-Prince- Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 (edited) 3 hours ago, aussievintage said: Mazda's cars always have nicer designs than most others in the same price bracket. You mean BT 50 it just a DMAX engine. Its a good choice..thanks Edited February 27 by -Prince-
Tony M Posted February 27 Posted February 27 12 minutes ago, Mining Man said: Unless you specifically need high ground clearance and all-wheel drive (which even on unsealed roads, you don't), and / or a back seat, the best ute for the activities you've listed off are the ones we don't make any more; the good old Falcodore ute. Other than whilst towing a caravan or doing long road trips a few times, the Ranger I owned for 6 years was more downside than upside. Big, heavy and utterly obnoxious as a weekday driver. Yep, there's a lot of truth in that. For the past 21 years Mrs M has towed a horse float without issue with her BA Falcon......and with an EA Falcon for 13 years prior to that. Before that, she used my Commodore SLE for many years. All surprisingly capable tow vehicles. Our old farm ute is 4WD, but only if the hubs are locked manually. Despite living on acreage in a semi-rural area, I reckon I've only used 4WD less that a half a dozen times in the 15 years we've had it. OTOH, I do love the security of the AUDI Quattro AWD system. It's frustrating how few of the 4WD monsters offer AWD that can be used all the time for traction in slippery conditions. 2
Tony M Posted February 27 Posted February 27 12 minutes ago, -Prince- said: You mean BT 50 it just a rebadged DMAX. Its a good choice..thanks Yes it is a rebadged DMAX and I think it's a good choice. The conventional wisdom seems to be that the Ranger is the one to have and, not having driven one I can't comment. But the Mazda was hugely cheaper and readily available when we bought and we're very happy with it. I've taken it on a 500k round trip to Yorke Peninsula and it is definitely a reasonably comfortable and relaxing vehicle to drive. But I still wish we still had the option of the Falcodore utes of the old days - IMO they were a better, safer drive generally and made more sense for most purposes. I also can't help wondering how much of our road toll is due to: Poor road manners of high centre-of-gravity vehicles that now dominate the market Unnecessarily heavy, bulky vehicles sharing the road with the small cars that still exist, especially in collisions between the two. Not to mention the massive distraction factor of having touch screens for every function, but that applies to almost all vehicles these days. Some day, hopefully, the lost science of ergonomics will make a comeback. 2
Addicted to music Posted February 27 Posted February 27 7 hours ago, -Prince- said: Thank you, I test drove one. The steering was so light and very refined to drive . I preferred the Dmax drive than the Hilux. Any issues you had during your ownership from Dmax? the diff, if you ever submerge it in water, change the diff oil. They don’t last. 1
Addicted to music Posted February 27 Posted February 27 5 minutes ago, Tony M said: . Not to mention the massive distraction factor of having touch screens for every function, but that applies to almost all vehicles these days. Some day, hopefully, the lost science of ergonomics will make a comeback. The infotainment screen is in every current vehicle, a godsend with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Saves you from picking up that phone. What I can’t fathom is Teslas where every control is on that that screen, one of the main complaints for Tesla and trying to get use to.
blybo Posted February 27 Posted February 27 2 hours ago, Tony M said: For the past 21 years Mrs M has towed a horse float without issue with her BA Falcon......and with an EA Falcon for 13 years prior to that. Before that, she used my Commodore SLE for many years. All surprisingly capable tow vehicles. But probably illegal with 1 or 2 horses on board due to insufficient load carrying ability. I now work in the caravan industry and everyday we get people wanting to tow with inappropriate vehicles.
blybo Posted February 27 Posted February 27 I drive a range of dual cab utes for work. DMax, Navarra and LDV. If the company would reimburse me for the use, I'd drive my own Next Gen Ranger for every work trip instead. It's on a different planet ride wise, for those NOT carrying heavy loads. 1
aussievintage Posted February 27 Posted February 27 2 hours ago, Mining Man said: Big, heavy and utterly obnoxious as a weekday driver. I wouldn't drive one in a big city every day, but weekday driver in smaller towns, it is perfect.
