Car advice

[Shane]

Just read through Brad's post about a new car. I have a VR commodore and I need an upgrade My car tows it, but I would not tow it further than metro A mate has been singing the praises of a 4x4 courier turbo diesel.

Has anyone had any experience with them?

We are looking at a 4x4 just due to the weight of the boat and dont want to get stuck at the ramp.

We are looking for something around $20k, spent too much on the boat Definetly want 4x4, and most probaly would prefer diesel.

[Simmsy]

I'd personally be looking the way of a Navara TD Shane, very good engine by all accounts.
Or look the way of a Landrover Discovery TD you will pick up a good one for 20k, I had a series 1 Disco until a couple of years ago and still regret selling it to this day. Depends if you want the ute factor or not though?

Simmsy..

[Dror]

One of my uncles has had two Couriers and now has one of the new BT50's, same car basically, and he absolutely loves them. Brother in law has one as well and it has been great.
I'm a Nissan man myself and have a new model Navara and just sold the previous model for 18k. You should be able to pick up one of the D22 Navaras in turbo diesel for the money you are talking about.
20k opens up a fair range including all of the dual cab utes and also some of the wagons but you would have to look at something older. You would be able to get a late model GQ Patrol or an 80 series cruiser or maybe even one of the first 100 series. Then there is the Pajero's, Prado's, Jackaroo's, the list goes on. It would probably be best to work out if you want a ute or a wagon as a first stage to narrow the choice down a bit.

Cheers, Dror

[Shane]

We are looking for a dual cab ute.

[hiltonlad]

I have a Rodeo which has been great although it is petrol.Brother has the diesel version on the farm and loves it.My dad has the navara and even brother rates the ride a little better.Dad wont go past the nissans as he had patrol ute last time and lasted 12yrs and 700,000kms without a hitch other than the springs but being a farm vehicle it had a pretty tough life.

[Dror]

I had a Rodeo turbo diesel before the Navara's and it was great. A bit agricultural and noisy but the Isuzu motors in them will go forever.

Cheers, Dror

[codly]

Id say rodeo. I have the turbo deisel i have no complaints i got an ex demo with 700kms for $28000 very nice 4x4 i agree Dror about the noise but with the windows up its very soundproof. I have done 14000 now and no complaints yet not 1 and i am a bit of a winger when it comes to warranty stuff. You paid for it you use it

[pike bream]

hi shane
whats wrong with the VR commodore?
my car is a VR, last xmas i went to eden , it took me 7 hour drive, with my boat trailer on plus boat full with camping gear in, id say all the total weight is over 1 tone cos my trailer spring max loading is 1 tone and my trailer bottom out, tire rub under mud gards. the VR pulls well no problems with it, just get a RACV (for VIC , dunno WA ) and get full membership incase car problems and they will fix ya ,example they will give a hire car that will tow boat if cant fix your car,

and for the boat ramp , u always will get out, never get stuck, trust me, just buy a portable electric ( over 1 tone) wrinch and under the VR commodore front bumper it has a tow hook eye there, shackel the electric wrinch on and it will bring ya car out of snag, thats what i do,
i would not waste big money on car, car doesnt hold value like boat and u can spend the money on something else like big fishing gear or build a shed for the boat, that way your boat will stay clean , out of the weather.
cheers ben

[Brad Y]

Shane the toyota hilux 3litre turbo diesel is unbelievable. My work ute used to tow the boat amazingly and when I needed to, overtaking was a breeze in 4th then 5th seemed to be a cruising gear. Look around at the auctions as lots of them pass through there. I used to get around 800km off a 100litre long range tank.

If you guys ever consider little ones though, you may find a prado or similar a little nicer, plus they are going to be more comfy than a ute.

While being functional, the lack of space in a dual cab ute no matter what make (ive been in rodeos, navaras and hilux) kind of put me off getting one.

If fact the only thing i miss about my ute was being able to go for a shoot off the back lucky im not a hillbilly and get withdrawls from it

[BIG PETE]

i have to agree with the hillbilly of all the smaller 4x4s i have worked on the hilux would be the best with a navara coming in very close behind
the hilux might not be as cumfy as a nissan but they have a bulit proof running gear
the 3litre turbo diesel lux will do everything you ask it to do easy

[Yardi]

Go the Triton
Shane I have just purchased a Mitsubishi 2007 Triton Dual Cab
Aboslutely wrapped with it. I stepped out of a top of the range Landrover into it and got to say I am pretty happy with it.
They have compramised tray space for more room in the rear seat and if your planning on Children or just carting people around in the back its VIP. IMO the Nissan Navara etc have very little room in the back for passengers.Unless you are a Tradesman and plan carting all your gear round in the tray, the tray size is more than adequate.
I have the V6 and its got plenty of grunt for towing ,the Diesal models are apparently very good also.
Dave Orielly and Hodgey both have one, so you can ask their opinion also.
But for value for money I dont think you can overlook them
Yardi

[dan_WA]

I'm on my second dual cab hilux in 5 years (company cars). Both have been petrol.

first one was a stockie 3.4L V6 dual cab - like the ads say - unbreakable !!. Never had a problem with it in 3 years. The mechanics + running gear were fantastic. Back seat was a bit basic - but I never had to sit there




I've now got the SR5 V6 4L which is ultra comfy with a few extra nice bits !. The engine has heaps of grunt, and am still surprised how economical it is !!.

I looked at all the others, but kept coming back to the 'lux. The new Navara had me tempted........ but stayed with what I know.

They definitely hold their value, and reliability is not a problem !