which dual cab
Submitted: Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 15:49
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ricko
Found this site a week ago and have been sitting up late nights trying to absorb the drift and the more I read the more concerned I get about a few little things. Now I dont want to start another war but just want some (objective??) straight info. The lady and I have got to the stage of wanting to caravan and trying to sort out what sort of van ... at this stage likely poptop around 16ft. Now I have looked around at what to use for a tow vehicle and decided that it would be a dual cab diesel. looked at the hilux,navara,rodeo and triton. Then it got down to the navara,hilux and rodeo and then because a lot of years ago we had a good run with nissans (not 4wd) we decided that we would probably buy a new Navara with the zd30 motor. I thought I could put that on the back-burner and concentrate on what the caravan was going to be. THEN I find this site and start reading all nissan problems which to me seem absolutely incredible - gearboxes, oil problems , turbos failing, clutches wearing out way too early,motors exploding,things breaking etc etc etc. I mean to buy something that a) I intend to keep for a few years and b) should give me a good run without major dramas and major expense. Hey I know its not a perfect world (more than ever now) but these vehicles represent many hard earned smackerooz and in 2004 I figured Nissan and co would have things pretty
well sorted. So now I'm not so sure anymore and will have to review choices and try and find out a bit more 'truth' (doncha love this net ). I think I will still give the triton a miss but what about the rodeo - its really an isuzu isnt it? What do you all think about this and how they rate overall and as tow vehicles for vans around 15 or 16 feet. Think I want diesel not petrol. Is there something else I'm missing?
Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 16:01
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 16:01
Ricko I would lower my choices to Hilux Turbo Deisel or Rodeo Turbo Deisel, both are the most popular and good reliable units, just
check the sales figures and see which are the best sellers. Happy hunting.
AnswerID:
69260
Follow Up By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 18:25
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 18:25
All the nissan diehards are coming out of the woodwork, but none have stood the
test of time and can garrentee longativity, like you said earlier its YOU hard earned, like Vince said have a good look at the popular Rodeo.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Jimbo - Sunday, Jul 25, 2004 at 09:12
Sunday, Jul 25, 2004 at 09:12
Sales figures often have more to do with marketing than actual product quality, eg Macdonalds. Marketing also adds to the cost of your purchase as someone has to pay for it ie the consumer.
Jim.
FollowupID:
329792
Reply By: Vince NSW - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 16:02
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 16:02
Ricko,
Had a great run out of Rodeo's. 2 Duel cabs with a combined 750,000km between them. apart from the normal maintenance, no other work on them. Now have a Fronteria, still the same Iszu running gear.
Only down side with the Rodeo is the IFS. there is a limit to how far you can lift the front torrsion bar.
Hope this helps
Vince
AnswerID:
69263
Reply By: porker - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 16:17
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 16:17
G'day Ricko
Have had a 3.0l TD Navara from new for two years
Not one problem with it
It has been used as a work vehicle and done a few bush trips as
well pulling an off road camper
I would certainly get another one when time comes to replace
Hope this helps
Cheers
AnswerID:
69265
Reply By: marklynn - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 16:42
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 16:42
Ricko,
Also have a Nissan Navara 3 litre turbo diesel...Have had it for 18 months without one ounce of trouble..Also use it to tow a camper trailer & it's great...most powerful of the dual cabs, 110 kw's.....It was also about 8k cheaper than the Toyota.....Will definitely buy another one when this one is due for retirement.
Mark
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Peter Guy - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 17:19
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 17:19
Just to throw a spanner in the works the Mazda Bravo or Ford equivalent is another excellant choice.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Billy - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 17:42
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 17:42
Current edition of 4WD Monthly has a review of the Dual Cab T/D utes...Navara get the nod.
AnswerID:
69283
Follow Up By: Patcher - Sunday, Jul 25, 2004 at 14:09
Sunday, Jul 25, 2004 at 14:09
Would that be the August or July edition Billy ?
Pat
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Follow Up By: Billy - Monday, Jul 26, 2004 at 07:13
Monday, Jul 26, 2004 at 07:13
Pat, August, it has a Disco towing a Camper Trailer on the front.
Regds
Bill
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329914
Reply By: Member - TonyG (NSW) - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 18:10
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 18:10
Hi,
I have a 2003 navara 3.0 ST-R diesel and so far am very happy with the car
Thanks
TonyG
AnswerID:
69296
Reply By: Utemad - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 19:37
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 19:37
They are all built on commercial platforms and therefore none have any technology in them that is terribly ground breaking. So I would think any differences in their reliability would be fairly minor.
All have tried and tested drivetrains. As for power and off and on road ability, that is up too you to choose.
Utemad
AnswerID:
69330
Reply By: craig - Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 22:59
Friday, Jul 23, 2004 at 22:59
Ricko if you're after a tow vehicle then look at the tow and ball weight rating.
Ford, Mazda, Toyota 1800kg
Rodeo 2000kg
Triton 2200kg
Navara 3000kg + more power/torque = tow vehicle
AnswerID:
69366
Reply By: Member - Bob - Saturday, Jul 24, 2004 at 09:21
Saturday, Jul 24, 2004 at 09:21
I wondered why you give the Triton a miss? Given the quality of the Pajero over many years I'd be surprised if the Triton was a real dud. Is there a specific problem?
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Utemad - Saturday, Jul 24, 2004 at 12:32
Saturday, Jul 24, 2004 at 12:32
You see very few around I was wondering myself why people don't buy them.
Utemad
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329721
Follow Up By: ricko - Saturday, Jul 24, 2004 at 21:50
Saturday, Jul 24, 2004 at 21:50
Thank you gentlemen for all the replies so far. Just a comment on the Triton - the only thing that makes me steer away is that in trolling around the net it seems that the Triton has a very light-on towball weight. If what I read is true then this vehicles ability as a tow machine is compromised and unless you were only towing something v ery light you probably wouldnt put it on the list.
I am now a little conerned about how good these small turbo diesels really are for long term reliability and I guess I'm concerned that Nissan could put a power plant into a 4wd that seems to be a total bomb (series 2) and intercoolers cracking and clutches wearing out way too soon. So I gotta have a serious rethink.. think I may have a close look at the Rodeo though and maybe I'll give the diesel think a miss and stay with petrol - there would seem to be really little between them when you tally up all the numbers.
Oh and another thing with the Triton .. I guess if you think about things 'going south' when you are out in the bush, maybe you are more likely to find Holden and Toyota support before some of the others - but I could be way out of line with that comment too.
Anyway I am open to any further ideas and info
Cheers
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329774
Follow Up By: Jimbo - Sunday, Jul 25, 2004 at 09:22
Sunday, Jul 25, 2004 at 09:22
Ricko,
Now you're thinking. Stick with the petrol if the numbers stack up. Whilst diesels may achieve better L/100 km, it is the total money that counts. The diesel will cost more to buy, needs more regular servicing/oil changes, diesel fuel is more expensive than petrol, you've got to pay interest on the extra original purchase price, diesels cost more to repair, etc etc etc.
And then the performance. Whilst modern diesels perform well by diesel standards, they aren't int the hunt with petrols.
Just my 2 bob's worth.
Good luck with your projects,
Jim.
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