SUV: X-Trail or Harrier?

[Bismarck]

Though in general Toyota cars are reliable, I wouldn't say ALL the Toyota models are more reliable than or ALL the models of other makes are less reliable. It really depends what type of car you are looking at.

 

For example, my father in law previously drove a Nissan pick up. He drove for 20 years (COE renewed once) and it has never give him any problem at all. So it cannot be just because x-trail is not reliable, therefore ALL the models of Nissan are not reliable.

[Axela72]

You still dont get it. Choosing an AD over PI has nothing to do with cost. If u dont manage to get the car u are buying for from the PI, what is the point to talk about on the substaining portion? There are cases like PI run aways with buyer deposit. PI close shop, PI does not give u the correct model that u are paying etc.

 

That is the 0.00001% risk that i couldnt afford to lost

 

And let said i based on hearsay from a trusted PI as recommend here, the PI may not have the model i want and need to indent which may take mth and PI cant test drive car....,

 

Then ask yourself if one can guarantee the AD is 100% better than PI? No one can guarantee la. Try buy a WW, BMW and BENZ from the AD and you come and tell me if they are good before and after services. Ask yourself if your car need a 6K repair cost from AD, will you go hunting around for someone who can services it at lower cost. I believe the answer is clear, I would and I believe everyone will unless you got too much money and do not know where to spend them. Agreed?

Edited October 16, 2015 by Axela72

[slowloris25]

Though in general Toyota cars are reliable, I wouldn't say ALL the Toyota models are more reliable than or ALL the models of other makes are less reliable. It really depends what type of car you are looking at.

 

For example, my father in law previously drove a Nissan pick up. He drove for 20 years (COE renewed once) and it has never give him any problem at all. So it cannot be just because x-trail is not reliable, therefore ALL the models of Nissan are not reliable.

 

Well said! Every brand has its pros and cons. We shouldn't just come to a conclusion just becos of some bad experiences in the past. :)

[Char]

Now the prices for both car are widen ....

 

X-Trail $132800 ( 5 years warranty and 7 times servicing )

OMV $22000 min paft $11400 , depreciate yearly 12k .

 

 

Harrier Elrgance Roof $1418000 ( consider no warranty )

OMV $26000 min paft $11700 , depreciate 13k .

 

Might change my mind to X-Trail if the prices of Harrier remain high despite cheaper COE .

X-trail now even cheaper $129,000 .

Harrier Elegance still $141,800 / Premium $149,800 .

In-term of specs X-Trail can match Harrier Premium .

[Djcoolmax]

Not all. But certain parts are shared between models. 

 

And this is not unique to Toyota.

 

e.g VW has alot of parts shared with it's own brands... 

 

Nissan with Renault.

[Chrispie]

X-trail now even cheaper $129,000 .

Harrier Elegance still $141,800 / Premium $149,800 .

In-term of specs X-Trail can match Harrier Premium .

 

 

I booked the Xtrail over the Harrier over the weekend simply because of what you stated. I can get everything plus more on the XT than even if i had chosen the premium. I dont mind getting the premium.. but i can imagine I will feel 'shortchanged' for sure. 

 

I can also say for sure that Harrier will gives better fuel economy.. but i guess i dont drive much.. and i am already 15k ahead by choosing Xtrail. That is prob 5 years of petrol for me. (i clock only about 700km a month)

 

Looks wise, interior wise.. Harrier wins lah... that one cfm.

 

As for AD vs PI... you get black sheeps anywhere. As for parts, as long as you bother to do some homework, parts can be obtained at very good prices. People say Alfa parts are damn expensive, yes it is if you get it locally, and if you totally hands off, letting the workshop or agents to source it for you. The costs simply adds on due to the number of hands it pass through. So when I buy my parts from UK or italy direct, they can be dirt cheap even with shipping or GST factored in. This idea can be applied to any other cars too. And of course, having a trusted workshop makes a HUGE difference.

 

Once we buy something, it is very tempting to get emotional and defend your decision.. same thing for me.. I would love to think XT is the right choice.. but frankly, no matter what I choose, both cars wont really give me much excitement. It will just be a mode of transport, and thus... i chose the pragmatic path.

[MQX87511]

I booked the Xtrail over the Harrier over the weekend simply because of what you stated. I can get everything plus more on the XT than even if i had chosen the premium. I dont mind getting the premium.. but i can imagine I will feel 'shortchanged' for sure. 

