Nissan Patrol 3.0 vs 4.2 ???

BWFG, I inverted your fuel numbers to convert to L/100km and your 8.5 k/l is 11.8 L/100km.
There are several vehicles delivering that or better economy: Pajero DiD, Discovery TD5 and Audi Allroad 2.5 biturbo (7.5 hwy). Sadly the Audi is more than $90,000. The Pajero delivers very similar performance at a more affordable price (less than the Datsun 3.0 or 4.2)

I would kill for 11.8L/100Km...currently getting aroung 18-19L/100Km in my 4.2L GQ Patrol!

Grazza

Jackaroo 3.0L T/D - 11.5L/100km - city driving

New 100 Series LC auto turbo diesel with under 3,000 km on clock:10.5l/100km Brisbane-Sydney-Brisbane with two people and some luggage. Mal Try

Brian, It was out of my price range as well. I beat them down to $64,600 which was still out of my price range, but you only live once and OH! It's a great feeling! (being in debt ,that is) . The auto is great in the sand and the blacktop with cruise control. I drive a 3l Patrol auto at work and find it a great vehicle as well . I had it on Moreton Island ( yes, I have to go to places like Moreton Island for work) yesterday and it performed very well as you would expect. It has very different torque characteristics as the torque comes in much earlier than the LC but then flattens very quickly. All in all,I'm glad I bought the LC. I think it is worth the extra. Mal Try.

BWFG
I can shed some light on your question. I own a 4.2 turbo GU (manual) and my brother has the 3.0ltr GU (auto). Both great vehicles !! Lots of off roading together in a variety of terrain. Most noticable is the torque band - waste of time going much higher than 2500rpm in the 4.2, heaps of low down torque, turbo lag is almost non existent. the 3lt is a much freer reving motor and will VERY quickly spin out to 4500rpm, very noticable turbo lag but once it cuts in at about 2000rpm it flies. In terms of fuel consumption, with the exception of heavy sand driving eg Carpenters Rocks to Robe the 4.2 uses less fuel (obviously the auto trans comes into play here).
Even on bitumen the 4.2 uses less fuel.
At the risk of being shot down by 3ltr owners I'd have to say the hi-tech motor would be far more highly stressed than the prehistoric 4.2 and this brings engine longevity into the question.
Oil change intervals- 10000k for 3.0, 5000 for the 4.2. Similar volumes (3.0ltr had a recall and increased the sump capacity), identical fuel filters, identical air filters but 4.2 has two spin on filters @ cost of around $70 !! (nissan) or $26 non genuine, single oil filter replacement cartridge for 3.0ltr, in summary,4.2 more expensive to service but only time will tell.
If you are not going to do much towing, an extra $7000 for the 4.2 needs a lot of justifying but being familiar with the two, I feel I made the right decision for my purposes.

I reckon a near new car is always better value than a new. Warranties don't seem to be worth much these days (from any car company), so why pay the extra. Anyway any faults should have already been fixed under warranty by the time it's offered for sale.

Of course you've just got to make sure you avoid an abused vehicle. As I'm not real mechanically minded I avoided the auctions and got a broker to do the hard work. I got a 1995 GQ in 1998 for $4000 less than the local dealers were selling them for. If your in Queensland try North Coast Auto Brokers (Sunshine Coast). I'm up the pointy end and they shipped the car up to me.