Vehicle choices - Navara, Hilux et al.
Submitted: Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 15:37
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Sobriquet
Hi, I've been doing a lot of thinking re what vehicle to get next. After a lot of thought I've settled on one of the 4wd dualcab utes on the market (manual, turbo diesel).
I would slowly set it up for touring/4wding with campertrailer. Suitable eg for
Kimberley. But must also be reasonable on fuel, as will be using it for siginificant commuting (500kms+/week). Durability & reliability are definitely an issue for me
My budget is in anything < $35k. I was till now just looking at the Hilux SR 2006 onwards (the common rail turbodiesel).
However Im beginning to wonder now whether I ought to also look at the Nissan Navara D40. Sounds like they have a great engine, good drivetrain, and pretty off-road capable out of the box. Plus cheaper for what you get than Hilux - and lets face it - better looking too.
And theres also the Nissan Navara D22.
Anybody got any ideas re pros/cons that might help me in deciding between these 3 vehicles, or would they all be pretty good?
Should I also be considering the Mazda, Isuzu, Holden, Ford offerings?
Reply By: Member - Porl - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 16:19
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 16:19
Type into a google search
You Tube - Nissan Navara Problems
Disturbing little video.
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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 17:37
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 17:37
Let me guess, being a missun, rattle bang boom??
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Follow Up By: Member - Porl - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 17:48
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 17:48
no boom, apparently the D22 has a plastic bash plate or something and on Fraser Island his rig hit one of the billions of bumps no doubt and threw the radiator into the fan which somewhow buggered up the engine and he got a $25,000 quote for repairs and warranty claim denied. He's not happy at all. he was also very happy when he bought it that he believed it came with a 24hr roadside assist warranty, he was very very unhappy when nissan refused to go to Fraser island to collect his rig.
I'm not wanting a debate about service or brand or the worth of his claim just letting you know what the utube video is about.
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Follow Up By: Sobriquet - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 18:14
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 18:14
Hmm looks like I oughta just stick to Hilux & be done with it then.
What about the other brands then. Isuzu/Holden I heard are pretty tough. anyone have anything good to say re Mitsubishi Triton?
Im getting the feeling Hilux may be a bit more , but is probably the safest choice if I want a keeper.
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Follow Up By: Member - David B (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 18:44
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 18:44
One word "Hilux" :)
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Follow Up By: Sobriquet - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 18:52
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 18:52
Hmm I like the balanced
views I'm getting here :-). Its certainly making me feel more confident that my original choice is likely the best one.
Nice looking Hilux btw, David. They look a LOT better with a bullbar & a lift.
Did that TDI go fast chip give you a good improvement in power? Any improvement in fuel economy?
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Follow Up By: Member - David B (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 21:03
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 21:03
Hi Sobriquet, i have just taken the chip off and im missing the power all ready.
I pickup my new SR D4D single cab on the 4th December, just had to get another Hilux. Have been stripping most of the good bits off the SR5 D/cab. :)
Dave.
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Reply By: Bricky - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 19:16
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 19:16
I just bought a Mazda BT50 base model dual cab. The main reason I went for this vehicle was price.
Both Mazda and Nissan were offering run out deals on old models and chose the BT50 because I thought the 3lt motor was a bit better than the 2.5 in the Nissan.
It cost around $32500 on road and as an ABN holder I can claim back the GST next on the BAS.
So far am very happy and am surprised at the power it has, but time will tell.
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Reply By: nomadoz - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 19:22
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 19:22
06 Hilux D4D 4WD dual cab chassis was my choice, very happy with it, and cheap to run if you drive it sensible, just, even if you do not do anything else to it, put on a bash plate to avoid any sticks going through the radiator.
That’s my 2bob
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Reply By: Best Off Road - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 21:16
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 21:16
You might also consider something as obscure as the Ssangyong Actyon. Brand new for less than $35K with a full new car 5 year warranty.
Nicely finished and actually has more Aussie components in it than any other Dual Cab Ute on the market.
Cheers,
Jim.
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Follow Up By: cheetah - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 16:11
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 16:11
Jim,
The problem i see with them is,
the tub is mostly behind the back
wheels. All utes have overhang but these units seem excessive.
Putting half a dozen bags of cement back behind the
wheels as oppossed to having them over or in front of back
wheels gives a completely different drive.
Never owned one, just an observation.
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Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 17:24
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 17:24
I didn't take a lot of notice of that, but an interesting observation.
I had to measure one up at a dealership for an interstate order. I was very impressed with the overall quality. I've never driven one but they do get a pretty good write up.
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Reply By: Brian (Montrose, Vic.) - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 21:50
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 21:50
I know I'm a bit biased but have you looked at the 2.8 L TD Tritons at all? I know they are slightly down on engine size on the other offerings but not overpriced like toyotas and dont go bang like certain other brands are apparently prone to doing..
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Follow Up By: cheetah - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 16:16
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 16:16
Agree, good units. That is my choice when next due for new one.
sobriquet, they are worth a look.
