Looking for guidance (the new car search )

[crappsy]

So the time has come to trade in the craptiva (we never liked the car since we drove it off the lot).

Background info
We are a young family of four, two girls 3 and 1 ½, we do some family camping in fine weather 2wd (hi 4 bad weather) locations. I do a little 4wd for work in and around Newcastle/Hunter valley and would like to extend this into family time as well.
I also plan on taking the girls to the places my dad took me as a kid camping such as Innamincka, Birdsville, Frasier Island ect (would love to do a few new places too)

Currently we don’t tow a camper but looking into this over the next 18 months to 2 years (read in the life time of the new car) or sooner if I get my way.

After a review of my needs (SWMBO may have different needs) I have narrowed it down to three main contender :-

Triton GLX-R
Challenger
Navara St

It will need to be an auto as swmbo will not drive a manual and I am rather safety conscious with the little ones and would be fitting a reversing camera to the back of the ute’s. I have listed the GLx-R over the GLX as the later is only a 4 speed auto box and am not too sure on this set up.

So now that you have finally got to the bottom of this rambling I guess I an asking for people’s comments and criticism re my selections given the intended usage, I am not apposed to a second hand Pajerio or Pardo I just haven’t seen one I like in the budget.

All comments are welcome and i look forward to you many and varied responses

Crappsy 

[DropBearRacing]

Whats the budget?

Do you need a ute or do you just want one?  Not all wives like driving utes especially if it's a DD (I'm sure some do).

[cyberess]

I have a friend that has a Trident UTE (A family with 2 young kids) --  Just about exactly the same setup as my Mahindra UTE with the same or similar canopy setup (dual spare wheels on the rear), on a flat tray except his Trident is a auto and with side curtain air bags. Actually he got the idea from my setup, and found out where my canopy came from etc.  It's one well setup Trident, with lift kit (custom suspension), snorkel, bash plates, scrub bars, rock sliders -- I have been out with that Trident, with it's setup and it is a very good off road 4WD -- certainly autos are quite O.K. in the bush..

His ute white -- alloy canopy it has got the nick name of the Mahindra look alike though

With the reverse camera, I have the monitor/screen setup in my rear vision mirror

I have the rear view camera operating all the time when the ignition is on, as I use it just exactly like a rear view mirror.  I reckon that the rear camera works better than a regular rear view mirror, particularly at night time (its just like having night vision), plus when a vehicle drives up with it's lights on high beam, the screen auto adjusts, so there is now glare etc.

Anyway happy 4WD hunting.

 

[02-SR5]

I hear Xtrails are very capable off road too.

Grat family car.

 

[crappsy]

Whats the budget? 38-39K max (ie under 40K)

Do you need a ute or do you just want one?  Not all wives like driving utes especially if it's a DD (I'm sure some do).
Dont need but can see it being useful for impending house renos and carting kids bikes ect. The wife is having first test drive of all vehicles and as they say happy wife happy life

Should add that it will be my daily drive to work and on weekends ect so ride and comfort are also a factor. 

[dazzler]

New or used?

Triton Challenger and Navara are all older models and significantly smaller internally than the newer releases such as Colorado, BT50 and Ranger.

Don't forget Hilux in the 4.0 V6.  That thing is fat.

With many of the newer diesels having injector and other failures don't discount petrol versions.  In the long run the running costs are very close.

If you are talking around the 40k mark the best value ATM IMO is a second hand low mileage FJ Cruiser.  Very capable off road and not far off the diesels economy.  Looks you either  love or hate.

[Brumbypt]

I spoke with a District Nurse yesterday and she has a captiva as a company car, its petrol and she doesnt like it, well under powered according to her and she said it changes down gears to often and just generally lacks power.

She said the deisel that she had before was much more powerful..

Anyway hope you find a great new rig that you are happy with.


Peter,
iPad with IOS 7.0.4 using Tapatalk HD

[D4D]

What's the reasoning behind a ute? I'd love one but they are just so looooooooong. Missus already complains about parking the Prado at the shops.

[dazzler]

Should add that it will be my daily drive to work and on weekends ect so ride and comfort are also a factor.

That kills the dual cabs ......


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[DropBearRacing]

I always wanted a dual cab ute.  My neighbor about 15 years ago was right into 4wding and got me hooked. He had a ball tearer LC100. It was set up for touring and some weekend warrior type stuff as well. His missus drove that as a DD and loved it. After their kids grew up and got their own cars they sold the cruiser and bought a dual cab ute. He set that up very nicely with a whole lot of aftermarket gear.
The missus drove it as a DD and hated it. She hated the ride, hated doing the weekly grocery shopping in it, especially when it rained. When they went away their gear was on the back in the weather. He put hard lid tops on, they leaked, they were impractical when he wanted to transport large items because the lid had to be removed.  They wished they never sold the cruiser and ended up with another.
 His experiences really made me think twice about a ute.
I still want one but it won't be our only car. The missus will always have the family car and whatever I get will be for my DD duties and camping/4WDing etc.

