Hi all!
Even though I'm assuming this topic has been covered, I would still like to get some good advice from you.
I can't seem to make my mind up between the purchase of the following :
VW transp. 2009. TB .80k on the clock
Renault traffic , similar , 105 odo
But I'm im also kinda obsessed with space cab Utes:
Navara 09 , 95k on it diesel manual
Colorado , or a ranger . All very similar in numbers eye and price .
Opinions please , experiences and thoughts...
Thanks ! Much appreciated
Will
You will get a ton of stuff in a van.
You will get onto the beach with the 4wd utes.
What is more important to you? I think that is your first decision. After that it is easy..... 
Err. I want both! But I don't wanna buy "a lemon " have heard really good and really bad reviews of all of the above ...
as Mark said
I have a Navara, love it to bits but, often wish i had a van or wagon to stash the stuff i'm not using i.e. board, mast etc that is strapped to the roof. 4x4 will get you anywhere like my last trip to Gero, let down tyres and hit the beach to the hard to get to spot. fun fun fun
Downside which is most often is trying to load your gear on the roof when it's howling and you're spent from sailing. My first time a board flipped in the wind and clouted my on the nose, followed by pain and claret. You soon learn technique to load and unload. When i'm local i use my wifes corolla wagon
So do you sail places that can be accessed by 2wd then get a van. If you could use the ute for other stuff (like i do) go 4x4
Go the van
Stay clear of Pathfinders or Navaras. Have 150K on my 09Pathfinder diesel auto and it has been constantly at the mechanics with issues from day one. have just had the alloy engine head replaced after it warped from a very minor over heating event caused by a faulty thermostat.
Valid responses so far - thank you all.
Was hoping on a bit of a realistic review of a transporter...
Love paj's too but for the time being ill have to lug tools and materials around most days ...
Space cabs are a waste of space in my opinion. Its like almost but not quite!
I've had vans, station wagons and ute and have found that my favourite is a diesel manual ute with canopy and roof racks (stuff can go in or on without getting the cab dirty). Diesel for power and manual for 4wd.
I own the 2014 Ford Ranger and can't fault it as a workhorse or family bus, but I have always stayed away from Ford for ute's in the past because they always looked like they were making ute's just to say "Oh look at us, we are making ute's as well", without putting any effort into the design.
If all your choices have similar details, then I would look at a ute that has is a manual diesel with power, 4wd with ground clearance (diff lock would be good) duel cab and plenty of space in the tray with a canopy.
Hope that helps.
if you dont want a lemon stay away from the navarra at 95k! also probaby stay away from anything euro esp secondhand (big bills so renau and vw)
do you know you can get a new triton with 5/10 wty for 29k?
I have had 4wd spacecab navara n most of my friends have had vans!
I purchased a toyota landcruiser troop carrier two days ago and although it sucks around town its the best car I have ever owned !
Its a massive beach / bush BUS
Take a look here, you cant go wrong with these. I was going to show you same on gumtree, but my Microsoft Security Essentials blocked content on this website 
K's are no issue if you go diesel.
Plenty under $20,000 and if you can, stick with private sales as yards have to make a dollar, and you will pay more.http://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?q=%28%28%28State%3D%5BWestern%20Australia%5D%26Service%3D%5BCarsales%5D%29%26Year%3Drange%5B1998..2006%5D%29%26%28Make%3D%5BToyota%5D%26%28Model%3D%5BLandcruiser%5D%26Series%3D%5BHZJ105R%5D%29%29%29&cpw=1&sortby=TopDeal&limit=12
Select to expand quoteok said..
I purchased a toyota landcruiser troop carrier two days ago and although it sucks around town its the best car I have ever owned !
I wouldn't be surprised at all if this ends up actually being the case, but maybe it's a bit early for that call? 
Would love a troop! forgot about them.
Not sure if you can get a decent one for < 20 K and if the tax/bussiness perks are applicable though....
Ahh cool
I will do a fair few K s around town, from job to job
Love the cruisers etc. Maybe Next vehicle 
Thanks man.
I love the ranger 2014.
In my budget i can only really afford 1 2009/10 ranger .. which could be an option now. It seems like a no BS vehicle with no real issues in their reviews
I don't have an Isuzu, but they are a solid vehicle.
worth further research fo' sho'.
Select to expand quotemyusernam said...
do you know you can get a new triton with 5/10 wty for 29k?
If your looking at a 4wd ute, you honestly cant beat this deal on run out MN tritons and that 29k will include tinting, floor mats, painted sports bar and a full tank of fuel ;). It's incredible buying.
