Twin cabs

Hi Turk

Just bought a new Nissan STX, my first diesel and most impressed.
Towed our Pioneer camper across and back on the Lions Road plus some other running with the camper, would have got 700km to the tank. Not bad for onlt 2000km on the clock. The Navarra will be fitted up to tow our new venture Fifth Wheeler early next month be interested to see how it goes then.

Regards
Rocky

I would suggest you also include the Rodeo in your calculations..

And the BT-50

And a 100 Series Landcruiser converted :))

Have a look at Site Link

This is a comparison of 6 makes.

PeterD

Turk


I am a Nissan owner and happy with it. I went to a Nissan Dealer to have a look at the Navara and could not sit up straight. There was not enough head room.

I would only look at the Navara if you are of short stature.

Know a bloke who recently bought a Triton. He is extremely happy with it.

Have driven a rodeo at work. One of the most uncomfortable vehicles I have ever driven. If you bought one you would have to factor in the cost of after market seats.

Haven't driven the Hi-lux. Know an owner and he is extremely happy with his.

The ford Ranger and BT-40 are in reality the same vehicle. Don't know enough about them to make a comment.

Turk,

I did a bit of research on this one before buying a Hilux mid last year. I could not find anything that really separated the ones listed above from each other. I went with the Hilux mainly for the Toyota reliability, but these days most manufacturers are pretty good.

I think it will mostly come down to which one YOU prefer. take a few for a test drive. Make sure that you can get the accessories you want aftermarket on the model you choose. Make sure that you can sit in it for extended periods, different people prefer different seats etc.

Try the model specific web sites like www.newhilux.net and others. You will find, while they defend their cars to the hilt they're still inclined to admit to any flaws.

The only problem I have with the Hilux is that there is a bit of a rattle in the top end of the engine. Toyota have acknowledged this problem, assure me that there is nothing wrong it's just an issue of noise and are currently looking for a resolution. (Sounds a bit wierd to me, but they've acknowledge the problem so they'll have to fix it under warranty anyway :) Apparently I'm not the only one it's happened to.

Our hilux did 17,000ks in 5 weeks late last year without a hick-up. I'd buy another one again in a heart beat.

All the above being said, I suspect which ever one you buy you'll love it, especially the opportunity it gives you to ExplorOz ;)

Cheers,

Chris

Turk,

Can't comment on current new models, but we purchased a new Hilux diesel dual cab in 1982. After few months, put a fibreglass canopy on it, and that made it into the most versatile vehicle I've ever driven.

It was gutless, and rear seats were, for anyone older than 12years, atrocious!!! But it was reliable, go anywhere, and once you threw all the goods into the canopy, couldn't hear anything from there.
You know the styro foam squeak!!!

Hooroo,
Bob.

Turk, I think they are all pretty good vehicles these days and it comes down to personal preference to some extent. But here is our experience with dual cab utes.

We had a Ford Courier 4WD dual cab a few years ago. It did the job, but it was gutless and not very stable on the road. When we came to sell it, we were moving interstate. I advertised it privately but got no serious lookers. Took it to about a dozen car yards to see what I could get for it. Most would not even make an offer. The most common comment was 'mate if it was a Hilux, I'd buy it on the spot. If I bought that from you, it could sit in my yard for months'.

We ended up selling it, but next time we got a Hilux (2005 model - one of the first of the new ones delivered). SR5 TD.

It is a great vehicle and we have done a lot of miles towing the CT and carrying the boat. But, the clutch is suspect - has been replaced under warranty. Though I believe they have upgraded the clutch in the newer ones. With our load I added a power chip and 2 3/4 inch mandrel exhaust. Those things made a big difference. It handles the load like a dream now.

The Hilux is overpriced. $5,000 more than its competitors is a rip off. But why would Toyota lower the price when they can sell them as fast as they can build them. They are easily the market leader in terms of units sold. I guess the only thing with the higher price is that you will get better resale when you look to sell (see my earlier experience).

The Hilux is reliable and because of the numbers sold, parts and service are available anywhere. Also after market mods and accessories are readily available.

But as I said at the start. There is not a lot of difference between them.