MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Flemo on September 27, 2012, 08:25:26 PM
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Righto people, just handed back the hilux and chucked in my job to go out on my own. New start business so borrowing for a new work truck so total $$'s is a factor. Options are all the usual but some willing to deal more than others. choice lies with-
Mitsubishi triton- glxr auto with hard tonneau $46 drive away, older technology, best warranty, prob worst resale, ugly!
Mazda bt50 - xtr auto with hard tonneau $52 drive away, awesome engine and 6 speed auto, sat nav, hill descent, rear diff lock, getting serviced at Mazda is a mission and worried about warranty issues if service at non Mazda, more $.
Holden Colorado -ltz auto with hart tonneau $50 drive away, neW engine, 15k service interval, 6 speed auto.
Leaning toward bt50 due to I think resale will be better, good engine, hill descent, sat nav etc. anyone got any experience good or bad..? I'm gonna pull the trigger this weekend!
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Isuzu D-max?
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The new Landcruiser dual cab is out next
They will be the strongest dual cab ever sold in Aus and the resale.
But no good if you want an auto I won't buy one till Toyota work out its the only transmission to have.
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Isuzu D-max?
Not much diff to the old model that I could buy for 8k less last year.
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Not much diff to the old model that I could buy for 8k less last year.
The only thing the same as the old model is the engine and it was a great engine.
Apart from the D Max is an all new ute.
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What about Ford Ranger?
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Flemo,
Go the Triton:
I have one,
I love her,
She is beautiful,
She has never let me down,
She has the super select transmission and,
I can pat the dog in the back through the back electric window 8) 8)
Seriously mate, go for the one you like the look of, no relationship works if you think she looks a bit crook :cheers:
Disco teddy.
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Mate of mine has the triton and the servicing and rust have been the worst issues.
My hilux is good but Shithouse turning circle. Big ute though with plenty of room and grunt.
Like the Ford but resale is sh!thouse.
How long are you planing on keeping it?
Cheers Nomad
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Ford and toyota won't do a deal at all, coffs, ballina and gold coast all won't budge. Salesman a bit arrogant at all of them! I don't get ranger pricing compared to bt50 at all, ford have their heads in the clouds
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Not sure if the engine and gearbox is different in the new bt50, friend has the old shape and in 50k on the clock it has had 2 new clutches and a new gearbox, doesn't tow anything and no offroad work. Might just be a lemon and may be a new driveline in the new one. Mazda has replaced everything with no issues but being without your car constantly is a PITA.
We have a Hilux SR5, Trtion glx and a Amarok Trendline at work, only done on road driving in them. If money wasn't a problem I would buy the Amarock but if I was shopping for myself I would buy the Triton and spend the savings on mods. My 2 cents
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In the current business climate why not buy someone's second hand older model that will do the job.
Wait till you have done a year or so and see how the P & L looks.
Just a thought.
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Throwing the mighty Navara into the ring. I love mine but people seem to have something against them but no one will tell me what.
Anyways. My old man is going through this at the moment and he is down to either the D-Max or the Ranger. He's into caravans if that helps.
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I went through the same decision about 1 year ago. One of my main decision points was seat comfort and support (because i have a bad back and a lot of seats make it worse). So for me the Triton was out as i found the seats horrible. I ended up woth a Hilux. Although its quite boring it suits me well. The new model BT50 and Ranger came out a few weeks later. If i were looking now i would be pretty keen on the BT50.
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I have a VR DC Triton. My preference list would be:
1. VW Amarok!!!!
2. BT50
3. Everything else.
The Triton is dated. I love mine, but as is always the case it has been leapfrogged by the competition for reasons already said..
I'd trade to an Auto Landcruiser DC ute tomorrow if it existed..
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The Ford Ranger, although designed and engineered for Australian consumption and manufactured in Thailand,, has been very successful in the US. Allocation of vehicles out of the factory greatly favour the US market. For example, the current waiting period once you sign a contract on a Maxtrack is 12 months. I drove one to and from Bowhill a couple of weekends ago and they are a comfortable, very well appointed vehicle. They still command a very good resale value, simply due to demand.
