Looking at getting 4wd ute first time 4wd buyer,so just wanting any tips of what to get and what to leave ,at this stage will be looking at second hand thanks
Colorado or Rodeo. Or DMax. The Isuzu drivetrain is bulletproof. I had three over 20 years. It will go almost anywhere and towed our van around Oz. Hiluxes have suspect gearboxes - there's a reason they only had two tonne towing capacities. Navaras have bits fall off, trim and such like, it doesn't stop the car but they aren't screwed together as well. Tritons have weak rear frames and I have seen a couple snapped. Couriers generally good, but the 2.5 engine is too peaks and the older cars haven't aged as well as the rodeos.
The new Ranger with the 5 cylinder is a burster.
I have driven them all and mates have owned them all. The Hiluxes engines are good. Very smooth and torquey and they ride well, just not tough enough for me, despite toyo marketing.
I have a navara and cannot fault it 2006 3.0L manual. love it.
But as for an auto? I have spoken to many people who do have auto 4x4's. These guys i couldn't imagine to drive an auto 4x4 but they recon they would not go back to a manual.
Seems like autos have come a long way. I think if i do replace my bus i'll try an auto
If you are taller than 5' just make sure you test drive the Isuzu and Colorado.
I got a DMax last year as a company bus, the company chose it without me test driving it which wasn't unusual as I'd nevere test driven a hack before.
Got it on the Friday, went to work on the Monday and advised them that I had found the car which would most likely kill me.
The problem is the steering, I'm 6'1" and although there is tilt adjustment there is no telescopic adjustment adjustment, so to use the brake I had to swing my knee out to the door so I could get my foot on the brake.
More concerning was when doing 80kmh on a straight road I moved my knee which bumped the key and switched the engine of and the dash gives you the message "See You" as it shuts down.
The Dmax drive train felt very nice for what I used of it, pulls like a mad bastard.
Regarding Man vs Auto
If you do a lot of beach driving Auto rules, especially on soft sand where a gear change in a manual can stop you.
Had a customer last week tell me that his Colorado 2014 model diesel auto has just done 90000Km and is on its 4th transmission .
The first one failed at just over 50000km and Holden told him that the warranty on the current transmission is only for another 50000km.
Needless to say he is not a happy owner and has lost all confidence in his car .
It is important to note that he is towing a caravan around Australia and is right on his Max. Gross Combination Mass .
However he also said that the way Holden has treated him generally throughout the whole ordeal he won't buy another Colorado again.
Toyota hilux. They are bullet proof, I've got a 2002 sr5 3ltr turbo and haven't had a problem with it over the last 8 years. The thing gets me everywhere,tows my boat and a couple of ton of wood when out chopping. Had the rodeo and yes it was an awesome motor and drive line , but a very average 4wd with not much clearance. The body fell apart but the motor was still running.
Ultimately it comes down to budget. Under 15k most 4wd utes are old or flogged so you just have to look around at individual cars i guess and a decent 2nd hand one will cost 25-35k.
When i was looking my budget was 20/22k, loads of rubbish hiluxs and navaras owned by the flatbrim crew or cars that were well over 100k kms. Mitsi were doing tritons at the time for 27.5k. No brainer really. I think MQ tritons are now 33k.
Ford and Holdens are generally pretty rubbish after a few years and there is simply no way a Ranger is 30k better than a new triton. Not to mention after 5 years they are worth the same anyway 
Dmax by far would be the most reliable but i also found it cramped (6'5).
I got my ranger about 6 years ago, first of the 5 cylinder 3.2 litre 6 speed auto dual cab.
Now has over 140k.
Love it so much Im past due for an up grade and not in a hurry to upgrade as work is now getting Dmax.
Yes it did have a few minor warrinty issues but the drive train is untouched. I'm over 6.1 tall and it is very comfortable and roomy on trips, plenty of power, gearbox smooth, carrys a load easy (no spring sag to speak of) tows great (3500kg rating) stiabilty, traction controll excellent.
You get what you pay for so buy what u can aFord
Do it once and do it right. TOYOTA LANDCRUISER
But if you cant afford that get a triton. Ive had hiluxs navaras rodeos currently have a landcruiser troopcarrier (best car ive ever owned :) ) the tritons are virtually the same as the above but with an honest price tag.
Select to expand quotejeff2 said...
Had a customer last week tell me that his Colorado 2014 model diesel auto has just done 90000Km and is on its 4th transmission .
The first one failed at just over 50000km and Holden told him that the warranty on the current transmission is only for another 50000km.
Needless to say he is not a happy owner and has lost all confidence in his car .
It is important to note that he is towing a caravan around Australia and is right on his Max. Gross Combination Mass .
However he also said that the way Holden has treated him generally throughout the whole ordeal he won't buy another Colorado again.
That'd be the new one that isn't made by Isuzu. The old ones are awesome.
And my local Holden/Nissan dealer has been fantastic with any (very) minor warranty issues with the five cars I have got off them.
there is a reason why most of the mine sites use Toyotas......and its not cause they're cheap..
That's great and all but how do they hold up
I bet they fall apart just like every other D/C 4wd ute would in that environment.
Select to expand quotelortap said...
there is a reason why most of the mine sites use Toyotas......and its not cause they're cheap..
Good fleet deals?
There might also be a reason why most 4WD comp cars are Patrols?
Better off road and seriously tough?
Select to expand quotethedrip said...
There might also be a reason why most 4WD comp cars are Patrols?
Better off road and seriously tough?
Yep. This is on the money. Can't beat 4.2 coil cab patrol for off-road capability provided u can live with two seats. Proven in comps.
