Holden Colorado 7

[olbod]

G,day.
Anyone heard anything about these things, good or bad ?
Reading about them with their 16 inch wheels, snorkel, bullbar, tow pack, low range and locking diff, I think they would probably be a good daily. Good value for money, probably comfortable and reliable etc. for general travel around town and country, they would probably be pretty good.
I dont like the third row of seats, tho. And dealerships and service all over the place !!! I think that the Dura Max donk is pretty good I hear ?

Robert.

[mikehzz]

I took one for a test drive on two occasions. They were excellent, powerful, nice ride, well appointed etc. They've got an LSD in the rear and a 6 speed auto box. I didn't want to be an early adopter but am open to buying one with 20-30K on the clock down the track when more info on any faults comes to light. They are based on a Chevy Trailblazer in the US.

[olbod]

Yes, based on the Colorado crew cab here, tho with coil rear suspension.
I reckon they would be better value than the Pajero or Prado.
I understand Ford and Isuzu are going to do something similar with their crew cabs.
The 7 has a steel spare wheel which is okay, although I would rather 5 steels. I dont know what size fuel tank they have ?
Might go and have a look at one and see if the third row seats could be thrown in the skip and registered as a five seater ?
The third row seat area has a footwell, so that area could hold me bag of golf clubs on a trip over to play the Nullabor course.

Robert.

[rangieman]

All ill say dont rush in do your homework , There is better options out there;)

[loanrangie]

Looks like a craptiva .

[Landy Smurf]

they have only just come out. so maybe wait a bit to hear how they go once they get a bit of milage.
I have a customer who has one and he loves it all round the best car he has ever had but then you normally are in love with a new car.
he said the comfort and storage is great

[olbod]

Yep, they have only just come out but the crew cab including the Dura Max has been out for awhile, pretty much the only difference is the wagon body,
which shouldn't be much of a worry and the coil rear end, which again shouldn't be a problem.
Reading the road tests, they complain abit about the thing being a little twitchy on bitumen but excellent on the dirt. Did they try it with a bit of weight on board ? I dont take to much notice of city bound desk jockeys doing an evaluation but if what they say is correct, the handling should be improved with aftermarket shockies. Bit early to make a judgement about brand and model.
With the Colorado crew cab 4x4 there is a huge amount of add on goodies already available re: locking diffs, bar work, chips and egr blanks, exhaust systems, lifts, wheels etc: all of which will bolt onto the new 7, I think.
I have checked out the Colorado forums and not much mention anywhere of mechanical problems, which I found interesting. Have a look at the pic sections, there are some wild looking jittnies out there and they tackle the hard stuff with little problem.
As I said, I dont like or need 7 seats, chuck the rear set up the back paddock. For around 50 grand I think they will be good value for money, with service and stuff all over the country.
I would not rush out and buy one yet as I would like to see what Ford offer
with their crew cab similar mod. Also I understand Amorok ( spelling ? ) will be releasing something soon also.
I would never knowingly buy anything from those Whale, Shark or Dolphin killing Coots and the others from Korea etc.. I dont consider to be proper 4x4's, merely suv's.
It looks like being an interesting year with these new releases due, eh.

Robert.

PS: I will never part with my Disco, Merlin, no matter what I might add to the fleet.

[PhilipA]

The engine is similar VM if not the same as a Jeep Wrangler.
Depending on your point of view this could be bad or good.
Regards Philip A

[Cobber]

Probably a bit utilitarian (by modern standards) for a vehicle of this type, but they look to be a decent alternative to the main contendors in the category.

[olbod]

Probably a bit utilitarian (by modern standards) for a vehicle of this type, but they look to be a decent alternative to the main contendors in the category.

This is the attraction for me really. I like the old style, its what I grew up with and have always owned. I have owned 6 Landrovers since 1962, all used as my daily and my current Disco is the most modern. I dont mean to be rude but take the D4 for example, a good high quality vehicle but for me it has about 30 grands worth of unneccessary bling, I would never buy it or similar.
Remember, I have never travelled with a fridge or had whoopydo camp lights and stuff. I still use a keroscene hurricane lamp and a canvas water bag and home made swag, the same as I have done for over 50 years. I wouldn't have it any other way. The concession to the more modern ( but simple ) like the 7, is for the auto box and cruise control and the fact that Holden service and stuff is all over the country. Bling like cd's and stuff in the thing would never be turned on or used !!!
If Landrover were to put a Defender body on a new Colorado 7 chasis with a few of the available addons, it would be an absolute winner and all of us would be raving about it !!! Even with the wishbone front end. It would have the same 5 star rating and as Holden is proving it can be done to a price and is cost effective. Unfortunately look at the Defender today and where it is going, ie: into history with a fizzle. How sad.

