New Dual Cab 4X4

the new 5 cycl ford ranger mite be worth a look also

What about Hilux ? What ever you pick make sure you compare all features, fuel economy, comfort, room, price etc, warranty and resale. Good Luck
Rich

Brian Fox posted this reply on the ExplorOz Facebook page:

My daughter has the Navara and it has a poor turning circle. Do a test drive of whatever you get including parking in supermarket type car parks as the Navara usually requires you to back up to get another swing.
My brother has the Ford Ranger and loves it.

Know absolutely nothing about them, but all the farmers down here seem to be buying the VW Amarok TD.
Cheers.
Baz

John Williams posted this reply on the ExplorOz Facebook page:

Dont have an issue had my stx for 4 years tows my 20 ft van all over the place with origional clutch all depends who is driving the thing will buy another

Most of the dual cabs have a carp turning circle . . . re the PX Ranger, maybe the wait is why it's not on Kumunarras list.

But I would include it and be prepared to wait if it suits you, it is a far more attractive vehicle than its clone the BT50 (my opinion, but I know a lot agree).

I would seriously look at the Amorak, Dmax, or Ranger.

Maybe check out any options you want to consider for short and long term also, and see what's on offer from suppliers too.

I have a 2008 D40 auto 2.5 crdi that I bought new. I've done an E-W-E crossing of Australia E to W across the Nullabor and W-E back through the middle. Telfer Mine Rd - Gary Hwy - Gunbarrel hwy - Heather Hwy and GCR. From Alice to the East Coast via Mt Dare, the Simpson, Birdsville, around the Corner Country and then on to Cape Byron. While in the West we visited a bunch of places including Steep Point. Just recently got back from a 2 month trip to Cape York via the OTL and other points such a Maytown, Palmerville etc. Will be heading off into the Vic High Country shortly to check out the Haunted Stream Track. So you can see that I use mine for a bit of off roading as well. I have done a bunch of mods such as a 50mm lift, fitted bash plates, air locker in the rear, bullbar and winch - and some other stuff just to make life more comfortable when camping.

I now have 101000km on the clock and it is still under warranty as I bought the extended factory warranty when I bought the car. A few things have gone wrong with mine:

1. There was a very slight vibration under load with OD on - Nissan determined that this was a problem with the torque convertor and replaced it @ 1500km mark.

2. On the recent Cape York trip the vibrations took their toll and the transmission filler tube/dip stick tube cracked near the box and allowed a couple of ltrs of fluid to escape. I had to be recovered by RACQ into Mossman but Nissan in Cairns fixed everything under warranty.

3. I fitted a bunch of after market suspension parts as part of the lift when the car was brand new. On the recent Cape York trip the link from the front stabilizer to the lower control are broke away. Despite the fact that much of the suspension was aftermarket Nissan fixed this for me under warranty.

4. I had a bit of a leak from the power steering pump but this was just a loose banjo fitting and it was fixed by Nissan Assist.

Some other points you might like to consider are:

1. It has a large turning circle of 12.3 metres. It can be difficult to manoeuvre sometimes but I've towed my off road camper all over the place and still manage.

2. Fuel consumption on my 2008 auto is not good. I average around the 13.2 ltrs per 100 km combined and I don't look at the Scangauge when I'm towing the camper through sand or up hills :-). Fuel consumption is much better in the manuals and also in the new autos. Also a negative for me is that my ute is heavy - I have a storage system the takes up the full tub and within this are 2x110 Ah aux batteries and a 70 ltr stainless water tank. I was on the weighbridge at the tip the other day with just my 7x5 box trailer behind me empty and I weighted 4.3 tonne.

You will hear other who squeal about Nissan's poor service - I have to say that I've not struck any (repeat ANY) issues at all with the dealers I've done business with. (ie Lennock Motors in Canberra, Nowra Car City in Nowra NSW, and Westco Motors in Cairns QLD). Have I been lucky? Who knows but I find that if you are polite but firm in dealing with the dealers then you generally get a good response. I didn't expect them to fix my suspension under warranty - but they did and not a bleat from them.

