Recommendations for Which Ute to Go for

teacherer on 14/10/2017 - 22:59
Last edited 17/10/2017 - 08:35

edit currently considering a 2015 prado for 40k-50k,which I could sell in 5 years.

G'day guys
The mrs and I are graduating at the end of this year and my car is on its last legs. We're moving out west to teach and I'm chasing a 4x4 ute.
I'm totally new to shopping for a four wheel drive and am starting to prep for buying in February next year.

At this stage I'm considering:
- Mazda BT-50 GT dual cab which is $52 000
- Isuzu D-max LS-U which is $55 000
- Toyota Hilux SR5 which is $62 000
I'm not that keen on a triton though I hear they're great, we're at the stage where we can spend a bit more. I've thought about a ranger or Colorado but would go the hilux over them I think.
I'm thinking of automatic and diesel.

We'll be using it for going camping and trailers pretty often, I'll need light bars/spotties etc. for roos and a bull bar.

I understand this might not be the site for looking at a new car, but I'm not keen on buying a used 4x4 that might have been flogged etc, and I can probably trade my car in.

I'd love if anyone had any thoughts to share with me and recommendations or advice.

Thanks for helping me guys

Automotive

Comments

      • tonsta on 15/10/2017 - 13:55

        I'm seeing vehicles on gumtree for $31K at dealers for 2015 cars, these are fully decked out with tool cabins etc im assuming these would have been worth a bit to start with. So your $30K is a bit of stretch, but good luck if it does happen.

        • wombat81 on 15/10/2017 - 14:12

          They'll be ex fleet, probably.

      • sourdawg on 15/10/2017 - 22:43

        Where are you looking at moving to? If you're going to be remote you can rack up the kays really quick. We're in the east Kimberley and with the 400km round trip for groceries, ducking over to Broome and up to Darwin for a quick getaway, fortnightly camping trips etc we've done 30,000km so far this year. If you're going to be in a similar situation don't count on doing under 100k in 5 years!

        I saw you took an inventory of the teachers cars, I did a similar thing when a mate was looking at buying a mitsi. Our car park had 14 cars in it, 13 were Toyota,12 of them diesel. Other companies may well make better cars for lower prices a lot of the time, but the fact that everyone has a Toyota means that every mechanic whether bush or town knows their way around them. We ended up with an older Prado which has given us a few problems but information about them is easy to come by and the bush mechanic here knows them back to front

        • sourdawg on 15/10/2017 - 23:08

          In saying all that it's probably moot on a newer car as the bush mechanic probably won't be able to get you going anyway

        • teacherer on 15/10/2017 - 23:23

          Well that… Is a point I never would have thought of
          Central Queensland about 2hrs from Mt Isa. There's an iga in the town and a woolies 2 hrs away. Family I wanna see maybe monthly 400km away, hence wanting the smooth drive.

  • spackbace on 15/10/2017 - 14:29
    +3
    • Mazda BT-50 GT dual cab which is $52 000
    • Isuzu D-max LS-U which is $55 000
    • Toyota Hilux SR5 which is $62 000

    The Hilux SR5 Auto diesel 4x4 is currently $54,990 drive away

    $62k is full retail

    That comes with tow bar, tub liner and floor mats

    (I work for Toyota now, was Holden/Suzuki up till 6 months ago)

    As to vehicle spec and comparisons I'll leave that up to you.

    am starting to prep for buying in February next year.

    Please see if you can buy between Christmas and New Years. Genuinely speaking that's when dealers will do the sharpest deals.

    But then obviously in February you'll be buying a 2018 model if you buy new.

    • teacherer on 15/10/2017 - 16:37
      +1

      Hey Spackbace. I answered before but it didn't post for some reason.

      Looks like a mighty fine deal and would tempt me to go new ('m now swaying away)
      However, we won't attain permanency until at least January 20ish. I'm not sure if I can buy over Christmas and claim on salary sacrifice once into the job, if I can that'd be a good idea.

      Unless anyone here knows Ill have to wait for a financial advisor to suss that one out

      I might have to shoot you a message in Feb ay

      Cheers

  • MathNerd on 15/10/2017 - 15:56

    As a maths teacher, I have waited eagerly for the day a science teacher rocks up in a tradie ute wearing Hard Yakka, Blundstones and cursing the ATO for GST.
    My dream has come true. Thank you science-teacher.

    • teacherer on 15/10/2017 - 16:35

      Haha. I'm planning to get certified to teach man arts next year. Does that count?

