Territory Diesel - any good?

[wardy1]

Just exploring some options for a company car. I'll be running a lot of k's over the next 2 years (100-140k), all on the blacktop. Need to carry large amounts of stock with me.
Been thinking that the territory 2wd diesel might be the way to go (at least it's got a bit of LR in it). Going 2wd will leave some money for extra fruit over the awd model I think.
Anyone have any realistic opinions?
Before anyone suggests the LR options, the Defender is not an option and a decent spec'd D4 is out of the ball park money wise.
The company will not entertain a used vehicle either.

[centy]

i realy hate to say this but dual cab rodeo 4 cylinder wellback with canopy.
rip the rear seats out for more space.
trayback and v6 realy suck juice when loaded.

i worked for followmont and we drove x government rodeo from emerald to longreach return 6 days a week.
the v6 tray back used to much juice when loaded and played up.
They also had a falcon straight lpg ute but it was a horrible car.
when stopping and starting it used way to much juice, only 1 place on route to fill up and with canopy on and the review mirror in the low (normal) position you could not see the road behind you AT ALL.
hell i didnt see the forklift i backed into.
a fastways courier loved his mercedes van so may that is a choice to.
he could fitt a whole pallet in the back.

[wardy1]

Thanks Centy, but the vehicle also has to be able to cart people around in a level of comfort.
A ute is not an option anyway as it doesn't suit the overall vehicle profile guidelines.

[Sleepy]

Had a look at one the other day Wardy. (My misses is interested in a Fiesta)
Very nice looking and yes plenty of room for 5 the last two seats would only be good for kids. Not much room for cargo if you had a full 7 seater.

I work with people who own older models and they love 'em. With a tdv6, which is a bloody nice engine, it would have to be a reasonable combination.

Mind you, if you have only 2wd requirement there are lots of options in that price bracket.:angel:

[Drover]

The new TDV6 Territory would make a terrific donor vehicle for a engine conversion on a Defender.

[stig0000]

stay out of the new ford, the engine is great,,, rest of the car isent,, and it seems they leak more water then a defender;);) problem is they dont let the water out like a defender,

[gromit]

I've run a TDV6 Territory since they were launched, company was giving me grief about the fuel consumption of my old petrol version......

We need a 7-seater and wanted child restraints for the third row, could not find another 7-seater that had the restraint points (not interested in a people carrier).
With the third row up the carrying space is very restricted, fold down pushchair & a nappy bag and it's full. With the third row down plenty of space, if you're carrying stock I'd get a cargo barrier installed. Everyone will tell you you can't install a cargo barrier in a 7-seater but you can, just don't put kids in the third row with the barrier up !

On the plus side, great performance, great fuel economy, quieter inside than the old petrol Territory, pulls a tandem trailer with a SWB Land Rover on it without any problems.

On the minus side, the drive-by-wire takes a bit of getting used to. There is sometimes a delay and sometimes it gets a bit confused. You can actually 'kangaroo' it by flooring it......delay before anything happens ....lift off the accelerator.....now there's a delay before it takes into account that you've 'lifted off' so it accelerates then immediately backs off !!
Seems to be a problem with a lot of vehicles that are drive-by-wire, the aim is to take control of the throttle away from the driver (for stability control etc.). Apparently you get 'used to it' but because I drive other cars I still get caught out by it.
The injection system is not from LR but developed locally I believe.

FWD & AWD petrol is 2.3 tonne towing whereas the AWD Diesel is 2.7 tonne. AWD added $5K at the time I purchased, as it's used only on-road I couldn't justify it.
Diesel was a no-cost option for a fleet purchase when I got mine (saving $3,250)

Sales repping the petrol returned over 14 litres per hundred the diesel is returning about 9.6 litres per hundred.

If you have any other questions PM me.


Colin

[gromit]

stay out of the new ford, the engine is great,,, rest of the car isent,, and it seems they leak more water then a defender;);) problem is they dont let the water out like a defender,


News to me. No water ingress problems in 5 years of the old Terri and over 6 months in the new one.
Nothing about it on the Ford forum.

Colin

[wardy1]

Thanks Gromit. That is exactly the type of feedback I was hoping for.
I don't carry kids anymore, well past that LOL, so the third row seating isn't an issue for me but being able to carry 5 adults from time to time is.
I think cargo barriers are now mandatory on station wagons/SUV's in Vic for company vehicles due to OH&S rules, but will check it out anyway. Fortunately the stuff I carry is bullky, not particularly heavy and is in soft packaging.
That economy seems to fit the bill.
I'm also very tempted by the VW Passat TDI wagon. I used to have a passat sedan and it was brilliant returning about 6l/100km with a very high equipment level and is almost $12k cheaper than the Territory. Amazingly, the cargo area isn't much different either.

[Solly]

Got two at work a petrol and a diesel. Both seem OK, diesel goes pretty good actually.
We also have a Mondeo diesel wagon. That would be my pick. Not quiet as quick as the Territory, but so much more comfortable to drive and handles great.

[incisor]

I'm also very tempted by the VW Passat TDI wagon. I used to have a passat sedan and it was brilliant returning about 6l/100km with a very high equipment level and is almost $12k cheaper than the Territory. Amazingly, the cargo area isn't much different either.
VW service costs can be the gotcha esp if auto

whats the dearest service on the ford?

[Cruiserlux]

Another option would be the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not a lot more $, but you get a lot nicer car. Mine is waiting on the wharf to be delivered to the dealer.
Bigger motor, more power, overall size is a bit smaller.

Take one for a drive, may not be what you are after but you will be impressed.

[gromit]

VW service costs can be the gotcha esp if auto

whats the dearest service on the ford?

Ford has fixed price servicing on the Terri.
Diesel 45,000 is $540 (but a coolant change is $335 !!!).

The most expensive service on the old one (petrol) was it's last one at $400 but it did include a $70 set of sparkplugs.

The good thing is that parts are very quickly available on the aftermarket. Put front discs on the old petrol one about 18 months ago and they cost $110 for the pair and about $60 for the pads, just purchased rear disk pads for $28 (via the trade, cash, no receipt).
The main problem with the Terri is the suspension bushes & joints. Some people seem to go through them at an alarming rate (dare I suggest it's to do with their driving style :)). I'm up for caster ball joints & front diff bushes on my old one at 150,000 kms. I'll source aftermarket parts and do it myself, Ford was $1,400 for the joints and $750 for the bushes :o.
The front lower ball joints were just replaced FOC under warranty (again) at the 150,000 service.

A contact of mine has a mate who works at Ford, he claims their best selling spare parts are for Terri suspension......

Still like the car though, you can sit 3 adults in the middle row comfortably, try that in one in one of the Korean competitors....



Colin

[crash]

I'm also very tempted by the VW Passat TDI wagon. I used to have a passat sedan and it was brilliant returning about 6l/100km with a very high equipment level and is almost $12k cheaper than the Territory. Amazingly, the cargo area isn't much different either.
If interested in the VW have you checked out the Skoda wagon - basicly a VW.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Why not get a ford V6 diesel in a new D4? :D

[wardy1]

Unfortunately my budget doesn't stretch to around $80k