Safety features such as traction control etc,having?

[CEDH]

Hi, this may seem like a stupid question or perhaps a no brainier.

I might have just posted this half finished, oops.

I am looking to buy a petrol Exceed or the model down in an auto, preferably one that hasn't towed anything too heavy or done much off-road. I have been looking through the various threads trying to see if anyone has posed this question.

My previous 4wdrives have been a 1992 Nissan Patrol GQ 4.2 Diesel no turbo with no traction control, hill descent or other similar driver aids. And a 1990 Nissan Patrol GQ 4.2 in petrol. As the driver you rely on the power steering and low range to enjoy the drive with your ability to navigate the track.

Patrol's ANCAP rating in the newer GU is only 3 out of 5 and with a young family on board I want something rated higher like a Pajero. The Pajero's from about 2006 seem to have a full complement or suite of features. Are they are a matter of getting used to or do I purchase an earlier model with less bells and whistles?

Thank you for your feedback Charles

[Dicko1]

If the vehicle was only ever to be driven by you and you carried no passengers then maybe you could live with an older. less safe vehicle. However, your wife and family are placing their lives in your hands every time they travel in a vehicle with you. Definately buy the 5 star rated vehicle. All transport is evolving with more electronic gadgetry that should make driving a vehicle, safer, easier and more reliable. Imagine still driving a vehicle with no air-conditioning, no seat belts, wind up windows, skinny non radial tyres, no power steering or power brakes. Get with the times and enjoy motoring whilst looking after your most valuable asset...your family.
cheers

[Nab]

You probably won't notice any of the "gizmos" during everyday use, even off road they work pretty smoothly. You will notice them when you have an braking/avoidance emergency.

[KiwiNTPajero]

this is the main reason i bought the Pajero.Any half reasonable 100 series had done 250 ks and was NZ $35k .You dont really know what they may have done.Any 70 series till about 2010 doesnt even have a drivers airbag,and is about 50k here.Prado was an option but they are at least $10k more and i dont tlike the road dynamics.Was too scared to by a modern Patrol,and the older ones were just too old.Pajero was the only one left.

[CEDH]

If the vehicle was only ever to be driven by you and you carried no passengers then maybe you could live with an older. less safe vehicle. However, your wife and family are placing their lives in your hands every time they travel in a vehicle with you. Definately buy the 5 star rated vehicle. All transport is evolving with more electronic gadgetry that should make driving a vehicle, safer, easier and more reliable. Imagine still driving a vehicle with no air-conditioning, no seat belts, wind up windows, skinny non radial tyres, no power steering or power brakes. Get with the times and enjoy motoring whilst looking after your most valuable asset...your family.
cheers

Hi Dicko1, Nab & KiwiNTPajero,

Thanks for the feedback much appreciated.

[Hatto]

Electronic driving aids in my opinion are brilliant. Doesn't take much to get used to. Makes all aspects of driving safer. Off-road, traction control allows you to tackle obstacles slower and more controlled than with open diffs. It is also very effective, especially with the very limited wheel travel the IFS Paj has and its willingness to lift a wheel.
Stability control definitely makes emergency situations safer if you slide on gravel or swerve ect. I've accidentally come into a gravel corner too quick before and thought I had no chance of avoiding running off the road but I'm sure that's what saved me. Just beware that if you do take off with too much right foot and spin a wheel, the ASC will kick in and cut engine power for a few seconds or so. This can catch you out if you're pulling out into traffic into a gap that is borderline big enough.
ABS, well that's a no brainer I reckon. Safer braking for sure.