      • MathNerd on 15/10/2017 - 17:24

        That does :)
        I teach maths and nothing else, so no chance to get my hands dirty. Nor do I have the physical skill or coordination to do trade type work, however I do love how tradies talk and their general outlook on life etc (case in point https://youtu.be/zKCmyGg3vnM)

  • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2017 - 18:45

    Seeing as the OP doesn't seem to have much knowledge of vehicles I wonder if he thought one of the major decisions when it comes to buying a 4WD…petrol or diesel?

    Diesel 4WD cost more to buy, service costs are higher, the new common rail engines are much more complicated and MUST be serviced correctly. On the plus side they hold their value better than petrol variants.

    Mate of mine has a Prado. Drove it on road once. It wallows that much I need sea sick tablets. Another mate has a Colorado. Cracked the diff housing at the Watagins. Found out to his and my surprise the housing is aluminium. GMH didn't want to know abut it.

    • wombat81 on 15/10/2017 - 19:07

      Yeah it's a fair thing to think about. I would find it difficult to recommend a petrol 4x4 to anyone, though. Regardless of whether he goes petrol or diesel his costs will be far higher than a conventional vehicle anyway, so I don't think the difference between petrol and diesel will be very noticeable.

      And it sounds like the suspension might be stuffed on that prado.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2017 - 19:58

    Nah. Prados do wallow. Very soft suspension.

    I agree, petrol 4WD is a no no. Mitsubishi have dropped the petrol in all their 4WD vehicles.

  • redvaldez on 15/10/2017 - 21:56

    One thing you might want to consider with a ute is the sheer size of them. They are frigging long. My dad had a Mazda BT50 dual cab with steel bull bar and towbar and it doesn't fit into his garage. This probably won't be much of an issue out west but I saw elsewhere in this thread about this being your "forever car". If your plan is to move back to a capital city within a few years you might find yourself selling it once you get back due to the size! Most 4WD wagons are a good 1/2 to 1 metre shorter. They also ride and handle better - yes dual cab utes have come a long way in recent years but I'm in no hurry to buy one.

    If I was spending $40-50k on a new four wheel drive tomorrow I'd consider a Pajero, Fortuner, Prado or FJ Cruiser. Unfortunately the Toyota Tax is a very real thing when buying second-hand. The Pajero is old but more powerful and better handling than the Prado and is cheaper to boot - but I already own an older one so I'm a bit biased.

    If I was living out west and also driving off road regularly I'd consider a steel bullbar (more expensive than an alloy bullbar but will be far more resistant to animal strikes), a good set of HID or LED driving lights, and a set of all terrain tyres with a 'light truck' construction (stiffer sidewall so more resistant to punctures) to be a good setup… but that's going to be close to $5k straight off the bat.

    Also, I've heard a few people who have steel bullbars on their 4WDs complaining that the weight (80-100 kg) has necessitated a suspension upgrade, so that's something else to consider when budgeting.

    • teacherer on 15/10/2017 - 22:02

      A steel bull bar is something I'd be pretty keen on. Sucks about the suspension.
      The size I don't mind, I think I'd learn to cope (famous last words)
      I'm leaning towards a prado now due to the comfy ness of the ride and getting a good trailer.

      Now it's just whether spending 40-50k on a 2015 model is stupid.

      • redvaldez on 15/10/2017 - 22:08

        I recently drove a 2016 Prado diesel around New Zealand - hire car. Handling wasn't sharp, but it rode very well. I could see it eating up the kms out west easily.

        Had the new 2.8l turbo diesel with the 6 speed auto. Keeping up in traffic was fine and fuel use was amazing (something like 9.4l/100 km for the whole trip) but overtaking was an interesting - sometimes nerve-racking - affair. My 20 year old Pajero was a lot quicker, which came as a surprise to me (the Paj is petrol, but a 140kw/300nm V6 with a 4 speed auto lugging 2.2 tonnes isn't exactly a powerhouse).

        • teacherer on 15/10/2017 - 23:22

          but overtaking was an interesting - sometimes nerve-racking - affair. My 20 year old Pajero was a lot quicker, which came as a surprise to me

          That's…. Upsetting

        • Matslurpee on 15/10/2017 - 23:48

          @science-teacher: You should give more consideration to the bt50, that has the same 3.2ltr 5 cylinder as the ranger.
          Much more punchy than the toyotas 2.8.

        • teacherer on 15/10/2017 - 23:52

          @Matslurpee: honestly I'm leaning away from the ute because of a shitty bumpy ride for long trips and daily driving
          Is there an equivalent to the prado worth considering?