PhillipA, yes the Wrangler engine is based on the same engine which in fact is really a Fiat engine.
Pretty good one too I hear.

Robert.

PS: I have just gone back to button up shirts as at my age lifting my arms up to put on a T shirt is getting difficult.

[PhilipA]

Why not a Mitsubishi Challenger?
The motor is good, it has a rear diff lock.
I am quite impressed with the idea of them. More so than the Colorado as it IMHO is not so 'overstyled'
oh and they are abit cheaper too seeing they have been out for quite a while and there are plenty of 2012 stock around.

Regard sPhilip A

[AnD3rew]

There's something a little SSangYong about the styling. That's not a good thing.

[OLR-067]

looking at the C7 atm...seem solid and well priced.

[Sprint]

it might be worth the wait to see what Isuzu does with thier new model....

[460cixy]

I have seen them on 4wd tv and it seems the only way to drive them off road. Is um FLAT OUT

[Chucaro]

Why not a Mitsubishi Challenger?
The motor is good, it has a rear diff lock.
I am quite impressed with the idea of them. More so than the Colorado as it IMHO is not so 'overstyled'
oh and they are abit cheaper too seeing they have been out for quite a while and there are plenty of 2012 stock around.

Regard sPhilip A

IMHO a Peugeot SUV it is a typical example how the Europeans can finishing with a better vehicle than the japs using the same basic chassis

[101RRS]

I have seen them on 4wd tv and it seems the only way to drive them off road. Is um FLAT OUT

Not only on 4wd TV but also the ad from Holden.

I wonder if they would honour a warranty claim for damage when the vehicle had been driven like that.

I doubt it.

In the "cash for comments" affair a few years back, John Laws was done for passing off advertisements for his views and as a result then had to ring a bell when he was doing an ad that could be taken for his views. I wonder why this doesn't apply to 4wd presenters? For sure most of us are aware of what is going on but some people may actually think these 4wd presenters are actually giving their own views - no different to Johny Laws.

Garry

[460cixy]

IMHO a Peugeot SUV it is a typical example how the Europeans can finishing with a better vehicle than the japs using the same basic chassis

IMHO French cars should stay in France

[ramblingboy42]

I have test driven every one of the jap utes/suv's over the last couple of months and afterwards I get back in the D2 and go ahhhhh........and I think..what the hell have they accomplished in the 15-20yrs of the D1/D2? the suspension in every one of them is hard, the seats are pathetic, the driving positions are so/so, so they have some grunt but first tight bend and they don't want to go round, something you wouldn't think about in the disco's.....I just wouldn't have one.....reinvest $10k or enough into your disco to make you smile again...or....if you really want new, look at a VW. btw, when you fold the seats down in the 7, theres very little flat load area....raised floor and brackets....check it out, you'll understand what I'm saying. Jeez really for $55,000 you can get a fabulous D3, which cacks all over anything.

[Chookie]

Holden service and stuff is all over the country.

I wouldn't rate Holden "Service" a damn.. our company had the misfortune to purchase a 2010 Captiva as a company car for the rep.. no end of trouble but the kicker was $2.5K quote from Holden to change a leaking radiator hose, one CV Boot and two control arm bushes + an additional $95 to adjust the handbrake 1 week after a major service!! Ended up getting it all done by a mobile mob for less that $800.00 using all genuine parts... Seems this is the way that Holden figure on digging the company out of debt.. I remember reading somewhere that with all of the government subsidies offered to the Australian Car Industry, for every new Commodore sold in Australia, the Australian Taxpayer contributes around $3500 to the sale..

Also the electrical components used on these badge engineered Korean imports make Lucas look like Thomas Edison!! No end of grief!! Your Kerosene lantern might be a good retrofit option if you go down this line..

