What vehicle is best NIssan Mistral, Terrano or Toyota Surf

[Luke Boer]

Hi

I'm selling my toyota MR2 and would like to buy a cheap SUV for hunting and fishing.

The to makes that I heard is good is a Toyota surf, Nissan Mistral or Terrano. The Nissan Mistral the only problem the previous owners had with the vehicle is that the automatic hub change at the 2 front tires doesn't always grip but is cheap to replace, but I need a work horse that doesn't brake all the time what would your opinion be of these 3 vehicle with their fuel consumption. I would prefer that I drive a diesel but don't now anything about any of these vehicles can any one please give advise.

Thanks

[Crash bandicoot]

Use the Search function. but since ya started it

1 vote for 1998 onwards Mistral.

[BlakeNZ]

Look for well maintained examples, as it will cost you around 3 grand if the head cracks, which isn't the end of the world if you have owned it 5 years already and you intend to keep it for another 5. BUT if you have owned it only a few months, and the purchase price was say $4-6K, then it will really sting.

There are plenty of terranos around that are real tidy, road use only. The 2.7 diesel is well regarded.

Look for a well maintained 1kz(3 litre diesel)Surf, or one that has already had the head replaced. They (rest of the drivtrain)really are bulletproof for mild stuff, and are an easy to live with truck.
The earlier 2.8litre diesel (non turbo) toyota is bulletproof. Don't buy a "2LT" (a 2.4 turbo diesel-they crack heads frequently)

The mistral also has the nissan 2.7 diesel, but i have seen and heard that their auto trans is poor/ weak. (which is surprising, given that most nissan autos are strong)Perhaps it is not true?

If you don't do a lot of kms, consider a petrol, as they are cheaper to maintain, cheaper to register, no Road User Charges etc.(and several thousand dollars cheaper to purchase). But i suggest steering clear of ANY V6, as they are hard to work on(access down the sides of them), so are often not as well maintained. And the V6s are all thirsty thirsty thirsty.
No matter what diesel truck you end up with(terrano/mistral/ surf), I doubt you will find much difference in their fuel consumption.ie it won't be a factor unless you are doing high kms, but in general the nissan TD27T uses less fuel than the toyota 1kz.

[catalystracing]

Had a friend who was in an engine re builders..not many nice things to say about the Mistrals. Other than that I concur with BlakeNZ.
I know of a 2.8 Hilux right now that is work truck with 485,000 original ks, just has regular services.

Ask questions, read alot and go with your choice and enjoy.

[lax2wlg]

Had a friend who was in an engine re builders..not many nice things to say about the Mistrals..

You going to have to back that up because it sort of goes against the general consensus that the TD engine series is one of the most durable and trouble free diesel engine families of modern times. The TD27 in the London Taxi is known to do 500k+ MILES (three quarters of a million kms) on regular servicing.

[nzlux]

regular servicing.

I have owned both a pajero 4M40 diesel and now the toyota 3l (2.8 diesel) no problems with either engine, the answer with these small diesels is regular servicing and don't let them get hot

[J_Dub]

In a nut shell the 2.7 diesels found in the Nissan are highly regarded. The turboed toyotas a little less. Toyotas more expensive. Parts and user friendlyness are much the same

[Waddles]

I wouldn't trade my nissan safari 4 anything the td engines are awesome ! As every thing though regular servicing is the key and anything will go the distance.
From my experience the nissan autos can be a bit of a pain.

[Suza]

I wouldn't trade my nissan safari 4 anything the td engines are awesome ! As every thing though regular servicing is the key and anything will go the distance.
From my experience the nissan autos can be a bit of a pain.

x2
They may be bigger than what you want, but you will be hard pressed to beat one

[bang-thud-thump]

The guy who trained me as an apprentice recommends TD42 or 27 for reliability.
Over 20 years on the tools speaking with him.
A second hand auto is not dear or hard to fit if required.

