Thread: Help - Wife wants a Patrol, I am heart struck on Defender

Thanks for all of your input.

To bring a close to this thread we have made a decision, and the Defender has it

We ended up taking both vehicles for a few hours on a test drive side by side. There are some significant differences. When used as a shopping trolley the Patrol is obviously better suited; however, when used for travelling where not everything is clean and smooth and it isn't always practical to wipe your feet the Defender begins to look a little better suited...

Some key points for the Defender were:

• Third row seating space for adults rather than just children;
• Roominess inside the cabin and rear;
• Natural light inside the cabin;
• Off road capability straight out of the box;
• Resale value (if ever required);
• 6 speed box;
• Interior simplicity and ability to maintain considering kids and food, sand, mud and dogs;
• Styling won't date (anymore!);
• Shade over the steering wheel without the sloping windscreen which means less sunburnt hands for me;
• Driving style on and off road that encourage a go easy, slow and relaxed approach (You are not fast, everyone knows it, and you have nothing to prove, so who cares!);
• Ability to find it in a carpark among all the Prados and Patrols;
• Perceived greater warranty coverage and dealer support;
• Visibility through windows and mirrors; and
• General character.

There are definitely areas where the Patrol is superior yet for our needs the defender seems to be a closer match.

I have many more questions now but I will save them for another post.

Thanks again

Glenn

Glenn,

Regardless of the actual vehicle, you've still got to deal with the company for at least the first 3 years of waranty. Our Perth based Southwest Division opted for Nissan to replace all the aging Toyota based on a long list of criteria. This is a decision they are now regretting in a very big way and the Northwest Divisions choice of Colorados are looking all the better.

Both the Patrols and Navarras have endless electrical issues, trim issues (panels in the cabs coming adrift with fixing pins breaking off) and a whole list of issues you shouldn't expect of a new vehicle. The problem being than Nissan wants nothing to do with it! According to them everything is either abuse or "outside the parameters of the vehicles intended use"...

I would personally stay well away from the brand, at least we know Land Rover will fix it if it breaks!

Originally Posted by Loubrey

[snip]

Both the Patrols and Navarras have endless electrical issues, trim issues (panels in the cabs coming adrift with fixing pins breaking off) and a whole list of issues you shouldn't expect of a new vehicle. The problem being than Nissan wants nothing to do with it! According to them everything is either abuse or "outside the parameters of the vehicles intended use"...

I would personally stay well away from the brand, at least we know Land Rover will fix it if it breaks!

Wow, either Nissan have really dropped their game in the last ten years, or we just got a goodun.

Originally Posted by rick130

Wow, either Nissan have really dropped their game in the last ten years, or we just got a goodun.

You got lucky.. real lucky..

We just got a car with lots of problems.. and no support..

I think Glenn made the right choice. And I'm not saying that as an LR owner, I owned Nissans before I bought a Landy.

The ZD30 still has a reputation for blowing up: it seems that it's not really the engine's fault, it's more a case of rubbish ECU logic and insufficient safety sensors like EGT probes and logic to handle overfuelling.

I'm on a Nissan 4x4 forum, and there are constantly Patrols needing warranty rebuilds on the 3.0TD.

The Ford Duro diesels are strong commercial units, that's more than can be said of the ZD30.

Originally Posted by Sue

You got lucky.. real lucky..

We just got a car with lots of problems.. and no support..

Only ever had one issue under warranty, the secondary fuel tank transfer pump, which Nissan replaced, and nothing, and I literally mean no other problems in 400,000km other than overheating, which a new radiator has fixed, (stray current killed the old one, the battery terminal was loose) which is a lot more than can be said for my Defender......

Of course it doesn't have the rubbish ZD30 engine either.

GlennWA


Quote 'BUT I still like the Defender and the Patrol just didn't inspire me.'

I think you have answered your own question. I have owned both, although the patrol was a 1998 GU and my Defender is a 1999 MY so a bit older than you are looking at. The patrol was a "better car" but the Defender is a better 4wd if that makes sense. and for all its short falls i.e panel fit, cabin noise and water leaks I love my Defender and would never want to part with her. she is inspiring.

This Kerry posting - I won't drive the Defender, don't feel confident with the turning circle, and clutch very heavy. The Patrol was easier for me to drive as it was more 'car' like as opposed to 'truck' like. Patrol had comfier seats, better leg room for the passenger in the front, better temperature control internally, by this I mean heating/air con. Electric windows etc., better dashboard and glove box. If you have kids, the back seat (second row)in the Patrol is also more comfortable for them. Defender loses out on that too.

back to me- i need a new wife!

Buy the Defender.

Nino and Kerry