aussievintage Posted February 27 Posted February 27 (edited) 2 hours ago, Tony M said: The conventional wisdom seems to be that the Ranger is the one to have You DO need to ask yourself why you see so many on the roads. 2 hours ago, Tony M said: But the Mazda was hugely cheaper and readily available when we bought and we're very happy with it. Yes it is a big factor. When I bought it was the other way around. The Ranger was quite a bit cheaper and available straight off the dealers lot. 2 hours ago, Tony M said: Yes it is a rebadged DMAX and I think it's a good choice. Maybe more than rebadged. The front looks distinctly Mazda-ish - reminds me of the Mazda 6. Edited February 27 by aussievintage 1
aussievintage Posted February 27 Posted February 27 3 hours ago, blybo said: Carrying dirty stuff like firewood loads, getting large stuff home that would never fit in a wagon etc etc. I'd prefer a large wagon but it compromises payload too much. THe Ranger has something like 350kg's more payload than the equivalent Everest. Yeah some jobs just require a ute. The lined tub in the Ranger, that can but hosed out, that allows loads to slide in and out with little effort, that can have the cover rolled up for tall loads, cannot be bettered. 1
Tony M Posted February 27 Posted February 27 (edited) 32 minutes ago, blybo said: But probably illegal with 1 or 2 horses on board due to insufficient load carrying ability. I now work in the caravan industry and everyday we get people wanting to tow with inappropriate vehicles. The BA was is rated to tow 2500 kg with heavy duty towbar and electric brake controller. We also checked things like GVM and max tow ball downforce but I don't remember the details now. She never towed more than about 2/3 capacity or exceeded about 80 kph. I take your point but I don't think this is a case of towing with an inappropriate vehicle. BTW, the 22 yo Falcon is still in immaculate condition and meticulously maintained mechanically. It's bright red with a sports exhaust and there's no way to get her to part with it. It will have an easier life now that she has the Mazda ute, but she'd much prefer to tow with the Falcon. She had reversing aced with it, but the extra length of the ute makes this more challenging. I'm trying to convince her she needs extendable towing mirrors, but she never needed them with the old Ford. Edited February 27 by Tony M
LogicprObe Posted February 27 Posted February 27 Ute with a tub is useless! Especially the twin cab. Gotta get a tray back with racks to do anything useful with them. 1
Tony M Posted February 27 Posted February 27 11 minutes ago, aussievintage said: You DO need to ask yourself why you see so many on the roads. Yes, I expect it's a pretty good thing and probably better overall. But, since we bought the Mazda, I'd prefer not to know that. 14 minutes ago, aussievintage said: Maybe more than rebadged. The front looks distinctly Mazda-ish - reminds me of the Mazda 6. Again, I agree. "Rebadged" is probably the wrong word . 1
-Prince- Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 (edited) 3 hours ago, Mining Man said: Ranger I owned for 6 years was more downside than upside Between V6 3l and 2 litre Bi-turbo diesel engine. Which is the very reliable please? Edited February 27 by -Prince-
-Prince- Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 (edited) 46 minutes ago, blybo said: I'd drive my own Next Gen Ranger for every work trip instead. It's on a different planet ride wise Thank you may I know is yours 2 litre Bi-turbo diesel engine or 3 litre V6 please. Between these two which is most preferred one? Edited February 27 by -Prince-
Mining Man Posted February 27 Posted February 27 26 minutes ago, -Prince- said: Between V6 3l and 2 litre Bi-turbo diesel engine. Which is the very reliable please? 2016 model with the 3.2 litre 5 cylinder. Never had a single mechanical issue with it, although it hadn't even done 40,000km when I sold it. More than half of those kilometres were long trips towing a caravan, including one trip of around 8,000km. It spent a lot of time sitting on the verge not being driven, because it was a vastly inferior option to an SUV and a hatchback for anything other than towing. 1
betty boop Posted February 27 Posted February 27 4 hours ago, Mining Man said: Unless you specifically need high ground clearance and all-wheel drive (which even on unsealed roads, you don't), and / or a back seat, the best ute for the activities you've listed off are the ones we don't make any more; the good old Falcodore ute. given OP has said ... "... weekend activities like fishing, kayaking, Cycling, Golf need a refined & reliable UTE please. It will be weekday driver as well. But no towing/commercial use." Just need a tub & refined engine to carry all needed gears." I would agree wholeheartedly with your suggestions MM ... I get hire cars for work infact almost every other week.. and given where i go i usually end up with SUVs... or dual cabs and rarely a station wagon/suv (eg subaru forester or outback) and driving regional across 3 states. i can spend days with these things, many hours of driving and have some 1000s of kms of experience with them over some years and generations have been ending up in with these things .. if i had a choice id rather not a suv or dual cab but it is what it is ... in dual cabs.. the most refined i have come across not only in engine and ride and overall experience would be the mazda bt-50.. the hillux is agricultural by comparison and might as well be a tractor awful things ! the mazda is smooth and comfortable.. but is is really needed ? for op's needs ? not sure .. something op can decide for themselves... 