this is an offshoot of a discussion on the fortuner test drive tread

due to the long line for the fortuner, napaisip tuloy ako.

which is a better buy: the 2001 nissan patrol 4x2 3.0L a/t GU or the 2005 toyota fortuner 2.7L vvt-i?

here is my quick sum up of the two

1. interiors. its almost even with a slight edge to the nissan patrol. the advantage of the fortuner is the ample legroom and front facing third row seats while the nissan has leather seats, power assisted front seat adjustments. both have climate control but i find the rear aircon vents of the nissan better

2. exterior. advantage here is to the fortuner but the nissan does not look that dated.

3. mileage. this is where a lot of opinions i got varies. some say the nissan can only do between 6 to 7 km/l. others say it can go 9 to 10 km/l city driving. as for the fortuner, some say it can only do 5 km/l but other feedbacks (from thailand) indicate that this between 8-9km/l. assuming that fuel mileage for both are equal, then advantage goes to the patrol owing to the lower cost of diesel

4. maintenance and engine. i have no feedback on this except that maintenance for diesel engines is more expensive. as for the engine, both are the latest for the two brands. i assume that the ZD engine in the nissan is their latest while the vvt-i is the latest for toyota

5. resale value. this came as a surprise. it was dead even with a slight advantage to the fortuner only. i asked two friends in the used car business and the resal value of a 2001 patrol and a 2005 fortuner three years down the line or in 2008 is dead even with a slight 50T advantage for the fortuner. this came as a surprise for me

6. others. the patrol will cost less than the fortuner which frees up a lot of money for new stereo, speakers, woofers, concept one rims and even initial repairs and maintenance (new fuel and air filters). as for the fortuner, well since it is under warranty, you cannot do anything with it unless toyota does it for you

so, which is the better buy? what do you think?