can of worms

Submitted: Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:38

ThreadID: 84195 Views:3746 Replies:13 FollowUps:16

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Eli J

here is one to start an argument. Searching for a new car. Got a 2004 STR2 Navarra TD. love the car, but alas, my wife has fallen into foal for the 4th time, hence the need for a new car.
Needs to be a 4wd and obviously needs a 3rd row of seats. Do a little bit of 4 wheeling but nothing to hard core, mainly 4by parks like Rover Park, Levuka and so on. Maybe a bit of beach every now and then.
Towing a camper fully loaded about 1.2t. Usually load the back of canopy in navarra up to, plus roof rack loaded with clothes in one of those bags.
Now i figure no matter which way i go, i will loose the packing space of the canopy section in Navarra, so i will need to be able to load up top a little more, Plus i guess some more stragegic packing.
Any ideas or experience with any cars that might suit this situation.
Obviously i am expecting to hear stories on Patrols, cruisers, prados even Pathys, but no experience will be frowned upon here. We need all the help we can get.
Budget is around $50Ks

Cheers

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Reply By: Road Warrior - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:56

Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:56

Does it absolutely have to be a fourby, or can it be a 'soft roader'?

AnswerID: 444577

Follow Up By: Fab72 - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 12:55

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 12:55

Agree with Road Warrior.
I have a Diesel Captiva AWD 7 seater that splits the third row (unlike a Territory).

Love the car,can't fault it. Have been into the Simpson dessert with it and it absolutley breezed it in.

Fuel economy is great. 9.4 L per 100 around town (Heavy CBD traffic plus spending 30 minutes shuffling forward in the school kiss and drop line up 5 days a week) and on the highway 7.2 - 7.4L /100.
$50K would leave you $$$$ to spend on some goodies like bar work, lift kits lights, roof racks etc.

My only advice if you go down this path, replace the plastic sump "gaurd" with a more robust one. Other than that...thumbs up from me.

Don't doubt the capabilities of other Softies or Fourbys, but my recommendations are based on my personal experience not hear-say.

Fab.

FollowupID: 716782

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 13:50

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 13:50

well i think it does, i need room. But i must say i am only assuming the softies dont have the room, i havent looked at them.

FollowupID: 716787

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 14:04

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 14:04

well i think it does, i need room. But i must say i am only assuming the softies dont have the room, i havent looked at them.

FollowupID: 716789

Reply By: Tonyfish#58 - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:57

Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:57

You know what you want, you have a budget, there all much the much :-)

Let the wife pick :-)

Cheers Tony

AnswerID: 444578

Reply By: Crackles - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:19

Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:19

A number 4 child does create a few additional logistical issues when 4x4ing. Look for a wagon with a split 3rd row seat so a half side storage system can be fitted with the fridge in the car. If you are already towing a camper & the Navara is packed solid, rather than "loading up top" I'd look to trim some gear back or replace bulky items with something more compact.
Cheers Craig..............

AnswerID: 444579

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 08:17

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 08:17

yeah thats what we are thinking, will just have to make it work, hey we are men, this is what we do

FollowupID: 716741

Reply By: Kimba10 - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:47

Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:47

Neighbour just bought a new pathie, absolutely loves it, heaps of grunt for pulling his full off road van and has 4 kids, loves the design/layout of the rear seats and still actually has some room behind the dickie seats for stuff, but obviously he fits most of his stuff in the van, so not alot of luggage space required in the actual vehicle. Cant beat the ute with a canopy for storage, I found that going from a hilux with canopy to the prado. You should have a good range with the amount of $$ you have available. He commented on the prado having less space and the design didnt suit the seating positons he was looking for, and the pajero is a one piece rear seat so no option of folding half of it down.Maybe a F250, should fit 4 across the back seat in one of those suckers no problems LOL Regards Steve

AnswerID: 444583

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 08:16

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 08:16

Yeah have looked at the pathy. Definately a smart layout, although seats are uncomfortable. Did he buy the latest 2011 model? i took an 08 Ti model, for a cruise and thought it didnt drive as good as my 04 str2 navarra. Might have been because the pathy was a auto and my navarra is a manual..dun know.
But do aggree with your nighbour regards to layout of pathy, you look at and think how could you fit much in it, but when you look inside it has surprisingly a lot of leftover space behind 3rd row in comparison to others even the bigger boys.
Dont know what Mitsubishi was thinking when they decided to make 3rd row no split, pretty much knocked them outta contention for me, and i believe they are quiet good the latest ones.
As for the F250 well my father in law has one and would fit the crew in easy, and then some, massive unit, but i think the wife may have a little trouble parking
lol

FollowupID: 716740

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 13:42

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 13:42

the new one with 3l turbo will have a fair bit of grunt.

FollowupID: 716785

Reply By: dereki - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:48

Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:48

Agree with the idea of split rear seats if you can. Otherwise the whole back is taken up by 1 passenger. I have a 120 Prado with the old style 8 seater side fold seats. I can completely remove one of the seats and have one usable seat. In the left over space I have the fridge in a storage unit with slide and storage on top where I can put some light soft stuff like clothes and sleeping bags. Works quite well.

Check the roof capacities. Cruisers are something like 200kgs I think, Prados 100Kgs. No idea about the others. Makes a big difference to how much you can carry on top, especially if the rack weighs a lot.

D

AnswerID: 444585

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 08:19

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 08:19

200kgs is heaps! I have been leaning towards a cruiser. It does seem to tick a lot of boxes. But Price!!!!! wholey bleep they are dear. But i guess that is why they tick a lot of boxes.