 

I can also say for sure that Harrier will gives better fuel economy.. but i guess i dont drive much.. and i am already 15k ahead by choosing Xtrail. That is prob 5 years of petrol for me. (i clock only about 700km a month)

 

Looks wise, interior wise.. Harrier wins lah... that one cfm.

 

As for AD vs PI... you get black sheeps anywhere. As for parts, as long as you bother to do some homework, parts can be obtained at very good prices. People say Alfa parts are damn expensive, yes it is if you get it locally, and if you totally hands off, letting the workshop or agents to source it for you. The costs simply adds on due to the number of hands it pass through. So when I buy my parts from UK or italy direct, they can be dirt cheap even with shipping or GST factored in. This idea can be applied to any other cars too. And of course, having a trusted workshop makes a HUGE difference.

 

Once we buy something, it is very tempting to get emotional and defend your decision.. same thing for me.. I would love to think XT is the right choice.. but frankly, no matter what I choose, both cars wont really give me much excitement. It will just be a mode of transport, and thus... i chose the pragmatic path.

XT is all wheel drive, Harrier only front wheel drive, FC wise Harrier wins

[Nav14]

lol... I am not unhappy la. My apologise if I sound unhappy. Just a discussion and my point of view only.

 

Toyota cars are generally better quality and advance compare than Nissan. My 6 years old Xtrail have so much issue compare to my dad camry of the same age and mileage. My dad use to drive a Cifero but change to Camry because of high maintenance and high fuel cost. A lot of my friend who drive sunny and later change to Altis also share the same view about Nissan. Out of 10 workshop that I go to, 10 of them tell me to go for Toyota if you want a reliable and low maintenance car. This is a fact that Toyota is better than Nissan or else why Toyota sale is much higher than Nissan?

 

Regarding workshop, let me give you some examples. My friend drove her B180 send to C&C to replace the faulty aircon compressor, it cost around $4K to services. She then drive to outside workshop which charge her $2K and the aircon was back on-line till today. Any issue? No, the workshop is as good as the C&C one. Another friend drove his BMW 318i to PM for oil leak issue, after change so many parts cost him $6K and issue not solve. He drove his car to Malaysia workshop and it cost less than $2K to get the problem fixed. I drove my C180 to C&C for servicing, they need 8 hours to do the servicing. When I go to the workshop early by 1 hours to collect my car, I was surprise to know that they have not even work my car yet. When they see me not happy, they have my car services in 30mins and reason they told me that the car only need an express services because it is first 10K. I brought my Harrier for 10K services by external workshop and I stay there to watch they are doing, very comprehensive 2.5 hours of services (include car wash) regardless I am waiting there and telling them that I urgently need the car. They said they need to complete all checks and will try to complete early but they cannot rush and give me a lousy job. So do you think AD workshop do a good job now? What I am trying to say is external workshop can be as good as the AD if you know where to look for them. I know of a external workshop who specialise on certain model of car and their staff are previously from AD workshop. They move to external because they feel that AD workshop are over charging customer.

 

Now, let us look at Toyota cars, they have big volume in Singapore. There are available parts and technical workshop capable to service it so why we need to pay premium for AD workshop? Again my Dad Camry was service by external workshop, other than normal servicing, he only bring his car less than 5 times for break disk, aircon compress and battery change.

Toyota more reliable and cheaper to maintain than Nissan? Pure rubbish. Drove a Cefiro for 4 yrs before switching to Teana which has been with me for 7 yrs. Based on my experience there is no way a Toyota can be more reliable than a Nissan.

[Tiger1]

Toyota more reliable and cheaper to maintain than Nissan? Pure rubbish. Drove a Cefiro for 4 yrs before switching to Teana which has been with me for 7 yrs. Based on my experience there is no way a Toyota can be more reliable than a Nissan.

Never ending argument la . Can I throw my 5 series in as well? 9 yrs plus, no major headache except usual wear n tear?

 

I believe 50% depends of who the owner is. Give a good car to a bochap owner who ignor all maintainance, also spoils la. Then what? Car no good or owner know nuts?

[Axela72]

Ah yah, his XT is referring to X-Trial. Not the Forester XT

XT is all wheel drive, Harrier only front wheel drive, FC wise Harrier wins

 

wow, 1st time heard that conti car is more reliable than Japanese counterpart. 9 yrs only wear and tear can make many japan brand ashamed

 

 

Never ending argument la . Can I throw my 5 series in as well? 9 yrs plus, no major headache except usual wear n tear?

