Finally, "The Rumor" confirmed...

[npca-riverpatrol]

Thank you Nismo and Fud for the Consumer Report.   It's good to know that they are still built tough, not like the everyday SUV's. I would definitely be interested. I've had my share of the 'luxury' SUVs: 4 Pathfinders ('87. '90, '94 and '98 - the first 2 weren't so luxury), a '97 TLC and a '99 Lexus LX470. Yes, they're nice for carrying a lot of cargo on a long trip, or even going to the grocery store. The TLC and Lexus have gone up the 1 mile, dirt, steep, twisty, ice-slicked road to the cabin in PA in the dead of winter (the '97 Defender got stuck). The Pathfinders racked up as much as 200k miles with little repairs. All reliable vehicles, to their intended extent. The Pathfinders got me places I didn't think they'd go, but also got stuck where I wouldn't have expected.   I know what you mean about the US market. They want the SUVs that ride nice and have the TV in the console and the GPS in the dash and the cell phone built-in. The furthest off-road they ever see is into the driveway. I personally have no use for most of that. Since I do frequent the Mojave Desert, A/C is a must - but only when the temp is over 95 degrees. But, I'm probably not one that the marketing people would want to use for there surveys, though. I HAD to have a Pathfinder the first year they came out - when they were a 2-door - because it was as close as I could get to a Patrol (which I had admired for years) while not being able to afford a TLC, or switching manufacturers. It took a few years after that for the monicker 'SUV' to come out, let alone the vehicles to become popular. Guess I was a pioneer.   Sorry, never have been into diesels, so that would not be a selling point. But, I think it would be totally cool to see the Patrol re-introduces here. Hopefully, like you say, maybe the right someones will start to consider it.   Sorry to hear that parts are hard to come by in other countries, too. You'd think if the model was still being sold that they would be more available. I know in talking to people this last weekend that even current model parts are hard to come by. One parts manager told me that the 'most popular Nissan air filter' is on backorder, as well as brake shoues for the Titan and Armada. Tends to make you wonder how well Renault is runnin the show.    

[npca-4x4xjonx4x4]

Due to high gas prices over here, a turbo diesel Patrol would sell really good, I think. Jeep Grand Cherokees have solid front axles, and theyre fairly capable. That solid axle makes them ride a bit rough, but if people are able to live with Jeeps, I think they would be able to put up with a Patrol's rough ride. Especially for the gas mileage!People still 4-wheel. Its just that the population of the world is growing, and yuppy pavement pounders are outnumbering us.Think back to the 60's and 70's. The golden age of 4x4's. People were discovering 4-wheeling. Maybe it might happen again?Posers would probably buy up Patrols cause they can be lifted cheaply with coil spacers.I think Patrols have a market over here honestly.; ; ; ; ; ; ; Talk to ya later, Jon ; ; Personal Info:You ain't havin' fun 'til you've yelled, "YEEE HAWW!!"MyWebsiteAF4CYIM: Jonx4x4MSN: big_bad_jon32586@msn.comAIM: Jonx4x4V8S10.org: Sic OnesS104x4: Sic OnesN4W: Jonx4x4RMP&O: Jonx4x4ORW: Jonx4x4 Make the most of your family vacation with tips from the MSN Family Travel Guide!

[npca-riverpatrol]

