Looking for a new tow vehicle to replace the X-trail...$70K max and New!!!

[Hewy54]

Am waiting to see what the "new cars" are like in a few years time. Keep the modern tech for a few years and you may still have the feel of the things you miss.

[scblack]

Missed the point entirely......

Did you read my last sentence there: "Sorry I had to chuck that in. "
Just so you know, that's an indication that I have put the post in there light-heartedly and not seriously arguing the matter.

And it did not miss your point at all. I will explain for you. You argued old cars have more "feel" than new ones due to the electronics. No problem with that. Thats your opinion. I just added a few other "feels" that old cars had, that new cars lack.

How does that sound for you?

[scarpsD40]

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=45553

[GeoffA]

Did you read my last sentence there: "Sorry I had to chuck that in. "
Just so you know, that's an indication that I have put the post in there light-heartedly and not seriously arguing the matter.

And it did not miss your point at all. I will explain for you. You argued old cars have more "feel" than new ones due to the electronics. No problem with that. Thats your opinion. I just added a few other "feels" that old cars had, that new cars lack.

How does that sound for you?

Go back and read my earlier post in context.
I responded to TC's comment about the Fortuner having good brakes and direct steering.
Nobody mentioned old cars except you.

BTW, I reckon you should sell your lovely new pedal-car and buy a proper car......

[Topender]

What about a Jeep Grand Cherokee?  Jeeps service and Warranty is about on par with Ford    There are plenty on the roads.  (some would probably say on the side of the road, but I'm yet to see one )  You here horror stories about Toyota too.  Can't believe I'm contemplating a Jeep but they do seem nice.  Just putting it out there as an option

Dave

[Banjo16]

All very interesting but most of these similar posts end up being "I support this brand etc "

It depends entirely on what you want, 2 years ago I wanted a new vehicle that could double as a 4wd & a daily drive for the better half to go to work. At the end of the day paid $41k for a new manual Challenger. Why? $20k cheaper then a Prado & for me does the job,sure if money was not a consideration I may have looked further but in the end I couldn't fault the value for money.

Go want you like & can afford then enjoy the great outdoors.

[prodigyrf]

Toyota Fortuner sounds interesting. Serious 4WD based on the Hilux with 3T towing capability -
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-toyota-fortuner-review-first-drive-36436?utm_source=cg&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=theguide

[scblack]

Go back and read my earlier post in context.
I responded to TC's comment about the Fortuner having good brakes and direct steering.
Nobody mentioned old cars except you.

BTW, I reckon you should sell your lovely new pedal-car and buy a proper car......

Fair enough. But to be talking about "newer" cars having too much electronic involvement, means going back decades - that means an old car in anyone's books. It is 30+ years since electronics have not been deeply involved in cars. EFI, ABS and others have been pretty standard fitment to cars since the 80's and certainly 90's. That's old.

However if you are talking increasing further involvement such as traction control, electronic diff control etc on off road vehicles then fair enough that is more prevalent in recent vehicles. 

These days even Porsche now uses electric steering on 911 models - no mechanical link at all, and that's one of the most involving sports cars money can buy.

[Steffo1]

Toyota Fortuner sounds interesting. Serious 4WD based on the Hilux with 3T towing capability -
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-toyota-fortuner-review-first-drive-36436?utm_source=cg&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=theguide

It reads OK from a daily drive point of view but, speaking of views, I think it's fugly. Now I know what happened to the mould for the old Nissan Terrano!
Steve

[Wortho]

These days even Porsche now uses electric steering on 911 models - no mechanical link at all, and that's one of the most involving sports cars money can buy.

I think electric steering is referring to electric 'power' steering. There is still a mechanical link to the steering rack and if the electrics fail the car can still be steered but with no power steering. I wouldn't want to be driving a car that had 100% dependancy on electrics for steering 

[Bird]

I wouldn't want to be driving a car that had 100% dependancy on electrics for steering 

agree 100%
http://www.wired.com/2014/06/infiniti-q50-steer-by-wire/
The new Q50 is the market's first "steer-by-wire" model, meaning there's no mechanical connection between the wheel in your hands and the wheels on the street. Just electric signals.

[scblack]

I think electric steering is referring to electric 'power' steering. There is still a mechanical link to the steering rack and if the electrics fail the car can still be steered but with no power steering. I wouldn't want to be driving a car that had 100% dependancy on electrics for steering 

Ok, thanks, wonder why I thought that?? You are correct. Cheers.

