Nissan Navara

[6mmBR]

Just a quick one to ask you lads on here.

Whats the Navara like off road, obviously with appropriate tyres.

My old Daihatsu is 16 years old this year so may replace.

Been looking and Navaras seem readily available and seem to have a lot less issues and are better on fuel than the L200.

Toyotas seem a bit pricey and are like rocking horse poo!

Also any one with any thoughts on the Ford/Mazda.

Any thoughts are more than welcomed.

Cheers

Dave

[Streeker59]

Hi Dave.. The Navara is built in Spain and has a poor reliability record as well as being noted for having poor build quality.

Rear diffs and gearboxes have been known to wear out very quickly and the Renault engine and its associated electronics have been problematic from time to time.

 

If you're thinking of buying new and getting rid after three years then it's a lovely truck to drive that has very good off road credentials... 4x4 mag tested it against the Hilux, L200, Ford Ranger, Mazda BT50 & Isuzu Rodeo.

THe Navara came out top in almost every category.. Unfortunately these motoring journalists never test any vehicle long enough to see how what the long term reliability is like..

 

If you're thinking of maintained leasing or buying for a three year stretch, then it's the pick up to own...

Check out the March issue of 4x4 magazine...

Regards,

Grant..

[Millwall Paul]

I've got an older d22 Navara works well enough for what I want off road. Never really taken it seriously off road but am sure it'd be alright. The only experience I've had with the mazda ones was in SA an they seemed perfectly good enough for the task but I found them really uncomfortable. I know one guy thats had 3 of the navaras now, he replaces them every 3 years or so and thinks they're fanastic. He's a profesional stalker and uses his truck for work every day and has never complained about it. But everyone's different and has different likes and dislikes, this is just my oppinion for what it's worth.

[MarinePMI]

I have the "Frontier" (US version). While it has had its quirks, and a couple of frustrating and expensive repairs it has never failed me. The engineering design was a bit shoddy in certain areas (who the heck designs a knock sensor to be placed between the intake manifold and the valley of the engine block?).

 

This is a 2003 (bought in 2002) and is going on 8 yrs now, without a significant failure. This is despite my often times rough use (we're not going to discuss the boulder I side swiped on a too narrow trail). I had to drive this truck one year in 4W High for 1500 miles, as a blizzard blew in on a trip up to Montana for Pronghorn (going through Yellowstone and the Gallatin Pass). She handled the snowy roads easily, when other vehicles were pretty much unable to travel the roads. (Vivid memories of chiseling ice to open the door of the gas cap to refuel up at 9500 ft, in 23* F temps).

 

Only downside, really expensive replacement parts. Nissan is known for that. Other thing is that it has a timing belt versus a chain. With a Super Charger in my truck (stock), it's a bit touque-y for a belt...Warrantied for 100k, but replaced at 65K (not uncommon for the SC models). I hear the 2004+ models are much better designed...at least here in the US.

 

Might check out www.clubfrontier.org. They have a section for the Navara...

[Ronin]

I know of two local Navara owners who have had have replacement engines due to "catastrophic" failiure (oil pump stopped pumping)

 

It wouldnt be my first choice for regular off road use - whilst the L200 is heavier on juice, its as good as any defender (except for tight turns)

 

(I have an L200)

[6mmBR]

Cheers guys just doing a bit of fishing really.

I didn't realise the issues this vehicle has.

I thought the L200 was the one with engine problems due to customers wanting more power out of the engine.

Grant I'm looking for something 5+ years old and want reliability.

Probably better waiting out on a Toyota.

Are the Foeds/Mazda the same thing and if so are they any cop?

Cheers

Dave

[Ronin]

Ford rangers eat clutches and diffs.

 

 

Toyota - great if you can get one that hasn't done duty in a third world serving as a machine gun platform, at the other end is almost new and big ££££

 

 

 

Personally, ive had numerous Disco's and bought my L200 as a sole use shooting vehicle to get reds out of sticky patches.

 

Needed the pickup (dirty area) and clean cab for kit.

 

Serves the purpose well, ok economy not great, but no worse that the Disco's (200 TDI and 300 TDI) ive had.