Stick with the Landy.. you know you want to...
Cheers

Chookie
'98 300Tdi Disco

[LandyAndy]

Yes, based on the Colorado crew cab here, tho with coil rear suspension.
I reckon they would be better value than the Pajero or Prado.
I understand Ford and Isuzu are going to do something similar with their crew cabs.
The 7 has a steel spare wheel which is okay, although I would rather 5 steels. I dont know what size fuel tank they have ?
Might go and have a look at one and see if the third row seats could be thrown in the skip and registered as a five seater ?
The third row seat area has a footwell, so that area could hold me bag of golf clubs on a trip over to play the Nullabor course.

Robert.

Ford have created a Territory/Ranger cross breed.From pictures it appears to be a full size 4x4 to take on Pootrol Lancuiser Pajahero etc.
Ford Australia debuts Ranger-based Everest SUV concept - Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/13/ford-australia-debuts-ranger-based-everest-suv-concept/)

Andrew

[StephenF10]

IMHO French cars should stay in France

Then we could all drive Jap or Korean whitegoods-on-wheels and find other interests apart from driving.

No thanks.

[460cixy]

After experiencing France's finest the other day you can keep all the **** frog cars you like . You should not need to split a brake calliper in half to remove a brake rotor a real design master piece I went in to it with an open mind but can now see why that junk gets bagged so hard

[MR LR]

After experiencing France's finest the other day you can keep all the **** frog cars you like . You should not need to split a brake calliper in half to remove a brake rotor a real design master piece I went in to it with an open mind but can now see why that junk gets bagged so hard
It's actually mostly very well engineered and ahead of the Japanese, been that way for over 100 years in France (we had a 1914 Renault, and have a 1912 Delahaye).

Though you wouldn't catch me dead in a modern Renault hahaha

The Jap gear is designed for the simple...

[MR LR]

Not only on 4wd TV but also the ad from Holden.

I wonder if they would honour a warranty claim for damage when the vehicle had been driven like that.

I doubt it.

In the "cash for comments" affair a few years back, John Laws was done for passing off advertisements for his views and as a result then had to ring a bell when he was doing an ad that could be taken for his views. I wonder why this doesn't apply to 4wd presenters? For sure most of us are aware of what is going on but some people may actually think these 4wd presenters are actually giving their own views - no different to Johny Laws.

Garry
4WD tv filmed the ad for Holden...

[ramblingboy42]

Based on horror stories, heresay, innuendo and personal experience, no-one would ever be caught dead in a Land Rover either......

[460cixy]

Based on horror stories, heresay, innuendo and personal experience, no-one would ever be caught dead in a Land Rover either......

Land rover has nothing on the frogs. The there owners are a bit touched. When they come in they have this idea In there heads that I for some reasion I'm interested in the life story of there pos Citroen

[DoubleChevron]

Land rover has nothing on the frogs. The there owners are a bit touched. When they come in they have this idea In there heads that I for some reasion I'm interested in the life story of there pos Citroen

You even spelt it right .... I'm always happy to talk Citroens too you ........... As long as it's not modern merde ... pre '85 is fine by me :twisted: :wasntme: :D :p

Or if you like we can talk poogoes (my wifes heap of **** poogoe has just developed a rattling flywheel at 67,000kms .... WTF? I got her a manual 'cos I thought it would be reliable ... sigh ...).

seeya,
Shane L.

[460cixy]

Thanks but ile pass on that :p

[BigJon]

Then we could all drive Jap or Korean whitegoods-on-wheels and find other interests apart from driving.

No thanks.

So in your motoring world there is Japan, Korea and France? No other countries rate a mention? Like Australia, the USA or the rest of Europe?

[OLR-067]

Just bought a White LTZ, bit of a jump from the 85 Isuzu 110 even further from the 67 ambo. Very nice to drive, plenty of power and 5 star safety.

Cheers
Paul

[DoubleChevron]

After experiencing France's finest the other day you can keep all the **** frog cars you like . You should not need to split a brake calliper in half to remove a brake rotor a real design master piece I went in to it with an open mind but can now see why that junk gets bagged so hard

Wow .... You worked on a real Citroen ... An old CX by the sounds of that ... It's a pitty you didn't try driving it .............. Nothing else like them has ever been made ( or ever will be sadly).

BTW: Two bolts to drop the caliper in half is far simpler than a lot of the modern crap I've worked on.

They have center point steering... that's why it's designed like that. you can completelly lose a wheel and the car will still track straight.

seeya,
Shane L.
PS: I hope you enjoyed setting up the handbrake :lol2: :Rolling: