MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Redback on June 05, 2011, 03:00:55 PM
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Well after putting new coils in the disco (thanks Phil) No1 daughter wanted to look and take a 4WD for a test drive, so in the car and a little drive to McGrath Volkswagen to test drive the new Volkswagen Amarok Trendline.
Of coarse I wanted to drive it as well, I must say I was very supprised and impressed, firstly at how much room there was inside the car, there is enough room in the second row seats to comfortably seat 3 tall adults, much more spacious than any of the other dualcabs on the market by a country mile, I put the front seat in a position that I was happy (5' 11" approx)with legs almost out straight, then got into the back, I had enough room to almost have my legs straight out, it didn't feel cramped at all, the rear seats were comfortable much better than any other dualcab I've sat in.
They are big and they look bloody brilliant, they have good power and torque, 120Kw, 400Nm, a bit slow off the mark in first, but once in second, they do get up and go, we drove one fitted with soft springs (VW comfort springs) they are smooth, with hardly any road noise, steering is precise with good feel AND it doesn't drive like a truck, it has a very easy clutch, gear change is notchy but still very good, good seating postion with an up and down adjustability, which makes it very close to the seating position of the Disco.
Overall, brilliant, would I buy one, hell yeah, is my daughter buying one, hell yeah, am I happy with her decision, you betcha :cup:
A bonus with this is,
From the ARB website
To coincide with the release of the Volkswagen Amarok, ARB is pleased to announce a full array of quality 4x4 accessories to further increase the functionality and performance of this vehicle, including deluxe bull bars, Old Man Emu suspension, canopies and roof racks.
Baz.
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They are a good jigger and they look great, almost a shame to fit a bar to it :)
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They are a good jigger and they look great, almost a shame to fit a bar to it :)
I can't wait for the auto version to come out.
12 months away they tell me.
;D
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I like everything about them, I just wonder about the towing capacity. A 2lt 4cyl is alot smaller than the 3ltr units in the Hilux's, Prados etc. I would buy one if I had more confidence in one towing my KK where I want to go without flogging it to death. They are a fantastic looking rig.
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I don't think you would need to flog it, it felt easy going with miles of torque, it pulls effortlessly from 1500rpm.
Bullbar
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flyingfridge/5460419609/in/set-72157625967228561/#/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flyingfridge/5460419609/in/set-72157625967228561/#/)
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they are a great looking ute...
only thing that comes close to having space on the inside is the triton in my opinion.
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I like everything about them, I just wonder about the towing capacity. A 2lt 4cyl is alot smaller than the 3ltr units in the Hilux's, Prados etc. I would buy one if I had more confidence in one towing my KK where I want to go without flogging it to death. They are a fantastic looking rig.
I remember when they used to say the same thing about the 3 ltr Patrol when they 1st came out.....it doesn't,t really matter what size the motor is , its the power & torque that matters.....and its got that base pretty well covered.......but long term reliability ?? you won't know that for a few more years yet! !!
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I remember when they used to say the same thing about the 3 ltr Patrol when they 1st came out.....it doesn't,t really matter what size the motor is , its the power & torque that matters.....and its got that base pretty well covered.......but long term reliability ?? you won't know that for a few more years yet! !!
You do know it's been around for about 3 or 4yrs now.
Baz.
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What $$ ? are they in silly money ? aka tojo or too cheap to be real ,aka great wall ? Redback you had the Explorer ergo your value for the $ paid is inline with reality and not biased to toyonissan .
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You do know it's been around for about 3 or 4yrs now.
Baz.
I am not critisising the vehicle Baz, just if I had the choice I would like a bit more capacity for towing my KK around. I would go for a low lux on that basis even though I realise the VW would probably be a better vehicle in all other respects. Just my opinion mate. No KK and I would be all over it, mate.
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IMO the Toyota Hilux has been the benchmark as far as build quality goes in the 4wd ute market.
But the build quality in the VW seems to be at a higher level again.
