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.

[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.