This was emailed, but probably meant for posting here:   It's Funny that you mention the GU Patrol in comparison with a G60.  Nissan in Australia, unlike other countries, has always had a market for the patrol. Given that Toyota has market saturation with the LandCruiser, Nissan and Land Rover have always been playing 'catch-up' in sales since about 1979.   HOWEVER...   wait for it... Most of the Australian public who buy these vehicles are not indeed the owners, they are lease vehicles from mining companies, and other large organisations, govt. vehicles and private 'tossers' who think having a 4wd in the driveway and driving it on highways for it's life means they are 4wd enthusiasts.   Amongst these groups the large companies have favoured toyotas, because of the price discounts toyota employ to win market saturation. Most people still think the 100 series LandCruiser is king of the road. Sure, it's capable, but it's IFS, and for serious enthusiasts, this just won't do. Enter the Patrol.   Beam Front axle, coil springs, massive articulation, compliant suspension and the most powerful engines in their classes, the patrol has won many more hearts here in Oz. Even the Magazine Scribes can't fault the ruggedness, and have reported several incidents where a landcruiser has failed and the patrol marches on.   The Patrol's 4.8 litre petrol six cylinder engine punches out a massive 185KW with enough torque to make a Caterpillar D-10 notice. the 4.2l Turbo Diesel isn't quite the 185KW but the torque breaks front bumpers off landcruiser troop carriers without any problem. I've seen it first hand.   I've not met anyone who owns a landcruiser, who is able to put their money where their mouth is in a patrol vs cruiser test. Again several magazines say the only thing the cruiser is better at than the patrol, is bitumen freeway driving (IFS and Soggy passenger car suspension specifically developed for the soft-roader market, by toyota to compete with the BMW X5, Mercedes Benz ML320 etc.) every other definable task puts the patrol very objectively in front. If you're going off-road in australia, the money is on the patrol. it's bulletproof, and the testament is that most outback tourguides, use patrols, not landcruisers.   If it weren't for the government fleet contracts, nissan would have a handy margin over toyota in the market niche. the only thing that is preventing this is pricing policies, and the fact that toyota already has market saturation and a good product.   it's all much of a muchness. brand loyalty is like racial discrimination. you can either believe it or deny it exists. for those of us in denial however, a comparison with each wouldn't really give a definite answer on which to buy.   but because I'm biased, because I love the extreme ruggedness and bulletproof reliability thats built in to every patrol, because I know it won't let me down without giving fair warning, I'll buy a Patrol over a LandCruiser any day of the week.   And all those wannabe patrol owners out there who are driving landcruisers... nothing gives me more sadistic pleasure than snatching a cruiser out of a hole that my patrol just drove through. And all I say is... Should have bought a patrol mate...   )

[npca-nismo]

npca-riverpatrol.   I told you about the diesel Engine because with the high prices of gas, down here in Paraguay is the way to go but I heard that the 4.8 gas engine is a powermill.... with tons of torque in the low end, where it should be for off road, but thirsty for gas. I agree with the point, If the Jeeps can make it in the US market, so the Patrols. Hopefully if they choose to import them to the US Market they´ll keep it the way it is now, not messing up the engine and suspension in orther  to make it more EPA and highway friendly. Just so you know.... I drove a 97 pathfinder through mud and dirt as a support team in a Safari style rally and it was great.... the V6 gas engine had lots of torque and I was amazed at the way it handled with modified shocks (koni), never got stuck with mud tyres.It changed my view of that truck, since I thought that since it was a US version it was tanned for the highway use, but I was wrong, it is every bit of a truck..... almost as good as a PAtrol (sorry I just can help it..... too much of a Patrol fun) Hopefully youll be able to enjoy the new Patrols over there soon!!!!

[npca-abuelo442]

I still don't buy the rumor. I've own a 65 Patrol since 1967 and followed closely the Nissan development over the years. Let me point out a fact about Nissan and Toyota market share in the US: 1980 is the first year that Toyota matched the number of Nissan units sold in America, and from there continued assending as we all know. Previous to that year, there was Nissan dominance of the market, so by 69, I just doubt that they would have made such an agreement with Toyota.   Esteban

[npca-riverpatrol]

Esteban - you have owned a Patrol since 1967? Have you always and do you still use it regularly? If so, that is hard to fathom here in the states. Quite an interesting concept.   Someone here might buy a car a drive it for a few years and then park it until it rots, but all it is then is junk, but that's about the only way they would hang on to one for over 10 years. My own personal average is about 4 years - the time it takes to pay it off. By then it's got 100K to 200K miles on it and it's worn out and heading towards some major repairs.

[npca-patrolster]

I bought my first Patrol in 1977. The guy I bought it from was the origional owner. He told me about the Nissan/Toyota deal at that time and I had always taken it for fact, well at least until Ian told me it was a rumor. All I know is the guy I bought my first patrol from was told the "rumor" from the dealer in 1967.

[npca-abuelo442]

npca-riverpatrol:   In fact, I've owned the same Patrol since 67, although until 72 was officially my father's. I learned to drive in it. In 1978 I travelled to the States with an scholarship for 2 years, and I left the car in Ecuador (where I'm originally from). Except for 6 months during 1990, I've driven the car every week. In April I decided to move to the States again with a job proposal, and thanks to the expert advise of Fud, I was able to bring my Patrol with me all the way from Ecuador, and is now running in the streets of Virginia with "Antique" tags on it. I will send you some pictures or post them in the web. I still has to change my status to the USA Patrol Registry. This is a long story, and some people there and here think I'm nuts for doing all these. Probably it's true.