When for example you shut the door on the VW it makes that quality thud noise found in top european cars.
If nothing else the competitors will have to pull their fingers out.
:cheers:
Glenn
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I drove one in March, very nice, only thing was the clutch and stalling it. The guys at 4X4 Australia (July 2011) had the same problem when they tested it against the V6 Navara and Triton, the Amorak won easily.
Before adding any ARB accessories check with VW, read in a report that they are not happy with people putting accessories not recommended by them.
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read in a report that they are not happy with people putting accessories not recommended by them.
no manufacturer is..
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They are a big 4WD aren't they ... not until you see one up close you realise.
VW used to have a 2.5 5cyl TD in their Touareg so they're not new to this game. Having said that I think 2+ tonnes would be stretching the friendship. But like you said ... you can read it on paper and mock the fact its "only" 2L but when you drive one its a different story ... they're very driveable and you don't find it wanting.
The auto will be the thing that they need to get sorted soon. I was keen on one until I learnt the auto was going to be so far off ...
There is also talk of them bringing out a wagon version, kinda like the Challenger and the Triton relationship ... now that would be a cracker IMHO. Still probably 4+ years away.
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So Baz show us your new toy ,,, come on ;D :cheers:
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They are a big 4WD aren't they ... not until you see one up close you realise.
VW used to have a 2.5 5cyl TD in their Touareg so they're not new to this game. Having said that I think 2+ tonnes would be stretching the friendship. But like you said ... you can read it on paper and mock the fact its "only" 2L but when you drive one its a different story ... they're very driveable and you don't find it wanting.
The auto will be the thing that they need to get sorted soon. I was keen on one until I learnt the auto was going to be so far off ...
There is also talk of them bringing out a wagon version, kinda like the Challenger and the Triton relationship ... now that would be a cracker IMHO. Still probably 4+ years away.
Very true Dion, I think even a bloke your size would feel comfortable in one.
The clutch is a tad touchy, I nearly stalled a couple of times, but once I got used to it, it was fine.
Here is the wagon, not what I would call good looking though, I think the Challenger looks better.
(http://image.bitautoimg.com/bitauto//2011/02/103408581_550.jpg)
The other thing I liked was the rim range, factory 16, 17, for a better range of offroad tyres to replace the 18s.
Baz.
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I am not critisising the vehicle Baz, just if I had the choice I would like a bit more capacity for towing my KK around. I would go for a low lux on that basis even though I realise the VW would probably be a better vehicle in all other respects. Just my opinion mate. No KK and I would be all over it, mate.
No worries, I didn't think you were critisizing the vehicle or me, vehicle choice is always a personal thing for various reasons :cheers:
Baz.
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they look like a great vehicle very capable. wonder how they go on dealers or spare parts in more remote towns?
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they look like a great vehicle very capable. wonder how they go on dealers or spare parts in more remote towns?
Like all modern vehicles these days, you'll have to wait for parts.
OK the 4WD version of the wagon
(http://carplace.virgula.uol.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/vw-robust-suv.jpg)
Baz.
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I saw one the other week close and looked pretty impressive. Not sure what type of money they are going for, but if I was after a Dual Cab Ute I would consider one.
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I saw one the other week close and looked pretty impressive. Not sure what type of money they are going for, but if I was after a Dual Cab Ute I would consider one.
Amarok TDI400 2WD 120kW 6-speed manual $33,990
Amarok TDI400 4MOTION 120kW 6-speed manual $43,990
Amarok Trendline TDI400 4MOTION 120kW 6-speed manual $47,990
Amarok Highline TDI400 4MOTION 120kW 6-speed manual $52,990
Amarok Ultimate TDI400 4MOTION 120kW 6-speed manual $58,490
Plus onroads
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Amarok TDI400 2WD 120kW 6-speed manual $33,990
Amarok TDI400 4MOTION 120kW 6-speed manual $43,990
Amarok Trendline TDI400 4MOTION 120kW 6-speed manual $47,990
Amarok Highline TDI400 4MOTION 120kW 6-speed manual $52,990
Amarok Ultimate TDI400 4MOTION 120kW 6-speed manual $58,490
Plus onroads
Very similar price wise to the Hilux.
