In the past we've had bad experiences with the turbo diesel Nissan's and since going with petrol, we haven't had to replace any engines!
If we go with the new Nissan Patrols, we're stuck with diesel.
Good thing about diesel is that since there is a lot of idle time we're not paying road tax for the time idling.
Bad thing is service intervals are half that of petrol (unless newer ones do not need this?)
The nature of the work is pretty harsh on the vehicle. I tow a 1,200-1,500kg trailer with road testing equipment.
The work consists of:
1) Stop on point to test
2) Initiate and carry out test (20 seconds)
3) After test complete, accelerate to next point (2-200m), Stop and back to #1
Each year for about 2 months, we complete a yearly contract where we would do approx 10,000 of these tests plus travel all over the country to the sites for one job and as you could imagine, the vehicle does a lot of work.
Things that need to be considered:
- Capable of towing trailer
- Engine bay big enough to accommodate second alternator
- Air-con must stay in
- Big enough inside the cabin to have a platform for some one to lay down (Take one of the rear seats out if possible)
- 4X4 is needed to get to some sites and the odd time we get stuck
- $50k-$90k new, plus modifications
- 40,000-60,000km/year
Soooooooooo... What are some suggestions?
