D max - mu x -feed back

[ehsc]

Hi all
well after 8yrs of trouble free motoring I have decided to up date my trusty 2003 gu patrol , And after a couple of months looking around and a bit of research I think I have decided to replace her with a Lsu , manual Mx u Wagon .

So I guess with out opening a can of worms , I was wondering if I can get some feed back from who have isuszu 's are you happy , any dramas I need to be aware of etc etc.

I have looked at most other vehicles even new y61 patrols and 76 series workmates and I just can't see the value for the extra 15 to 20 grand this car will do 50 to 80 k per year for work mainly hwy and camping trips and family stuff on the weekends , I just seem to always come back to mu-x value for money running cost and so on .So any info would be great



Cheers  ehsc

[KingBilly]

Hey Troy, you've been listening to young Bruce too long  . As you know I am also biased towards Isuzu.  And for good reason, I am extremely happy with my Dmax.

Seriously mate, google problems with Isuzus and you won't find much.  I have read of a couple of problems but they were/are all one off incidents.  Most were user error.  Certainly no wide spread issues with the Dmax/MUX.  Very different story when you google some other makes.

Perhaps the biggest complaint with the MUX is the smallish fuel tank when towing.  But I hear there are heaps of MUX owners on the carvaner forums so they must be good at towing    The 65 litre fuel tank is somewhat compensated by the very good fuel efficiency of the 4JJ1 motor.  Whilst the size is comparable to other makes, lots want to compare to the Prado which in contrast is quite large.  There are long range tanks available.

A five year warranty with capped priced servicing is pretty attractive on a new car.   The dealer network has expanded considerably in the past 18 months.  Lots of accessories are now available for the MUX.

This forum is more MUX orientated:
http://www.ozisuzu.com.au/index.php

This one is also focused on MUX's:
http://www.4x4earth.com.au/forum/isuzu/

This forum has the best info on Isuzus, particulary technical stuff:
http://www.newd-max.net/index.php

There are a couple of others which I could point you to if interested.

Ask any questions, or PM me.  You have my number if you want to call.

KB

[Steffo1]

Have a butchers at the latest RACQ "Road Ahead" mag. They have a test drive on one (up against a Pajero from memory)
Steve

[ehsc]

Thanks KB

Your rite mate looked at a few forums ect can't find a bad word other than as you said small fuel tank and maybe a bit soft in the shock's.

But that doesn't bother me , it's not to often I am more than 6 or 700 kms from a servo , as I said it's mainly for work  , any way hope all is good catch up soon

Thanks Troy

[ehsc]

Thanks Steffo

Will have a look . :cheers:Troy

[tracker]

   It's all about what you feel and what suits you.....If you'r happy with price and everything else....It's your decision and thats what really matters !!!!!    It's good we all don't think the same way

                                                             It's  your choice....Embrace it  !!
                                                                                   Cheers Tracker.

[Nay-DMAX]

Had our dmax since 2010 would buy another if we were looking and would look at the mux  if we were looking at a wagon. It is my daily driver and what we tow the camper with.

[glenm64]

I  had an RA07 rodeo (same running gear) for 4 years trouble free.
That was the main factor in going for my 2013 space cab tray back auto. Only done 25000km but love it.
Dmax arent the most techically advanced, but to me thats a bonus. Just a good honest ute that will do most things.
Plenty of grunt to tow up to 2T comfortably
Mods so far
Assin free wheeling hubs(extra 60km/tank)
TJM bullbar
OME 40mm lift
EGR blank plate
HPD catch can
Full length under tray drawer
DCDC charger
2nd battery

Near future mods
Snorkel
Runva winch
Stereo/GPS upgrade

Cheers Glen

[ehsc]

Thanks for the comments guys  :cheers:Troy

[chester ver2.0]

I went from a prado to a Dmax love the vehicle over all my only gripes are as follows

Fuel capasity going from 180 litres to 76 was a learning curve
Interior a bit more utilatarian than the prado but expected
Seats lower to the ground than the prado and not quite as comfortable some good sheepskin covers have fixed that
Paint i dont know if all manufacturers are going cheap but compared to the prado the Dmax seems to scratch if you look at it the wrong way

Minor gripes but overall we are happy with the choice

[Rumpig]

Paint i dont know if all manufacturers are going cheap but compared to the prado the Dmax seems to scratch if you look at it the wrong way

i have a mate that ran his own car detailing business for many years, he made comment to me a few times how good a paint job Toyota do on their vehicles compared to many other manufacturers. I have no idea myself how true that statement is, but maybe that differance is showing here?