 

Circa 26 -28 MPG

 

 

Starts easily, no rust, very capable off road and has switchable 2wd (Hi), 4WD (Hi), 4WD (Lo), plus diff lock.

 

 

If I were you, look at em all then make the decision.

 

Plenty of variety about.

[6mmBR]

Cheers Andy, nothing like people with experience of a product.

I've got a Daihatsu Sportrak at the moment.

The problem is I have now got my deer stalking back, if I shoot one with this truck I will have to put it in the front seat with a seat belt on as space is limited, hence my thoughts on a pick up.

Cheers

Dave

[alled12]

I have had to L200 new shape. If you want more power buy the animal it runs at around 165bhp rather than 135bhp. You can have the power upgrade add any model which makes up the difference. I used it on some pretty awful site and while shooting, absolutely great. Got abot 28mpg. On the road nice to drive. i was fortuante that at my previous company we had the lot in our pool so I got to try them all out in various circumstances before I had to choose. The L200 is the best by some distance. On thing that does seem to be a problem with them is the rear spring bolts, they have had two general recalls on those. Just make sure if you buy a 2nd hand one that has been done. Excellent 4x4 worth the money.

[whoowhoop]

Just personal observations...

I currently run a Nissan D22 kingcab, gives me space on the back for the dogs, and any gear.feed, game, logs etc I need to carry. Comforable to drive, not too juicy ( I have a light foot due to a light bank balance). It has a poor turning circle, not great off road, but better now I have decent tyres fitted.

It has a better shooting position from the seat than the L200.

(Get funny looks in showroom shooting imaginary rifle from front seat)

Tried disco's - no space and the 300's are pants.

TD5 or TD6 far better for serious off road, but reliabilty can be a bugger, and not much space in the back but thats the price you pay for its ability in the rough stuff.

Engine problems of Navara mainly due to reps driving them like Cavaliers.

Hilux just keep on going, Fords - well spares can be found anywhere, unlike Japanese models.

I shall probably get another kingcab as the room is needed for the dogs.

[grahamfarmer]

hi ,

 

well i run a o4 plate ford ranger double cab with 140000 miles on the clock and all i have done to it so far is change the timing belt and rear spring bushes .

 

but if you buy one take it for a test drive and turn the heater on hot it should start blowing hot air within a mile if it doesnt beware it may be heading for head problems the reason being that for some reason the impellor vanes on the water pump corode away the head went on mine and got the bits from a engine specialist and all was well untill the weather got warmer the problem is the cooling is a twin circuit sort of setup so in hot weather the stat open very quick and the coolant circulates by thermal current so no sign of over heating but when it over heated displayed classic sighs of failed stat so fitted new stat and checked fan belts etc bleed out coolant system and still over heating so removed water pump out of curisoty and discovered impellor had vanished completely sourced new one from motor factors and it has plastic impellor now wonder why ?? me and my tractor mechanic are both now convinced the head went due to incorrect cooling as the pump was failing.

 

the test is because the heater block is fed from the water pump circuit so while stat is closed warm water should be pumped down hill to the heater block until new pump went on the hot air output was rubbish in the cold now like a sauna.

 

aside from that problem it tows really well drives like a car and mine is all leather seats so wet cloth is all thats needed at end of shooting season the new shape ones have a bit of a name for eating clutches as they are geared to high in first gear to pull away especially when towing but mine is very low geared you check some times to make sure your not in low box but great for sneeking around lamping also the diff can hang in sometimes after disenageing the switch so benifits from backing back a yard or two

 

for what it worth i would have another

 

graham.

[Streeker59]

Hi Dave, as Graham says, the Ranger is a pretty tough truck but not without it's issues like most motors. However, parts are readily avail and cheap compared to Jap trucks..

Were it me, i would save a little more and get a Hilux... But then i'm a pretentious poser.. . Just be sure of its history and who owned it previously..

Grant..

[sako75]

Hi I have had two Navara’s and both were trouble free, the D22 is good vehicle for rough use, where the D40 is a lot more refined for on road use; the engine is not a Renault unit, but the common rail system was sauced from Renault.

