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I can't choose - help me

Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 14:21

meaticus

I have just been lucky enough to score a plum job in Townsville so its bye bye to the traffic of Sydney ..... and bye bye to my trusty Xtrail

So, I am looking to upgrade to a proper 4by and I am, tbh, spoilt for choice. It will be on a novated lease through work and I imagine I will be using it to explore anywhere within range of a long weekend in Townsville with all my camping/fishing/drinking gear ... and to pull a boat of course (5m tinny - so not heavy).

I have sort of narrowed it down to the following list of contenders. I have read up on the forums here and while it seems the majority of you hate the new Hilux's looks, I don't mind them one bit. But they are pricey .....

Here is my list - how would you rank them.....

1. Toyota Hilux SR5 Dual Cab DT
2. Toyota Prado GXL DT
3. Nissan Patrol ST DT3.0
4. Nisan Pathfinder ST-L

I am trying to keep it all under about $55,000 .... Are these rigs in the right league, or should I be looking elsewhere. In a perfect world I would love a Landcruiser but I have to be a bit realistic.....

What do you guys think !!!

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ThreadID: 28605 Replies: 11
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AnswerID: 142349   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 15:20

Diamond (Vic) replied:

can be a bit rugged up your way.
3 for me
Reply 1 of 11
AnswerID: 142351   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 15:24

Trekkie replied:

Does the Hilux met ATO requirements for a novated lease?
That Would Be Bad
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Trekkie
Beam me up Scottie !!!
Reply 2 of 11
FollowupID: 395929   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 21:46

meaticus posted:

Good question .... I am not entirely sure. I will get back to you on that.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 395934   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 22:15

Member - Blue (VIC) posted:

You may have to add accessories to get the carrying capacity under 1000kg before they'll let you have it...

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Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 142352   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 15:37

Member -Dodger replied:

Patrol is my choice and then chip it up for a big improvement.
Parked at Boroka Lookout
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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
Regards Dodg.
Reply 3 of 11
AnswerID: 142353   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 15:54

J.T. replied:

Go the Defender mate!Someone had to say it.Looks wise,a good alternative over the new ugly Hilux.LOL.
Reply 4 of 11
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AnswerID: 142361   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 16:42

Spade Newsom replied:

Big difference between a dual cab and a wagon. Maybe make that decision first. There are a few good dual cabs on the market.

For the wagons. I like both the Patrol and the Prado for different reasons. Prado more comfortable and refined. Patrol tougher and larger. I recently had similar decision to make and chose the Patrol. Two main reasons, I liked the Nissan dealer better and likely superior resale value of Prado was not an issue to me with the novated vehicle. Fuel included in the deal so fuel consumption not a consideration for me either.

Purely on novating a vehicle there could be big differences between wagon and dual cab depending on your job and if the vehicle is for work purposes. There is AFAIK different fringe benefits tax implications. Worth talking to your Accountant.

Have fun in Townsville
Reply 5 of 11
FollowupID: 395923   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 20:58

apwaddo posted:

Couple of things to be carefull of here. ALL novated leases have a residual value attached to them at the end of the lease. This is set by the ATO, and is critical to the true value of novation. Also if fuel was included on the novated lease it is also critical as it is added to the total cost to run the vehicle so greatly affects the lease payments.
Thirdly - it makes no difference to a novation as to whether the vehicle is used for business or not. The FBT is calculated on the total kms per annum.
I would fully agree - talk to your accountant - Novation is not for all - depends mainly on the kms/annum, and salary, and with tax levels dropping is becoming less of an advantage
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 395939   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 22:39

meaticus posted:

salary is top tax bracket .... so there are some tax benefits in it.

It will likely be on a 4yr, 100,000km lease (25k per year) with all running costs built into the lease.

I will be in a position to pay residual at the end of the lease....

i dunno if this means much, but i will certainly check with the beancounter...
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 396195   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 19:47

Spade Newsom posted:

A couple more things to consider with novated lease.

Different lease companies have different policies/options that apply in case you lose your job or resign. Some better than others.

If you use for any business purposes you do not get any extra tax deductions. Better if used 100% private.

Insurance is included generally in the cost however they don't always use the most friendly insurance companies and excesses are often high. Check this out.

If you take out a 25,000km per annum lease make sure you can achieve it during a specific calender year (April to March comes to mind). If you are too far under you can be slugged with additional FBT.

A $55,000 vehicle will reduce your taxable income by approx $20,000 -$22,000 (guess) per annum. Take this off your salary.....are you still in the highest tax bracket? Take all your other expected deductions/negative geared investments off as well....are you still in the highest tax bracket? Look at the ATO website for future tax thresholds?

Is your novated lease portable? If you move to another employer is the lease able to move with you?

Back to your original question. My tip...Buy the vehicle with the best re-sale potential.

Hope I haven't bored you with information you already know.

Good luck.
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 142362   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 17:02

Member - Trevor R (QLD) replied:

meaticus,

Out of the vehicles mentioned I would think the prado to be the allrounder. I wouldn't touch a 3lt patrol if you paid me (I know there will be plenty that disagree) but that is freedom of speach hey.
Have you thought about a Hyundai Terracan CRDi, I am led to believe these are worth serious contention in the vehicle size you talk about. Other owners may suggest more on this vehicle as I only hear this through the grapevine.

