Thread: New Ute Dilemma

Originally Posted by No.3

My vote such as it is, the current Rangers on the new platform are a bit of a pig poke so far, some are having a great run some are finding a lot of electronic and weird issues as with every new vehicle type out (until the techs have seen the new problems and got a bit of time up). I'd be thinking get a look over the current vehicle, run a datalogger on it looking at commanded rail pressure off the ECU, delivered rail pressure and the rail pressure sensor output and that will tell you a lot about the performance of the injection pump, injectors and fuel rail pressure modulation valve or suction control valve. Another is the PCM/ECU output voltage, make sure it's a nice stable 5.00V and not wandering around all over the place as that can give you an absolute headache or a ball ache, one or the other (point of view issue). The injector/injection pump repair on a 3.2L is around $9K, the ECU is either a repair or a wrecker part (I'll fill you in on costs shortly - what a bloody nightmare to diagnose that little box of fun). Also, get 'consumables' like transmission components, suspension and steering and brakes checked out for worn bits. If the thing you have checks out, better the devil you know I say or at least you have an idea what you might be in for.

Every ute in my direct experience has issues with something on all of the models, some are worse than others. The 2L bi-turbos are brake eaters, especially if heavily loaded or towing heavy on downhills as not a lot of engine braking as one example.

To have the injector refurbished on my 2009 Holden, at 75000, they did the Toyota modification was $4k in 2012, nothing is cheap

So your only going to do another 100 000 kms ? And three years. Then grab a little shopping cart?

If that the case. Hold on to your current car. Still has warranty to 5 years? So definitely not going to spend 20-30 k in keeping it on the road.


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The 'depreciation recovered' thing is a bitch.......... but from my experience if you can be bothered with the hassle its nearly always better to sell your current vehicle privately, and then go buying with cash.

Personal bias, I like Nissan Navarra and old school.

I drive a 2003 Nissan Navarra 3.0ltr DC manual five speed which I bought at 198,000 and is now approach 240,000 on the original everything. It has absolutely NO bells and whistles, no flashing lights (like in the wing mirror!!!!WTF!!!!), no LCD touch screen or phone Bluetooth, no lane assist, collision warning or even cruise control. And I love it! Being manual I can slip it into neutral and coast the downhill gradients with the engine on idle eg Transmission Gully is 27km long, I can coast 15kms of it at speeds ranging from 130kmh to 70kmh. When I'm on the highway therefore typically not many other vehicles around, so nobody is inconvenienced. I think I'm saving diesel!?

Can you even buy a manual ute these days?

Anyway, back on topic, I agree with @7mm tragic about Rangers giving trouble at 200,000. Reason I say that is when I bought my Nissan I took it to an engine reconditioner to pressure check the turbo operation, it was fine. But his comment was, "The engine I get in most to recondition is the Ford Ranger. It may just be because it is the biggest selling vehicle on the road? But the engines all seem to get to 200,000 then just crap out!"

I know I'm probably going to get knee capped by every Ranger owner whose ute has done 250,000 but that's what the recon mechanic said.

The other thing I don't like about the Ranger, and modern uses general, is they are dimensionally HUGE! To lift something over the wellside you have to be 6ft 8" TALL. There was a sales rep in the City branch who was height challenged. She carried a small wooden box with her so she could climb up into the Ranger!!!

Buy a Nissan!

honestly Thar what I would do if I had 30K to spend after driving Hi Lux for 30 years the best was the 2.8 4 door with beam front axle ( as opposed to the next 3.0L with wishbone front) now get one and do it up - new shocks -clutch maybe - a real good going over brakes etc paint if needed - and that wonderfull old girl will see you out my two cents worth - they were the best Hi Lux by far

I think most of you are missing the mark, and focused on the wrong thing. It's not about saving the cash. If it was, he wouldn't have asked the question on here.

I'm in the camp of flicking a car before 100k. It's not a mind set thing for the current owner, more the new owner.

Tahr - you know you want a new ute. You know you're going to get one, regardless of what anyone says on here. You were hoping someone would throw up something compelling that would change your mind. They haven't - get the new toy

Oh yeah, given your stated usage, the new ranger is the obvious pick.

Originally Posted by Proudkiwi

I think most of you are missing the mark, and focused on the wrong thing. It's not about saving the cash. If it was, he wouldn't have asked the question on here.

Yeah. Just buy a unimog, that will drag all the girls

Originally Posted by outdoorlad

..I think only the wildtrack has the new V6 ..