 

I took my D40 to Africa and it handled the abysmal roads there, and off road it was very good subject to the correct tyres being fitted.

 

The bad press about back axel failures has been sorted since late 2006, so if you go for one make sure that it’s a 2007 model.

 

There are some grey imports that are knocking around and they are made in Malaysia, but the specs are not the same as the European models so be aware of that fact.

 

I used to get 35 MPG on a run and managed to get over 30 MPG using the filthy Diesel they sell in Africa.

 

The Toyota Hi Lux is not fault free either; I have seen dozens of them with the front nearside wheel sheered off; something to do with the weak front suspension I believe.

 

The Isuzu pick-up was highly thought of in Africa, where driving conditions are pretty poor so it’s worth checking out.

 

What ever you go for get it checked out by a good mechanic first!

[eldon]

A friend in the diesel injection trade calls them "Nackered navaras"

One of the engines do pop due to the oil pump but the higher horsepower one seems ok.

 

A friend had a ranger and with a caravan on and no weight in the back it was a very choppy ride on country lanes, felt seasick.

 

Toyota hilux seems the least problematic.

[Streeker59]

Well guys, i didn't want to make you jealous but i think i better post the pics of me in Botswana with my 4x4. I had it shipped over for a 2 week shooting safari..

It was designed by Bowler but built by yours truly in my spare time.. The suspension is very unforgiving but then again there's not alot to break..

The tilting roof is a boon for hunting and gaining a high position for scanning the landscape with binos..

It has special carriers for a spade, pic and of course my Sako 75 .308..

It's not road legal but i'm not worried about that, it was only ever intended for the hunt... Hope you like...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alycidon]

I run a Disco TD5 auto and a Defender TD5, both 03 plates, both used as off road shoot transport, wheat haulers, trailer pullers, foxing wagons etc, current milage, Disco 200K, Defender 100K so weel run in.

 

Buy a Disco., cheap to buy, reasonably shod it will go anywhere, even Michelin road tyres go most places, reasonably reliable (my last one a 200 series auto is still going strong and I sold it at 274.000 miles) with cheap and easily available parts both new and used.

 

 

Disco is also FAR more comfortable to drive than any of the Navarra, L200 types that I have driven.

 

A

[Ronin]

Grant

 

 

perfect vehicle and amazing likeness - uncanny

[6mmBR]

Nice one Grant, will you get a Cape buffalo in the back though

Cheers

Dave

[Streeker59]

Dave, i knew that question was going to arise so here is a pic of my solution to that quandary..

Inspired by Sankey, built by yours truly. The articulation on uneven ground is fairly good, turning corners can be a bit dodgy though....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think i've been off work too long.....

[bluebell]

OMG Grant you must be SO bored!

If itst that bad I have along list of jobs that I will never get round to!

[6mmBR]

What more do I say, looks like you have all angles covered

And probably to much time on your hands.

Cheers

Dave

[Streeker59]

Dave, i'm climbing the bloody walls still waiting on my back surgery.. Damn i wish i'd taken out health insurance...

[6mmBR]

Good luck with that Grant, I know where your coming from.

I prolapsed a disc 3 years ago and was off work for 4 months.

I got cabin fever very rapidly.

Take care, if your able get yourself to a Dorset F class meet, you'll be more than welcome.

Cheers

Dave

[6mmBR]

I didn't realise how bad the Navara came off in head on crash tests they reckon there is a high chance of front passenger fatality

Does this effect all models?

May look for an L200 and put up with the poorer MPG.

Cheers

Dave

[Millwall Paul]

I didn't realise how bad the Navara came off in head on crash tests they reckon there is a high chance of front passenger fatality

Does this effect all models?

May look for an L200 and put up with the poorer MPG.

Cheers

Dave

 

The L200 if I remember correctly is the safest getting a euro NCAP of 4, where as the Navara struggled to get to a 1. They had to recall all the navara's and carry out safety mods or they would be taken off the market. If I were in the market to chop in my navara I would be looking at getting an L200, just for the safety aspect.