The other 4wd utes are all good cars but whilst navaras and hilux are still commanding high prices most habe been flogged hard by flatbrim wearing muppets
Select to expand quoteCrossStep said..
I've had vans, station wagons and ute and have found that my favourite is a diesel manual ute with canopy and roof racks (stuff can go in or on without getting the cab dirty). Diesel for power and manual for 4wd.
While I totally agree on the diesel part, I'm not so sure about the manual call. When driving on sand I've found an auto box to be fantastic. When you get stuck you just let it idle along while helping it out with a shovel or shoulder. Also it changes down a lot quicker than I can do, and you need a fast downchange when you hit the soft stuff, at least in my limited experience.
2 weekends ago I watched a manual ute get bogged at my local beach, and the smell from the burning clutch was eye watering as he tried to get out. Would have been much easier with an auto box imo.
I'm searching around at the moment for a new vehicle, but it's just about impossible to find anything that matches the capability of my old banged-up 4WD auto diesel van. Nothing allows you to fit as much gear inside as a van, and my new local is 4WD access only so that part is decided for me as well.
Good luck on the hunt.
Select to expand quoteMDSXR6T said..myusernam said...
do you know you can get a new triton with 5/10 wty for 29k?
If your looking at a 4wd ute, you honestly cant beat this deal on run out MN tritons and that 29k will include tinting, floor mats, painted sports bar and a full tank of fuel ;). It's incredible buying.
I can see you reading that out on the TV ad
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said...MDSXR6T said..myusernam said...
do you know you can get a new triton with 5/10 wty for 29k?
If your looking at a 4wd ute, you honestly cant beat this deal on run out MN tritons and that 29k will include tinting, floor mats, painted sports bar and a full tank of fuel ;). It's incredible buying.
I can see you reading that out on the TV ad
Nah i'm not good looking enough to be advertising cars on TV, i just know a great buy when it comes along
Even the ford bird on the ads couldn't see 20k more value in a ranger than a run out triton and not to mention the significant depriciation on any ford.
Select to expand quoteclarkee said..
Nebs what 4wd van have u got?,and how does it rate cheers,
Mitsubishi Delica.
It rates as excellent as far as capability goes, it's a pajero underneath with a van body on top. So that means 2.8 turbo diesel, proper gearbox that lets you lock the centre diff and also select low range, reasonable clearance but you've got to put a bash plate underneath.
The big problem with grey imports like this is insurance. There's only one company that will insure you (Lumley Special Vehicles) so if you don't like them then you're SOL.
I'm undecided as to what to get next, do I just get a SUV with roof racks like every other sheep out there or get the modern equivalent of the Delica (D5 I think they're called).
nebbian go there first - check out the Delica, or similar Van AND a 4wd.
Me? I have a troopy 
21 years old this year and still awesome.
I third the Delica! 4WD van - great vehicle. Currently have a '96 model which I'll be selling around February time when my newly-purchased 2010 D5 Delica (bought at auction in Japan last week) arrives off the ship and has gone through compliance.
Select to expand quotenebbian said..
While I totally agree on the diesel part, I'm not so sure about the manual call....
+1
Auto gearboxes definitely outperform on sand. It's an indisputable fact and one I can vouch for though personal experience. The time it takes you to personally shift down a gear in soft sand will have you stopped and stuck...whereas an auto will transition with no practical loss of power, maintaining momentum.
I will concede there are arguments either way on offroad/terrain type work, but sand=auto. Anyone who says otherwise has plainly not had the pleasure of driving in truly soft sand.
Select to expand quotewilliam said...
Valid responses so far - thank you all.
Was hoping on a bit of a realistic review of a transporter...
Love paj's too but for the time being ill have to lug tools and materials around most days ...
Love the custom transporters,
Nice paint job , lowered , and classy rims
Vito's look great aswell, I travelled in my old vito for a couple of years , fond memories
Mate has a delicia and loves it, good mix IMO
Stores all his kiting gear inside
It's be a bit high though for roof storage, especially removing on a regular basis
Select to expand quoteParadox said...nebbian said..
While I totally agree on the diesel part, I'm not so sure about the manual call....
+1
Auto gearboxes definitely outperform on sand. It's an indisputable fact and one I can vouch for though personal experience. The time it takes you to personally shift down a gear in soft sand will have you stopped and stuck...whereas an auto will transition with no practical loss of power, maintaining momentum.
I will concede there are arguments either way on offroad/terrain type work, but sand=auto. Anyone who says otherwise has plainly not had the pleasure of driving in truly soft sand.
Although overheating auto Trans seams to be common, 40 degrees on the beach, slow speed and soft hot sand.
