: 1,060	hi mate hope you pay your tenner and become a full member. i had a mistral back in 2005 for about 3 years apart from needing a new water pump which is common on those they are quite trouble free. as for towing and being an auto this is fine and the mistral can more than cope. off road you have a great advantage over manual gearboxes and that it hard to stall and i have took the mistral on greenlanes and a dedicted off road site with no problems(even had to pull out a landrover that got stuck) as for people buying other 4x4 available it is a matter of personal choice but you wont go far wrong with a mistral hope this help

27-09-2010, 20:11	#5
Heroes Legend Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New Zealand Vehicle: 1993 Terrano 3Ltr v6 Posts: 24	Just so you know, you're not looking hard enough. I have a terrano, and in Auckland, and its 3Ltr petrol And for the record, its more than adequate for the job, if you're tyres are big enough

27-09-2010, 20:44	#6
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	id say its choice. if all you can get in NZ generally is a Mistral, there you go. They arent common over hee in the Uk either, but for no reason really, they are great trucks, speak to Briggie, and more than capable, end of the day they are towing trucks, its what they were designed for I believe. I say if you find a good one, go for it.