What to Buy? GQ or GU

[WESTOZAL]

Hi everyone,
My wife and I are approaching 50 years and want to buy a Nissan Patrol to tow a off road camper we intend to buy soon.

My query is which vehicle to get.....we are on a limited budget of about up to 15k. given time we will add bits n pieces etc as we go ie suspension,better tyres etc

The Nissan we buy will not be a daily use vehicle, more for weekends away and occasional longer trip.

Because it may sit around for week or two a time we were considering purchasing Petrol models and putting up with a more expensive fuel cost. I have read that diesels dont like to sit around to much.

Given that is how I am thinking would a 1992 on GQ 4.2 ST man or a 1998 on GU ST 4.5 man be a better proposition?
I know a GU would cost more as its newer but does that translate to better?
I am not against diesel either but from what I have read we dont want 2.8 or early 3 ltrs which leaves 4.2 models.

Oh just coz i'm now older I still want the car to go well....Dont like to be left behind and we will want to go 4wding from mild to maybe just short of wild......

Anyway you guys are the experts so over to you for your thoughts.

Thanks very much.
AL and Sue.

[nowoolies]

a G U by far hahahahah

thou some might dare disagree hahahahahahahahaha

[Clunk]

For 15s you can get a great lowish mileage GQ petrol or diesel amd still have plenty left in the kitty for mods and upgrades. Or 15k will get ya a slightly more comfortable high mileage GU in petrol, doubtful if you'd get a 4.2 diesel GU for that though.... And have less money to spend on extra goodies.

If it was me I'd go the GQ but I have one so I'm biased lol

[Silver]

I have an 89 Mav, and it is getting a bit long in the tooth - windscreen rubbers are shrinking, beginnings of rust etc. The early 90s models are probably healthier. Of course the early ones are pretty cheap now, so taking them to the beach, or down a skinny track is not such an issue.

There are some posts on here about fuel economy in the 4.5 litre petrol. It seems to be not much better than the 4.2 petrol, and there also does not seem to be much difference between the injected and carby 4.2 in consumption - but happy to be proved wrong. 18 litres/100 ks around town with carbie 4.2 manual, and a roof rack on is what I get - and that is not particularly gentle driving. That can be a bit breathtaking when paying $1-50 a litre - and that's only going to trend up.

Some bits are stronger on the GU, eg cv joints - well, they are bigger, anyway........... And a mate who has both says that the GU is more comfortable. I've driven his and did not notice, except that he had a beautiful aftermarket seat in his GU due to a very crook back.

Nice choice to have :-) Good luck with it!

[ozzyboy]

Hey mate. Recently, I have noticed a few people offloading their gu and upgrading to a gq.
For 15k, I would by a solid gq 4.2td. Very solid rig and still have a couple pennies to do as you wish with.

Ozz

[Maxhead]

Mate, you'll get very mixed responses here. I would suggest you take some fore a drive and see the difference in the ride. Personally I would go with the 4.5 GU and enjoy the creature comforts but as I said you'll be the judge of that. Both are good vehicles mate so it's more of a personal choice. Go the GU :)

[MQ MAD]

It doesnt matter what you buy , dont be alarmed by a diesel sitting around for a period, the fuel we have nowadays you cant let a petrol sit around for long periods either
Any fuel sitting around here for say a month goes in the mower
The petrol will use about double that of the diesel , even goin to turbo diesel and on it all the time the petrol will still be dearer
The petrols do go , but they love the juice,then add on towing wind resistance of a van and consumption goes from k/l to l/k
15k budget , start looking the GQ seem to have a massive demand base and this reflects on resale
Whats better for you only you can tell , go take a few for a drive,unfortunately many sellers wont let you hook up a van and go for a drive and thats really what you need to make a decision

[Bigrig]

I'd be going diesel if you're towing a van - and that's from a petrol GQ owner. Mine has had major work done to it, but really didn't need it if only for touring - I picked it up stock, clean, no rust, and as a Ti (leather seats, auto, electric everything etc for $7500 as per below:

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/03/8.jpg

And it was a great buy and had all the comfort and capability one could want. Averaged just over 15 litres per hundred on the old setup, but add about 6-7 lph when towing a fully laden off road camper trailer (1.8 tonne). This is where the diesel comes into its own - not going to set trees on fire as you pass them, but it's just as comfy and capable, but probably close to 8-9 lph better economy.