4 hours ago, Mining Man said: Other than whilst towing a caravan or doing long road trips a few times, the Ranger I owned for 6 years was more downside than upside. Big, heavy and utterly obnoxious as a weekday driver. i have to agree with you here as well.. terrible cars ! made in thailand, rough as guts... jiggly ride, poor handling and grip.. very poor NVH, not at all refined in any way. I absolutely hate spending hours in these things and the kms do in them.. only worse is hillux... i come out of these things jump in my mini cooper se and kid you not its like riding on silk and this is a car on low profile run flat rubber the tray or tubs on utes are terrible things to put stuff into and get stuff out off... not secure all roasts in sun or gets wet or crap on them from the road...the ranger come with shutter blind thing thats a pita to use... all these utes are also terrible day to day .. try parking them in super market car parks ! a friend of mine got a ranger and within a year he sold it as was a very poor family car and family hated it... be absolutely sure you want one of these things .if indeed looking at ranger.. also consider the VW amarok.. you might prefer VW take on it... if looking / considering SUV/station wagon ... instead of ranger.. consider the ford explorer ? instead of hillux look at kluger...? do consider both subaru outback and subaru forester... "fishing, kayaking, Cycling, Golf need a refined & reliable" you will find oodles of folk get subarus ? they are refined comfortable and very well made.. another option is skoda but they arent as proficient as subaru with its xmode if going off road... kayaking i usually see folks either going with a roof rack or trailer.. cycling is that bicycle ? we just use a rack ourselves on tow bar on our AWD family car.. fishing ? or golf does that really have any special needs needing a ute ? people been going golfing and fishing with regular cars for decades ? 1
Ooogh Posted February 27 Posted February 27 MR Triton. Engine / Transmission and differential are all long term proven items. Earlier versions get the 5 speed Aisin auto , later models the six speed, both bulletproof and with very good factory coolers. The 2.4 single turbo diesel has proven ultra reliable over an extended lifespan. Only weak link across that range was the six speed manual which could develop problems with third gear popping out. If you choose a Ranger avoid the ten speed like the plague. Furthermore many , most ,all , have no or ridiculously inadequate transmission cooling. Have a proper transmission cooler fitted. If you are going to be doing water crossing fit high breathers to all gearboxes , diffs and transfer cases. If not, don’t waste money on something you don’t need. Also avoid suspension lifts, wide tyres and their ilk. These only destroy handling , raise the centre of gravity, make the vehicle unstable, change pinion angles and put stress on on wheel bearings , CV joints and suspension components. Very clever engineers with millions of research dollars built these machines to work within the parameters , tolerances and stresses of stock equipment. ANY new or recent real 4wd will cross the Simpson desert unmodified. If you are not doing serious 4 wheel driving then items such as locking rear differentials are not required and choosing the variant without will save you money in the new and second hand market. Bullbars and driving lights add weight to the front end, and affect engine cooling significantly and wheel alignment. If you don’t need them, don’t fit them. In my opinion fitting a canopy is a must. How else do you keep your stuff dry, prevent theft etc. However, if buying new or secondhand factor in the cost because they don’t come cheap. New 4 wheel drive utes are insanely expensive. Second hand ones are way overpriced due to their current popularity. Servicing costs and running costs are astronomical. Two diffs, transfer case , engines that take 9 litres of oil with hyper expensive filters which, if you care for your engine , should be changed every 5,000 klm. Inlet manifolds that clag up if you don’t fit a catch can, DPFs that fail and even when working properly turn your exhaust into a mobile fire starter in tall grass… Unless you absolutely need a 4wd Ute buy a station wagon (if you can find one) or an SUV . Just avoid anything with a CVT, don’t even look at a Nissan with a CVT. 2 1
Addicted to music Posted February 27 Posted February 27 3 hours ago, -Prince- said: Between V6 3l and 2 litre Bi-turbo diesel engine. Which is the very reliable please? it depends on how you use it and how much driving you do. if just leasure and you do long trips during the w/end, go for the V6. If you are doing 100-600km a day get the diesel. if you plan on going into 4WD terrain and into water go diesel. However any diesel isnt cheap on maintenance. The Navara at the 1st 20K was $700 for a grease and oil change! Have no idea what the total service cost as im at 96000km, its on a company account. 1
