Gimlet Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I've decided to buy a Nissan Terrano with a £3000 budget. Don't want to start another "which 4X4" thread because I've trawled through all those on this forum and others. I'm happy that with a small budget the Terrano will be as good as anything and give me a good compromise between reliability, economy, capability and value for money. Its a general shooting vehicle with the usual undemanding off-road use and a bit of on-road work including the odd trip up the motorway. Are there any particular models or years to avoid and any weaknesses to look out for, apart from the obvious with a cheaper S/H vehicle? Quite like the idea of a compact three door. They look a bit pokey in the back but I've seen worse. Anyone lived with a 3 door and how practical would it be for shooting which includes sika and fallow stalking, often with more than one carcase? Load carrying is more important than passenger carrying so is there really much advantage in a 7 seater over a 3 door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) I have had around 6 lwb and 1 swb all 2.7tdi the swb was only bought from auction to sell on as it was cheap, The lwb is excellent as far as space goes and in my opinion I like to leave the gun on the back seat so it is safe and accessable from the back doors, the one thing you cannot do with a 3dr. As far as running goes no real issues that stand out from any other 4wds. Check the usual places. Inner wings, sills, under rear arches (seat belt anchor points). And nor forgetting the dreaded front wings. Only thing I prefer to terranos is the hilux I have now. Edited October 16, 2013 by delburt0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) A friend had the 3 door/2 seat van variant for which he had nothing but praise. He is a bricklayer/builder/angler and found that the vehicle had sufficient carrying capacity. I believe it was a 2.7 diesel, so a little juicy, quite capable off road (never in anything too heavy though). His was an 05 model. I believe that you should be able to fit a couple of deer carcases in the back, as we used to get two peoples carp/pike fishing gear for a weekend in it. Another important point was that it was easy to clean the back out and had additional 12v power points. Edited October 16, 2013 by Penelope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I've decided to buy a Nissan Terrano with a £3000 budget. Don't want to start another "which 4X4" thread because I've trawled through all those on this forum and others. I'm happy that with a small budget the Terrano will be as good as anything and give me a good compromise between reliability, economy, capability and value for money. Its a general shooting vehicle with the usual undemanding off-road use and a bit of on-road work including the odd trip up the motorway. Are there any particular models or years to avoid and any weaknesses to look out for, apart from the obvious with a cheaper S/H vehicle? Quite like the idea of a compact three door. They look a bit pokey in the back but I've seen worse. Anyone lived with a 3 door and how practical would it be for shooting which includes sika and fallow stalking, often with more than one carcase? Load carrying is more important than passenger carrying so is there really much advantage in a 7 seater over a 3 door? I had a M reg 7 seat Maverick for 4 years and put another 60 k on top of the 70 k miles it already had... They are identical cars...the 2.7 diesel is the one to go for, plenty of torque at low revs...The only major issue I had was the split circuit breaking system was very difficult to balance and despite stripping it out and replacing pads discs callipers and valve it always pulled to the inside under heavy breaking. The timing chains can be very chattery but this isn't normally a fault just the way they are and regular oil changes will help. Look underneath the car for gear box oil seal leaks.... the gaskets leak sometimes but only when they get hot. Other than that they are pretty bullet proof and have a very useful low range. Don't expect to stop in deep mud and then get started again though cus they are heavy *******. If you do encounter these conditions keep her running through it in low range. The 7 seater is the best to go for...with the seats down or removed you can get a bull elephant in the back, 15 cases of beer, and a couple of dancing girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I had the same budget myself, there are good ones out there but you have to look for them, i looked at around 10 lwb and 6 short in the end before i found the one i bought But along the way you find some ****, rusty arches, chassis, inner wings, no service history and generally abused I went for the 7 seater in the end as i found the swb to small for my purposes, it works well by taking the 6/7 seat out to give loads of boot space i has 61k on the clock now, soon as i bought it i changed all the oils and gave it a good go over and find it really good on and off road If i were to have one gripe about it thing is fuel consumption isnt great but i can live with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I had a LWB for 10 months and sold it to my dad and he still has it another 12months on still going strong. It was a 2.7td with the newer shape headlights and is a nice truck. The only thing i found with it was the suspensions was a bit hard. Fuel consumption is the same as any other big 4x4 i used to regularly get 32mpg on way to work. One thing to look out for is a leaky back door, the rear door seal splits and leaks and so can ruin the carpet. This was quite common on them as couldnt get a decent second hand replacement and the new price for nissan was eye watering. Also at the front just below windscreen under the covers there is a small panel either side and these can let water in when the sealant persishes, this causes a problem because it fills the footwells up and by time you realise its damp it will have ruined the sound proofing under the carpet and starts to smell so have to rip it out. It is a simple fix though just a case of removing cleaning and resealing the little panels. Only other fault i had on mine was the heater cable broke to control the temperature. One thing to look out for rust wise is the front inner wings this is a common place they go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossberg-operator Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I will check this one tomorrow: http://www.oakwoodvehiclesyorkshire.co.uk/used-cars/nissan-terrano-2-7-td-sport-le-5dr-bradford-201310019046838 Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) I will check this one tomorrow: http://www.oakwoodvehiclesyorkshire.co.uk/used-cars/nissan-terrano-2-7-td-sport-le-5dr-bradford-201310019046838 Any thoughts? not the cheapest but if you are going to cherish it and run it yrs you dont mind if its a nice one. upside on the new shape you can buy aftermarket wings for about £40.00 , the older shapes with round headlights never got any non gen wings made, and maverick and terrano wings where just shy of £200.00 each from dealers ........... Edited October 16, 2013 by delburt0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossberg-operator Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 not the cheapest but if you are going to cherish it and run it yrs you dont mind if its a nice one. upside