        • Matslurpee on 16/10/2017 - 19:04

          @science-teacher: The amarok is meant to drive like a car and comes in a v6 diesel, you can always go for test drives, they are free.

        • redvaldez on 16/10/2017 - 21:21

          @Matslurpee:
          My dad reckons his BT50 was about as quick for overtaking as his SZ Territory petrol - no slouch!

          Gearbox shat itself at 50,000 km though and even though he only had it for about half that time, it too was a car that lived out west so wouldn't have had a hard life.

    • nothommus on 16/10/2017 - 16:07

      So long! I have a triton with a steel bullbar, and i can always spot my car in the carpark because it sticks out past everyone elses, even when im as far back as i can get to the wall.

      On the plus side its hard to lose.

  • spackbace on 16/10/2017 - 04:48

    Prado is about to get a 'tech change' - slightly different front end, more features. Current one is running down (stocks getting scarce) as new one out in November. Rumour has it that it's going to 3T towing (up from 2.5), not 100% sure yet.
    Current GXL diesel is $62,990 drive away.

    • 150L fuel tank is awesome
    • Fairly good equipment even in GXL format (but no blind spot monitors etc)
    • Amazing resale

    Prado drives nicer than Fortuner, and the Hilux.

    Big investment upfront, but strong resale means decent price after 5yrs/100,000km

    Have a look at Toyota Access. Basically chucks a balloon payment at the end (more to it than that, you actually get a guaranteed minimum trade value) and finance the rest. Helps lower the repayments.

  • pegaxs on 16/10/2017 - 08:03
    +1

    considering a 2015 Hilux for 40k, which I could potentially sell for 30k in 5 years.

    If you think a ‘15 Hilux will only lose $10k in 5 years, who ever said they would buy it off you for $30k, I would get that in writing. But then again, you could “potentially” get $45k.

    While the current trend in the automotive sales sector seems to favour the twin cab utes at the moment, that may not be the case in 5 years. If you said 2 years, ok, no problem, but I don’t think you will “potentially” get anywhere near $30k for it. If you bought it for $40k today, I think you would be hard pressed getting $30k for it 18 months from now, let alone 5 years. It’s already 2 years old and will be 7 at time of change over. There could possibly be 2 newer models in that time.

    A quick search over on redbook will show you that most Hilux utes at the 7 year mark are valued at about 50% of their original price. So, I would say you be closer to the $20k~$25k value and plan on losing between $15k and $20k on your purchase over the course of 5years unless you plan on not driving it and not ever using to carry tools around in.

    • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 08:08

      Okay fair enough
      Thanks for looking

      What will hold its value better if not a Hilux? I know with cars everything depreciates but what's depreciates less?

      • pegaxs on 16/10/2017 - 08:20

        I think that the Hilux would be the better buy if you are looking at resale. Just have to look around these forums to see how many Toyota Hilux fanbois there are. They are a good solid vehicle and resale of them isnt much of an issue.

        My only concern is that you are going to kit it out and spend big $$$’s on bullbars, lights, towing gear, everything else, with the belief that you will lose very little on it and while they are a good vehicle resale wise, but planing on only losing $10k over 5 years on it is very optimistic at best.

        Buy a vehicle that represents the best value that “you” will get out of it. If you want something to not lose value, then buy it and don’t drive it. Or you can look at it and say, well, if I’m going to lose $10k, plan on getting more than $10k worth of use out of it. But like you said, there is an idea that 5 years from now, people will think your Hilux has been flogged if it’s covered in all the latest bush bashing gear.

        • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 08:24

          That makes a lot of sense
          Thanks :)

        • pegaxs on 16/10/2017 - 08:36

          And here is some food for thought. (Story time)

          A little off topic, but in 2012, I bought a Great Wall 4x4 V200 diesel brand new for under $30k brand new. It went everywhere my mates went in their brand new Hilux and Dmax utes. It never gave up and never gave me issues. 3 years later, I sold it for $10k. It lost 2/3rds of its value. In roughly the same time frame, both of my mates Hilux and Dmax lost 50%. They lost almost the entire value of what my ute was worth to buy new!

