Dual cab - three options, convince me otherwise

[GeeTee]

Volvo actually.

ah I thought it was LR architecture 

[toeball]

Best pick on dual cabs is the amarok at the moment.
(Depending on budget/price)

Australians need to get over this fear of a smaller engine. VW reliability nd engineering.  I can see the Amarok being head of its class quite soon, ad market leader in the dual cab competition.

good luck with your self employment, what business/trade are you in?

Reliability? I'll have to post some pics of what's left of the inside of my 5 yr old vw transporter!!

I'm in the dual cab market too, the Colorado is looking good at the moment, the engine is the same as the one used in some of the jeeps, in their forum it seems like the engine is good, the rest of the jeep breaks down around it!!

[Nay-DMAX]

We love our D-Max if that's any help tows the camper and the horse float no problems.

[nbd73]

Toeball, word of warning: be careful of what you post RE jeeps. I learnt first hand in another recent thread what happens when you make factual statements about them.

[toeball]

I don't understand? Must be a jeep thing!! 

[nbd73]

If you're bored and hot nothing better to do, check out the thread started by polyphonic in my 4wd called regarding what 30k used 4by to get. You won't necessarily understand, but you WILL get my meaning. Or just ignore, its not really related to this particular topic/thread, buy you did ask....

[cruisindub]

Reliability? I'll have to post some pics of what's left of the inside of my 5 yr old vw transporter!!

Please do post up pics and story. Interested to hear more.

[Redback]

Volvo actually.

No Land Rover, it was developed while LR was owned by BMW for the Discovery 2 that was released in 1998, Ford have now fully re-designed it for the Ranger and BT-50.

The TD5 Land Rover engine had nothing in common with the old Volvo 5 cylinder engine.

Baz.

[freezy11]

I would go the dmax, the engine is from the trucks.
I went over the weigh bridge at the tip the other day, 5 tonne with the trailer on. It just keeps chugging along. You can feel the weight your towing still. Never had an issue with the engine.
BT50 would be a good option, but the isuzu engine has been around for years in the smaller trucks.

I guess it depends what your doing each and day. And if you need that pulling power. Or if the smaller engine would work for you.

Saw an intresting sight this morning, top of the hill out of sydney on the F3, three dual cabs, all with campers on the back. Hilux with the bonnet up. Toyotas are not what they used to be.

[dirtpilot]

Don't get any of them, overpriced junk. 3.5 ton towing limit, with weak clutches, drum rear brakes?


If you must get one, heres my tips,

Get auto (weak clutches, turbo lag)

Don't get a Triton

Ask how much servicing costs (once fixed price servicing finishes)

Get rid of it before the warranty runs out


If i had to replace my lemon with another i would get the Dmax, due to it having a proven engine.

[jeeps]

The warranty on the new Ford Ranger BT50 diesels is excellent. When they blow the crankshaft seals at 5k the dealer fixes her right up! I know!

2 of my best mates each have a new diesel amarock and they seem to be really good. Only issue is that the dealer fitted Bluetooth doesn't work on either and won't be working anytime soon. I think they're a bit ugly.

[Dogsbreakfast]

Best pick on dual cabs is the amarok at the moment.
(Depending on budget/price)

Australians need to get over this fear of a smaller engine. VW reliability nd engineering.  I can see the Amarok being head of its class quite soon, ad market leader in the dual cab competition.

Nice car but no good if you want to get it serviced etc outside of a major city.

[GeeTee]

No Land Rover, it was developed while LR was owned by BMW for the Discovery 2 that was released in 1998, Ford have now fully re-designed it for the Ranger and BT-50.

The TD5 Land Rover engine had nothing in common with the old Volvo 5 cylinder engine.

Baz.

yeah that was the info I had - yay, I wasn't incorrect


Hey Flemo, who not a Hilux? Good dealer support, durable/proven design, chassis architecture the others are only just catching up to etc etc...?

[Symon]

Without getting into the vehicle debate, I have to ask - why get a hard tonneau?  I've had two utes with hard tonneau's and they are the biggest pain in the bum.

[Tuco]

The Ford Ranger, although designed and engineered for Australian consumption and manufactured in Thailand,, has been very successful in the US. Allocation of vehicles out of the factory greatly favour the US market.

