Fix up the D1. Or get another one and go right over it. Way cheaper than a new ute and you can use your current one for spares [emoji12]
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Fix up the D1. Or get another one and go right over it. Way cheaper than a new ute and you can use your current one for spares [emoji12]
We trialed them at work for a while. No one wanted to get in them after the first week, and they were truly horrible to drive with the load in the back around 1/2 it’s rated capacity. Damn near dangerous fully loaded like the Mechanics had them. Steer clear. A Ranger, Hilux or Triton would be far better if you really want a dual cab.
From mine and others experience with them they are noisy, uncomfortable & drive poorly compared to the opposition. Reliability was an issue but no worse than the 6 speed Rangers which **** gearboxes regularly. We rarely have a full fleet of Rangers on the road at any given time and all the Navaras were sold off after 12 months or so - we usually keep our vehicles for 5 years or 200,000KM - whichever occurs last so we have some 8 year old Hiluxs still in service for example, but we didn’t keep any Navaras and ditched them with minimal KM on them. Yes, commercial use is far more severe on things than personal use but you get to know what is good and bad as well.
My current vehicle is a Hilux - just over 6 years old and just clocked up 200,000KM so is due for replacement shortly. Apart from
DPF issues early on it hasn’t missed a beat mechanically and I flog the living **** out of it daily and tow all the time with it. Rides like a bag of **** though and has basically nothing other than a steering wheel and pedals but hey, it’s a free car - how bad can it be?
As I said before if you can put up with the harsh ride any dual cab will give, the Hilux, Ranger or Triton are the go - if I was handing over my own money it would be for a Triton as I think the Hiluxs are too expensive for what they are and the Rangers like to drink too much and although the new 10 speed seems to be ok on them so far, I trust Ford about as far as I could throw them to make or use a reliable gearbox - their track record in recent years is pretty bad. Go ask any Auto Trans specialist what makes boxes are cluttering up their workshops - they’ll tell you.
All the best, it’s not an easy decision - I struggled to find a vehicle I actually wanted to go out and buy (up to $60K) so haven’t done so yet. Not a single dual cab made my short list on a vehicle I’d put my own money down on.
Was in the market for a dual cab and ended up with a short list of the Ranger and Amarok. After driving them back to back the Amarok was a clear winner for me. While seeming a little spartan and boring in typical VW style was far better to drive and ride quality was well in advance of the Ranger.
When I worked for SES, they gave me the option of the Hilux and Ranger, and I reckon the Ranger was nicer to drive and towed better too.
In terms of value for money, I don't think you can go past the Ssanyong Musso.
Brother got one last year, drive very nicely. But he optioned it right up there with the full lot, and that included the 20" wheel/tyre pack too.
Not good. go with 18's or 17's.
Tows OK, far better than a Tdi(but as said, anything would tow better than a Tdi!)
Get a lift for it, would probably do most stuff you throw at it(has an E locker as std for the top of the range).
Not many consider this vehicle, but once you drive it and you're the one that has to pay for it, you'll understand the value for money side of it.
His cost $42K with every option. Value for money is better than a Triton too.
Has coils and discs rear too.
can't beat the 7 year warranty too, so as a long termer it makes sense.
I've seen far too many new(mainly 2.8lt) Hiluxes, bonnet up on the side of the road, to consider them to be as 'unbreakable' as most make them out to be.