Which 4X4 Dualcab?

My Daughter has a V6 petrol Triton, very nice to drive and the warranty is excellant too, Now the diesel is on the market I would give it a very good long hard look, The Rodeo is good to but on the way out soon for a replacement model.

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Yeh I'm trying to keep it under $15,000, so the Rodeo and the Surf are a good cheap option at this stage.

The Bravo and Courier are cheap too, but I'm not sure about the 2.5L TD engine compared to the 2.8 TD Rodeo engine.

I would veer away from the rodeo, there are lots of people who have had good runs from them but I class those as outliers. The toyota would be a more reliable choice and I think the ford/mazda is ugly but reliable. I would say a good car to consider which is in my view superior to all of these is the terrano2 2.7L TDI TI. its cheap, 7 seats, powerful, mid sized, reliable, and economical. The navara with this engine is also superior. Problem is everyone's experiances are different.

The surfs come with all the goodies for the price BUT dont like Australian conditions (heat). I have read a few articles here and there and they require some mods to keep them running within the temp range, firstly a new and bigger radiator. If you have a look at the radiator in the surfs they are alot narrower then say in our four runners just to start. No I have never owned one so what Im saying is only what I have read so no one shoot me if I'm incorrect. One thing my mate did tell me who worked for the NRMA inspections for a few years (they no longer do it) is that he come accross a lot with rust big time. Bottom of the sill panels,doors,rear tailgate, this would obviously be from the salt they use on the roads over there. I personally wouldnt buy one but not my choice. I personally dont think you would have any issues with the other vehicles you have mentioned. My mate is selling his rodeo dual cab T/D but a bit earlier model but with low klms. I have thought about it a few times in the last week myself but wife will kill me if I sell another one although 8/9Litres per 100 is bloody good around town compared to 16/17 in the prado LOL. Unfortunately as you have said you wont get a genuine Toyota Hilux T/D for 15k unless it has huge klms, but have you checked out the auctions ?? Might get lucky but you need to know what your looking at or you could end up with a lemon (smashed,dunked etc). Best of luck with you choice. Regards Steve M

Gingerbeer


We have all different needs when it comes to vehicles and different body sizes that make one seat comfortable and another not.

I have driven Rodeos due to my previous occupation in SA. In 2004 the Rodeo we had was replaced with a new one. I found the seats extremely uncomfortable and within a few months I suffered a large amount of back pain.

Test drive as many 4WDs as you can and if you don't find the seating comfortable don't purchase it.

The Rodeo has a very soft front end and very poor handling. All four wheel drives tend to have a tendency to roll over and handling is very important for your own safety. The hi-lux has a reputation which has earnt it the nick name hi-roller. As there are a lot of them on the road is this due to the vehicle or driver error?

I have spoken to a lot of Triton drivers who like the vehicle. I cannot comment as I have never driven one. Take one for a test drive.

I tried to take a Navara for a test drive. I decided that it wasn't worth decapitating myself to fit in the vehicle. The head room in the Courier/Ranger/Bravo is not much better.



Tjilpi

Cant comment on 99 Rodeo but had a 92 dual cab 2.8 TD, actually traded it in 99! Anyway I would describe it as almost bulletproof! We took it around Australia and it performed faultlessly. Worked it extremely hard in the NW of WA and it kept coming back for more. I had a few oil leaks, replaced the clutch at 180,000 kms, replaced a rear wheel bearing, put some new shockers and better rear leaf springs and apart from usual servicing, that was it. Fuel usage was about 10kms per litre from day one until I traded it. It did about 250,000 when I got rid of it but would have done another 250,000 I reckon. It did 60,000 while living on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert running up and down the Tanami road and around the top of the Canning etc! Then it did another 70,000 around Fitzroy and Derby and up and down the Gibb River Road and minesites etc. Looking through photo albums we see it and get kind of glassy eyed! Simple reliable engine. No high tech stuff. Modest power but at the time, early 90's, it was the leader in the power stakes in its class.
They were a great vehicle and better than the 4WD I have now. Someone will say otherwise and have a horror story. I serviced it fastidiously, as I do with all my cars, bikes etc, so that may have been the key. It didn't work with the GU though!

Cheers for the feedback guys. A couple of questions to go:

I totaly aggree with how ugly the Courier/Bravo are, but what is the Power & Torque differences compared to the rodeo? And do they have similar fuel consumption? I'm talking about the 2.5TD Vs the 2.8TD.

And who makes the Torrano?

Are you dead set on a diesel?

Depending on where you are, and the availability and cost of LPG, you'd do well with a Petrol and fit LPG.

Heaps more power and lower running costs.

Disclaimer: LPG is not available in some remote locations and may not be so cost effective in the boonies.

Jim.

Rodeo power & torque as above. Bravo/Courier 2.5 was 86KW and 280NM.

Cheers,

Mark.

To be honest, the only reason I want the dualcab is to put my KTM450 in the back.

In saying this, the bike only fits if the tailgate is down and its a ba$tard to get in and out. So I'm keeping my options open as its easier to put my bike in a trailer.

The dualcab option looks good for fishing, camping, shooting, getting stumps ect. but doesnt have the security unless you have a lockable tray cover.

So its probably going to come down to vehicle cost, availability at the time, and fuel cost.

I'm trying to keep it under $15,000.

ginge,

the 3.0lt Rodeo is only a bored out version of the 2.8 so don't expect too much from the 3lt over and above the 2.8 economy wise or reliability wise.

Cheers and good luck with the decision.
Trevor.