Holden 3.5L V6

No I don't believe it's the same engine.

Mine (2000 model) is a different beast to my fathers RA Rodeo (2006). I believe the Jackaroo 3.5 was made by Isuzu in Japan, and the Rodeo version is a different design made by Isuzu in Thailand. I also thought that the Rodeo is single overhead cam and the Jackaroo is double (don't quote me on that though, I am certain about the Jackaroo being double but not the Rodeo being single).

As for consumption, I have detailed history of my consumption over the past 10 months and it has averaged 13.67L/100ks (manual). Heaviest I have towed has been a 1.5T caravan from Albury to Sussex Inlet through Kangaroo Valley and it returned 15.9L/100k, the is the worst figure I've gotten. Around town it is around 12.5L to 13.4L. I believe this is easily on par with the other vehicles in it's market sector (Prado 3.4L etc.).

As for the diesel, I wouldn't buy one in the Jackaroo, great engine but has a lacking reputation for reliability.

Petrol is a brilliant engine, bulletproof, smooth and torquey (?), great for towing. From memory 159kw and 303Nm of torque. I wouldn't hesitate if I was your sister considering Patrol and Landcruiser diesels are out of the question budgetwise.

Cheers

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the diesel engine in the Jackaroo. Strong, bullet proof, torquey, fuel effecient, fantastic as long as it has a 1 (one) after the decimal point instead of a 0 (zero). So I would buy a diesel jackaroo, just not a 3.0L diesel Jack.
The 3.5L are essentially the same mill, not to be confused with the GMH global HFV6 3.6L in the 06 RA Rodeo.

Cheers,

Dion.

2006 Rodeo now has a commodore engine.

Prior to that, I believe the 3.5 was the same as the Jackaroo but with a different manifold.

The Jackaroo is a great tow vehicle, easy on tyres, average for the class on petrol, cheap in the class for all other serviceing, especially brake pad wear - there is none. Routine for 160,000k plus from brake pads.

Tappet adjustment is the longest job and should be done at 100,000 but is often charged for and not done by unscrupulous repairers. Cam belts at 160,000 is the other major service.

Size is just right - it can be parked in supermarkets easily and is roomy inside with good load carrying space.

And if the new engine in the rodeo which is the same as the new commodore is any thing to go by it will be a fuel guzzler as well. I have been driving the new VE V6 commodore berlina around for the last 3 weeks and can tell you they suck the juice. My own VX commodore uses approx 11.2L per 100 around town down to 8.4 L per 100 on a trip. The new one Im driving at work at the moment is averaging 17L per 100k (same as my old 97 VS 5L V8 statesman) around town and when taken to canberra last week end used 12L per 100. Like to see the results for the new rodeo may be ok mmm ???? We'll see. Regards Steve M