on the new shape you can buy aftermarket wings for about £40.00 , the older shapes with round headlights never got any non gen wings made, and maverick and terrano wings where just shy of £200.00 each from dealers ........... thx for tipp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted October 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Thanks chaps. Useful info this. I can take it then that a 7 seater with the boot seats removed but the rear seats left up will offer as much load space as a three seater? I ask because my stalking mate has a Range Rover, which like most station wagons is basically a hatchback, and the rear load space in that is useless. Stick a deer tray in there and there's no room for boots and if you've got a dog, forget it. You can fold the rear seats down of course but they don't go flat and you get filth and kit all over the car. I want to avoid that. And thanks Ferguson-Tom for the tip about leaks. A pet hate in any vehicle is wet foot wells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Thanks chaps. Useful info this. I can take it then that a 7 seater with the boot seats removed but the rear seats left up will offer as much load space as a three seater? I ask because my stalking mate has a Range Rover, which like most station wagons is basically a hatchback, and the rear load space in that is useless. Stick a deer tray in there and there's no room for boots and if you've got a dog, forget it. You can fold the rear seats down of course but they don't go flat and you get filth and kit all over the car. I want to avoid that. And thanks Ferguson-Tom for the tip about leaks. A pet hate in any vehicle is wet foot wells. ive been shooting with boy many times and kipped in the car , 6/7 seats out straight away back seats folded forward it does a double airbed with the guns laid at the side of you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Thanks chaps. Useful info this. I can take it then that a 7 seater with the boot seats removed but the rear seats left up will offer as much load space as a three seater? I ask because my stalking mate has a Range Rover, which like most station wagons is basically a hatchback, and the rear load space in that is useless. Stick a deer tray in there and there's no room for boots and if you've got a dog, forget it. You can fold the rear seats down of course but they don't go flat and you get filth and kit all over the car. I want to avoid that. And thanks Ferguson-Tom for the tip about leaks. A pet hate in any vehicle is wet foot wells. I would say more in a 7 seater Mine is 1.0m from the back door to the back of the seats with 6/7 seat removed or 1.5m with seat 3/4/5 folded forward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_martin_ Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) Bought mine about 4 years ago 2.7 Lwb. No major issue, yet. Changed glow plugs, exhaust parts and anti roll bar track rod ends. Not bat for 4 years of abuse. Best 4x4 I had, except for the fuel consumption but who cares. Chucked a set of General Grabber AT on and have gone through some thick bogs and just loved the snow. Ideal and comfy shooting truck If funds allowed the only other 4x4 I would consider would be a 2.5 Ford Ranger crew cab, (at least that could be put on my commercial fleet insurance) ps. sprayed underneath with oil 2-3 times an year. Edited October 16, 2013 by _martin_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossberg-operator Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 How do you do this spraying? And with what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanielchris Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I've got a terrano 2 commercial. 2.7 intercooler. Had it 3 year and has been faultless. It's got BF Goodrich all terrains on it. Goes where my mates Hilux goes. Good things with this engine it has no timing belt/chain. All done by gears some how. ( they didn't use it black cabs for no reason!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossberg-operator Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 So, I've seen that car ( see link above) today. Looks good, got some rust on 1 spot, but nothing major. Otherwise clean and tidy everywhere. MOT on Friday, will buy it on Sunday. Checked out an other one as well today, but that was in bad condition, clearly abused before. Lots of damages, rust. Thx for all the advice from everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuey Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 There is a clean one on autotrader at the moment as a private sale. 2004 70k miles for 2,800. Not sure if it is still there or where in the country, but looks good. Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossberg-operator Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Is there a massive difference of the fuel consumption of the manual or the auto? And because i have no experience with a 4x4's manual gear box, where can i find info, training material on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Is there a massive difference of the fuel consumption of the manual or the auto? And because i have no experience with a 4x4's manual gear box, where can i find info, training material on this?a auto might be 3/4 mpg less but I always have autos it's worth losing a few quid every time you fill up, I would say a ballpark figure for a terrano (personnel experience and they way I drive) manual 25/27 mpg auto 23/25.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_martin_ Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 How do you do this spraying? And with what? Local garage does it for free, when it gets serviced or mot Blasts it with old engine oil, gets every where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Local garage does it for free, when it gets serviced or mot Blasts it with old engine oil, gets every where. Takes me back to my youth when we were all driving knackered old Cortinas and Mariners, there was still a dairy industry and the country lanes were covered in cow ****. The local mechanic kept a worn out paint gun just for spraying oil. We used to get our wrecks blown over regularly with an espesially heavy dose just before MOT time. On the subject of millage, its a while since I've bought a high millage vehicle and I'm out of practise, but I notice there is little price difference between an 80,000 and 150,000 mile example of the same year, but there are few on sale with millages higher than 170,000. Is that the point where most of them die? Look at Honda CRVs under £3000 (not that I want one) and most of them are at or above the 200,000 mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossberg-operator Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I ve bought one Terrano today. See link above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE AD Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I ve bought one Terrano today. See link above. No linky linky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossberg-operator Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Yep, it has been taken off from there. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 the 3 lads I know with tarranos all had back axle problems, they wont follow a landrover through mud, apart from that they were ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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