Sorry I can't comment on the other marques you have shortlisted but good luck with your choice.

G'day Kumunara

I bought an XLT Ranger auto in July last year and now have 16000 trouble free k's on it and absolutely love it ! Awesome off road ability - smooth and quiet on the black stuff and very fuel efficient ( last tank was open road driving sitting on 105 kph ( but speedo reads 5 k's fast ) and got 860 k's for 72 litres.


I own and run a small 4wd tour business and have driven nearly every 4wd currently available and chose the Ranger because in my opinion it is the best package currently available. Last year I spent 2 weeks with a Japanese film crew filming ads for the 200 series Landcruiser and I believe the Ranger is as good as if not better than the cruiser - and it's nearly half the price ! ( I better say that the Ranger is yet to prove itself for longevity so the cruiser owners on this site don't start their usual whinge lol )


On a recent trip to the mountains - the blokes with the Patrols and Cruisers who had big lifts, big muddies and diff locks were gobsmacked by the Rangers ability with no diff lock engaged, no lift and it's standard tyres ( could be the driver as well ) Can't wait to see how it performs with an aftermarket suspension and some decent tyres !


The BT50 is pretty much identical mechanically but I was prepared to pay an extra couple grand for the "better looking vehicle" of the 2.



Hope you have a good run with whatever you buy - but remember - cars are like wives - some blokes end up with a good one and some blokes end up with a lemon !


All the best


Gazz

VW Amarok. My neighbour was almost a fourth generation hilux owner....he made a mistake and drove an Amarok. He was hooked and got out of his hilux deal.
Two years in row as 4wd ute of the year in 4x4 magazine I think. They jacked off one Toyota owner big time who spat the dummy when they picked it over the land cuiser dinosaur ute...good motor but that's not enough these days, and certainly not fit for purpose for 95% of the population.
I reckon either of your short list will do you just fine.
Nice barra!
Brett....

We have recently purchased a BT50 GT auto. Nearly 4000 kays on the clock and absolutely love it. Have not towed the van with yet (still waiting to be delivered) but have towed 1750 kgs of boat and it did not break a sweat. Diesel dual cabs have come a long way in the last 10 years or so in terms of features and performance.
I believe the best dual cab utes on the market currently are the BT50 and the Ranger. There a few reasons we chose the BT50 over the Ranger........

- We prefer the looks of the BT50 over the Ranger. This is entirely personal, and regardless of what other people think, I believe the BT50 is the better looking car. Other people are entitled to their opinions, but I am the one who spent the money. I am not a fan of the Rangers 'American' styling, and like the layout and design of the BT50 dash and instruments better than the Ranger.

-There is a price difference between similarly specced BT50 and Ranger, in the BT50s favour, however the extras in the Ranger such as rear parking sensors, fold in side mirrors etc are not important to me. Our BT50 however does have sat nav, larger display screen and power drivers seat that the Ranger only gets in the Wildtrak model.

- The Ranger towbar is horrible, it is far too low compared to the BT50.

Cheers
Shane

Hi Kumunara
Have had a Navara STX V6 Dual Cab for 12 months now and can't speak highly enough about it.---I tow a 22ft van , then park it and head of on tracks like the CSR, Gunbarrell, etc, and it takes them in it's stride.If I have one point of criticism, it's not got the seat comfort of say my previous 100 series LC, but everyone has different comfort levels I suppose. ---Yes the turning circle isn't a sedan by any means, but for it's length, it's not a real issue and you get used to it.-----That V6 motor is a serious unit also.--- Like others have mentioned, Nissan have been great to deal with,--maybe we're the lucky one's---good luck in your choice..........Sapper D

K - I bought a couple of those 2 for 1 offroad mags ($9.95) to read over hols and in one (4x4 Australia July 2011) there was a reasonable comparison of the Amarok TD4, Navara TDV6 and Triton TD4. In another, which came with the Jan2013 Overlander (Overlander 4WD Road tests No2) they tested the DMax, Triton, Navara Ti550, Hilux SR5 D4D and also did an Amarok/Triton/Hilux comparo. Worth grabbing for a look.

hi k, if you wont consider a hilux the only thing that comes close is a ranger. And rule out the Amorak, parts are hard to get and very expensive

I owned a prado grande petrol and recently changed over to a bt 50gt, noticed the comfort level so had a sax upgrade $2300 and is a lot better. Drives well and is as powerfull as the prado which was petrol. Yes turning cycle is not as good.