It's your choice mate but if it's your only vehicle for the family then there are some downsides (I'm sure there will be others who disagree with me).

The FJ is a good choice. It's basically a Prado with all the same running gear tranny engine etc.

[crappsy]

It's your choice mate but if it's your only vehicle for the family then there are some downsides (I'm sure there will be others who disagree with me).

The FJ is a good choice. It's basically a Prado with all the same running gear tranny engine etc.

A valid point and well worth bringing up, it wont be our only car but still worth thinking about. My preference would be the challenger but have to see how the finances handle that one.
The FJ is nice just not sure on the rear door set up getting the Little un's and out ect.

Some very worth while comments and through here thanks guys.
     

[Bird]

I am not apposed to a second hand Pajero or Pardo I just haven’t seen one I like in the budget

Keep looking. Just wait your time, they do come up.

I'd say the paj or prado for comfort of the daily driver, and the space for touring with everything locked up inside safely...

[D4D]

I'd say the paj or prado for comfort of the daily driver, and the space for touring with everything locked up inside safely...

x2 based on it being your only car.

[chester ver2.0]

What's the reasoning behind a ute? I'd love one but they are just so looooooooong. Missus already complains about parking the Prado at the shops.

Really i find the dmax not that longer than the prado and with the reverse camera Gen actually likes it better as she can get it right up against the wall when she parks

[D4D]

I borrowed my mates dual cab Hilux for a couple of days whilst he was servicing the Prado. It was a PITA to get around town compared to the Prado and it was fitted with reverse cam/sensors etc. YMMV

[Alan Loy]

A Patrol is another option.  They are certainly more truck like than Prado, Pajero or FJ cruiser but they are big and tough.  You need to accept the risk of the diesel engine (less with the CRD) or use more fuel in the petrol.  There are plenty of good ones in your price range.

Jeep Grand Cheroke??

Check the size of the FJ Cruiser, might be a deal breaker.  The doors are a bit narrow but the kids can't get out on their own.

[DropBearRacing]

I like the FJ's, I like their look and I think they would be a nice truck to tour in if it was just you and he missus. I miss-read you're earlier post where you mentioned the kids. 

I think the FJ would be fine while they were little but as the kids get bigger you'll be taking more stuff with you and the rear seat room won't match that of wagon style 4WD.

There are some very nice Pajero, Prado, pathfinder, Patrols Landcrusiers about on the second hand market. $40000 is going to buy you a well set up second handi and the best bit is that the original owner takes the hit on the new car depreciation and installation of accessories not you. If you are not in a rush make carsales etc your best friend and the perfect truck will show up.

[dazzler]

The FJ is nice just not sure on the rear door set up getting the Little un's and out ect.

     

I thought the same when I had a xtracab Ranger with the same setup.  Most parents get out and then let their kids out so that don't get hit by a car so for me it was no biggie.  They were trapped till I came around and let them out 

The thing I struggled with on FJ is the front leg space where there is a round trim bit that juts out.  No idea why its there but seemed a pain.  Take the challenger for a drive and then the FJ.  It will be easy to see where Toyota spends their coin - Noise vibration and harshness.

[Hills Mum Bec]

I was set on buying a new Challenger this week but when I went to test drive one I was really disappointed, we ended up with a new Pajero instead.  My best advice, go out to the car yards, test drive the cars & imagine yourself driving it every single day.

[crappsy]

I was set on buying a new Challenger this week but when I went to test drive one I was really disappointed, we ended up with a new Pajero instead.  My best advice, go out to the car yards, test drive the cars & imagine yourself driving it every single day.

Thanks thats the plan

I was following your thread with some interest re-your new car

[Mandrake]

Isuzu are doing deals on last years DMAx - Comfy , plenty of grunt , brilliand 4WD and economical ... Under $40k just

[dazzler]

Isuzu are doing deals on last years DMAx - Comfy , plenty of grunt , brilliand 4WD and economical ... Under $40k just

Good value.  Nice truck.

[chester ver2.0]

I can honestly say after going from the prado to the Dmax i am loving the practicality of the ute with the canopy it just swallows everything up in the back

I have had upgraded suspension in both and do not notice the difference

My only gripe seating was more comfortable in the prado cause the seats were up higher so it was like you were sittting in a desk chair. The new trend of lowering the roof lines is restricting this.

I would honestly say in 6 months i can recall 2 parralel park situations where i have had to look for another spot cause the dmax was to long

[DropBearRacing]

Check this out http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=34877.0
It might be just over budget but it would be an excellant buy.  Who knows John might come down a little bit.

[Nay-DMAX]

My DMAX is my daily driver and I find it comfy enough it is also what we use for towing the camper.  Ours is manual but I was happy to get that  have reverse camera which gives more vision especially since the canopy went on.  Depends on the car space as to whether I fit in or not some are just small.  Cant remember what year it was but second hand one in local paper this week $27,500 don't see them in local paper very often.