Isuzu Dmax your thoughts and reviews

Submitted: Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 at 19:49
ThreadID: 83639 Views:18970 Replies:6 FollowUps:10
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Hello everyone,

We are looking at the Isuzu Dmax Lsu. I would love to hear from anyone who has one and your views both good and bad.

We want the car for towing a 19ft van and go off road in remote area's will this vehicle do this kind of work capably.

Thanks in advance

Andrea
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Reply By: Axle - Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 at 20:04

Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 at 20:04
G/Day Mate, I can't comment on the vehicle,as had nothing to do with them,


But what i can say is, there's no motor more reliable than Isuzu, Have had plenty to do with them.


Cheers Axle.
AnswerID: 441720

Follow Up By: D-Jack - Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 20:51

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 20:51
Hang on Axle, I'll just get my Isuzu 4Jx1 from my 99 TD Jackaroo and you can tell her that because she seems to have forgotten it at the moment!
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Reply By: MAVERICK(WA) - Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 at 20:21

Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 at 20:21
If you can hang on for a while there is a whole new D-Max on the way - and a whole new Colorado but this time they are supposedly completely different and not tarted up Rodeos. Might be worth waiting if you are going new. And the new Ranger - not just a tarted up Courier - is due and a new new VW. We may soon be spoilt for choice - if only poor old Nissan would do something about the Patrol T/back though i hear there is to be a v6 diesel Navarra luxury version that will cost squillions and still be too close to the ground. rgds
Slow down and relax......

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Reply By: Member -Paintar - Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 at 23:27

Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 at 23:27
Hi Andrea 11
I have a Isuzu DMax LS with 19ft Coromal off road behind it, all up when loaded it is around 5000kgs + have no problem with power for hills and wind or overtaking, fuel economy with cruse control set on 100kph I get a 6.2 km to the litre, have never driven slower to see if fuel economy is better.Image Could Not Be Found
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Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 01:25

Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 01:25
5 + Tonnes..? That would be illegal. Humm...?
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Follow Up By: Member -Paintar - Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 07:08

Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 07:08
GCM is 5800kgs legal
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Follow Up By: petengail - Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 21:38

Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 21:38
Your roof rack looks very much like mine.Mine is on a Rodeo but only comes forward to the start of the back door. I wanted it longer like yours but the guy who fabricated it said he couldnt do it as it could not be supported any further forward. how is the front supported? I do though carry a tinnie on top of mine. cheers pete
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Reply By: Member - TonBon (NSW) - Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 04:58

Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 04:58
Hi Andrea,

I have had my LS-M now for 18 months and clocked up 68,000 km's without an issue so far. That includes a trip accross the Great Sandy, Gibson, Moon, Painted, and Strzlecki deserts, 10,500 km's all up as well as numerous weekend 4x4 trips.

I don't tow, but on the main trip I was carrying 1T of gear and I also permanently have approx 500Kg of gear with rooftop tent, drawers etc and get 10.5 km's to the litre to and from work in Sydney.

Fuel economy off-road drops to around 8Km's to the litre fully loaded. As per previous post, Isuzu specialise in Diesel engines and do it well, in my opinion, you cant go wrong. It drives well, is comfortable even with the mods I have done to it. My only advise would be not to get the LS-U with the carpet and fancy stuff if you are going off-road, might get a bit messy after a while.

Tony.
AnswerID: 441753

Follow Up By: Nickywoop - Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 09:11

Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 09:11
Andrea,

Like TB I have a D-Max , but a SX single cab traytop. It is now 14 mths old, done 25000 ks, and I cannot fault it.
It replaced a 1997 multi-valve turbo Landcruiser, and I know this is a big call, but towing my Coromal 535 Pioneer XC caravan, I cannot tell the difference onroad performance wise between the L/C and the D-Max, uphills or passing. The Dmax developes the same Hp.
I reckon in all honestly the D-Max does it easier with less revs and excellent fuel consumption, towing at about a 100 kph (in the right situation).
I did not want carpets and all the "fairies" extras, but have fitted it out with a good aluminium canopy and usual useful extras etc.
Like Axle, I have had a fair bit to do with many types of diesel motors including Isuzu and cannot fault them. Some of the forest harvesters have Isuzu Sitec motors in them operating around the clock, working for years on end, with no problems.

Do not be scared to buy an Isuzu.
A new vehicle salesman tried to talk me into buying a Colorado when I was looking to replace the L/C, but even with the Isuzu in the Colorado, I thought back to the Ford Maverick days, identical to the Nissan, down the track when you decide to trade,you get the same sales pitch from carsales people, "there worth nothing, even though they are Nissans with a Ford badge, every one wants a Nissan". How often does this happen?

Regards Nick
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Follow Up By: Madfisher - Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 20:20

Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 20:20
You are dead right fellas. In my opinion Isuzu is every bit as good as Toyota. My old 98 jack still has all orinigal and runs like a dream. In fact still has orinigal brake pads and radiator. Shocks are only major item that has been replaced.
Cheers Pete
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Follow Up By: Madfisher - Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 20:21

Friday, Jan 14, 2011 at 20:21
That should be drivetrain. This is where an edit function would be handy.
Cheers Pete
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Reply By: Paul J G - Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 14:36

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 14:36
Andrea

Hi. We’ve had an Isuzu D-max 2WD manual for just over 12 months. Bought it new after agonising over various makes & options for months. It’s the high ride LS version. It has the ground clearance & looks of a 4WD but suits me as I didn’t need 4WD. With it’s fairly aggressive limited slip diff I think it would be surprising as to where it can go. Certainly beats some soft-road 4WDs with road tyres. I’m still wrapt with my vehicle. Would buy another tomorrow if it was due for replacement. I’ve done 26,000km at an average of 8.5 litres/100km (33mpg) & most of that is suburban work. I’ve recorded fuel use since new & vehicle computer agrees as I’ve never reset it from new – had no need. This average includes 2000km towing our 16ft pop-top van at an average of 12 litres/100km & that was at 100km per hour with the aircon on! That was in Feb 2010 which was hot. Probably not as hot as some places but across southern NSW. I tend not to have the aircon on when towing unless it’s really hot and it was hot. Never worried our ute.

