ni aku dpt dr forum lain..
Ok guys, I will try to give you a quick rundown on my experience with the Navara.
1) Fuel consumption, a full tank went for 550km, but that is until the indicator lamp came on and after filling up again I had used about 65 liters of fuel. The tank has a 80 liter capacity. So I guess it will still go quite a long way before the tank is empty. Correct me if I'm wrong but does that work out to around 0.22 sen per kilometer based on the current diesel price of RM 1.90? By the way I did have my engine on idle for quite a few occasions, as I was playing around with the truck. so the consumption could have been better. This is also my first tank full since I bought the car. Lets see if the consumption will improve after the first service.
2) Handling, the truck is actually quite easy to drive, although it cannot be compared to my Xtrail which is a real pleasure to drive. Since it is a truck I really wouldn't expect it to feel like I'm driving a car or a suv. On the road, the suspension does a good job of absorbing the bumps and the occasional pot hole. The ride is not as plush as my Xtrail, but then its got leaf springs for the back suspension. I had the opportunity to drive along the old mountain road in Semenyih/Ulu langat and I was quite impressed with the road holding capabilities of the truck. Taking fast corners didn't upset the back wheels and it didn't feel as though the back was about to drift. Being quite heavy, you do feel the weight as you accelerate and the truck tries to overcome the added inertia.
3) The power and torque, SWEET!! Even for such a heavy truck, it has enormous power on tap. Overtaking is a breeze, just a little tap on the accelerator and the gear box immediately drops gears and the rpm takes off, propelling it to a high rate of speed. If not careful one can almost take the revs to the red line. I have not tried going any faster than 120 KMH ( engine still breaking in) but I suspect that the top speed is probably around 190 KMH to 200KMH. Actually saw a Navara on you tube doing more than 190 KMH...He he..
4) NOISE.... this is where I feel that Nissan could have done a better job in insulating the cabin from road and engine noise. As you accelerate the engine noise is quite loud but as the gears change up, the engine becomes quieter. Then as you speed up, noise from the wheels can be clearly heard and gets louder with speed. The whole truck also seems to vibrate a little at speed. I guess I am too use to the quiet environment of my Xtrial that I find it hard to get used to all the noise. Installing a cargo lid also didn't help matters as the whole lid vibrates like a drum and the sound does impede into the cabin. So with all that cacophony going on, I am compelled to turn up the sound system just to drown out the noise. I do plan to bring the car in for some major sound proofing. I think a good treatment of Dynamat is in order!
So to date, do I LIKE THE TRUCK? YES!! Apart from the noise, its a great truck to have. I plan to use it for recreational purposes, going for long trips into Thailand, camping and also as a means to transport my mountain bikes etc etc.....