For the money, do as Mad said and test drive to see what suits you - comfort is dependant on the person (how big you are/aren't, injuries, etc) and is very specific.

As said, I have spent a heap on mine, and it's more an offload warrior now, but still comfy for long distance - turbo on the engine made it breath fire and my fuel consumption is actually better with more power. If I had my time again though, I'd go the TD42 (preferably with turbo, but easy and cost effective enough to do aftermarket) - tough as teak, don't have to watch paint dry whilst getting to speed, and will deal with tow load like its not there.

Best of luck with it mate!!!

[growler2058]

Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q yep i got a Q. Picked her up for 3k td42 high mileage have spent about 6k on mods still going strong!!!!!!!!!!!

[WESTOZAL]

Hi,
Thankyou everyone for the advice given......will ponder and re read replies before making a choice.
Cheers AL

[AB]

For 15k mate and not used as a daily driver I would personally get a super reliable TD42 GQ with low km's for around 10k.

I would then spend 5k on suspension, tyres, comfy seats, GPS and still have small change for extra things.

The GU is far more comfy but for 15k you could get a well looked after GQ with the 4.2 diesel and add some creature comforts mate.

[Bigrig]

Don't know if it's just me, but the GU 'feels' like a larger bus when at the wheel ... I had two of them, but with the panel work, they just feel bigger ... a bit disconcerting for some - especially ladies in car parks at the local shops ....

[MQ MAD]

One major thing to really consider
If you have to go auto,for whatever the reason your engine choice is very limited

[MudRunnerTD]

Don't know if it's just me, but the GU 'feels' like a larger bus when at the wheel ... I had two of them, but with the panel work, they just feel bigger ... a bit disconcerting for some - especially ladies in car parks at the local shops ....

Hey Scottie i have a GUIV as my Daily and the GQ for Fun in the tough stuff. Getting out of the GU into the GQ is like getting out of a Statesman into a Corolla. The GU is way way bigger inside and out. I should measure the width of the inside of the cab but i would not be surprised if there was an extra 200mm to 300mm in the GU.

When i get in the GQ i feel like i'm in a Zook after spending my days in the GU. Very weird.

In terms of the budget of the OP, I reckon i'm with AB on this one. I am lucky enough to have one of each and the GU is my tourer. For $15k your going to get a bottom end GU that either has a heap of ks on a 4.5L or a 2.8TD (think about the 2.8 if your going there) or go the best TD42 GQ you can find with the lowest ks, spend the cash and set it up how you want it. It will serve you well, hold its value, they have stopped depreciating and are now appreciating for a good one. And will Never let you down.

Good luck mate.

[04OFF]

Some very good points, as Mudrunner suggests, i feel a bit cramped getting out of a GU into a GQ, i looked at drove and wanted to buy a GQ, but after driving a GU, i had to have one, the difference is quite substantial.


Realisticly, I think most people that go from a GU back to a GQ, do so mostly because they are cheaper not better, some then want to fit some of the GUs stronger bits anyway, but either way you can't go wrong as your getting a Patrol, but drive a Q then a U, if you are then still happy to drive a Q, i recon thats the best/cheapest option :biggrin:

[hekarewe]

Hey Scottie i have a GUIV as my Daily and the GQ for Fun in the tough stuff. Getting out of the GU into the GQ is like getting out of a Statesman into a Corolla. The GU is way way bigger inside and out. I should measure the width of the inside of the cab but i would not be surprised if there was an extra 200mm to 300mm in the GU.

When i get in the GQ i feel like i'm in a Zook after spending my days in the GU. Very weird.

In terms of the budget of the OP, I reckon i'm with AB on this one. I am lucky enough to have one of each and the GU is my tourer. For $15k your going to get a bottom end GU that either has a heap of ks on a 4.5L or a 2.8TD (think about the 2.8 if your going there) or go the best TD42 GQ you can find with the lowest ks, spend the cash and set it up how you want it. It will serve you well, hold its value, they have stopped depreciating and are now appreciating for a good one. And will Never let you down.

