Thread: Replace a Defender with what?

Originally Posted by martnH

How about JMC ute (another Chinese ute
The engine is (surprise surprise) a Ford tdci 2.4. Comes with manual transmission.

So by engine,
Cummins engine - Foton ute
Ford tdci engine - JMC ute
GM/Holden Colorado 2.8 VM diesel - TDV ute

All Chinese all diesel with manual transmission. All under $30,000.....

Assuming these Chinese Utes will last three years, I think they are excellent choices.... TDV T60 is ANCAP 5 stars too
Comes with warranty so big saving on maintenance compared to a defender

If you read about Land Rover jaguar's strategy you will know they no longer interested in making working vehicles.

Don't forget the Mahindra a very impressive package for 29k... and very Defenderish...

Originally Posted by martnH

How about JMC ute (another Chinese ute
The engine is (surprise surprise) a Ford tdci 2.4. Comes with manual transmission.

So by engine,
Cummins engine - Foton ute
Ford tdci engine - JMC ute
GM/Holden Colorado 2.8 VM diesel - TDV ute

All Chinese all diesel with manual transmission. All under $30,000.....

Assuming these Chinese Utes will last three years, I think they are excellent choices.... TDV T60 is ANCAP 5 stars too
Comes with warranty so big saving on maintenance compared to a defender

If you read about Land Rover jaguar's strategy you will know they no longer interested in making working vehicles.

Reading the original post, the OP is not interested in utes! Needs a station wagon-type vehicle for off-road use, as in OFF ROAD, not on dirt/gravel/formed tracks. IFS can be quite a handicap in real bush driving.
One (at least) of his major clients is caving in to the OHS mob regarding requiring ANCAP5 safety rating. Amazing how most companies hire contractors to do things so they don't have to worry about duty of care issues, but this lot want to push the point.

Personally, I'd approach that client and tell him that since his conditions mean I'd have to buy something like a G Wagen, with their initial high buying price, increased maintenance costs, high depreciation, etc, my price for the work I do for them will need to at least quadruple!

ANCAP5 is now required by insurers, plus I imagine work safety schemes would require highest possible safety standards to minimise claims. It's all about saving money for insurers, not safety for people.
I assume he might have no choice but to go a Toyota 70 series with a custom back. The rear track would have to be widened to match the front.

Originally Posted by donh54

Reading the original post, the OP is not interested in utes! Needs a station wagon-type vehicle for off-road use, as in OFF ROAD, not on dirt/gravel/formed tracks. IFS can be quite a handicap in real bush driving.
One (at least) of his major clients is caving in to the OHS mob regarding requiring ANCAP5 safety rating. Amazing how most companies hire contractors to do things so they don't have to worry about duty of care issues, but this lot want to push the point.

Personally, I'd approach that client and tell him that since his conditions mean I'd have to buy something like a G Wagen, with their initial high buying price, increased maintenance costs, high depreciation, etc, my price for the work I do for them will need to at least quadruple!

Yep but lets be honest we all like to go off on a tangent with any thread...

His only choice is a Troopcarrier, it is really only the big players who 'insist' on ANCAP ratings, though read the fine print, with a task based risk assessment most issues can be overcome as I have mentioned earlier in this thread, the Registered Mine Manager has the final say and I can assure you is more interested in the risk profile and the mitigation process than his companies policy, approach the HSE department and Manager with the issue and both parties should look for the solution, that is my experience in Western Australia as an RM/QM... for many years... Exemptions from the Mine Regulations are made on a regular basis. Companies will pay for safe appropriate machinery but not outlandish requests.

That or a Troopie that had been previously mentioned. Has a Roof length similar to the Defender as well. If u have some spare $$, then just convert the rear to Coils and fix the track difference at the same time and it will still come in under the price of the G-Wgn.....

The Troopie is one of the vehicles on my future retirement vehicle list.....

Originally Posted by harro

Toyota 76 series wagon in gxl spec for the factory lockers, around $70k+ new.

Bullet proof single turbo v8.

IMO the best serious off-road tourer out there (for the money).

Definitely what I would have bought if I didn’t love the td5 110.

Paul.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

As far as I can see, no low range, only 750kg load, although towing is fairly good. Another possible issue (that applies to a lot of the other suggestions as well) - can you get LT or other stake resistant tyres in the right size? And if you can, is it legal to run them? Apparently no manual transmission either.

Ford Everest,

Low range,rear locker,17" rims,heaps of accessories available.

LT tyres would be fine.

But not really a work vehicle.

As i have said before,Tojo 70 series is the only real option.

No vehicle is perfect,they are all a compromise.

Originally Posted by donh54

Reading the original post, the OP is not interested in utes! Needs a station wagon-type vehicle for off-road use, as in OFF ROAD, not on dirt/gravel/formed tracks. IFS can be quite a handicap in real bush driving.
One (at least) of his major clients is caving in to the OHS mob regarding requiring ANCAP5 safety rating. Amazing how most companies hire contractors to do things so they don't have to worry about duty of care issues, but this lot want to push the point.

Personally, I'd approach that client and tell him that since his conditions mean I'd have to buy something like a G Wagen, with their initial high buying price, increased maintenance costs, high depreciation, etc, my price for the work I do for them will need to at least quadruple!

Hehe yes it's more of a dream car thread now

from a business point of view, a G wagon is a bad idea. So does a 76 wagon with expensive modifications.

Don't get me wrong. G wagon is great car But it is very stupid if used as a commercial vehicle, especially off road. I know little about finance but trust me, you will never want a negative equity on the a financed car....
The 76 wagon maybe better but it is still possible to put them in negative equity..

If I were OP, I will sell the defenders (as mentioned before costly maintenance and will not meet ANCAP requirement), buy something cheap but ANCAP 5 stars so that you will have maintenance-free trucks for at least three years with potentialy extra cash on hand. Mind you Interest rate will go up soon in 2018.
Cheers
Martin

Originally Posted by JDNSW

As far as I can see, no low range, only 750kg load, although towing is fairly good. Another possible issue (that applies to a lot of the other suggestions as well) - can you get LT or other stake resistant tyres in the right size? And if you can, is it legal to run them? Apparently no manual transmission either.

Really? no low range? Well if that's true, they're rubbish then!