buying a 4x4 dual cab

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 17:14

ThreadID: 100550 Views:3638 Replies:6 FollowUps:11

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Buying a 4WD

This article focuses on the major considerations when choosing a 4WD vehicle for the purpose of travelling and camping. We give some brief definations of the various terms used to categorise 4WDs,

jukka p

Hi, im looking to buy a dual cab ute for towing. Have narrowed it down to 3, isuzu d max, coarado and triton. 2012/2013 models on all, deisel and auto, am looking to tow up to 2 1/2 tonne, looking for pro,s and cons ..

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Reply By: goddosglory - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 19:06

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 19:06

don,t forget the ford px 3.2 ranger...i have recently just bought one to replace a toyota 100 std diesel..i tow a 2 and half tonne van..recently just toured high country..bairnsdale to jindabyne...taking in omeo , benambra , nariel . corryong , tom groggin and thredbo...mine is a 6 speed manual ,averaging 14 litres per 100k,s towing the van..and about 9.5 without...we would have liked the auto,but i managed to come across this one second hand...the builder who bought it new ..decided he wanted the ford f250...having been around and criss crossed australia for the last 4 years in the toyota..which until i bought this.. i was a spokesman for toyota..lol..i am extremely happy with this dual cab..it has an aluminium tray which suits our luggage..we run a 2.4 yamaha generator straight off the back when free camping (by ourselves of course)..i weighed up the 100 seies turbo diesl..but what i could afford was more than 5 years old with an average of 200,000k,s...not that theres any thing wrong with that ..but i already had a 300.000 k cruiser..to put it in a nutshell i wouldn,t go back to the toyota...

AnswerID: 504756

Follow Up By: Burnt Damper - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 19:21

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 19:21

I have to agree with goddosglory ,sort of anyway. I have a Mazda BT50 2012 model, excellent fuel economy, power and comfort. About half the price and just as good as a Cruiser/ Patrol.

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Follow Up By: jukka p - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 19:21

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 19:21

Unfortunately, budget &waiting time mean no ranger or bt 50 , so basically down to these 3, am leaning towards isuzu , but just want to see what others think, pro,s and cons.

FollowupID: 781629

Follow Up By: Member - Geoff M (VIC) - Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 08:12

Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 08:12

I'm sure plenty of Ranger/BT50 owners are impressed with their vehicles, however I don't believe you can compare them (or any other meduim duty utility) to the landcruiser or patrol (or even the defender). It's all about 'horses for courses' as I unfortunately discovered, when my 2007 model BT50 had one serious problem after another.
I was a big supporter of the BT50 until it let me down in many ways. In my opinion, any of the meduim duty utilities are not suitable in the long term for carrying loads in rough terrain. For this you will need a patrol, 'cruiser or defender.

FollowupID: 781683

Follow Up By: coonick - Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 14:36

Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 14:36

sorry geoff I must disagree with you.
Some utes ARE just as good and robust as a LC and Patrol
I had a GU patrol, which gave me many years of great motoring....however it wasnt without issues, now I have a new ranger and its ability equals ....if not exceeds the GU.
One unfortunate experience can not blanket all situations.
My Ute is lighter than an LC and Patrol, it can take more weight in the back than an LC and patrol and defender. It has better economy.
It can go anywhere an LC and patrol can go.
If you dont over load a vehicle which many LC and patrol owners do, which in my vehicle I dont have to.
I have compared them directly to LC and patrol owners on a few reasonable rough terrain trips over the last 8 months of owning it and it IS as good as capable and in my honest opinion just as robust.
Probably MORE robust because I will carry the same gear in the ranger as I did in my patrol but with less over loading issues.
Any car can have longevity issues even LC`s and patrols. Look after the vehicle and dont punish it beyond its ability and it will last.