          That being said, don’t buy a Great Wall unless it’s for shits and giggles and you intend to absolutely grind it into the dirt. It was good build quality, but it was cheap, under powered, and uninspiring. But it did the job that I wanted it to do. I treated it like a disposable vehicle and after 3 years of use, I could have given it away for free and still lost less money than my mates did on their Hilux or Dmax. :D

  • OzzyOzbourne on 16/10/2017 - 08:11
    +1

    Ford Ranger, best looking, best towing, best tech

  • animal on 16/10/2017 - 08:34
    +1

    The D-MAX uses the same engine as used in Isuzu light trucks which have a B10 rating (i.e. 90% or engines will last to 500,000km before a rebuild - some have gone to well over 1,000,000 kms). If you are wanting to keep the car for 10+ years I’d go the D-Max. Might not have all the bells and whistles of the Hilux but it’s a fair bit cheaper and the engine is much more reliable in the long term. The money you save could be used to upgrade the suspension or do some other mods for camping/4wd trips like second battery, bull bar, air locker, awning and so on.

    If I was leasing a car for 3-5 years then the Hilux would probably be a good option. Longer than that (or doing lots of kms) I’d go the D-Max.

  • try2bhelpful on 16/10/2017 - 09:23

    It depends, what dog do you have to go with it?

    • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 09:29

      German and a cocker
      Good combo? Lol

      • try2bhelpful on 16/10/2017 - 10:18

        One bitzer, or two dogs. Either way they will love the Ute but get proper attachment points so they don’t jump out.

        • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 10:20

          Two dogs sorry haha
          Definitely. Would likely get a cage if I were to get the ute

        • try2bhelpful on 16/10/2017 - 10:41

          @science-teacher: other half grew up on a farm, they had kelpies. The number of times they would get into town and find the dogs had hitched a ride in the Ute.

  • geech on 16/10/2017 - 10:48

    As a few have said, I'd look at the current real driveaway prices. I came very close to getting a manual SR5, with leather for about $55k driveaway.

    I felt it was a great car for the price, but ended up shelling out slightly more for a Ranger Wildtrak because it just seemed to be a better overall package. Apart from a few minor issues I have with it, I'm loving it though. I find it much more comfortable and well appointed than the Hilux - although I'll be taking it for it's first off-road trip this weekend.

    I wouldn't bother with a recent 2nd hand Hilux given how much the pricing has come down on the new ones, and by all accounts the new model is a huge improvement over the previous one

    • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 11:14

      What are your thoughts on new vs used prado?
      Turned off the ute due to caring loads but very often

      • Euphemistic on 16/10/2017 - 11:35

        I think Prado's are overpriced, but there are not many other options in the same segment. Pajero is probably the closest competitor. You'd get a lot more bang for buck out of a Pajero and it will be just as capable, and probably just as reliable given the reputation of the D4D engine in a prado. Isuzu MU-X might also be worth considering.

        • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 11:52

          Thanks
          When I go to test drive I need to know similar cars and different models of those cars

      • geech on 16/10/2017 - 11:57

        I haven't ever really looked at a wagon 4wd as we have an SUV as our primary car, and a ute for any off-roading/camping.

        For what it's worth, when I was researching utes and looking at the Triton, a lot of the reviews said it shared quite a lot with a Pajero sport, which is supposedly very good in it's class.

        • Euphemistic on 16/10/2017 - 12:34
          +2

          Yes, The Pajero Sport and triton are on the same platform. Bit like the Hilux/Fortuner, Ranger/Everest, the old Navara/Pathfinder. They are ute's with a wagon body (and other tweaks).

  • peterpaoliello on 16/10/2017 - 11:31
    +1

    You don't want to hear it, but i'll echo most of the comments here.. Whatever you get, swallow your pride and get something <24 months old with <30k on it. If you're lucky you'll find someone who has put bull bar, winch, lights and the extra you want at a far, far cheaper price. New is not justifiable other than the "because it's new" argument.

    • Euphemistic on 16/10/2017 - 11:42

      Even better get something a little older with up to 100,000km on it. If uyou are doing country driving you'll rack up the kms quickly and drop your resale price.

      I've been happy with my Navara ute with 140k on it. I bought one without a towbar so I knew it hadn't been worked hard. As a big vehicle that is probably the biggest factor in how they have been used, for towing heavy loads. I'd avoid getting anything that has additional plugs on the back as a sign of heavy towing and be happy to get something with a few country kms on it.

    • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 11:56
      +1

      I'm coming around
      You guys have really helped.
      I'm thinking 2 years old with 50,000km or less preferably.
      Extras would be nice lol.

      I've been thinking. I'd pay an extra about 13k new. But 13k is defs not the difference between new and used. More like 20k

      • peterpaoliello on 16/10/2017 - 19:40

        Glad to hear it. Another thing with second hand - you wont freak when it gets its first scratch!