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Drive the VW before you decide. The ride, comfort and build quality leaves the rest for dead and pricing isn't bad either.
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The BT-50 is still winning the comparison tests. The Colorado is not nearly as ugly as the release pictures suggest, and is the newest out.
The D-Max is a good suggestion, and if it won on price that would be a good choice, else get the Mazda.
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Ford and toyota won't do a deal at all,
This doesn't surprise me. The wife's uncle just bought a D40 Navara. He really, REALLY wanted a Ranger, but the local dealership wouldn't even let him take their demo for a drive. He could sit in it and play with the stereo, but they weren't doing any test drives - if you wanted to drive one, then you ordered one and drove it when it arrived. Hence, Nissan.
The BT50's get a good rap, and friends of ours have had the older models for a while now and love them. However, you buy it once but service it every few months. If the Mazda servicing is going to be a pain EVERY TIME, then I'd suggest something that'll be easier on you long-term. That said, warranty coverage shouldn't be affected if you get it serviced elsewhere. "*shouldn't*".
The council here has Navaras, Hiluxes and Tritons. The Tritons have very low kms - no one likes them. Apparently the turning circle is the worst of all 3. NB - I've never driven them, this is just from talking to some of the guys in CNS Water. The Navaras get the biggest props for usability and cabin space. Personally, I like the Tritons, and would try to find an earlier model with the smaller tub.
Marschy - I didn't think Ford was selling the new Ranger into the US, for fear of cannibalising F150 sales? I know there was a lot of fuss on places like ExPo when it was released, because those guys were clambering for a smaller bodied turbo-diesel ute. Interesting if they've changed their stance here, and what impact it will have on the similarly-sized F-truck sales.
Depending on price, I'd look at the VW. From there, I'd probably go the BT50 (only if I didn't need to look at it), then the Colorado (on the basis that it's slightly less ugly than the new DMax). As for the new 70-series DC, I'd chop a 100-series before I even considered one of them.
Good luck, both with the new car and the new business!
Cheers!
Matto :)
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The Ford Ranger, although designed and engineered for Australian consumption and manufactured in Thailand,, has been very successful in the US. Allocation of vehicles out of the factory greatly favour the US market. For example, the current waiting period once you sign a contract on a Maxtrack is 12 months. I drove one to and from Bowhill a couple of weekends ago and they are a comfortable, very well appointed vehicle. They still command a very good resale value, simply due to demand.
I thought Thailand only supplied Australia/Asia? USA stock comes from Mexico or somewhere?
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G'day Flemmo,
Regardless of what dealerships tell you, your new vehicle warranty CANNOT be voided by virtue of servicing at a non manufacture dealer. As long as the vehicle is maintained to manufacturer's specifications, ie. in accordance with the handbook, and you used genuine parts, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda etc. etc. cannot void or deny a legitimate warranty claim.
That said, a mate had a BT50, older model and loved it. His only gripe was that it was light in the tail if not loaded and prone to slipping out when travelling a winding road like the Kuranda Range. Another mate has an Amorak with which he's really pleased.
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Best pick on dual cabs is the amarok at the moment.
(Depending on budget/price)
Australians need to get over this fear of a smaller engine. VW reliability nd engineering. I can see the Amarok being head of its class quite soon, ad market leader in the dual cab competition.
good luck with your self employment, what business/trade are you in?
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I thought Thailand only supplied Australia/Asia? USA stock comes from Mexico or somewhere?
Wife sells to fleet customers at Stillwell Ford here in Adelaide. The word she has is that the Ranger is in such demand in the US that Ford US are pilfering from any manufacturing facility worldwide they can to meet the bigger US market demands. The biggest issue is diesel engines, or lack thereof. The 3.2 diesel production is not keeping up with demand.
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good luck with your self employment, what business/trade are you in?
