Buying a 4WD Feedback

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010 at 09:16

ThreadID: 79360 Views:3900 Replies:4 FollowUps:8

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Buying a 4WD

This article focuses on the major considerations when choosing a 4WD vehicle for the purpose of travelling and camping. We give some brief definations of the various terms used to categorise 4WDs,

cusheze

Interested in replacing my faithful old Mazda Bravo Dual cab 4x4 diesel with either a Mazda BT50 or Navara. Both in Extra cab/ king cab configuration with canopy on tray. The reason for only picking these two vehicles is simply because of the access through rear doors to extra storage space, not for carrying passengers, and towing capacity. Will be towing 18 ft van on extended trip in very near future. Has anybody had any good fortunes or misfortunes with either of these vehicles??

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Reply By: palmy - Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010 at 09:32

Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010 at 09:32

This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The For Sale/Wanted to Buy Rule

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Forum Moderation Team

AnswerID: 420863

Reply By: palmy - Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010 at 11:21

Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010 at 11:21

Sorry seems a breached a rule which I do apologise about.

Well leave it at:

We currently own a BT-50 and have been very happy with it. For towing it would be far better than the Navara (D40 I presume) due to 5 speed instead of 6 speed and a better performing engine. My father in-law bought a freestyle BT50 and test drove that and the Navara for the exact purpose you mention. He's very happy with his choice.

AnswerID: 420875

Follow Up By: cusheze - Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010 at 18:32

Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010 at 18:32

Hey, I did reply Palmy, but apparently my reply went with your reply into' no mans land'. I looked at yours on the 'for sale'. It is an exact copy of ours, but 9 years younger. Thanks for the prompt reply.

FollowupID: 691346

Reply By: lasue - Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010 at 14:07

Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010 at 14:07

the bt50s are having problems with the clutch and is a common problem the clutch nissan and mazda use is called a duel mass system mazda recommend using 4wheel drive in reverse with a load on now on my fourth clutch 20.000 klms on 2009 model

AnswerID: 421057

Follow Up By: cusheze - Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010 at 18:38

Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010 at 18:38

lasue
Thanks for the reply. I have heard Navaras can have clutch problems. However, some mechanics believe it depends on the size of your foot? And how you use it.
Maybe I should keep my old girl, as it has just clocked over 200k and still on same clutch. And yes I do tow with it. Rock/ boulders and trees around the farm as well as a 5.6m cabin cruiser. Just luck I guess.

FollowupID: 691347

Follow Up By: palmy - Thursday, Jun 17, 2010 at 14:21

Thursday, Jun 17, 2010 at 14:21

Just to follow up on this, the clutch in the '2nd generation' BT50s, like mine (!) has been replaced with a stronger unit so does not have the same problems as the early ones.
Take one for a drive, you'll be very impressed with their performance!

FollowupID: 691484

Follow Up By: cusheze - Thursday, Jun 17, 2010 at 21:14

Thursday, Jun 17, 2010 at 21:14

palmy

My son has a BT50 Styleside and he loves it. I have driven it on several occcassions and yes it performs nicely. However, the most weight he has had on the back is a German shepard. He offered it to me to tow home a new 5.6m cabin cruiser I purchased two months ago. It went extremely well, but used nearly 19L/100k's doing it. He reckons it only uses about 10L /100k's in normal driving.
Would this be right???

FollowupID: 691564

Follow Up By: palmy - Friday, Jun 18, 2010 at 11:50

Friday, Jun 18, 2010 at 11:50

I towed a large box trailer with cage full of shed 'toys' from Adelaide to Brisbane, returned 12lt/100km. Usually around 9.5-10lt. Couldn't comment on anything larger - yet! :)

FollowupID: 691607

Follow Up By: cusheze - Friday, Jun 18, 2010 at 18:31

Friday, Jun 18, 2010 at 18:31

Thanks for all your input. Will keep my eye out for good pre-loved Freestyle in near future. Returning to work for a week to earn some more Mazda dollars.
Good luck with the sale of yours. I would have probably considered it if it has been a Freestyle.

FollowupID: 691692

Reply By: lasue - Thursday, Jun 17, 2010 at 16:03

Thursday, Jun 17, 2010 at 16:03

mazda have upgraded the gearbox in march when they fitted the clutch for the third time they told me this box has a lower gear ratio i am still relucent to place any load on the box or clutch

AnswerID: 421204