Has anyone bought a ute and wished they got the wagon (or visa versa?)

[neilsk]

Ive had a 2001 GU Patrol, and now i have a 2012 D40 Navara. The Navara wins hands down for me. the capability to tow as much as the patrol but with the ute back awesome. Dust isnt a worry is store all things in the Campertrailer.

The only problem with the Navara is that its about 6 inches longer than a patrol and it makes it harder to park.

[Matto]

I've been agonising over the same decision for a while now. Currently have a wagon, but I think I'd really like a ute next.

My Pros:
* More space in the rear of the ute.
* dropside tray = space under for water tank, plus less to damage offroad
* no canopy / easily removable canopy = ability to take a load of crap to the dump, buy a new fridge, etc
* turbo diesel = longer range and better fuel economy

My Cons:
* Currently the fridge, etc, all gets nicely locked up in the back of the car - can't do that in a ute
* Having everything open in a ute means it all gets wet. A canvas canopy will help, but there's still the dust to clog fridge compressors, etc
* The wagons are nicer inside, ride better with the coils, more space inside
* See the "another bent dual cab" thread

Earlier this year my old man bought a GLX Triton when they were very cheap. I felt a bit cramped inside it, but I could work with it. I'd prefer something a bit larger inside (Patrol / cruiser / Amarok??). But even as a base-model GLX, the Triton had everything you would want - traction control, bluetooth, cruise, etc.

Honestly, I don't know what I'd do if I had to decide tomorrow. Luckily it'll be a couple of years before we can afford to retire the current one, so I've got some time to make up my mind. I think the 3.2L Ranger currently comes the closest to what I want, but they're still expensive. I spent last weekend eyeing off my dream rig at an adjacent campsite - a cut-down 76 wagon with steel tray. That'd be perfect, but is certainly the expensive option since I would want one of the later 76's with ABS (Hey Toyota - 1970 called, they want their chassis/brakes/tape player back). A cut Patrol or Cruiser would also be nice, but then you're paying a lot of money for an older car.

Who am I kidding - I do know what I'd have tomorrow assuming money was not an option:


Cheers,
Matto

[Pling]

I personally love dual cab utes but always wanted one with live axles and a powerful motor which did not exist. I ended up buying a 76 wagon and then they released the dual cab 6 months after my purchase and I was pissed  . Every time I see one I almost shed a tear!

[chester ver2.0]

I have just made this chage from a Prado to a DMax and can share the following

Pros
1. Love the room of the Dmax no more putting bikes on the roof just throw them in the back
2. It is quite comfortable i recon it is almost on par with the prado you do notice the back end a bit more on corregations but day to day it is fine
3. It is tough and seems to be able to take a bit of puneshment
4. You can seperate wet bikes and other dirty things from the cabin we wre trashing the interior of the prado with dirty mountain bikes and the like

Cons
1. Not as sure footed as the prado but the prado was constant 4wd i would not punt the dmax through a corner as hard as would the prado especially in the wet
2. It is longer than the prado and at first i found it wankey but the reverse camera is essential
3. Dust gets in the rear tub i will need to put foam around the tailgate as there are some serious gaps here
3. Security even though you can lock up the fiberglass canopy i still recon you could reef the back window open pretty easily
4. Width while longer it is narrower than the prado and most utes seem to be narrower than their equivlenat wagon brother
5. Interior feels more plasticy than the prado

I would ove if toyota or similar could have the prado chassis and running gear (constast 4wd disks all round etc) and then put a ute body on top that would be great

Now take the above with a grain of salt as i am comparing 2 differnt vehicles, manufacturers and price points

[Big D]

I've got a GLX Triton after having  Jackaroo.  It is a very capable 4wd as shown on our recent Border Track trip - through deep bog holes, water, clay, sand dunes etc. It's done the top end, Flinders, Far West Coast, Birdsville track etc,.  It has ha rear factory locker and upgraded suspension (2 inch lift).  It rides better than the Jackaroo, especially with a full load, fit heaps in it under the canopy (easy to access through 2 liftup side windows), It fits in multi-level car parks even with the lift and roofracks.  I've dust sealed it and on a recent 8000 km (4000 of dirt and serious off road towing) only a very fine layer of dust over those things which stayed in there all the time - and that was only from the car in front because I had the front sliding window open to pressurise the cabin).  Only thing for serious off road is you'll need some sort of rear end protection - I've got a TJM rear bar/tow bar which cops a flogging but protects everything.   They are easy to work on (running accessories to rear) and can take long range tanks and other goodies underneath.  If you're serious about touring or offroading I think you'll need the full pay load offered by a Triton, and you can load them up safely to do Simpson Desert Crossing trips unlike a lot of mid size wagons which I know will exceed their payload (I've got 400 kgs worth of accessories on it when unloaded let alone water, fuel, people, food, camping gear etc. 

Good luck in the decision and have fun in whatever you get.

Damien

[Garfish]

We had a d40 , I loved it, wife not so much, it was her daily drive, and my occasional beach fishing car

With 3 kids biggest nuisance was nowhere to throw school bags easily with a toneau needed a canopy but wife still wanted a wagon, 

We ended up with the prado, much smaller than navara and miss the ute, but couldn't talk swmbo into another was trying to but no luck. Each to their own, but me would take ute with removable canopy over wagon anyday

[Proudy]

I had a Hilux loved it then got Landcruiser 100s I missed having a ute so chopped the cruiser into one. Best decision I made now I have the comfort of the wagon with benefits of the ute. Currently getting a canvas canopy for when travel.


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[HEM19X]

We bought an extra cab - BT50 Freestyle - in a Cab chassis style...if you want the best of both worlds, and $$'s arn't too big an issue, why not a tray back ute and a drop on canopy? A proper canopy will eliminate the dust etc and the tray will allow for wood etc to be transported.

[TheWall]

A topic close to my heart. I started my search for a four by with the Triton and had really never taken notice of the Challenger. What swayed me was the fact that I would have been left with only 10cm spare in my garage with a Triton!

I really like the Challenger as it is compact but pretty effective as an all rounder. Just got back from Fraser and I went with two Tritons. It was noticeable how less frequently I was dragging my rear down the drops. And I got bragging rights as the only car not to get stuck he he.

A cargo barrier could help you with some of the wagon drawbacks?

Matt

[cyberess]

I could do with the ute, as I need to collect firewood, but dont want a canopy so I am unhindered from carting whatever I want. However, then I lose my boot space. But I get a 1 tonne pay load v 550kg (I'm guessing)

Weird  --  can't have a ute with a canopy  -- but you can have a wagon

The Challenger would  better off road with no rear overhang like the Triton and a boot, but then I would need to haul a trailer around which is giving me the ****s (I have a double switchback driveway)

Just get a dual cab ute with tray  --- that will solve the clearance at the rear, if it's done well.

My ute has a canopy on the flat tray with lift up sides, when camping, we collect and throw the firewood on top of the canopy before the arriving at the camp sites, and the alloy canopy with no windows is more secure, has easier access with lift up sides, and and is rather dust proof  -- that's been well tested that through Roper bar-- Arnhem Land, areas on rough corrugated dusty rough roads etc.

I reckon if I had to collect firewood for home heating, I would just lift the side of the canopy and stack the firewood in, and on top of the canopy. Being a tough tray alloy canopy  setup, I would not have to worry about firewood damaging the canopy.

If you really want a wagon  -- just get a wagon, it's your choice.