Self employed consultant project/contract manager. Got the opportunity to sign a 2.5 year deal to project manage a section of the PAC hwy upgrade. So in short a glorified road builder. Don't get involved with the dirt any more more higher level surveillance of earthworks, drainage, enviro, safety etc.
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Wife sells to fleet customers at Stillwell Ford here in Adelaide. The word she has is that the Ranger is in such demand in the US that Ford US are pilfering from any manufacturing facility worldwide they can to meet the bigger US market demands. The biggest issue is diesel engines, or lack thereof. The 3.2 diesel production is not keeping up with demand.
yep that makes sense
wow - who thought a Land Rover engine could be so popular ;D
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yep that makes sense
wow - who thought a Land Rover engine could be so popular ;D
Volvo actually.
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Volvo actually.
ah I thought it was LR architecture :-[
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Best pick on dual cabs is the amarok at the moment.
(Depending on budget/price)
Australians need to get over this fear of a smaller engine. VW reliability nd engineering. I can see the Amarok being head of its class quite soon, ad market leader in the dual cab competition.
good luck with your self employment, what business/trade are you in?
Reliability? I'll have to post some pics of what's left of the inside of my 5 yr old vw transporter!!
I'm in the dual cab market too, the Colorado is looking good at the moment, the engine is the same as the one used in some of the jeeps, in their forum it seems like the engine is good, the rest of the jeep breaks down around it!!
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We love our D-Max if that's any help tows the camper and the horse float no problems.
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Toeball, word of warning: be careful of what you post RE jeeps. I learnt first hand in another recent thread what happens when you make factual statements about them.
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I don't understand? Must be a jeep thing!! :cheers:
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If you're bored and hot nothing better to do, check out the thread started by polyphonic in my 4wd called regarding what 30k used 4by to get. You won't necessarily understand, but you WILL get my meaning. Or just ignore, its not really related to this particular topic/thread, buy you did ask....
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Reliability? I'll have to post some pics of what's left of the inside of my 5 yr old vw transporter!!
Please do post up pics and story. Interested to hear more.
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Volvo actually.
No Land Rover, it was developed while LR was owned by BMW for the Discovery 2 that was released in 1998, Ford have now fully re-designed it for the Ranger and BT-50.
The TD5 Land Rover engine had nothing in common with the old Volvo 5 cylinder engine.
Baz.
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I would go the dmax, the engine is from the trucks.
I went over the weigh bridge at the tip the other day, 5 tonne with the trailer on. It just keeps chugging along. You can feel the weight your towing still. Never had an issue with the engine.
BT50 would be a good option, but the isuzu engine has been around for years in the smaller trucks.
I guess it depends what your doing each and day. And if you need that pulling power. Or if the smaller engine would work for you.
Saw an intresting sight this morning, top of the hill out of sydney on the F3, three dual cabs, all with campers on the back. Hilux with the bonnet up. Toyotas are not what they used to be.
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Don't get any of them, overpriced junk. 3.5 ton towing limit, with weak clutches, drum rear brakes?
If you must get one, heres my tips,
Get auto (weak clutches, turbo lag)
Don't get a Triton
Ask how much servicing costs (once fixed price servicing finishes)
Get rid of it before the warranty runs out
If i had to replace my lemon with another i would get the Dmax, due to it having a proven engine.
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The warranty on the new Ford Ranger BT50 diesels is excellent. When they blow the crankshaft seals at 5k the dealer fixes her right up! I know!
2 of my best mates each have a new diesel amarock and they seem to be really good. Only issue is that the dealer fitted Bluetooth doesn't work on either and won't be working anytime soon. I think they're a bit ugly. ;)
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Best pick on dual cabs is the amarok at the moment.
(Depending on budget/price)
Australians need to get over this fear of a smaller engine. VW reliability nd engineering. I can see the Amarok being head of its class quite soon, ad market leader in the dual cab competition.
Nice car but no good if you want to get it serviced etc outside of a major city.
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No Land Rover, it was developed while LR was owned by BMW for the Discovery 2 that was released in 1998, Ford have now fully re-designed it for the Ranger and BT-50.