Mistrals no good - Id like to hear more.
They can rust but thats not a reco mans issue.

1KZ - there is a good motor but prone to cracked heads - heaps here on that subject.

[85bj71]

iv got an 88 bighorn LWB, its 2.8TD and 5 speed. . . and its intercooled unlike the surfs and terranos. . . . I paid 2k for it, it has electric windows , manual hubs, factory spot lights etc and in my opinions is the best value for money cheap 4wd on the market, mine has done 250km, has a bigger turbo and exhaust , more fuel and 20psi boost it would out pull a 3L surf, its been very reliable only downside is oil leaks also gets 600kms to $90 diesel , the 3lt surf i used to drive would struggle to get 400km from a tank. . .

[catalystracing]

Had a friend who was in an engine re builders..not many nice things to say about the Mistrals..

You going to have to back that up because it sort of goes against the general consensus that the TD engine series is one of the most durable and trouble free diesel engine families of modern times. The TD27 in the London Taxi is known to do 500k+ MILES (three quarters of a million kms) on regular servicing.

Just passing on his experience, he would talk about issues with the liners.
Its not my trade so happy to roll with what most people have experienced.
Cheers

[will i am]

in my expereince
terrano/mistral
pros: great motor, hardly blow up unless you dont service them
good lsd,
cons: auto or manual, if you rape it, it will die
lower ball joints about once a year lol
steering problems if you lift it to high
rust under rear seats are common if its been on the coast

surf
pros: gearboxs are stronger, hold there value$$$

cons: 1kzte pop the head around 2xxxxxkms
lsds seem to not hold tight

me and a few off my m8s own terranos
we say its the poor mans surf lol

[klompy]

Not one of them is the best,they all have issues at some stage for varying reasons.Take them all for a decent test drive,see if you can get them for a weekend and buy the one you like the most.

[DieselBoy]

Out of those three, the most work horse like is hands down the Terrano with a TD27t diesel engine. Some strength issues with the steering system if running big tyres, but you don't sound like your going to be going monster truck on it.

As everyone knows, the TD27 t is identical to the big TD42, but with 2 cylinders less. The TD42 is used in buses, trucks and of course Safaris and patrols. You want a work horse engine?? Then you want the TD27 diesel.

The Mistral is also known overseas as the Terrano 2, its basically just a newer Terrano. Less work horse like in terms or trim and body shape, but most are running the TD27t still.

Surfs, meh, crap engines that crack heads just for fun, major rust issues in the doors on these as they are getting older and a weak front diff and steering. i'm not a fan

[De-Ranged]

Bang for buck you can't beat the mistral because they look and are seen more as a car they devalue harder
Bog standard you will get a 30" mud tyre under them, I've run worn 31"s under one, offroad it went surprising good I could mention that on one run I out drove a safari on bigger newer tyres.... but I woundn't mention that because we all know safari's are better
They do have a couple of issues tho
The automatic trans has a habit of dropping reverse gear and eating it, from what I've heard from clients this happens with no warning just one day you don't have reverse gear... I can't tell you if this is a user fault or a factory fault... I abused mine when I was driving it and it never failed
Next get one without a sunroof if you can... the drain for the sun roof is down the driver A piller and the end of it can block with mud then it rusts out into the drivers foot well
Also the documented rear seatbelt anchor rust issue
If you want to go offroad you will have to do something about the back bumper within a few trips you will have ripped the clips holding the plastic to the steel frame and the bumper will bounce and float loose

All that said I'd still say they are the best buy
I could tell you just as many issues with the surf so don't think they are better the only better thing with the surf is you can fit 32"s without doing anything to em and if you want a platform to build on the surf is the one

[Crash bandicoot]