[chester ver2.0]

i have a mate that ran his own car detailing business for many years, he made comment to me a few times how good a paint job Toyota do on their vehicles compared to many other manufacturers. I have no idea myself how true that statement is, but maybe that differance is showing here?

Well they must do something i had a 2005 prado which held up really well compared to i have scratched the dmax by banging a cardboard box against it

[ehsc]

Thanks guys  Troy

[chisel]

You had "d-max mu-x" in your title but I think you just mean the isuzu mu-x wagon, right?

Anyway, they are probably a bit new for all the niggles to be talked about on forums just yet but they certainly look attractive for price and running costs vs prado/pajero etc.
Have they started doing roofracks for the base models yet?

Also consider the Colorado 7.  Same basic vehicle underneath although different engines.

[KingBilly]

You had "d-max mu-x" in your title but I think you just mean the isuzu mu-x wagon, right?

Anyway, they are probably a bit new for all the niggles to be talked about on forums just yet but they certainly look attractive for price and running costs vs prado/pajero etc.
Have they started doing roofracks for the base models yet?

Also consider the Colorado 7.  Same basic vehicle underneath although different engines.

The MUX is a Dmax with different body and slightly shorter chassis so any niggles have been well noted already in the Dmax, and there are very few 

Yes, roof racks are available for the base models.  Both factory and aftermarket.

Comparing engines and gearboxes between the Izuzu and Holden is like comparing chalk and cheese.  Check the forums for comparisons.

KB

[millzzy]

Had dmax for over three years before I got the jeep, was solid as a rock just way down on power and torque by modern standards, 380 odd nm, Colorado auto makes 500 nm , jeep almost 600 nm,  I really felt the lack of torque pulling our camper up hill, but I reckon the thing would go forever.
If you decide to buy one I suspect it will serve you well for a long time.

[Kiwijohn]

Had decided I wanted a MU-X, and drove the MU-X and Colorado 7 when looking. I was happy with both but my wife didn't like the MU-X (and it was to be her daily drive) as it was less refined, more truck like and sluggish, this meant we ended up going the Colorado 7 path but I would be very happy with a MU-X.

The main hint is play them off against each other over price and inclusions, you can easily save $5k plus get some added extras.

Thanks

John

[Marschy]

Negotiate close to the end of the month when sales people are struggling to meet their sales quota.

My wife will kill me, but the end of month stresses her out every month for this very reason. As they get closer to the end of the month, the more they are willing to lose profit on the deal.

[KingBilly]

Yes, good advice Marschy.  And you also have the end of finacial year sales coming up if you are not in a hurry

KB

[ehsc]

Thanks for the Imput guys all good comments , And chisel I do believe you can now get roof mounted racks for the Lsu and Lsm but not from isuzu .

Here in bundy ARB only have the door mount type that Isuzu don't recomend to use , but another retailer (Autokit) Tell me they now have access to a roof channel mount  type I don't know the brand thou, hope that makes sense.


 :cheers:Troy

[KingBilly]

Mate, as I posted above, roof racks are available from Isuzu.

KB

[slydar]

Well they must do something i had a 2005 prado which held up really well compared to i have scratched the dmax by banging a cardboard box against it

my nj pajero was much the same 

thanks for all the ppsts here, I like the Isuzu but the dmax is only a ute and the mu-x sounds a tad underpowered and truck-like - all good otherwise. considering the challenger as the nj is starting to cost bucks (almost 3 grand on rear diff and axle last week...)

[chisel]

Mate, as I posted above, roof racks are available from Isuzu.

KB

55kgs isn't exactly a big load up there.  Still, better than nothing.

[KingBilly]

55kgs isn't exactly a big load up there.  Still, better than nothing.

That's off road.  80 on road.  Think you would find that pretty comparable to to other makes.

You can get a tradesman rack which is rated almost double that but it has extra feet.

KB

[Nay-DMAX]

That's off road.  80 on road.  Think you would find that pretty comparable to to other makes.

You can get a tradesman rack which is rated almost double that but it has extra feet.

KB

 I agree there are options there if you need them. My thoughts on this are really how much weight do you want to be putting up there anyway?  It is not my preferred choice for storing things so if you get an extra 50kg up there better than nothing.  The more storage area we have the more crap we take  just my two cents