aussievintage Posted February 27 Posted February 27 9 hours ago, Ooogh said: Also avoid suspension lifts, wide tyres and their ilk. These only destroy handling , raise the centre of gravity, make the vehicle unstable, change pinion angles and put stress on on wheel bearings , CV joints and suspension components. Very clever engineers with millions of research dollars built these machines to work within the parameters , tolerances and stresses of stock equipment. This is a point I was concerned about. However, mine came with a "factory lift". I can only hope it is within reasonable specifications and done correctly w.r.t the engineering. 9 hours ago, Ooogh said: Furthermore many , most ,all , have no or ridiculously inadequate transmission cooling. Have a proper transmission cooler fitted. Only towing a 1 tonne caravan, I had no problems. OP doesn't mention towing I think, so maybe not an issue. 9 hours ago, Ooogh said: Bullbars and driving lights add weight to the front end, and affect engine cooling significantly and wheel alignment. If you don’t need them, don’t fit them. Agree, I never fitted a bullbar and glad I didn't. 9 hours ago, Ooogh said: In my opinion fitting a canopy is a must. How else do you keep your stuff dry, prevent theft etc. However, if buying new or secondhand factor in the cost because they don’t come cheap. I didn't, because it takes away a big advantage - the ability to put tall things in the rear. Even things like long fishing rods would need a rack on top of the canopy, whereas I can just lean them up against the sportsbar and let them stick up above the cabin. 9 hours ago, Ooogh said: DPFs that fail and even when working properly turn your exhaust into a mobile fire starter in tall grass… Ford's DPF system has proven reliable, some of the others have been problematic (was it Toyota had big problems?) so read up on them. 1
Ooogh Posted February 27 Posted February 27 You can cross the Mahindra off the list Prince. If you are a farmer they are an excellent choice, we are talking about the worlds largest tractor manufacturer. Cheap , tough and built to withstand Indian conditions. The engine is ultra reliable and under stressed with an Eaton locking diff which are again the most reliable, no electronics, no air activation. However they are extremely agricultural, like an old Landcruiser in modern times. The interior is from a bygone era. Also canopies are almost impossible to source and dealers are few and far between. If you are looking at a new buy then remember that Nissan is bankrupt and their future is yet to be decided. This will undoubtedly effect price when you come to sell. A Subaru Outback or Forester would be an ideal choice historically but unfortunately they all now have CVT transmissions with no manual option and for many years do not have a transfer case for low gearing options. However they drive like a car , can fit lots of stuff and with a bike rack on the tow bar and a roof rack for the kayak all your leisure activities are covered. They can also take a bit of off roading. All Toyotas come with Toyota tax. You simply pay more for the same, new or second hand. The days of Toyota being leaps ahead in 4wd reliability ended decades ago. The new V6 Landcruiser costs mega dollars and has undersized crank bearings and top ring oiling and heat issues. The D Max has always been a solid buy. 3
betty boop Posted February 27 Posted February 27 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Ooogh said: A Subaru Outback or Forester would be an ideal choice historically but unfortunately they all now have CVT transmissions with no manual option and for many years do not have a transfer case for low gearing options. However they drive like a car , can fit lots of stuff and with a bike rack on the tow bar and a roof rack for the kayak all your leisure activities are covered. They can also take a bit of off roading. yep i was going to add this when you posted re outback and forester... something i suggested as well. in all work hire cars i get, these are i most look forward to getting but always a lottery what end up with :D they are very well made, good refinement, are excellent every day family cars and i cant see why couldn't do everything op wanted to do in opening post.. very capable.. on or off road. the x-mode is very good and i suspect will suffice for most folks in general needs rather than serious off roading and not sure OP mentioned that. the CVT bit.. i loathe CVTs.. but for kind use as hire car which i have had ...seem to do all needed and without fuss... and seem to work in well with the x-mode. 19 minutes ago, Ooogh said: All Toyotas come with Toyota tax. You simply pay more for the same, new or second hand. The days of Toyota being leaps ahead in 4wd reliability ended decades ago. The new V6 Landcruiser costs mega dollars and has undersized crank bearings and top ring oiling and heat issues. not been impressed with Toyota hillux have had and had a few... they are not worthy of extra cost...cant imagine op wanting a land cruiser.. they tend to be bought by folks doing through middle of australia probably overkill for weekender ? 19 minutes ago, Ooogh said: The D Max has always been a solid buy. for business i work for they are our standard issue... i see and have been in them on site and they are very reliable and good units.. one of our units has the odd thing where these start doing a DPF burn off and says you cant stop while its doing it ? so have to keep driving 10-15 min till finishes hopefully gets resolved next service.. never see these as hire units so dont get a lot of time in them. as mentioned the mazda bt-50 is a good alternative and a touch more every day car for family use etc.. Edited February 27 by betty boop 2