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Reply By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 23:38
Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 at 23:38
Or you can get the previous model Hilux late 2004,last one built out of japan and not thai and spend the money left over on all the xtra's !
cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Porl - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 12:29
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 12:29
and on that one they returned to the 8" front diff. Choice dual cab if you can find one.
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Follow Up By: Sobriquet - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 12:37
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 12:37
Hmm yeah I was thinking of that too - it would cost more to run in fuel, but hey I save it in upfront costs.
Im beginning to get the feeling the new common rail turbo diesels are a little bit highly strung (all brands) so that if something simple-ish goes wrong that would've meant a cheap repair on the earlier engines, they are likely to self destruct.
Seeing I want it to be a keeper - correct me if I am wrong, but looking to the future I guess you'd have to worry about eg a 10 year old common rail TD with 280,000ks under the belt, whereas an earlier & simpler TD would probably be in the middle of its life at that stage.
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Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 15:39
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 15:39
Hiya Porl & Sobriquet
Thats the thing because its the last of the tried and tested model they are rare as hens teeth in diesel anyway..
Well they were six months ago not sure about today..The new models have had issues with
water leakage ( i have to usually close my door twice,used to it now,sealing off) As with all new cars and new technology it usually always costs a heap more to get fixed...When Toyota get down another 5-10 models or so they may get it but even the new one now people are warning people off it...I could be wrong but i think there looking at the Toorak tractor rather than a 4wd then a little comfort.
Dont forget Sobriquet on top of your 35k youve got,tyres (1200),Bullbar & Winch (if ARB,Warn-3800),Dual Battery System (300-800) They are just very basic figures to think about and thats not including drawers,diff locks etc etc. Not saying some of the gear you'll need either and there are cheaper alternatives..
Cheers and good luck
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Follow Up By: Sobriquet - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 17:25
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 17:25
Hm Warfer, thanks for that, thats interesting. Soo 2004 TD eh.
Im trying to make sense of all the Hilux model numbers - RZN, TGN KZN, KUN, GGN etc. Its all a bit confusing. Am I right in thinking the one youre talking about in a manual TD is the KZN165something model either MY02 or MY04?
Ihe current one appears to be the KUN16xxx model is that right?
Where do the GGN16xxx models fit in that came out around 2005 - are they the first ones from Thailand? What about the RZN/TZN models - what are they.
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Reply By: Member - Lord Cochrane (SA) - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 00:25
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 00:25
I just picked up an '07
Ranger and am very happy with it.
To be honest these days there is not all that much seperating the various brands of dual cab ute.
I find the
Ranger pretty good on fuel typically get 10litres / 100km when on the bitumen (BT50 should get the same as they are basically the same vehicle). Also has excellent approach and departure angles straight from the factory.
No standard cruise control is a negative though.
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Reply By: beelzebug - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 11:46
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 11:46
Just to add some balance here.
We have had our Navara D40 STX TD manual for over 18 months. Couldn't be happier.
Did an ARB 50mm lift and goes great off road. Strong engine, 6 speed, good economy and very comfortable.
Cost was a lot higher than $35K though, more like $44K drive away at the time. Didn't want to spend the extra $5K for the equivalent Hilux.
Gary
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Reply By: Sobriquet - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 12:39
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 12:39
Yep Gary, I know the new ones are more like $48k. I was looking at late 06, early 07. They are around 35k.
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Reply By: greg8049 - Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 18:01
Friday, Nov 28, 2008 at 18:01
What about the 2002 4 x 4 holden rodeo, 3l turbo diesel, its been good for me,good pulling power and reliable...missis want to get rid of ours now we dont pull any thing...
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Reply By: Member - Marco T (VIC) - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 12:18
Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 12:18
Hi Mate,
I have the D40 as a hard working - work car. Very comfy, powerful good looking and capable off road with a few mods. Yes they have some problems!!! More problems than I think they should. Before buying look at www.complaintscorner.com.au
They are not designed for Aussie conditions. I have the manual diesel and it is heavy on fuel (12.5 - 13.5L/100km) but i do have it loaded to max GVM day to day. Towing expect more @15-16L/100. I tow a 1.5ton trailer 2 times a week and this is what i get.
My advise would be to give the D40 a miss. But you could be a luck one and get a good unit.
Cheers
Marco
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Reply By: Isuzumu - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 12:33
Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 12:33
And the Isuzu D-Max is probably the best value of all. IUA (Isuzu Ute Aus) are very keen to get they name back out there so probably get better deals than advertised as
well.
Cheers Bruce
PS and I am not very biased much hahahahaha.
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Reply By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 00:28
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 00:28
Hiya Sobriquet
Sorry for the delay was deleting emails and noticed your reply..I Have the KZN165R T/D i think it was one the last model's out of Japan before the new ones...
If you can pick up a good one and at a nice price,i spent the xtra money on upgrades and love it ..Been up Spurs in High Country etc etc and has never let me down...(touch wood)
Cheers
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