In the Sport model too

Have you considered the Mitsi Triton?
If purchased new get a 5 year warrenty with 10 years on drive train I believe.
I will be looking hard at one when we replace our Colorado.
Family has owned 5 Pajeros and still own 3.
Quite under rated and we have had less troubles with them than the "other brand" utes we have owned "far less" km's on modern utes too.

nah pussy vehicles Thar go full hog 4 door landcruiser flat deck 4.5 V8 Diesel - ya only live once

Originally Posted by mikee

Have you considered the Mitsi Triton?
If purchased new get a 5 year warrenty with 10 years on drive train I believe.
I will be looking hard at one when we replace our Colorado.
Family has owned 5 Pajeros and still own 3.
Quite under rated and we have had less troubles with them than the "other brand" utes we have owned "far less" km's on modern utes too.

They upped their trade in price today bringing their swap price down to $18,475.00 (for the top VRX model). I expect I would take a hit on the residual value of this run out VRX model in 3 years or so time though. But who knows, by then you might not be able to give diesels away. Toyota are running out their straight diesel Lux's for the new hybrid due soon.

Will residual value really matter that much?

Originally Posted by Tahr

They upped their trade in price today bringing their swap price down to $18,475.00 (for the top VRX model). I expect I would take a hit on the residual value of this run out VRX model in 3 years or so time though. But who knows, by then you might not be able to give diesels away. Toyota are running out their straight diesel Lux's for the new hybrid due soon.

The current Hilux will hold its price head and shoulders above any of the other models.

Diesel will not be going anywhere any time ever due to the huge demand from commercial transportation. Mild hybrids will become the norm but there’s always going to be demand for straight diesels. The current attempts to legislate in favour of electric vehicles aren’t going to work for anyone but urban and suburban dwellers for their commuting vehicles.

The 2.8 1GD-FTV and 2.4 2GD-FTV have outsold the other ute engines by God alone knows what multiple, as it is a very successful cross-platform motor found in everything from utes, SUVs, proper 4WDs and vans. They are found all over the world and have already proven themselves out to crazy mileage. At the end of the day the Toyota premium is there for a reason, the reliability reputation is what it is. Some bright spark will turn up and say oh I had such & such go wrong and I’ll never touch another one and blah blah blah blah blah DPF this, DPF that, and a whole load of other shit that doesn’t change the global reliability reputation one bit. The stats are what they are.

In Australasia you only have to look at the commercial fleets in the big open pit mining operations across the ditch to get a sense of where the trust lies.

If you are looking at the next vehicle being your forever vehicle then buy the Toyota.

Originally Posted by Hugh Shields

Personal bias, I like Nissan Navarra and old school.

I drive a 2003 Nissan Navarra 3.0ltr DC manual five speed which I bought at 198,000 and is now approach 240,000 on the original everything. It has absolutely NO bells and whistles, no flashing lights (like in the wing mirror!!!!WTF!!!!), no LCD touch screen or phone Bluetooth, no lane assist, collision warning or even cruise control. And I love it! Being manual I can slip it into neutral and coast the downhill gradients with the engine on idle eg Transmission Gully is 27km long, I can coast 15kms of it at speeds ranging from 130kmh to 70kmh. When I'm on the highway therefore typically not many other vehicles around, so nobody is inconvenienced. I think I'm saving diesel!?

Can you even buy a manual ute these days?

Anyway, back on topic, I agree with @7mm tragic about Rangers giving trouble at 200,000. Reason I say that is when I bought my Nissan I took it to an engine reconditioner to pressure check the turbo operation, it was fine. But his comment was, "The engine I get in most to recondition is the Ford Ranger. It may just be because it is the biggest selling vehicle on the road? But the engines all seem to get to 200,000 then just crap out!"

I know I'm probably going to get knee capped by every Ranger owner whose ute has done 250,000 but that's what the recon mechanic said.

The other thing I don't like about the Ranger, and modern uses general, is they are dimensionally HUGE! To lift something over the wellside you have to be 6ft 8" TALL. There was a sales rep in the City branch who was height challenged. She carried a small wooden box with her so she could climb up into the Ranger!!!

Buy a Nissan!

@Hugh Shields

Not any longer ...

just thinking outside the box here Thar what about the new 5 door Suzuki unless you are towing its 4x4 credentials leave all these others stuck in the mud just a thought