:cheers:
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Only problem with their size is parking it.
Our amarok takes a little 2 point manouvre to get it in my parking spot at work. We can't put a canopy on as it would be too tall for the garage. Same with roof rails. Probably the same with a lift.
Beautiful to drive. My wife thought it was much like the Honda jazz to drive.
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Only problem with their size is parking it.
Our amarok takes a little 2 point manouvre to get it in my parking spot at work. We can't put a canopy on as it would be too tall for the garage. Same with roof rails. Probably the same with a lift.
Beautiful to drive. My wife thought it was much like the Honda jazz to drive.
Have you been able to do some real world fuel economy figures, the factory figures will always be better, do you have some towing and not towing??
Baz.
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so far averaging around 8.4L/100K. mainly around town and some highway. used a whole 8.8L/100km when i got stuck in city traffic for an hour.
haven't towed anywhere yet though.
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When you get a few more Ks on the clock it may lousen up a bit more , all the same very impressive ;D
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Like all modern vehicles these days, you'll have to wait for parts.
OK the 4WD version of the wagon
(http://carplace.virgula.uol.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/vw-robust-suv.jpg)
Baz.
Thats a great looking car :cup:
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I check out the 2wd dual cab Amarok, for I am in the market to replace my VR Ute, the Amarok is nearly the same price as the Hilux, about $650.oo diff and so I took one for a spin for about 1hr ith a mate of mine...what suprised me was that it was easier to drive then the 4wd Hiluxs we have at work, and compared to the Colorado 2 wd Dual Cab Colorado I drive for, well its no contest...The 2wd Amarok blows it into the weeds.
It has better fuel economy, better power band starting at 1700rpm, feels more solid, better screwed together, better ride height at 265mm, more options it is just a better overall product.
Those were the good points.
Now for the deal breaker...which I am still shaking my head over...
The RRP is $33K + on roads etc, dealer wanted with Diff lock, on roads and such....$41,500....wanted to charge nearly $7000 for dealer delivery charges...$7000, talk about highway robbery!
Their excuse is that it costs that amount to bring them out to Australia...talk about thievery!
Spares and such, this will be a problem, if your stuck in say, in Alice, for the spares may have to come from the HQ in Sydney for the time being, plus dealers are far and few between North of Brisbane, but what is really bad, is that some of the dealers of VW are owned by the same company, so their is no competition between dealers..ie SE Qld.
So it will be difficult to get the best deal by playing one dealer off against another for the best price, which takes all the fun out of the chase.
This can not be said for Toyota, Holden, Nissan, Ford and such, there are heaps of dealers and they will bargin if pushed...
At preseent there is no real second hand market for the Amarok, which will take time to develop and time will tell if they hold their price.
Having said all that, I will wait for the single cab version to come out in early 2012, but in the mean time, if I can get a 2wd Amarok Dual Cab with rear diff lock and have a good change over deal for about $30k , I would plunk the hard earned down on one tommorrow.
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I check out the 2wd dual cab Amarok, for I am in the market to replace my VR Ute, the Amarok is nearly the same price as the Hilux, about $650.oo diff and so I took one for a spin for about 1hr ith a mate of mine...what suprised me was that it was easier to drive then the 4wd Hiluxs we have at work, and compared to the Colorado 2 wd Dual Cab Colorado I drive for, well its no contest...The 2wd Amarok blows it into the weeds.
It has better fuel economy, better power band starting at 1700rpm, feels more solid, better screwed together, better ride height at 265mm, more options it is just a better overall product.
Those were the good points.
Now for the deal breaker...which I am still shaking my head over...