  • Pizdets on 16/10/2017 - 12:25

    I bought a Ford ranger with 6K on the clock for $38K. Still got a couple years of warranty left and it's a beast.
    Happy as with it.

  • Ayedeevee on 16/10/2017 - 13:48

    How you are paying for it might help you decide.

    Financed?
    Cash?

    If financing, check comparison rates for loans on new cars vs. second hand, then figure out which will cost you more in the end and whether or not that amount influences your decision.

    When I was picking from the dual cabs a few years ago, I went with a brand new Triton due to the low comparison rate Mitsubishi offered at the time, plus the value for money the car itself offered over second-hand competitors' models. You do take a hit on the depreciation though, but you might be like me and plan to drive the thing into the ground. Also feels nice having a full 5-year, 130,000km warranty and knowing the car's entire history, especially when you consider some of the things 4WD enthusiasts put their cars through.

  • chazfg on 16/10/2017 - 16:26

    I am in the market for a new ute as well and I am holding out for Mercedes Benz X Class, which they say will fit the $60k price range (I am typing that last bit with a straight face)

  • daewoo on 16/10/2017 - 16:33
    +1

    A quick "bro-code" for 4x4 utes:
    * Avoid the Navara (reliability issues). However the rest of utes have uncomfortable leaf springs.
    * Black is the worst colour for tree pin-striping. Buy white or silver.
    * New diesels are expensive to buy with a small litre capacity (e.g. 2.8L). Old diesels are expensive to maintain (e.g. fuel injector pumps). Non diesels are cheaper to buy, but you pay double for fuel. Choose your poison!

  • yoonibear on 16/10/2017 - 17:08

    I know nothing about 4x4, but what about the Suzuki grand vitara? Saw something about it on a car article a few weeks back

    • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 17:31

      My wife wants one but I can't find a whole lot of info on them

      • redvaldez on 16/10/2017 - 21:28

        The Vitara is a SUV so cross that off your list. Grand Vitara is a proper 4WD. The 2009 and 2010 models came with a pretty sweet 3.2l V6 with 5 speed auto, but the current models only come with a 2.4l 4 cylinder petrol which is a bit unappealing.

      • DarwinBoy on 16/10/2017 - 21:30

        Completely different kettle of fish to the utes your looking at.
        Better than most of the smaller SUVs like rav 4s etc which are not real 4wds but they dont have the capacity or ability of the utes you looking at.

  • DarwinBoy on 16/10/2017 - 21:49

    Consider looking into a 4wd training courses in your local area. It might save your life.
    Plenty of people roll 4wds like tourists on fraser island or get lost in the desert each year. If you have never driven 4wds or even left a sealed road trouble awaits you.
    The training course will give you experience and knowledge to make a better choice.

    • teacherer on 16/10/2017 - 21:56

      Didn't knew that existed. I definitely will

      • Euphemistic on 17/10/2017 - 09:49

        or at least go with experienced 4wders the first few times you go out.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2017 - 08:27

    currently considering a 2015 Hilux for 40k,which I could potentially sell for 30k in 5 years.

    You'll get 20k max. If you think a Hilux will hold it's value that much after 5 years you are mistaken. Maybe if it's the cleanest lowest KM Hilux on the planet.

  • bennos on 17/10/2017 - 10:07
    -2

    My opinion only and I am very biased.

    Get a full size wagon.

    100 series landcruiser, Turbo diesel, pay top dollar for a prime example and call it a day.

    Or maybe the 76 series wagon?

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 17/10/2017 - 11:03
    +2

    I'd get the Isuzu
    They all have B10 rated engines

    Also powering Isuzu’s N Series trucks, the Euro 4 emissions-compliant version in the MU-X produces 130kW at 3600rpm and 380Nm at 1800-2800rpm and comes with a B10 rating of 500,000km, which means 90 per cent of engines are expected to reach 500,000km before requiring a rebuild."

    https://autoexpert.com.au/buying-a-car/qa/how-durable-will-m…

  • Kerm70 on 17/10/2017 - 12:35

    I know you have said you are considering a Prado but if you like the Hilux take a look at this video.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y2QSogJj3ec&ebc=ANyPxKpUsPs9yF…

    It might change your mind about which ute if you go that way.

    GDL auto also has some good car reviews. http://gdlauto.com.au/

  • j5ive on 17/10/2017 - 22:00

    Love my ford ranger. Heaps of options and parts available to make it more your own. The tech is really good too. The collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control are things you'll actually use.

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