Cheap Terrano II's, risky or not?
Discussion
Hi all,
MsGrr has set up a childminding business and is in need of a 7 seater to ferry them around. As we live out in the sticks in East Yorkshire we're thinking a 4x4 is a bloody sensible option. Budget is rock bottom though £1500-1800 at a push so the only thing that's grabbing our attention is the Terrano II. Seems to get decent reviews and has general Nissan reliability.
Expected spec will be '98-'02 2.7TDi with 80-120k miles on the clock looking at what's generally available on ebay and AT at the mo'.
MsGrr spoke to her tame mechanic today though and he was grumbling about fuel pumps being a costly time bomb if someones done the old petrol in diesel trick. Given that could be done on a brand new car and it'll never be recorded anywhere I reckon we have to take that concern with a pinch of salt. Is there anything major though that we should be aware of?
Cheers,
Rob
MsGrr has set up a childminding business and is in need of a 7 seater to ferry them around. As we live out in the sticks in East Yorkshire we're thinking a 4x4 is a bloody sensible option. Budget is rock bottom though £1500-1800 at a push so the only thing that's grabbing our attention is the Terrano II. Seems to get decent reviews and has general Nissan reliability.
Expected spec will be '98-'02 2.7TDi with 80-120k miles on the clock looking at what's generally available on ebay and AT at the mo'.
MsGrr spoke to her tame mechanic today though and he was grumbling about fuel pumps being a costly time bomb if someones done the old petrol in diesel trick. Given that could be done on a brand new car and it'll never be recorded anywhere I reckon we have to take that concern with a pinch of salt. Is there anything major though that we should be aware of?
Cheers,
Rob
Hadn't realised these were 7 seat. Although I've only been in a SWB. Are the 6th & 7th seats inward facing? If so, would this be an issue re: insurance and children?
The Terrano II isn't 100% Nissan, it was a joint venture with Ford. So you'll see Ford Mavericks that look very similar. The Ford normally sells for less money though. (Later Mavricks are a different vehicle and not related to the Terrano).
I think rust is an issue with these. So I'd want to visually check out any potential purchase.
Also remember they are a ladder chassis live axled truck. So will drive like one. This isn't a bad thing IMO, just don't expect it to be like a modern car.
They are also not full time 4wd. So on the road they are 2wd and with an open rear diff. If you plan to use one in the snow or bad weather, you need, or rather the driver needs to know the limitations of the vehicle and how and more importantly when to use the 4wd system.
The Terrano II isn't 100% Nissan, it was a joint venture with Ford. So you'll see Ford Mavericks that look very similar. The Ford normally sells for less money though. (Later Mavricks are a different vehicle and not related to the Terrano).
I think rust is an issue with these. So I'd want to visually check out any potential purchase.
Also remember they are a ladder chassis live axled truck. So will drive like one. This isn't a bad thing IMO, just don't expect it to be like a modern car.
They are also not full time 4wd. So on the road they are 2wd and with an open rear diff. If you plan to use one in the snow or bad weather, you need, or rather the driver needs to know the limitations of the vehicle and how and more importantly when to use the 4wd system.
Yup, keeping my eyes open for the equivalent Mavericks too but these seem much rarer on the ground.
The 6&7 seat is a third row, forward facing bench seat that can fold down to improve boot space, will get the older kids to scramble on to them. I've read about the LWB Land Rovers with bench seats along the cab being problematic on insurance so not worth pursuing.
Not expecting limo ride quality, it's just got to be able to slog a couple of miles down an unclassified hill road to the local school and back in pretty much all conditions bar glaciation
Cheers,
Rob
The 6&7 seat is a third row, forward facing bench seat that can fold down to improve boot space, will get the older kids to scramble on to them. I've read about the LWB Land Rovers with bench seats along the cab being problematic on insurance so not worth pursuing.
Not expecting limo ride quality, it's just got to be able to slog a couple of miles down an unclassified hill road to the local school and back in pretty much all conditions bar glaciation
Cheers,
Rob
I'm selling mine soon, if you want to travel your welcome to inspect. We've had it 5 trouble free years mostly for caravan pulling. Moved house, caravan sold so it's no redundant. They are strong and reliable but ride is hard and unrefined. Driven sensibly our 2.7td manual does about 28mpg. It's just had its first repair for mot which was minor, bushes for mot. Boot space is good in 5 seats but put the back row up and forget it! Mine has new bf Goodrich ATs, full mot, 6 months tax and all it's history. I'm told it should get £2000.
I'd have thought a cheap Galaxy-type sprogbus would be a better bet, as well as convey a better image for the business. Much less thirsty, much less likely to have an expensive lie-down, much less likely to have been previously abused, more interior space (the third row seating in my LWB Shogun's a joke).
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