The TD5 Land Rover engine had nothing in common with the old Volvo 5 cylinder engine.
Baz.
yeah that was the info I had - yay, I wasn't incorrect :)
Hey Flemo, who not a Hilux? Good dealer support, durable/proven design, chassis architecture the others are only just catching up to etc etc...?
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Without getting into the vehicle debate, I have to ask - why get a hard tonneau? I've had two utes with hard tonneau's and they are the biggest pain in the bum.
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The Ford Ranger, although designed and engineered for Australian consumption and manufactured in Thailand,, has been very successful in the US. Allocation of vehicles out of the factory greatly favour the US market.
The Thai built Ranger that is sold all over SE Asia (including Aust and NZ) is a completely different vehicle to the Ranger sold in the US. The Thai built vehicle is NOT sold in the US.
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Gt I currently have the latest model hilux, good on the hwy, good off road but Toyota are a bit up their own ass. Totally unwilling to deal and won't acknowledge that they have been overtaken by mazda and ford and like I said wont budge on price.
Symon hard tonneau is purely recreational, always carry a few surfboards with the 5 seats avail for work tours and the boards safely locked away. If not for the lockable cover they would walk for sure! In our prado I need a seat down in the back to get the boards in.
Anyway gonna make an offer to Mazda tomorrow, if they don't take looks like the colorado. $$'s wise the Mazda will be about $2.5k more.
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The Thai built Ranger that is sold all over SE Asia (including Aust and NZ) is a completely different vehicle to the Ranger sold in the US. The Thai built vehicle is NOT sold in the US.
Clarification required. The supply of engines is the issue, not the vehicle itself.
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Anyway gonna make an offer to Mazda tomorrow, if they don't take looks like the colorado. $$'s wise the Mazda will be about $2.5k more.
I know I harshed all over the Mazda earlier on, and I still don't think they're the prettiest girl at the bar, but...
We camped next to a brand new BT50 this weekend. Extra cab with the cool suicide doors, and a big alloy box on the back. Aftermarket wheels, but not much else in the way of mods. It was a very nice looking car, and with the blacked out grill looked a lot better than most I'd seen. Was towing a nice Cape York hardfloor camper.
The one thing that would turn me off it though - every time I walked past their camp someone else had come up and was chatting to them about the car. The must have spent most of the weekend standing beside the car, opening doors, talking about the motor, etc. (The camper was fetching it's fair share of attention as well). Mazda should pay them a commission - I'm sure more than a few BT50's sold out of Cairns in the coming months will be their fault.
Good luck Flemo!
Matto :)
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Our new D.Max has now done 2.5K, we are currently in the Central Coast heading back to Nanango t/m. On the trip down we achieved 7.7L /100 and I was sitting on the speed limited all the way, not towing. This ute is so nice to drive and has quite enough power believe me. And at $50K for the top of the line model we are very happy.
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G'day Flemmo,
Regardless of what dealerships tell you, your new vehicle warranty CANNOT be voided by virtue of servicing at a non manufacture dealer. As long as the vehicle is maintained to manufacturer's specifications, ie. in accordance with the handbook, and you used genuine parts, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda etc. etc. cannot void or deny a legitimate warranty claim.
That is correct....I thought UltraTune ran Ads so people were aware...I still cannot believe they'll still try this crud on with Owners...
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Deal done, Maxda BT-50 XTR dual cab in titanium grey, hard tonneu, black sports bars and black mazda factory bullbar. Pretty happy to drive it away with business rego for $53k flat. Unfortunately have to wait till early November for it to arrive but in the end thats nothing. Local Mazda dealer in Lismore were happy to play the game and negotiate. I had 3 Holden dealers in the end nearly begging to buy a Colorado and got them down to $49600 minus a bull bar so about $51600 with, they seemed pretty desperate and easily dropped 10k off recomended retail. Happy to pay the $1500 extra for the what I believe to be much better car in the Mazda tho. :cheers:
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Well done Flemo, looking forward to the pics and mods.
