Good thread! It's pretty hard to set aside the $$ cost of owning and running a 4WD as a factor in what vehicle we own. IF money was no object, I'd be like the arabs and running a petrol V8 Patrol or Cruiser or AMG Merc etc etc.
Reality for us was that we had $15k to spend 4 years ago when we wanted to get our first 4WD and go further afield with our camping. So that meant a 90 series prado/NM Pajero/ early GU Patrol etc. I was close to getting a Prado, but found it was a bit cramped inside and the mileage was very high on the ones I was looking at. We could only afford petrol engined ones too and I thought they were gutless to drive. I love the look of the Patrol, but was scared off by the hand grenade thing. I drove a couple and thought they were pretty much a truck too. With the Pajero, we could afford a diesel and I really liked the way it drove and it's very roomy. A big factor for us was getting a diesel, so we wouldn't be scared off driving it long distances and using it as a runabout.
In a year or two we will look at upgrading and will want to spend <$40k I reckon on something < 5yrs old. I don't want to spend $60k+ on a new vehicle at this point, unless I win lotto! I'll give a NT Pajero a look and a 150 Series Prado. To be honest I don't think I'd consider a 100 Series as they're just too old now comparatively speaking and a 200 Series would be massive overkill for us. If Nissan puts a new engine in the Patrol, I'd think about it. We're used to driving a 4WD now, so the Patrol mightn't seem so bad now. At the other end of the spectrum, a Challenger/Everest/Fortuner type vehicle might be worth a look too. Should be able to get into one of them at a much lower price point.
But yeah, I'm not brand loyal. I'd consider anything that fitted the bill for us.