FollowupID: 716742

Follow Up By: chisel - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 09:26

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 09:26

A late model 100 series V8 petrol cruiser should be well within your budget. Even a 2004/2005 100 series TD.
Cruisers do have a big roof load limit - very few others wagons come close.

FollowupID: 716752

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 11:20

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 11:20

Yes they can have 200kg on the roof including the roof rack but that has to

come out of your payload limit of 672kg for an auto or 642kg man.

I definitely NOT in addition to it

You cant just chuck everything in and away you go.

So fuel 140kg, Ballweight 100kg, You and Mum 150kg?? 4 kids 120kg???

Fridge 40kg inc contents Roof rack 40+kg for a steel one

Thats 590 kg and you dont have any gear in it yet..

All vehicles have similar weight limits and its very hard to stay legal Im afraid.

As I said we left stuff at home cos we were 190kg over legal weight.

Didnt miss any of it really and found other stuff we didnt need like wifes 7 pair of high heels and dresses to match. LOL

She wont do that again.

Cheers

FollowupID: 716771

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 13:45

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 13:45

thats some interesting infomation graham. You know i never even thought of payload limits. Something to ponder

FollowupID: 716786

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 14:03

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 14:03

It is if you prang it and its overweight and insurance decline because of that.

99.9% of people dont consider it or think of it or worry about it

BUT........................................

FollowupID: 716788

Follow Up By: chisel - Wednesday, Feb 09, 2011 at 11:58

Wednesday, Feb 09, 2011 at 11:58

At least with a roofrack you have space for a bunch of lighter, bulky items ... and it gives you the option of spreading load a bit better.
Most people with cruisers and a few extras (steel bars, spare wheel carriers, long range tanks) would be over GVM when touring.

FollowupID: 716892

Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 23:08

Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 23:08

you want mine, 3 in the front and 3 adults can fit in the rear, (all lic & legal) 5 y old can stand up in the rear and not hit the roof, room under there feet for a suitcase on each side (laying flat) tray on the back as having kids in the same cabin as fridges and other missiles dont make sence to me ............
At that budget i would look at something like that anyway, 100 series do it well as do Patrols ..... sorry but i have tried the 3 rows of seats and dont like it at all, there is no room left for anything else and seem to go as far as about 5y olds, any older and they cant fit in the back row, not in comfort anyway ..
Cheers
Joe

AnswerID: 444590

Reply By: Member - johntoyo - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 23:24

Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 23:24

Eli you should be able to pick up a good (one on the last) 100 series (2006) diesel Lancruisers for $50k

Good luck in your choice, or as one of the other contributors suggested, 'let your wife choose'

AnswerID: 444592

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 00:05

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 00:05

For 50k you would buy a really nice 100 ser TD which would tick all the boxes.

Only thing is with a child in the third row you wont be able to legally fit a cargo barrier in any vehicle.

Dont forget when loading fully you have to allow for the ball weight of whatever you are towing as it forms part of the load.

Too much on the roof affects stability and fuel consumption.

We had one and left it at home. Was noisy and didnt miss it at all.

My 100 did a 55,000k trip towing a big van and had no probs Not even a puncture.

Haven't got kids but all of the above will apply to you.

AnswerID: 444596

Follow Up By: Member - Craig F (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:19

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:19

When reading your quote
"We had one and left it at home. Was noisy and didnt miss it at all."
It sounded as if you were refering to a child. A good laught to start the day..

Cheers

FollowupID: 716758

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:37

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:37

Didnt write that as I meant it did I

Yes was referring to the roof rack but that would certainly apply as well.

LOL

FollowupID: 716762

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:53

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:53

Would it be so bad to that.......I could keep the navarra then
LOL

FollowupID: 716766

Reply By: Members - Bow & Nan - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 08:52

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 08:52

AnswerID: 444612

Follow Up By: Eli J - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 09:13

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 09:13

mmmmm

FollowupID: 716749

Reply By: Member - IdahOz - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:37

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:37

We also have 4 kids, now 4,5,7 and 10. Plus we were having our 2 adult kids out for a visit. We picked up a 2006 Troopie that had the 3 rows of seats facing forward and an extra side door. It took a while to find it by searching the net but well worth it. Seats 8 at a pinch although one of those is a kid in the front between me and hubby and we only diod that while our visitors were here. There is plenty of room in back and under seats for bags of clothes toys etc, and with 4 kids and 5 seats there, they can swap around a bit so they don't fight as much!! When thinking about room for 4 kids (as you well know) its not just their little bottoms you need room for but the car seats as well, which makes a heap of difference as to how many can fit.

AnswerID: 444629

Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:42

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 10:42

Remember Eli to watch the weight on roof which raises the centre of gavity making some big wagons roll more easily than others. This is most common form of serious accidents.

Some Troppys can only make 39 degrees on the tilt table test , Prado's 42 Lancruisers about 45 and Patrols are most stable at 48 degrees.

Robin Miller

Member
My Profile Send Message

AnswerID: 444630

Reply By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 12:03

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 12:03

Mate of mine bought a 100 series Sahara on injected gas for $38k (Low kms) and I must say it would have to be the most car I have seen for the money. His wife drives it, they had a petrol Patrol and cannot believe the difference. They tow a caravan and or boat. Their range is close to 400KM's from a tank. The economy of gas is evident without sacrificing power. Hard to come by but if you are patient you won't look back.

AnswerID: 444638

Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 20:21

Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011 at 20:21

What about a mid sized vehicle like a Prado, Pajero, Jackeroo seven seater with a decent off road trailer for all the gear? Saves the weight on the roof and ease of getting to your gear.. Thats what i do!! Michael