Greg
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Flemo,
Are you riding a little 5'8" or something to get it into the back of the Mazda and get the tonneau down?
Cheers Nomad.
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Flemo,
Are you riding a little 5'8" or something to get it into the back of the Mazda and get the tonneau down?
Cheers Nomad.
Mate I can get my 2 6'5"s in the hilux diagonally and get the lid down. Mazda is 50mm bigger diagonally and depth. I can get my 6'10 in the Mazda no worries...
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Hey Flemo......
Just been asked if we want to go and stay at the Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort for a week in early Decemeber. Is it any good. If I go do you want to catch up for a surf and a beer? My board will fit easily in the back of the Mazda.... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cheers Nomad
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Hey Flemo......
Just been asked if we want to go and stay at the Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort for a week in early Decemeber. Is it any good. If I go do you want to catch up for a surf and a beer? My board will fit easily in the back of the Mazda.... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cheers Nomad
Yea mate, prob the best park in town, good facilities for the kids and right on the river. Prob about 2 k's out of town so no quick walk to the beach tho. Early December prob a good time to go to beat the crowds, and you def don't wanna be there in peak Chrissy hols cause they seriously squeeze them in.
Surf and a beer? Always keen for both! :cheers:
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Hi Folks,
Not meaning to hi-jack this thread but I am looking for info on BT50 suspension. I just bought two BT50 Freestyle Hi-Riders for work. We need load carrying ability. The BT50 Freestyle Hi rider is rated at 1450kg payload. With full tank of diesel and 960kg in gear the springs are inverted. Almost 400kg less than what it is rated to carry!!! The vehicle is one week old and is going back to Mazda tomorrow, with the weigh bridge certificate.
Do I have a vehicle with incorrect springs or have others experienced/heard of this also. Is the 1450kg payload just an advertising con?
I added this to this thread because others were talking knowledgeably about Rangers and BT50s. I was hoping someone could add some light before I head into a serious argument with Mazda.
Cheers
Murray
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Do I have a vehicle with incorrect springs or have others experienced/heard of this also. Is the 1450kg payload just an advertising con?
Can't help you with the BT50 specifically, but...
Father-in-law requested a new D40 Navara as his work truck. Wanted it specifically fitted out with an alloy box on the rear, rear slide-out drawer, light bar on the top, etc. Picked it up - perfect. Took it back to the depot and loaded in all their tools and found the same as you - rear springs were sitting the wrong way around. They drove it straight back to Nissan, and Nissan replaced the rear springs straight away with HD items. It annoyed him because he had to unload all his tools again (and then a third time when the wiring for the canopy & light bar melted the loom under the dash the following week), but since then the car has been perfect.
If I were you I'd do the same as you've done - take the loaded vehicle back to Mazda and just ask them what's going on. I suspect they'll swap the springs straight up for you. Most people who buy a ute want comfort, hence all the new utes coming with very soft rear springs.
Good luck!
Matto :)
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Hi Matto,
I partly suspect most utes never get loaded to the max and manufacturers use springs to suit the majority, and deal with the fallout as it happens. In this case to be 400kg short of the payload seemed just a bit too much. I just hope it is sorted quickly and without an argument. The rest of the car is great. Good pulling power with the big diesel.
Cheers
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Just an update on the suspension for whoever cares:
Went to Mazda with certificate from weighbridge. Not even an argument. A decision to upgrade the springs was made within 5 minutes. Not Mazda springs though, a local Brisbane company will do the job. I am yet to be notified who.
So this gives strength to the belief that ute springs are under-rated to give a softer ride knowing most owners do not reach the full payload. When you complain they just upgrade the springs.
Cheers
Murray
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I have also bit the bullet and upgraded to a dual cab today , sold my petrol V8 landcruiser and bought a Ford Ranger XLT diesel auto, should improve my fuel economy a bit when towing the swan around.
