Is it time for a change, but to what

[jx2mad]

Having had a couple of problems develop with my 2003 VW Caravelle I am thinking that it may time for an upgrade. A new vehicle would probably see me out. But change to what. I have been through a range of Landrovers and I am thinking something else. I have looked at the range of 4wd utes on the market and it is evident that most have inherited ongoing expensive problems. I was talking to the owner of the garage where my vw was being repaired and I asked him about the Izusu D-Max. In his opinion this was far the best vehicle in this range. He services a fleet of them for a local company and rarely has to do more than the service. Honest opinions please and PLEASE no slanging match re makes and problems. I just ask for an honest considered opinion. This vehicle would be used for touring and towing a Jayco campervan. It has to be an auto as my knee replacement doesn't like clutches, particularly in stop start traffic. Thanks, Jim

[Lemo]

Hi Jim,
Are you set on a ute type vehicle?
I drive a Holden Colorado ute around all day for work and find it a little harsh if it's empty, (compared to the D2[emoji12])

You might consider the Colorado 7 as an option instead of a ute or the MUX in the Isuzu range for a little more comfort?

One of my relations has the MUX and tows etc and likes it a lot!! He was always a Toyota die hard as well!

Just some food for thought.

Cheers Lemo

[scarry]

Have a look at the Ford Everest.

Same drivetrain,engines,etc as Ranger.ZF 6 speed auto,will tow 3.0T.Got low range.

Seems to have some pretty good reviews if thats the sort of vehicle you are after.

[jx2mad]

Food for thought, although I love the old van for carrying capacity with seats out. Used to fit a bed etc in it for touring around but it is getting on (like me [bigsmile1]). I know there are options to utes so maybe that might be the way to go. Just thinking at the moment

[trout1105]

From what I have heard the D Max is a capable vehicle.
We have had Hilux's for about 20 years now and they are also a very capable 4wd ute and bloody reliable as well, I have only had one auto Hilux and that was a Surf and that went pretty well.
You could always go for a good second hand D3-D4.
My Son and a Mate have bought those Great Wall utes and have only had them for a couple of years But they haven't had any problems with these either.
The choices for a 4WD these days is mind boggling, I suggest lots of test drives before you make your choice [thumbsupbig]

[weeds]

If it’s ute your looking at,

I have a 2014 hi-lux as a company car. Have towed and been touring in it

I also drove a BT50 ute at work a fair bit.....most of the time empty

I would pick the hi-lux over the BT if I was purchasing

[Pedro_The_Swift]

A replacement for the Caravelle is difficult,,
so its a dual cab ute because theres nothing like a caravelle around? or?

[Mick_Marsh]

A replacement for the Caravelle is difficult,,
so its a dual cab ute because theres nothing like a caravelle around? or?
This might be a suitable replacement:
We've taken a wrong turn (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-F650-2008/SSE-AD-2922294/?Cr=0)

Lots of passenger space. Lots of luggage space. Lots of, well, everything really.

[grey_ghost]

Lots of fuel bills too I’m guessing Mick! [emoji2]

[frantic]

We just got rid of a multivan ( 2011 and nearly killed us)and got a MUX. I would have loved a d4 or another defender but too many $$$ for a disco and another defender would have tested my wife's patience.
It has a lot more room than a 4tuner Everest and Pajero sport in the rear row. If you get the rear 6/7 th seats removed you will have a very large and tall load area. I could sit in the back row of the MUX and not touch the roof with enough room for my feet. I'm 6ft and size 10 shoe. I couldn't in the others. Also ARB sell a long range poly tank and with it using about 9/100km you can get well over 1000km out of a tank.
if you want a van, personally I'd steer clear of anything VW, but a grey import might fit your needs?
Access Denied (https://carsales.mobi/cars/details/Mitsubishi-Delica-2013/OAG-AD-13872326?DistFromLoc=2500)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Lots of passenger space. Lots of luggage space. Lots of, well, everything really.

Sorry Jim,,but
OMG,,,
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/277.jpg

[Mick_Marsh]

Put a small camper on it:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/278.jpg

And a lift kit:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/279.jpg

[cripesamighty]

Mick, the turning circle of the camper version might be ‘slightly’ more than ideal in the bush..... [biggrin]

[jx2mad]

Thanks guys.[bigrolf]

[trog]

Put a small camper on it:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/278.jpg

And a lift kit:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/279.jpg

Too much time watching some of the strange offerings originating from overseas ? Me , I will stick with the Cdn built ice bus. Balloon tires = tread lightly.

[Zeros]

Hey Frantic, I'd be interested to know of problems with VW multivan?

They come in a 4Motion model (expensive!), but the only 4x4 van to my knowledge? Happy to be corrected. They've always looked good to me as an option.

If it's a van you're after might be an option OP jx2mad? ...Or are you done with VW?

Anyone else got a 4x4 VW multivan?

[ramblingboy42]

If you want to buy the nearest thing to a Defender 130, may I recommend the Ford Ranger dual cab/chassis with the 2.2 litre engine , same as Defender, gearbox same as Defender, towing, same as Defender, 130" wheelbase same as Defender , economy ****s on Defender, comfort interior ****s on Defender, price ****s on Defender, warranty ****s on Defender. No need for the 5cyl , it just isn't necessary, great in sand , you can drive in comfort for hours , the 80lt fuel tank will give you over 1,000km on the highway...dependant upon load......I have a single cab version, bit lacking in interior space. Btw, I had a D2 td5 for 8yrs previous and had other Land Rovers in my past as well.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

[rick130]

If you want to buy the nearest thing to a Defender 130, may I recommend the Ford Ranger dual cab/chassis with the 2.2 litre engine , same as Defender, gearbox same as Defender, towing, same as Defender, 130" wheelbase same as Defender , economy ****s on Defender, comfort interior ****s on Defender, price ****s on Defender, warranty ****s on Defender. No need for the 5cyl , it just isn't necessary, great in sand , you can drive in comfort for hours , the 80lt fuel tank will give you over 1,000km on the highway...dependant upon load......I have a single cab version, bit lacking in interior space. Btw, I had a D2 td5 for 8yrs previous and had other Land Rovers in my past as well.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

I drive the BT50 single cab version with the high rider suspension, and uninformed has the 4x4 and we both reckon the Deefer is more comfortable in some respects, and Serg hates the propensity for his to go sideways in the wet with the minimum of throttle, even with the stability control (which is pretty savage too)

ABS is agricultural IMO compared to the D2, although the Kumho AT's don't help here (they have no grip in the wet) i can't compare to a Deefer ABS, mine didn't have any.
I know the Mazda suspension tune is different to the Ranger, but both our BT's and Rangers at work(we run a mixed fleet) need extra leaves to cope with just a steel tray and two tool boxes.
Easily done, but still....

The best mileage I've had with the 3.2 is a bit over 730km actual on a trip, although the trip computer can say I'll get over 800km from a tank when I've been doing a lot of country driving. I think it's averaging around 10.5l/100km.
It's still better than I get out of the D2.