The Thai built Ranger that is sold all over SE Asia (including Aust and NZ) is a completely different vehicle to the Ranger sold in the US. The Thai built vehicle is NOT sold in the US.

[Flemo]

Gt I currently have the latest model hilux, good on the hwy, good off road but Toyota are a bit up their own ass. Totally unwilling to deal and won't acknowledge that they have been overtaken by mazda and ford and like I said wont budge on price.
Symon hard tonneau is purely recreational, always carry a few surfboards with the 5 seats avail  for work tours and the boards safely locked away. If not for the lockable cover they would walk for sure! In our prado I need a seat down in the back to get the boards in.
Anyway gonna make an offer to Mazda tomorrow, if they don't take looks like the colorado. $$'s wise the Mazda will be about $2.5k more.

[Marschy]

The Thai built Ranger that is sold all over SE Asia (including Aust and NZ) is a completely different vehicle to the Ranger sold in the US. The Thai built vehicle is NOT sold in the US.

Clarification required. The supply of engines is the issue, not the vehicle itself.

[Matto]

Anyway gonna make an offer to Mazda tomorrow, if they don't take looks like the colorado. $$'s wise the Mazda will be about $2.5k more.

I know I harshed all over the Mazda earlier on, and I still don't think they're the prettiest girl at the bar, but...

We camped next to a brand new BT50 this weekend. Extra cab with the cool suicide doors, and a big alloy box on the back. Aftermarket wheels, but not much else in the way of mods. It was a very nice looking car, and with the blacked out grill looked a lot better than most I'd seen. Was towing a nice Cape York hardfloor camper.

The one thing that would turn me off it though - every time I walked past their camp someone else had come up and was chatting to them about the car. The must have spent most of the weekend standing beside the car, opening doors, talking about the motor, etc. (The camper was fetching it's fair share of attention as well). Mazda should pay them a commission - I'm sure more than a few BT50's sold out of Cairns in the coming months will be their fault.

Good luck Flemo!
Matto

[Isuzumu]

Our new D.Max has now done 2.5K, we are currently in the Central Coast heading back to Nanango t/m. On the trip down we achieved 7.7L /100 and I was sitting on the speed limited all the way, not towing. This ute is so nice to drive and has quite enough power believe me.  And at $50K for the top of the line model we are very happy.

[Swaggie]

G'day Flemmo,

Regardless of what dealerships tell you, your new vehicle warranty CANNOT be voided by virtue of servicing at a non manufacture dealer.  As long as the vehicle is maintained to manufacturer's specifications, ie. in accordance with the handbook, and you used genuine parts, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda etc. etc. cannot void or deny a legitimate warranty claim.

That is correct....I thought UltraTune ran Ads so people were aware...I still cannot believe they'll still try this crud on with Owners...

[Flemo]

Deal done, Maxda BT-50 XTR dual cab in titanium grey, hard tonneu, black sports bars and black mazda factory bullbar. Pretty happy to drive it away with business rego for $53k flat. Unfortunately have to wait till early November for it to arrive but in the end thats nothing. Local Mazda dealer in Lismore were happy to play the game and negotiate. I had 3 Holden dealers in the end nearly begging to buy a Colorado and got them down to $49600 minus a bull bar so about $51600 with, they seemed pretty desperate and easily dropped 10k off recomended retail. Happy to pay the $1500 extra for the what I believe to be much better car in the Mazda tho. 

[Swannie]

Well done Flemo, looking forward to the pics and mods.
Greg

[Nomad]

Flemo,

Are you riding a little 5'8" or something to get it into the back of the Mazda and get the tonneau down?

Cheers Nomad.

[Flemo]

Flemo,

Are you riding a little 5'8" or something to get it into the back of the Mazda and get the tonneau down?

Cheers Nomad.

Mate I can get my 2 6'5"s in the hilux diagonally and get the lid down. Mazda is 50mm bigger diagonally and depth. I can get my 6'10 in the Mazda no worries...

[Nomad]

Hey Flemo......
Just been asked if we want to go and stay at the Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort for a week in early Decemeber. Is it any good. If I go do you want to catch up for a surf and a beer? My board will fit easily in the back of the Mazda....

Cheers Nomad