FollowupID: 781721

Follow Up By: goddosglory - Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 15:03

Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 15:03

i have to agree with you geoff...but now for a little more honesty..prior to semi retiring..4 years ago, i was a toyota salesman /manager for nearly 30 years...a great believer in toyota.. i had over the years heard many stories..and my faith was strong..hence the 100 series l/c..wonderful memories of the gibb river road...fraser island etc....at 20 litres per 100 k,s..and back to 3rd gear on a few hills..i still loved it..having never been bogged,or stuck on the roadside...but the time had come to look for something else..the person who sold me the ranger new me well...all he said was take the ute for a week..bring it back if you don,t like it ..or pay the money that i want for it...i paid the money and belive me it wasn,t that much cheaper than a new one..but a good deal none the less..i got the arb bull bar and the tow bar,mag wheels,and window tint for free,compared to new car price...so as you can see i am impressed with the vehicle

FollowupID: 781724

Follow Up By: goddosglory - Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 16:16

Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 16:16

ooopppsss sorry meant to say disagree with geoff...beer o,clock came early...lol

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Follow Up By: Burnt Damper - Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 19:32

Friday, Feb 15, 2013 at 19:32

Sorry to tell you Geoff M. But a present model BT50 and a 2007 model is like comparing a Hilux to a Landcruiser!

FollowupID: 781729

Follow Up By: Member - Geoff M (VIC) - Monday, Feb 18, 2013 at 08:18

Monday, Feb 18, 2013 at 08:18

Hi Guys,

I'm happy for you to disagree with me - I can only go on my own experiences. I've looked at the new Ranger/BT50 and it is quite a big and impressive looking vehicle, and the chassis seems to be a little stronger BUT is a long way short of a 'cruiser or patrol.

One thing I expect will not change is the complete disregard by Mazda for their customers when faced with an issue. I just hope the new model Ranger/BT50 proves more reliable than the previous one!

Cheers, Geoff

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Follow Up By: coonick - Monday, Feb 18, 2013 at 11:46

Monday, Feb 18, 2013 at 11:46

Hiya Geoff,
Honestly you say the chassis is a long way short of a LC and Patrol !!!!! How can you come to that conclusion?????
Whilst the LC`s and patrols are a great vehicle, they are not indestructable. making a comment with such an apparently large difference with one side being far superior is incorrect.
I would honestly say they are in par with each other.
Compare kerb weights, with loaded weight the ute is above the wagons. Being designed as a commercial vehicle it would have the engineering specs to carry heavier loads and sustain harsher treatment.
The 200 is a reletively new comer and has NO longevity proof as yet. Thus neither does the ranger for that matter.

FollowupID: 781897

Reply By: Peter T9 - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 19:41

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 19:41

Beware servicing cost on Triton. I nearly bought one a year ago however when I found out the valve clearances needed to be done every 30,000km at a cost of around $1k I decided against it.

AnswerID: 504762

Reply By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 20:04

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 20:04

D.Max

We have the latest model D.Max ( an LST auto) and have done 14,000 Km and not a problem. Got rid of the oem suspension, three lift, fitted a chip and exhaust, bull bar, roof rack with solar panel on the front bars and still getting 8.7 L/100. Off to the Kimberley in about six weeks and am looking forward to sitting in the leather seats which are real comfy. Here is a pic.

AnswerID: 504765

Follow Up By: Member - Old Girl - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 21:09

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 21:09

Looking nice Brucey, tad more room that the old faithful.
Cheers
Sharon

FollowupID: 781653

Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 21:40

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 21:40

Thanks Sharon, yep heaps more room than the MU, and so far has lived up to the Isuzu reputation just like the old girl, the MU of course hahahaha

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Reply By: Top End Az - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 20:53

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 20:53

Also got the latest Dmax and love it. Good power, very roomy in the back for our growing son and a proven motor with excellent fuel economy.

AnswerID: 504772

Reply By: Member - Outback Gazz - Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 21:04

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013 at 21:04

If the Ranger & BT50 ( awesome vehicles) are out of the question then I would go for the Dmax - reliable and built tough ! I got 220,000 trouble free k's out of mine - just hope my new Ranger does the same !

Cheers

Gazz

AnswerID: 504773

Reply By: Member - mepvic - Monday, Feb 18, 2013 at 08:32

Monday, Feb 18, 2013 at 08:32

Whatever you look at, make sure you check that the download on the towball is ok for your trailer or van. If you overload the towball and hit some decent outback bumps you will bend the chassis.
Have seen Hilux's and Rodeo's with broken backs - as much as a 100mm gap - between the tub and the cabin. Expensive to fix.

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AnswerID: 504976