Nissan Problems

Most small SUVs are all-wheel drive, as is your SX4, which means it's an on-demand four-wheel drive system rather than a traditional one. If the SX4 does what you want you could try a Suzuki Grand Vitara, or a Nissan X-Trail.

It needs closer inspection by an auto electrician or Nissan specialist. It could be something as simple as a bad connection in the wiring loom.

I can’t give you the code you want, phone Bendix (1800 819 666) and ask them, or go to a brake place and ask them. They should be able to give you the code and sell you the correct parts.

The T30 X-Trail is reliable and durable, and many owners are reporting no problems, even at high mileage well in excess of the 164,000 km of the car you're considering. The good thing is that the T30 has a regular automatic rather than the CVT of the later models, which did give some trouble early on. I wouldn't buy one with a manual gearbox, as clutches are a problem.

As you say, the choice is bewildering. All the models you have been looking would be suitable; you could also look at the Nissan X-Trail. I would go for either the Mazda CX-5 or the Kia Sportage, but that's not to say the others aren't worth considering. Why don't you go shopping and check each of them out to see how they fit your needs.

No one seems to be prepared to say what the maximum towing capacity of the Elgrand is; the best we could find is that the tow bar available for the Elgrand is rated at a maximum towing load of 1400 kg. That effectively limits the towing capacity of the vehicle to 1400 kg.

It's not possible to say with any certainty. Regularly serviced it could go for another 260,000 km, but if neglected it could breakdown tomorrow.

Relatively few of these engines were sold, so it won't have the same established patterns as a HiLux 3.0-litre for example.

Your choices are limited if you want a four-wheel drive for serious off-roading. You could look at a Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan Pathfinder, or maybe one of the popular 4WD utes. A ute will do everything you need, and they are quite comfortable on the road.