Utes?

[snwtoy]

Can anyone offer any non-biased advice on utes around the $10k mark, toyota or otherwise?

Can't commit to anything at the mo, but would like to know what's out there. Prefer something without a canopy (don't know if they're worth more or what).

Petrol/diesel? No idea..

4wd? 2wd? pros/cons?

[flygt4]

may pay to specify whether you want commercial style ute or sports style ute, ie XR6 or courier, and whether you need 4wd or not as that adds a fair bit of cost.

[snwtoy]

Not too fussed really. It would be just so that I've got something for transporting shit that won't fit in the back of a wagon.

So a courier could be the go, or a hilux. Not interested in a falcodore unless it's a real bargain

[flygt4]

hiluxs are quite overpriced on the used market for what they are.

navaras arent too bad, ive driven 2.5TD and 3.0TD, both grunty as hell, the 2.5 is better and more expensive. not sure if the 3L falls in your price range? the older ones had crappy thirsty engines.there are some high km 2.5's getting under 10k.

the fords and mazdas are the same, both are really reliable with the 2.5TD. probly both quite spendy still. workmate has a courier 2.5TD with over 200km and never had any problems despite serious abuse.

rodeos are grunty as hell with the petrol engine but oh so thirsty, you wonder where it all goes.

i have not much experience with mitsis offerings.

in my experience petrol utes seem to be generally crazy bad on gas, diesel utes are often so gutless but use bugger all gas , and the diesel turbos are usually a good inbetween if they arent a particular engine prone to blowing up

[Looonie]

Should be able to pickup a tidy 95ish hilux 2wd single (or extra) cab for 10k mark.

I'd imagine a 96-2000 courier would be around the same figure.

Tardme is the best place for researching prices and condition.

If you get diesel, you'll want a diesel turbo otherwise you'll just go road rage at not being able to pass people who can't corner properly.

Also if you think a diesel is cheaper to run, think again, with the huge increase in RUC, the higher cost of registration, and the fact that the cost of diesel fuel is quickly chasing down the price of petrol, its actually more economical to have a small capacity petrol.

That and diesel engine oil is a black ass whore of a thing to spill.

So personally I'd probably recommend a petrol 2wd extra cab hilux, of 96+ vintage, just hunt around and find one tidy.

Remembering the size of the cab detracts from the size of the tray, so smaller cab and bigger tray is useful. Couriers do come NZ new long wheel base, but i'm not sure about the 96+ variety.

[rxtoy]

try asking the same question on the minitruckin forums (www.minitruckin.co.nz), they're not really into stock utes but would still know a fair bit about them.

except me. mine's not even close to being at the 10K mark and i've never really driven anything late model so can't really help.

a mate did used to have an 85ish diesel navara (1600 from memory) that was a torque monster, towed stuff real easy and had pretty good pickup so don't write off the smaller diesels. they're not too bad. his was a flatdeck but that doesn't take that much weight off.

cheers
Matt

[ollieboy]

Nissan td27 is a legend of an engine, but the gearbox that goes on them suck. The layshaft bearing dies quite frequently- thats just something to take into consideration really. Fords are mixed bags, some last for ages, some don't.

[snwtoy]

Wicked, thanks for the feedback all.

Seen a quite nice petrol 1997 rodeo on TM. Are the petrol ones really bad for economy? Have to compare this to a 2l turbo caldina...

[fangsport]

Wicked, thanks for the feedback all.

Seen a quite nice petrol 1997 rodeo on TM. Are the petrol ones really bad for economy? Have to compare this to a 2l turbo caldina...

be sure to check the top radiator mount on the rodeos. some have a really dumb bracket on them, than may allow the radiator to fall onto fan , if provoked. what size engine?

there was a really good thread on D1NZ regarding them, until a few home truths were uttered against someone favourite brand.

i work on many makes and models, they all have drawbacks, but some more than others. some drawbacks are darn sh1tty to rectify on many.
diesils are over-rated unless over 4.0L or you have many demerit points . i am biased towards Toyota and nissan, purely because they are made real easy to work on, but you don't really have to.

don't buy a 2.6p L200, heads crack very often.
don't buy early 4.0 falcon with high km as the head is bound to be soft
3.0v6 nissan love petrol, hate water,
2.4p toyota would be good buying for your budget if you need real power, 2.7p would possibly be in your range.

[Mr.Phreak]

Sorry snwtoy, but when I saw this, I just had to

[Loudtoy]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... ?key=35169

Hey dude have a look at this, explorer's driver real nice and this being one o them only cut down would be cool.
I had a look at it on the weekend but decided it not really suited to what we were wanting so passed on it but is real tidy and pretty neat ute.

[snwtoy]

Sorry snwtoy, but when I saw this, I just had to

good shit! how the hell many people would be needed to lift that on i wonder... probably had a crane...


Loudtoy - cheers... maybe a bit thirsty for us but I'll keep an eye on it.

fangsport - thanks - was also eyeing up a 3.0 navara.. will steer clear of that now. Don't care about power so much, so long as it's not a slug that holds others up.

[Bling]

Loudtoy, that thing looks farkin awesome, i'd happily pay a bit more in fuel to drive that beast it looks mean as!

[Loudtoy]

Loudtoy, that thing looks farkin awesome, i'd happily pay a bit more in fuel to drive that beast it looks mean as!

Looks even better in person