[Wortho]

agree 100%
http://www.wired.com/2014/06/infiniti-q50-steer-by-wire/
The new Q50 is the market's first "steer-by-wire" model, meaning there's no mechanical connection between the wheel in your hands and the wheels on the street. Just electric signals.

"However, Infiniti includes a backup mechanical system, which takes over if the electronics fail."  http://www.cnet.com/au/news/power-steering-shifts-to-electric/ 

[Wortho]

Another consideration is the Ford Everest is said to use the Adblue system which is a bit off-putting for me as it will operate at reduced power if you run out of adblue (availability when out bush for example!). It seems that a lot of manufacturers are deploying adblue systems to help the achieve Euro 6 compliance and even the new 2.8 Toyota diesel engine use's adblue in some markets (Not Australia). Adblue is a Urea based solution that is used to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen from the exhaust of diesel engines.
Consumption of AdBlue is generally around 5% of diesel use and cost around $1 per litre.

[The punter]

You missed an option in your poll

[hawks667]

Late model 100 Series Cruiser...4.2 Turbo Diesel...is there a better tow vehicle?

[McTavish]

You missed an option in your poll

Great setup Punter - impressive...

[KingBilly]

Hey punter, what is that giant white box on top of the Reconn?

KB

[The punter]

Hey punter, what is that giant white box on top of the Reconn?

KB

It's called a "fantastic ultrabreeze vent" which you can have open even if it rains. I'm planning on painting the inside black to keep the sun out of my beer soaked eyeballs in the mornings. 

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/fan-tastic-ultrabreeze-vent-cover-white/58894

[The punter]

Great setup Punter - impressive...

Be more impressive if the bank didn't own most of it!!   

[prodigyrf]

"You missed an option in your poll"

Yeah met a bloke with an FJ Cruiser up the Alice and he being interested in my light tackle..err rig.. I asked him what made him choose the Cruiser. Petrol (he knew about dark clouds on the horizon for diesels) and the bottom line.  Although the petrol Cruisers are thirstier than diesels he was quite happy saving $20k up front over a Prado and he reckoned the word is that's mainly why Toyota are discontinuing them because they're largely robbing their Prado profits.

Gotta say I like those sensible white rooves with colours although punter didn't need to worry but now I've tinted the SX4 windows I'm thinking of a white roof on the bloody black thing. My last choice of colour but buying used the deal was too good to pass up so I'm thinking it might be better to get a signwriter to cover the top with their white vinyl rather than painting. Black and white taxis or Cruisers here we come 

[Topender]

Punter I said I wanted diesel....and I have my reasons as you probably have yours.  I'll never go back.  Diesel Prado's out sell not only the FJ but the petrol Prado is a dying breed too.  Also the reason, but not the only reason the new Patrol was a bit of a flop being petrol only

Dave

[prodigyrf]

Your call re petrol or diesel Topender but we'll see how the new breed of Euro5 and ultimately Euro6 diesels hold their sales and value in future but VW throwing in the towel with their cheat mod doesn't augur well for mine. Furthermore VW's gobsmacking actions have put all diesels firmly in the Greenies cross hairs now.

[Topender]

Your call re petrol or diesel Topender but we'll see how the new breed of Euro5 and ultimately Euro6 diesels hold their sales and value in future but VW throwing in the towel with their cheat mod doesn't augur well for mine. Furthermore VW's gobsmacking actions have put all diesels firmly in the Greenies cross hairs now.

My "new breed" 2009 Euro 5 Diesel X-trail has been a great car.  Holding their value is only an issue if you're not keeping it for long.  Pretty much any car type or brand lose a huge chunk of their value in the first 3 years anyway.  I personally don't care what it's worth in 3, 5 or even 10 years as long as it performs and ticks the boxes for me and my family now!  People are scared of new technology and the Greenies can kiss my arse.  I want another diesel a) because they have much better torque output per given size (read much better for towing) and b) I hate going to the servo so diesel gives me better fuel economy and less trips to the servo. Price is not a factor with either of these.

Dave

[hempo]

Hi Dave,

I know you appear to have concerns with Nissan, and 'old' vehicles.  However as others have mentioned a GU is still a good choice and only $50k.  Add an exhaust for some more get up and go for your towing and you still have nearly $20k in the bank.  125 Litres of Diesel.  Plenty of parts and accessories available. 

Considering you drive a Nissan now you must have had plenty of issues to hate Nissan so much?  Who knows, you could buy a GU and never have any issues and therefore never have to deal with Nissan.

Cheers