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Just an update on the suspension for whoever cares:
Went to Mazda with certificate from weighbridge. Not even an argument. A decision to upgrade the springs was made within 5 minutes. Not Mazda springs though, a local Brisbane company will do the job. I am yet to be notified who.
So this gives strength to the belief that ute springs are under-rated to give a softer ride knowing most owners do not reach the full payload. When you complain they just upgrade the springs.
Cheers
Murray
Murray,
We have OME "Constant 400" spring pack on our BT50 Freestyle that is great, sounds something like what you need...OME also do a "200"spring pack.
p.s Flemo, nice pick up with the BT, I'm sure you will luv it.
The only issue we had with ours was the duel mass fly wheel in the clutch...they are suss when reversing under load - i.e. up hill with a CT etc attached. To combat this we use L4 in these situations but there is a way to get L2...discussed on the 4WD action forum from memory.
Regards
Hem
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Dont get heavy duty springs, if you ever have the ute unloaded it will be like driving an empty truck.
They use soft springs so it as a smoother ride when unloaded. There is alot of people who have utes with nothing in the back, or less than 250kg of stuff.
Get some bellow air bags. Adjustable to what you are carrying. Make sure they are the heavy duty ones.
Got them on my Dmax. From speaking to suspension places alot of people have them on their utes.
Alot of suspension places wouldn't put heavy duty springs on, when I was speaking to them.
I have a lift off tool box, weights around 750kg with all of my gear, so a big diffrence when its loaded up to when its empty.
I guess this is where the air bags come into their own, compared to heavy duty leafs.
I run the bags at 40-50psi normal then let all the air out when I just have camping gear in the back.
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Guys I've noticed some good deals on hilux sr5 duel cabs. Are the hilux still good or are they now a bit outdated?
Greg
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Guys I've noticed some good deals on hilux sr5 duel cabs. Are the hilux still good or are they now a bit outdated?
Greg
I'd say both, a good vehicle but a bit outdated. There's more of them on the road than any other dual cab and although they no longer match the specs of some of their competitors they are still extremely popular and a very good vehicle. My SR Hilux has worked hard for nearly 5 years with minimal hassles and when I replace it next year it will be either the new 70 series dual cab or an SR5. I know neither of these vehicles have some of the features of the latest dual cabs, the rest just don't grab me. I guess after a couple of amazingly reliable Hiluxes I'm now pretty biased.
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Guys I've noticed some good deals on hilux sr5 duel cabs. Are the hilux still good or are they now a bit outdated?
Greg
Still good, I've got the current sr5 but giving it back to work when I Finnish up next week. Def considered it but as for good deals I couldn't get one. Same extras as Mazda chucked onto hilux were 4 grand more. Prob stuff all in the big picture but bt50 was better to drive, ticked all the boxes and Mazda did the best deal on $$.
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Dont get heavy duty springs, if you ever have the ute unloaded it will be like driving an empty truck.
They use soft springs so it as a smoother ride when unloaded. There is alot of people who have utes with nothing in the back, or less than 250kg of stuff.
Get some bellow air bags. Adjustable to what you are carrying. Make sure they are the heavy duty ones.
Hi Freezy,
These are work utes for servicing equipment and will never be unloaded. They do 30,000 - 40,000k a year. Thanks for your feedback, but I need HD springs. I told Mazda when I signed that the utes will carry 1200kg and on outback runs will carry more. When we load up for a big run (4 -6 weeks) we weigh the utes to ensure they aren't over their limits. I know how much we carry. It would be nice if Mazda would listen and upgrade the springs before we took delivery. Sadfully, I have to fit out the second ute, load it, get cert from weigh bridge and go back to Mazda and then they will ok the upgrade. It is just their way of not admitting the springs can't take what they advertise. It's a pain, but in the end I get exactly what I wanted.
Cheers
Murray
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Murray all the utes are the same.
I wasn't too impressed when I had to beef up the suspension on mine.
Normally have 750 to 1000kg on the back everyday.
I guess they are aiming the suspension setups for 4wders and people towing average boats, caravans etc.