The RRP is $33K + on roads etc, dealer wanted with Diff lock, on roads and such....$41,500....wanted to charge nearly $7000 for dealer delivery charges...$7000, talk about highway robbery!
Their excuse is that it costs that amount to bring them out to Australia...talk about thievery!
Spares and such, this will be a problem, if your stuck in say, in Alice, for the spares may have to come from the HQ in Sydney for the time being, plus dealers are far and few between North of Brisbane, but what is really bad, is that some of the dealers of VW are owned by the same company, so their is no competition between dealers..ie SE Qld.
So it will be difficult to get the best deal by playing one dealer off against another for the best price, which takes all the fun out of the chase.
This can not be said for Toyota, Holden, Nissan, Ford and such, there are heaps of dealers and they will bargin if pushed...
At preseent there is no real second hand market for the Amarok, which will take time to develop and time will tell if they hold their price.
Having said all that, I will wait for the single cab version to come out in early 2012, but in the mean time, if I can get a 2wd Amarok Dual Cab with rear diff lock and have a good change over deal for about $30k , I would plunk the hard earned down on one tommorrow.
Does that include stamp duty??
The price we got was $38,465 for the 2WD, $48,794 for the 4WD base model, drive away no more to pay, from McGrath at Sutherland.
I think you need to shop around.
Baz
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Does that include stamp duty??
The price we got was $38,465 for the 2WD, $48,794 for the 4WD base model, drive away no more to pay, from McGrath at Sutherland.
I think you need to shop around.
Baz
Checked the WWW, I got a price of $34689 drive away from a dealer in Brisbane through Discountcars.com,www.discountnewcars.com.au/demo-cars/volkswagen/amarok/10337478.aspx (http://www.discountnewcars.com.au/demo-cars/volkswagen/amarok/10337478.aspx) its a demonstrator...but hey...
The original price quoted by the VW dealer in Lismore was about $40,000 drive away. The Ultimate they had in the yard, on the road was $50,000, so they were going to deal on the high end models, but with the poverty packs, the dealer is playing hard ball.
Wasting my time with this dealer...
So next week I'm off to Brisbane for family function...time to kick some tyres and haggle.
P.S
The bloke I was with also tried the Triton and again the HiLux, just on the off chance we were dreamin, the Triton is well optioned for the price...the HiLux...well, Toyota have lived on their reputation for too long, well overpriced for what you get.
But still, I kept on coming back to the Amarok, it sounds wierd, the Amarok is physically a big ute, but feels small and it drives like our small 307 Pug, we threw over some rough stuff on the way to Whyralla on a mates farm, very nice and shore footed, the others, felt big to drive, by the way, my mate wants to put his Dual Cab HiLux SR5 12 months old up for sale...
He's got the hots for the Trendline, heading of to Brisbane next month to get one, with options and such...it is $4560 cheaper than a Toyota Hi Lux SR5.
All we wanted to do was kick some tyres...wait until the minister of finance finds out....
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....wanted to charge nearly $7000 for dealer delivery charges...$7000, talk about highway robbery!
Their excuse is that it costs that amount to bring them out to Australia...talk about thievery!
I've bought 2 Audis new and paid <$1000 for dealer delivery. Find another dealer.
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Checked the WWW, I got a price of $34689 drive away from a dealer in Brisbane through Discountcars.com,www.discountnewcars.com.au/demo-cars/volkswagen/amarok/10337478.aspx (http://www.discountnewcars.com.au/demo-cars/volkswagen/amarok/10337478.aspx) its a demonstrator...but hey...
The original price quoted by the VW dealer in Lismore was about $40,000 drive away. The Ultimate they had in the yard, on the road was $50,000, so they were going to deal on the high end models, but with the poverty packs, the dealer is playing hard ball.
Wasting my time with this dealer...
So next week I'm off to Brisbane for family function...time to kick some tyres and haggle.