Biggest (possibly only) complaint I’ve ever seen against these is that the low fuel light comes on too early – yes it does, but hey, I can live with that. I’ve not had to have anything fixed under warranty as yet (touch wood).

It’s reliable, tough, rides surprisingly well, is well finished, has heaps of torque & is very fuel efficient. I also like it ‘cos it’s a little more compact than some battleships. Plus you don’t pay a few more grand for a badge. In the manual 1st gear is low (can be good, can be a pain) but you have to use it as 2nd is too high to start unless it’s downhill. At least you won’t burn clutches like some high geared brands. At the time we bought ours you couldn’t get a diesel, high-ride Colorado (probably still can’t). After sifting through much false information (some from dealers) it appears the 2 vehicles are built in different factories in Thailand & the D-max has a stronger chassis (x-members), rear wheel bearings etc. Probably not much in it but I’m pleased with my choice. I was also very comfortable buying Isuzu as I’d previously had a supremely reliable Holden Jackaroo (Isuzu re-brand) & a lot of experience with Isuzu trucks.

PS: The local mechanic who does our other cars bought one too.

Over to you. Hopefully, others will back me up. Hope this helps.

Always remember - getting there’s half the fun!

Paul


AnswerID: 441922

Follow Up By: DOEY- Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 10:37

Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 10:37
Hi paul

I have an 03 Rodeo and have the same problem (lke many others) with the fuel guage, comes on when i still have 20+ litres. I bought a scangauge to over come this and is more accurate than any fuel gauge (IMO). Its a concern that it hasnt been fixed in the later rodeos and the even later Dmax's.

Now my motor is a totally different kettle of fish to yours, being a 3.0l non-CRD, its no rocket (doesnt need to be), but great on fuel and pulls my camper nicely.
It could use a little more clearance but they have gone nuts with bash plates and protector panels underneath to compensate.

with regards to the colorado and dmax being made in different factories, this is a much discussed debate.
I find it almost amusing the stories you here, so much product sharing between companies, facility sharing, contracted manufacture who really knows who makes cars these days, all you can be really sure of is what badge is on the front.

But i will give my version- for what its worth.


Originally GM Holden, contracted Isuzu to produce Rodeos ( re-badge their existing utes sold overseas to be branded rodeos and have them imported into Aus).
After a while Isuzu wanted their brand back and wanted to have a bigger presence in Aus but didnt want to press anymore, So GM obtained the press for the rodeos and started pressing the colorados with a contract from isuzu to also press the dmax (and other variants sold overseas) as it was more economical for both companies (cheaper for isuzu as they no longer had to manufacture their utility vehicle range, and GM got the press at a great price). A part of the deal was isuzu was to still provide the diesel motors. So yes, the dmax and colorados are manufactured in the GM factory in Thailand. You dont hear about that much, and definitely not from an Isuzu dealer.
As part of the great Isuzu press clearance sale, great wall purchased the TF and RA rodeo presses cheap and now you have v240 and v220 (which i personally think are great value for what they offer)

Now, i have had a great interest in how this all worked and done a fair it of research, talked to various dealers etc. This is what i have made from my conversations and research. Im not saying its gospel and im not wanting to start a debate over it, but would be interested in knowing if anyone else could contribute.


And just to add, i wish i had a few more bob as i love the look of the new dmax limited.



Cheers





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FollowupID: 714103

Follow Up By: Paul J G - Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:50

Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:50
Doey

Interesting reading your input. Yes, you certainly hear plenty of versions as to what's what. I wonder if Isuzu & GM even know what the facts are???
Thought I better clarify for everyone that when I said Colorado didn't come in high ride diesel I was talking 2WD. Apparently Holden lift everything to clear the sump of the V6 petrol but they don't bother with the diesel 2WD variant.

Cheers, Paul
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Follow Up By: DOEY- Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 13:26

Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 13:26
HAHA! Im with you about isuzu and GM knowing whats what and who does what, lol.

Have a good day mate.
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Reply By: Member - Tanka (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 19:22

Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 19:22
G'day,
I bought a Colorado about 7 months now and am happy with it so far. I do not tow a van with it so cant comment on that side of things, but it has certainly surprised me with it's 4wd capability even coming out of an old Patrol.
Good points: reasonably comfortable, ample power, good lsd, good economy,
Bad points, fuel warning light and the turning circle is shocking. I too purchased the variant without carpet which was a boon when traversing mud the other day.
I preferred the colorado over the dmax simply because of the larger dealer network if warranty repairs are required. At the time I purchased mine the dmax and colorado were the same price, however the dmax had cruise standard. However after I mentioned this to the salesman and he saw the dmax brochure under my arm he threw it in with the Holden, along with some other stuff. Whichever one you end up with, make sure you take both brochures with you as the dealers seem to be fairly competitive if they think they could lose you to the competition.

Cheers Tanka.
AnswerID: 442741

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