My CommonRail TDI 4WD Navara arrived today...

[mauricio_28]

At last my 2008 Nissan Navara with the sweet YD25DDTi engine arrived this afternoon after a 10-week wait. My initial impressions:

* this is not a small vehicle. It looks imposing next to SUVs such the Honda CR-V.
* once you're going, stepping on the gas at around 2,000rpm propels the beast quite lively.
* those diesel engines run hot. An hour after turning the car off, the hood still feels hot.
* those new diesel engines are quiet. Long gone is the loud diesel clank-clank.
* those diesel engines are torquey down low. starting off idle in 3rd. gear is easily achieved.
* better interior finish and materials than expected.
* the rig is built in Thailand. Expect Thai output to hit German, French and Portuguese speaking markets as the instruction manual and other printed materials are in those languages, in addition to English of course.

More later, including pix.

 

[mountainpete]

Congratulations!

Looking foward to seeing pics!

 

[ChuckB]

Congrats!

I'm sure I'm not the only one that wishes we could purchase those here.

 

[mauricio_28]

Thanks. A few more observations:

* those new diesel engines are smooth. Gone are the old diesel shuddering and vibration.
* the rear shock coupled with the rear leaf springs really dampens the tail. Greatly diminished is the over-enthusiastic posterior end.
* the stick-shift is like butter. Too smooth, in fact. This is a truck so I want more feedback when engaging the gear.

 

[mcm4090]

Congrats on the new ride. Can we see some pic's?

 

[mauricio_28]

Will try to borrow a camera to get some pix. For reference with other markets, here in Indonesia the D40-platform Navara is a new offering. I have only seen two others in Jakarta. They were altogether unavailable before the Thailand plant come on-line. Supply is tight. There is no haggling at the dealer since they have to ordered, ergo the 10-week wait, plus my order of one unit takes second seat to oil and mining companies' orders. An oil company just picked up 18 units. Options are extremely limited also. Henry Ford would be proud as the only choices are manual/automatic and silver silver/black body color. The Thailand plant is only set up so far for Crew Cab so that is the only option. Also, the Thailand plant only deals with the YD25DDTi engine so only that engine is available. No 2WD, NISMO, or bed-liner is available. Basically when I ordered, I said "I want a black, manual Navara" and that was that. Standard features includes leather, active rear-view mirror, leather, abs and ls-differential. The on-the-road price (all taxes, and DMV costs included) is about US$30.5

The competition? The Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger are sold here, but neither have the engine to match the Navara. Toyota's only offering is the single-cabin, 2WD Hilux, or a 4WD Fortuner avail. only with a/t and a weak-diesel engine. The final nail in the coffin is that that Fortuner sells for about US$5k more than the Navara.

 

[4Rescue]

Sounds great. Yet another sweet truck we don't get in NA...

Cheers

Dave

 

[JayP]

Sounds like a sweet ride. I wish we had a diesel version over here.

 

[mauricio_28]

The Navara, I believe, is identical to the Frontier except for the YD25DDTi engine. I just filled up the tank for about US$1.78 per gallon. I'm lucky to live, according to The Economist, in the country with the cheapest fuel (heavy government subsidies) in Asia.

 

[mauricio_28]

Some updates:
* the shift stick has stiffened up a bit.
* the product manual advises against the use of bio diesel. After inquiring with Nissan, I've now filled up with biodiesel without a problem. It seems there are biodiesels and biodiesels. The stuff here is 95% regular diesel.
* some people have complained about the engine's narrow power band. Sure, it ain't a high-revving Wankel gas engine, but the the useable range is betwen 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. Due to the low-end torque, I usually don't rev beyond 2,500 rpm during leisurely driving, but the engine will gladly take you to 4,000. Beyond that you can keep going to 5,000rpm, but it's diminishing returns. I suspect the perception of a narrow power band has more to do with the gearing rather than the engine.

 

[BiG BoB]

These really are a nice vehicle I've got one to get to and from work each morning, as well as trips to and from Darwin when I go home on break.

It doesnt have a whole heap of ground clearance, but it has enough for my needs. The interior is good, and the front seats are a lot better than those in the current hilux (imho).

On the highway it sits happily at 130kph (80mph), but the fuel consumption sufferes over 100kph (60mph). Whilst overtakeing road trains (4 large semi trailers behind a prime mover) its happy to rocket away from 130 to much higher speeds, but I don't want to incriminate myself

Sean

 

[mauricio_28]

These really are a nice vehicle I've got one to get to and from work each morning, as well as trips to and from Darwin when I go home on break.

It doesnt have a whole heap of ground clearance, but it has enough for my needs. The interior is good, and the front seats are a lot better than those in the current hilux (imho).

On the highway it sits happily at 130kph (80mph), but the fuel consumption sufferes over 100kph (60mph). Whilst overtakeing road trains (4 large semi trailers behind a prime mover) its happy to rocket away from 130 to much higher speeds, but I don't want to incriminate myself

Sean

The Indonesian market for Navaras what it is, new and a seller's market, I actually didn't see or drive the rig before putting in an order. There are none sitting in the showrooms. So I was pleasantly surprised by the interior finish. Better that I expected, and better than the pictures that I've seen of the Frontier.

In 6th gear, it sits at 1,500 rpm at 70kmh. There are no roads here in Indonesia where you can "sit" or cruise at 130kph/80mph. My/the cruising speed on the toll roads here is about 100kph.

I've placed an order for Pirelli Scorpions ATR LT265/75. That's probably as big a tire as it will accept in stock form.

 

[BiG BoB]

Mines just got whatever it came with, and being a company runaround car I've never bothered to check what tires they are!

I can tell you however that it is far more capable in the mud than most of the other vehicles here (78 and 100 Series Cruisers, current Tritons, Canters, Oshkosh 8x8 and 10x10's, MAN 8x8's, Mercedes 8x8's).

I was pretty lucky to get this vehicle, previously I had a 1987 troopy to run around in, but it was getting expensive and unreliable. Over christmas the boss sold it and went shopping for a replacement, but waiting lists being what they were I got his luxury spec Navara to cruise around in at work, and he had to order another new one for himself!!

Sean

 

[mauricio_28]

My old company car was a basic 4WD TDI Mitsu Pajero. It was light and nimble, and pretty much devoid of bells and whistles. Too bad you can't get a car like that any more.

Regarding clearance, the stock Navara's lowest point is the rear diff which sits 22cm high. Swapping to the Pirelli Scorpions added another two cm. I am pretty certain I don't wanna ante up $2k for a lift kit.

I've only seen one other Navara. There are no Pathfinders, Patrols, etc. here.

 

[ExpoScout]

i wish we could get some of the cool diesels that everywhere BUT the usa gets....its a shame really

ive got two international scouts...which have nissan diesel engines in them actually, and they are great

id love to have a tdi pajero as well...i love those vehicles