Thread: Urgent Advice - Would you buy this 4WD?

Originally Posted by mudgripz

I would actually spread your net wider. You do not need to stay with Toyota, Nissan. Have had six 4x4s in last 20 or so years, including couple of Toyotas and a Nissan - and they were not the best. They make some good trucks but you have to judge each model/motor on its merits. Example - the 1GR-FE 4.0 petrol mentioned above is a well regarded donk, but the 1KZ is not. Further - paying $25-35k for a 2000-2008 truck is not necessarily your best value.

One truck I like is the Isuzu D-Max. Good sturdy running gear and a truck sourced 3.0 motor. It is not a recent turbo'd up 2.0 or 2.2 as in later toyotas or rangers. Good reliable rep in Aus where they are used alot, and also known to be sturdy offroad where many modern 4x4s aren't. 2021 truck of the year in Aus - where Ranger having ongoing probs with transmission etc, and Toyota subject to big class action lawsuit for mechanical unreliability - including DPF etc. Point is - this D-Max also is available in full cabin form as the Isuzu Mu-X. Same motor, same strong drivetrain, good comfort, but this is a modern 2015 onwards vehicle. And they are just becoming available on market here in the mid to high $30k price range with under 200ks. That's a good truck - and that's good value. If buying now I'd be looking hard at this model. You are bound to find occasional issues with every model, but this one pans out well in large number reviews. An example:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/c...7?bof=svH4lK2M

Something to think about...

Boom… something to think about indeed. Nice one… looking now. Thanks again for your time, as well as the other guys. Helping us hugely. I cant belive how good the comminity is here… it is great.

Cheers,
Mitch