P.S
The bloke I was with also tried the Triton and again the HiLux, just on the off chance we were dreamin, the Triton is well optioned for the price...the HiLux...well, Toyota have lived on their reputation for too long, well overpriced for what you get.
But still, I kept on coming back to the Amarok, it sounds wierd, the Amarok is physically a big ute, but feels small and it drives like our small 307 Pug, we threw over some rough stuff on the way to Whyralla on a mates farm, very nice and shore footed, the others, felt big to drive, by the way, my mate wants to put his Dual Cab HiLux SR5 12 months old up for sale...
He's got the hots for the Trendline, heading of to Brisbane next month to get one, with options and such...it is $4560 cheaper than a Toyota Hi Lux SR5.
All we wanted to do was kick some tyres...wait until the minister of finance finds out....
The other option is to wait for the new Ranger, supposed to be as big as the Amarok, reported to be 90% the size of the F150, then compare it to the Amarok.
Baz.
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The other option is to wait for the new Ranger, supposed to be as big as the Amarok, reported to be 90% the size of the F150, then compare it to the Amarok.
Baz.
The VW dealer was a Mazda agent as well, so I checked into the Bt 50, the sibling of the Ranger, I have driven the Bt 50 at work, 2010 model, nice, ample power, but the bloody turning circle...the Queen Mary could turn quicker, I hope the new model is better.
But I compared the price of the BT 50 against the Amarok, $500 diff in the Amaroks favour with the options I need, plus some of these facts in the Amaroks' favour....
Regardless of the GM of the Amarok when the tray is loaded ie max 1300Kg, yes 1300kg, plus 5 up, you can still pull max 2000kg with the 2wd without effecting the RTA rule of being overweight. In having the 4 motion, this goes up to 3000kg you can tow without effecting the overweight rule.
Fuel economy, the diesel BT50 4x4 , 11.5 / 100km, BT 50 2wd 9.5/ 100km... the Amarok 2wd / 4 motion... 7.0l/100km, and it is bigger than the BT 50 / Ranger setup and Amarok has a AMSTAR rating of 5, the others are still at 3 of maybe 4 if you option them up.
The new single cab Amarok comes out in late 2011, so that will be interesting, VW claims 5.8 to 6l/100km with the diesel, still the high ride height and diff lock.
I have just one thing that puts the Amarok at a disadvantage in Australia and keeps me thinking...reliability/cost of parts / price second hand and dealer backup west of the Great Divide...but at the moment the VW Amarok has the inside running.....
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I don't think it matters what you buy nowdays, your going to wait for parts regardless of what you drive, knowbody carrys parts anymore, even big dealers in the city don't, you might get filters and belts and the like but parts that stop the car will be a 3 day wait minimum, sometimes even longer if the part has to come in from overseas, I've seen it first hand when in remote areas.
I wouldn't let that stop you.
Baz.
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Interesting reading about the Amarok, and the talk about parts, resale, and so forth.
Has anybody asked about the servicing cost to compare each vehicle.
Sometimes the cost of servicing can cause a few heart flutters.
How often is a service?
How much for a major service and when is it?
cheers
Dave
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Servicing approx every 15000Km..but with diesels, they can be pushed a bit further out if you change the oil and filters regularly.
The cost of service...salesman said closel to Japanese 4wds, so about $400 -600 for minimal...$1000+ for the majors...that's if you use the dealer...but we all know, you can get handbook servicing from others.
My sister in law got her Subuaru Outback serviced, 2008 model..$800 she plunked down for a major service, our Pug307 diesel....$300 to $450 for regular checkup.
The cost of spare parts...not cheap, but the Amarok is built in Angentina.
But for actuals costs...there may be a swagger with a Amarok who can fill us in.
P.S
The NRMA Open Road came today, seems they were reading my mind....here is their Video report on the Amaraok...
www.youtube.com/user/nrmadriverseat#p/u/0/l7e_SfYsteE (http://www.youtube.com/user/nrmadriverseat#p/u/0/l7e_SfYsteE)