-Prince- Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 41 minutes ago, Ooogh said: The D Max has always been a solid buy. Yes, I hope so. Except for bump steer issues in new models. Its a very reliable and worth for asking $. Thank you 1
Ooogh Posted February 27 Posted February 27 Indeed Betty Boop. Unfortunately DPF problems have proven problematic to many companies, especially Toyota. When first introduced in Trucks and Buses we had constant problems sitting on the roadside trying to get burn off cycles completed. A new d Max should let you stop before the cycle is complete so good luck getting it sorted. With all CVT transmissions get the oil and filter changed regularly! The manufacturers will tell you they are ‘sealed for life ‘ items, this is simply bulls##t. Imagine what happens to the oil in a transmission under constant heat and friction. A CVT belt is built from rubber with a million small metal shims inside, if that fails your transmission fails and they are basically unable to be rebuilt. Ignore the company service centres and go to a transmission expert and change the oil at a maximum of every 60,000 klm preferably more often. Modern diesel engines have become highly complex units attempting to meet exhaust emission requirements. They have gone from extremely simple to very technical in the last two decades. Petrol alternatives are becoming a better reliability choice and are cheaper to service and maintain. What you loose at the bowser you make up in the workshop. For long distance remote travel diesel is still king due to availability in remote areas and lack of volatility when transporting. However where historically diesel was chosen due to it’s lower exhaust temperatures DPF has flipped that equation and now produces 1000 degree burn off temperatures which are a very real fire hazard in remote areas. 2
Addicted to music Posted March 1 Posted March 1 (edited) On 28/02/2025 at 10:27 AM, Ooogh said: Indeed Betty Boop. Unfortunately DPF problems have proven problematic to many companies, especially Toyota. When first introduced in Trucks and Buses we had constant problems sitting on the roadside trying to get burn off cycles completed. A new d Max should let you stop before the cycle is complete so good luck getting it sorted. With all CVT transmissions get the oil and filter changed regularly! The manufacturers will tell you they are ‘sealed for life ‘ items, this is simply bulls##t. Imagine what happens to the oil in a transmission under constant heat and friction. A CVT belt is built from rubber with a million small metal shims inside, if that fails your transmission fails and they are basically unable to be rebuilt. Ignore the company service centres and go to a transmission expert and change the oil at a maximum of every 60,000 klm preferably more often. Modern diesel engines have become highly complex units attempting to meet exhaust emission requirements. They have gone from extremely simple to very technical in the last two decades. Petrol alternatives are becoming a better reliability choice and are cheaper to service and maintain. What you loose at the bowser you make up in the workshop. For long distance remote travel diesel is still king due to availability in remote areas and lack of volatility when transporting. However where historically diesel was chosen due to it’s lower exhaust temperatures DPF has flipped that equation and now produces 1000 degree burn off temperatures which are a very real fire hazard in remote areas. DPF is not just Toyota, the previous serious of Rangers and Ford Modeos suffer the same issues, goes into limp mode and the exhaust sensor are designed to clogged. Ford ran out of stock with a shortage. We had a fleet of Rangers and Modeos not just DPF issues but notorious for transmission issues. to replace a Modeo Transmission was $14k, the company ditched and wrote off the vehicle. one thing I would never do is buy anything with a FORD logo, so many issues that the service dept dodged during warranty even wheel bearings collapsed and they blamed the load in the car that wasn't used for private so its out of warranty. While waiting in the waiting room to get the vehicle after service, clients came back saying the faults still exist and it wasn't fixed, one vehicle just stalled in the service. Dept driveway, the owner walked right back in saying its still stalling! One guy given a Modeo took him $30k to destroy the drive chain, he was issued a Holden Colorado which is a Isuzu equivalent and drove 120k b4 he was made redundant without issues. My bother was the Senior Technical Adviser for Subaru, when we decided on what to buy, even though I could have had it for staff discount, he recommended a RAV4. Then he went to work for a Toyota Service Dept Edited March 1 by Addicted to music 2
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