But if you have a fixed trade body, with no weight change, HD springs will do the trick.
Its false advertising saying the vechiles have a payload of so many kgs, and the suspension isnt set up for those loads.
The sad fact is, that they are sales men. They just want to sell you a product. They have never towed 2 tonne behind a ute or had 1000kg in the back of a ute.
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The Navara springs are basically flat to start with, that's why I got Ultimate to redo the suspension for me
Flemo if you need any warning lights or work lights give me a yell and I'll look after you...
BTW you guys should look at the latest Ranger ad, I've driven most of the roads they took the thing through in South Africa and surrounds and when had trouble in a modified Cruiser....
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Dont get heavy duty springs, if you ever have the ute unloaded it will be like driving an empty truck.
They use soft springs so it as a smoother ride when unloaded. There is alot of people who have utes with nothing in the back, or less than 250kg of stuff.
Get some bellow air bags. Adjustable to what you are carrying. Make sure they are the heavy duty ones.
Got them on my Dmax. From speaking to suspension places alot of people have them on their utes.
Alot of suspension places wouldn't put heavy duty springs on, when I was speaking to them.
I have a lift off tool box, weights around 750kg with all of my gear, so a big diffrence when its loaded up to when its empty.
I guess this is where the air bags come into their own, compared to heavy duty leafs.
I run the bags at 40-50psi normal then let all the air out when I just have camping gear in the back.
That's good the airbags work for you but it's a good idea to never use retro-fit airbags off-road or towing as most of them eliminate the bumpstop and place a point-load into the chassis where it is not designed to take it. Both of these situations are bad; no bump stop means an over-arched (bent) leaf spring; concentrated stress from airbag can snap the chassis. There are always ride and handling compromises with a truck that can carry 0-1000kg but a well-rated aftermarket variable rate spring can help with acceptable comfort
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http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/utes-crash-out-on-safety-scores-20121012-27gsu.html (http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/utes-crash-out-on-safety-scores-20121012-27gsu.html)
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http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/utes-crash-out-on-safety-scores-20121012-27gsu.html (http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/utes-crash-out-on-safety-scores-20121012-27gsu.html)
So that means Ranger/BT50, VW & colorado (d/cab only) are 5 star
The rest (Hilux, Navara, Triton, D-max) are still 'only' 4 star. What's the bet that next year, they will all be upgraded to meet the mythical "5 star" rating.
Still, I suppose it's still "safer" rating than an old patrol I suppose...
Mine is only 3 star....next thing you know, I'll get slammed for putting my family at risk carting them around in a 3 star rated ute......spare me the nanny state bullShit!!. Maybe if I go and put a seatbelt chime warning bell in, I will get another star, or I'll just use our 6 year old 5 star rated subaru liberty...will need some pimping to perform camping & touring duties though ;D ;D
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So that means Ranger/BT50, VW & colorado (d/cab only) are 5 star
The rest (Hilux, Navara, Triton, D-max) are still 'only' 4 star. What's the bet that next year, they will all be upgraded to meet the mythical "5 star" rating.
Still, I suppose it's still "safer" rating than an old patrol I suppose...
Mine is only 3 star....next thing you know, I'll get slammed for putting my family at risk carting them around in a 3 star rated ute......spare me the nanny state bull****!!. Maybe if I go and put a seatbelt chime warning bell in, I will get another star, or I'll just use our 6 year old 5 star rated subaru liberty...will need some pimping to perform camping & touring duties though ;D ;D
The sad thing is like reading the comments at the bottom of that article, some people treat those "ratings" as gospel... when infact its just faeces
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Update- Picked up the fiddy on Wednesday, very happy with it and have the confidence if my missus kick me out I can live in the rear tray, massive compared to the old hilux. Got some serious poke, drove it onsite in the slippery stuff today and went well then got 8.6ltr/100k's on the highway cruise home. Time will tell but all good so far. Lismore Mazda did an awesome deal, can recomend to northern NSW people..
Love the black bullbar/sportsbar combo..