Trevor.
Welford NP local
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Thats...... KING Cane Toad to you!!!
Reply 6 of 11
FollowupID: 395906   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 17:50

Member - Captain (WA) posted:

One thing to watch with the Prado TD is that its about to be superceded with the TD from the Hilux. If you do go a Prado TD, either wait for the new motor or make sure you get a big discount as its re-sale value will be affected. May not worry you now, but will certainly make a difference come trade-in time when you get your next vehicle.

I had a similair choice 2 years ago and went the 3.0TD Patrol after weighing up all the different choices (including the Cruiser 4.2TD). Very happy with my decision, but will be interesting to see which way I go in 10 months time. Am eagerly awaiting the news of the H3 Hummer being bought in as Holdens contender with the Patrol/Landcruiser!!!

Cheers

Captain

Cheers

Captain
My 200 GXL TTD + Camprite
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Its not what you drive, but how you drive it!
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 395956   Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 08:28

Member - Nobby posted:

I agree with Captain. As you may have read in other posts I have just hopped into a new Prado TDI(two weeks ago) I went in with the argument that it was on the way out(which of course they denied), but I ended up getting 17K off the list price (slippery figures I know). Believe me, now is the time to argue with Toyota over price on the Prado. Also, couldn't be happier with the car.
1 .. Waiting for a lift home from Moreton.
2.. Camp site on the Beach
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 396080   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 07:03

Jimbo posted:

I'll vouch for the Terracan. Mine is 18 months old and Petrol. I've driven the diesel and it's a pretty impressive bit of kit. Just over $40 OTR. Leaves plenty for dual battery, suspension, tyres, fridge, _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx, etc etc which you get put in prior to delivery so that it's all included in the lease.

Cheers,

Jim.
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 142369   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 18:32

PBob replied:

Read about the new Pathfinder, it is a bigger motor than a Prado, has good fittings and well worth thr money. Me? I drive an HSE TD5 Disco, series 2 one off - the only HSE manual that was made. If you want a dual cab, look seriously at a Rodeo, they are the best value and vehicle in that range.
Reply 7 of 11
FollowupID: 395914   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 19:54

Sky Pilot posted:

You wouldn't say that if you'd ever read some of the stuff published on other forums by the owners of Rodeos. Basically, look elsewhere.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 395936   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 22:22

Utemad posted:

Rodeos up until the beginning of 2003 were brilliant for reliability. However in my travels I have heard a lot of bad stories from owners about dead diffs and gearboxes with the RA (post 2003) model.

RA is made in Thailand whereas the earlier ones were made in Japan.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 142375   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 19:00

old mate replied:

Go the Pathfinder, such good value for money.
Reply 8 of 11
FollowupID: 395918   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 20:08

PBob posted:

I have had 4 rodeo dual cabs and one xtra cab. two were diesels and the others were V6. They are very good. I was in a V6 last week, drove 900km to Broken hill on the monday, another 300km north and back on the tuesday, and home 900km on the Wednesday. It went like a dream.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 142380   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 19:41

greenant replied:

All I can say is Welcome to the sunny north
34 today forcast is for 34 tomorrow last night minimum 27
no wet season yet but we are hoping it comes soon
Townsvilles main water supply down to 10%
Plenty of places to go from here in your 4by
diesel $1.15 at the moment ULP $1.05

Greenant
Townsville
Reply 9 of 11
FollowupID: 395931   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 21:47

meaticus posted:

Lol .... thanks for the info on my new 4by ... but good to see a welcoming crowd all the same ... It sure is going to be a change from the suicidal traffic of Sydney cbd every day.

Not to mention the warm weather ..... have mercy ....
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 396068   Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 22:41

fezkez posted:

hmmmm ... plenty of places to 4wd in Townsville??? We'd like to know where. We've been to 3 clubs and been here a year and no one seems to know anywhere to go for day trips. Weekend trips also seem to be few and far between. Most land seems to be privately owned, most national parks the tracks are closed to traffic, everything is miles & miles away. One guy we know travelled 3 hrs just to get to the start of the track to do a recce for a club, only to find it was unsuitable anyway because of track closures/land closures. So any savings you make in fuel, all of about $6/tank, is used getting to anywhere. Lots of sand driving, but how boring does that get when it's all flat????? Camp by a river ... yeah nice, if you like dry rivers and mozzies, not to mention when there is water, the occasional croc.

No mud .... just dust, flies, mozzies, sand flies and HEAT. Not just nice & sunny 34, STINKING BLOODY HOT, MUGGY, FILTHY, SWEATING, BLISTERING HEAT. I'd take Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Tassie, in fact, ANYWHERE ..... anytime.
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 396076   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 07:00

Jimbo posted:

fezkez,

You've summed up Townsville pretty well. I had to suffer eight miserable years there. What a manure hole.
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 396196   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 19:52

Spade Newsom posted:

There are worse places than Townsville....

Rockhampton springs to mind.
FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 142416   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 22:55

UB.1 replied:

Hello Meaticus

From the handle you are Roman and like meat and battles. So can I suggest a DID Pajero if you don't want a ute. Greatly underated vehicle capable in all circumstances - just change the tyres and suspension. Cheap to run and under the FBT and luxury tax if yoy are salary sacrificing. see www.pajeroclub.com.au
Reply 10 of 11
AnswerID: 143974   Submitted: Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 09:37

meaticus replied:

Well I have decided to go with the Prado TD Manual - just seemed the right choice in terms of quality of vehicle and resale value at the end of the lease.

Thanks for all the advice guys.... Now I can bug you for info about accessories... lol

Cheer
Reply 11 of 11

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