Good luck mate.

have to agree with you muddy the other day i jumped into the passanger side of murries gq and couldnt move the gu is huge on the inside compared to the gq and that will make it much more comfy for touring 3.0lt is fine from late 03 onwards mine is a GUIII late 03 build and is bullet proof no issues at all mind you it was very low milage when i brought it. very lucky find for the milage and condition had been maintained maticulusly by her one and only owner before me.

if you do buy a 3.0lt the first thing i would recomend is to block EGR valve ASAP this lessen the chance of it cracking pistons 3 & 4. i use mine for everything daily driver towing my off road camper and 4wding good solid hard worker.

[Thirsty]

I picked up my TI GU 4500 for $10 000. Straight petrol/no gas. So far I have spent $5500 on it and i now have a very capable tourer. Although I still have about 10k to go.LOL. There are reasonably priced GU's and GQ's out there at the moment, which ever way you may go. The main thing is your buying a patrol. They all have there + & -. good luck
Cheers

[Boofa]

gu i just bought one very happy with it

[WESTOZAL]

Hello everyone,

Thankyou for your replies.
I think we are leaning to the GU model as her indoors would like the comfort factor.....ok me too!! I think a manual 4.5 st will be what i will settle on despite petrol prices skyrocketing.
Also GU still a current shape.........
Thats how I feel today anyway.
Thankyou again.
AL and Sue.

[Rosco]

I picked up a GQ ST carbie duel fuel with 265K on the clock about 7 years ago for $5500. Changed the seats and are happy with the comfort now. Couldn't drive it with the standard seats.
It already had a front high mount winch bar with side rails and steps, lift kit, tinted windows, central locking, electric windows.

[teleman]

GU. my 3L has never missed a beat. They just need a caring owner. With a couple of mods the 4.5 petrol will tow anything and is a great engine. But on the other hand a diesel will almost all ways tow better. Mine tows like a Boss.

[belzi82]

I have a 3L GU and loving it. As the others have said with the right mods it goes like a dream!

[cookpa]

MY GQ has cost me $10,000 in total after a purchase price of $8,500 its a 2.8td i have worked for nissan spares for years now i was there for the release of the GU ,90% of my customers who own a petrol complain about how much fuel they use the othe 10% are on gas and complaining about lack of gas in the bush the 3.0 ltr zd 30 owners from 2000 to 2005 complain about motors collapsing and fuel inj pumps collapsing each costing $5,000 to $10,000 to fix the 4.2 diesel owners are basically happy but thye complain about service price and the price of diesel .? 2.8td ownesr complain that the timing belt got replaced and the crankshaft key way was not put in correctly and cost $3,000 to fix but this is rare and usually caused by a mechanic being a little forgetful or trying to keep the cost down and the job cant slow him down so he skips a part or two but as i say this is rare !i have been at the Nissan dealers for 12 years now and i studied the form and spoke to the owners ,saw the repair bills and service prices took note of what parts where needed by all of the above thats how i ended up with a 2.8td and i get 11 per 100kms with the air con on and 5 of us in the car its not slow only in 1st but since it goes off road i think thats what i want !

[bar1135]

Just remember "Real trucks don't have spark plugs"

[waz65]

Go the GU if you want more refined creature comforts , both the GQ & GU will handle towing no problems , personally I would get a turbo diesel GQ if using for mild to wild playing

[Kimberley Mob]

I think the Q's are awesome, but personally I like putting my lard arse in my nice comfy GU
I have a 2003 3lt grenade diesel
Done 271,000km, tow laps around Oz towing a large Van, been to most fishing spots in the country
Now relegated to weekend toy so it's either got the hubs in playing in my wonderful backyard that is the Kimberley, towing an offroad trailer full of dirt bikes or towing the Camprite to fun spots
As it's the weekend fun car it stays continously loaded with all the recovery/camping gear and would hate to put this thing near a weighbridge, dare say they would groan as the bathroom scales do when I walk in the room!!!
Never missed a bit and goes like a shower of s**t
Didn't get the NADS done until 220,000km