Bang for buck you can't beat the mistral because they look and are seen more as a car they devalue harder
Bog standard you will get a 30" mud tyre under them, I've run worn 31"s under one, offroad it went surprising good I could mention that on one run I out drove a safari on bigger newer tyres.... but I woundn't mention that because we all know safari's are better
They do have a couple of issues tho
The automatic trans has a habit of dropping reverse gear and eating it, from what I've heard from clients this happens with no warning just one day you don't have reverse gear... I can't tell you if this is a user fault or a factory fault... I abused mine when I was driving it and it never failed
Next get one without a sunroof if you can... the drain for the sun roof is down the driver A piller and the end of it can block with mud then it rusts out into the drivers foot well
Also the documented rear seatbelt anchor rust issue
If you want to go offroad you will have to do something about the back bumper within a few trips you will have ripped the clips holding the plastic to the steel frame and the bumper will bounce and float loose

All that said I'd still say they are the best buy

I'll add to that

devalued? mines worth more then most utes of the same age....11k says the insurance company .(1998 thou)

they are no way near a car. the chassi under them is the same frame as a WD21/D21.

And any mod's you want to do to make it a good offroader are all bolt on LSD's front and rear can be sourced from other platforms gearbox's and transmission's engine's are all bolt in too, unlike the hilux.

As for sunroof's that is just maintance, like anything you dont check it it'll stop working how it should.



I could tell you just as many issues with the surf so don't think they are better the only better thing with the surf is you can fit 32"s without doing anything to em and if you want a platform to build on the surf is the one

[lax2wlg]

According to the FSM here:

http://bebrs.pie-dabas.net/Webs/Terrano/R20/

Mistral has the R180 front diff, comparable to the Toy. IFS diff but considered more robust overall (not biased, Subaru also used it in the back of the million horsepower WRX STI). Bummer is there are almost no clutch LSDs that fit the R180. Plenty of viscous LSD from Subarus etc etc but they're not good in an offroader)

Did the facelift Mistral get the R200 front diff?

You seem to get quite a lot of vehicle for your money with the Mistral.

For what the OP needs in off road capability, surely any of these 3 vehicles would be more than sufficient in standard trim.

[Crash bandicoot]

According to the FSM here:

http://bebrs.pie-dabas.net/Webs/Terrano/R20/

Mistral has the R180 front diff, comparable to the Toy. IFS diff but considered more robust overall (not biased, Subaru also used it in the back of the million horsepower WRX STI). Bummer is there are almost no clutch LSDs that fit the R180. Plenty of viscous LSD from Subarus etc etc but they're not good in an offroader)

Did the facelift Mistral get the R200 front diff?

You seem to get quite a lot of vehicle for your money with the Mistral.

For what the OP needs in off road capability, surely any of these 3 vehicles would be more than sufficient in standard trim.

yeah mines got an R200 in it 98 onwards. i suspect it was brought in with the introduction of the ETI td 27

[lax2wlg]

So it must have been the only diesel-engined WD21 to get a 8" front diff from the factory

Keeps getting better with these Mistresses

[Waddles]

smurfs are a boys 4wd i not a fan at all.
I have known a few guys that have had them and blew them up pretty quick.
old ones are gutless as hell to imho

[BlakeNZ]

Defending the Surf, the (1kz)head cracking issues can be largely postponed or avoided.(steps to take are well documented on this site)
Re:The "weak" front diff and steering(7.5" isn't all that much smaller than the 8 inch diff, is it-really?) Realistically, as a workhorse, and without big wheels, most people will not find the limits of the front diff and steering.(apart from sheer mileage).
I bought a Surf for my workhorse. I chose a 3RZ 2.7 litre petrol, very reliable. When serviced correctly,the auto trans are bulletproof, the diffs seldom give trouble. I respect any 17 year old 4wd vehicle that can "clean sheet" pass a warrant of fitness.
As an aside, having owned a number of legend nissan diesel motors(LD28s) I'm pleased the 2.7DT is carving out a similar rep.
As mentioned, Toyotas hold their value well, so if the OP is limited by budget, a nissan may be a more obvious choice. In fact, if you are buying a 17-20 year old 4wd, service history may be (highly) more important than the brand name.