I believe 50% depends of who the owner is. Give a good car to a bochap owner who ignor all maintainance, also spoils la. Then what? Car no good or owner know nuts?

 

[Chrispie]

 

 

wow, 1st time heard that conti car is more reliable than Japanese counterpart. 9 yrs only wear and tear can make many japan brand ashamed

 

 

yah.. if well taken care of, even Alfa's reliability can fight with Jap's. 

[Des_k]

You still dont get it. Choosing an AD over PI has nothing to do with cost. If u dont manage to get the car u are buying for from the PI, what is the point to talk about on the substaining portion? There are cases like PI run aways with buyer deposit. PI close shop, PI does not give u the correct model that u are paying etc.

 

That is the 0.00001% risk that i couldnt afford to lost

 

And let said i based on hearsay from a trusted PI as recommend here, the PI may not have the model i want and need to indent which may take mth and PI cant test drive car....,

 

 

PI can test drive, so many PIs out there. Go test drive with one of them.

 

Comparing dollars and cents, I will go to PIs but reliability - I would say AD is more. But for my current - Suzuki, I went back to Suzuki for suspension problem, it take me 6 trips down plus complaint then they change my suspension.

 

AD will also try all way to avoid changing expensive parts like PI. In fact, cost is the main thing for choosing  between AD & PI to most of us.  

 

I guess you think that extra 8k, 10k is worth the guarantee from AD.

 

To me, I choose PI over AD because of cost so I have to spend more time in research and wait longer for my ride.

[Axela72]

Pls tell us which PI allow us to test drive their cars so that we will not buy that 2nd hand car from them at 1st hand price.

 

PI can test drive, so many PIs out there. Go test drive with one of them.

 

Comparing dollars and cents, I will go to PIs but reliability - I would say AD is more. But for my current - Suzuki, I went back to Suzuki for suspension problem, it take me 6 trips down plus complaint then they change my suspension.

 

AD will also try all way to avoid changing expensive parts like PI. In fact, cost is the main thing for choosing  between AD & PI to most of us.  

 

I guess you think that extra 8k, 10k is worth the guarantee from AD.

 

To me, I choose PI over AD because of cost so I have to spend more time in research and wait longer for my ride.

 

[Chrispie]

Pls tell us which PI allow us to test drive their cars so that we will not buy that 2nd hand car from them at 1st hand price.

Actually the fact that I couldn't test drive the Harrier, it became a deal breaker for me.

[Pocus]

yah.. if well taken care of, even Alfa's reliability can fight with Jap's.

The key word is "well taken care".

For a Japanese car, you let it rot it also won't fail you.

[Chrispie]

The key word is "well taken care".

For a Japanese car, you let it rot it also won't fail you.

 

 

Now that i changed to a jap, your comment is very very assuring indeed. 

[Nav14]

I recalled when I driving a 06 Xtrail on 2 wheel drive, my petrol cost is $600 per month. Now Harrier give me $300 per month for petrol. If you look at 10 years, that is $36,000 saving on petrol alone.

 

For 06 Xtrail the actual fuel consumption is 10Km/l, 15 Xtrail on paper is 13.3KM/L but actaul fact people comment about 9-10Km/l only.

 

For Harrier, on paper is 16km/l. Actual on 70% of my trip is 18km/l.

 

Hope is will help you to decide.

I believe you must be reading the consumption off from the indicator. If so, I can take a photo of my 2.5 Teana even doing 20km/l.

 

Harrier's consumption even better than Vezels? ?

[EG73]

I believe you must be reading the consumption off from the indicator. If so, I can take a photo of my 2.5 Teana even doing 20km/l.

 

Harrier's consumption even better than Vezels? ?

 

Read carefully, "my petrol drop from $600 to $300 per month". I travel approximately 3000km per month. Based on RON 95 petrol at around $2 per L. No of L per month for Xtrail is $600/$2 = 300L, and fule consumsion = 3000KM/300L = 10KM/L. So for Harrier, you can do the same calculation. This is actual and it closed to the indicator too.

 

One tank of petrol 60l in Harrier I can travel 700km - 750km, hard to believe go check out Harrier club in facebook where many harrier user can tell you it can be done.

 

Btw, do you drive a Xtrail or toyota before? FYI, I drove a Camery, Harrier, Xtrail and Teana for at least a few years so don't come tell me if I am bull shit here. If you only drive a particular brand or model then don't input without a fact.

Edited November 25, 2015 by EG73