I also tried the ford and amarok, the amarok was better finished and quieter both inside and out, but it just lacked some grunt and also the seating did not suit me as I am a small person. The bt50 gt has electric seat which I really like, especially driving from NSW to Darwin.

The Ford was nice but it looks bigger both on the inside and out, big bonnet to look over and also ford was harder to get and the salesmen ( two dealerships) did not get back to me. Yes I agree the Toyota was not in the running for me also.

Hi.
I don't own any of the ones listed but I drive a new model LTZ Colorado and love it. It's a 6 speed auto and I have done 30000kms since new has fantastic fuel economy even with the van on the back (we have a 23/24 foot van). Very comfortable ride.

Svd

I have just been through the same process. I went with the RANGER XLT. The VW was impressive but my reservation was the small 2ltr engine running the twin turbos. My diesel mechanic questioned whether getting so much power out of a small engine would compromise longevity. Also it was 10k dearer than the Ford/Mazda. Navara I found a generation behind in therms of ride and appointments. So for me it was a toss up between the Mazda and the Ford. Initially I thought the Mazda would be cheaper but when I speced up both the Ford came out slightly cheaper. For example the Ford came standard with a tow bar, parking sensors and sports bar which were all extras on the Mazda. The only difference with the Mazda and Ford in terms of ride is they run different tyres. Both are great vehicles and I don't think you will go wrong with either.
I've done 7,000kms on mine since Oct 12 and have been very impressed. Including a trip out to Fords Bridge past Bourke.
Note the thread about the Sat Navs in the BT50's. In car satellite navs in all cars are a con. I've had two from different manufacturers with same issue - updates cost a fortune. You are better off with a portable unit with lifetime map upgrades.
Finally check the "leather" seats in the top spec Mazda as I think you will find they are "man made leather" ie Vinyl.
Good Shopping
Peter

Hi Kumunara,
I have the BT50 Freestyle cab chassis, bought in April 2012 and now done 12000kms.
I have upgraded to OME suspension and lots of other goodies and so far very happy with perfomance, economy and ride both on and off road. I looked at all options at the time, apart from the Amarok and it came down to a choice between the mazda and Ranger. Once the negotiations started in then came down to price and apart from styling, both vehicles are basically the same. Whilst I did initially prefer the Ranger's more squarish front, the end saving of $4000 made the Mazda grow on my very quickly.
An additional bonus was the Mazda came with a rear diff locker standard on the XL model whilst it wasn't even an optional extra on the Ranger comparo.
Bottom line really is both vehicles are basically the same and it boils down to what price diff you can negotiate.

Brian Fox posted this reply on the ExplorOz Facebook page:

My daughter has the Navara and it has a poor turning circle. Do a test drive of whatever you get including parking in supermarket type car parks as the Navara usually requires you to back up to get another swing.
My brother has the Ford Ranger and loves it.

John Williams posted this reply on the ExplorOz Facebook page:

Dont have an issue had my stx for 4 years tows my 20 ft van all over the place with origional clutch all depends who is driving the thing will buy another

Brian Fox posted this reply on the ExplorOz Facebook page:

My daughter has the Navara and it has a poor turning circle. Do a test drive of whatever you get including parking in supermarket type car parks as the Navara usually requires you to back up to get another swing.
My brother has the Ford Ranger and loves it.

John Williams posted this reply on the ExplorOz Facebook page:

Dont have an issue had my stx for 4 years tows my 20 ft van all over the place with origional clutch all depends who is driving the thing will buy another