Thread: Which dual cab?

Interesting, how do you find the D-max? According to the bloke I bought my latest rodeo off the Colorados aren't much chop.
What engine does yours have?

Forgot about the engine thing with General Motors. All D-Max utes run the same engine, a 3 litre diesel.

I'm surrounded with utes in my street, the fella across the road, (builder) has a crew cab Colorado and the older Rodeo as his second or back up vehicle, both diesel powered.

The Rodeo has something like 300,000 + klm's on the clock whilst the Colorado has a bit under 100,000 klm's (2008 model) Neither vehicle has given him any real problems that I know of.

Ostensibly the 3 litre diesel in the Isuzu D-Max and the General Motors Colorado are identical, I'm not 100% sure, possibly little things here and there are different.

I do believe the Colorado engine has a different computer interface so that it can be serviced using General Motors servicing equipment.

My own vehicle has been exemplary, apart from adding a couple of leafs on each side on the rear suspension to allow for running with near maximum GVM 80% of the time, the vehicle is bog standard and runs like a dream.

Three doors down there is a 2009 Triton crew cab ute with a tub on the rear. This is a family vehicle (two kids), seems alright as far as I can see, petrol motor though. They are very happy with it.

Three doors up there is a Nissan (Navarra?) crew cab ute with a tub, another family vehicle (three kids) petrol motor, runs a slide out pop-top camper for holidays, 4 years old (I think) but I do know he has done over 100,000 klm's as this was mentioned the other day in passing.

Fella across the road and three doors up, Nissan Navarra crew cab with a tub, elderly couple, treats it like a family heirloom. Tows his boat to the water and back, three years old and two clutches. The boat and trailer weigh about 1½ tonne.

Mick.

There's another reference to clutches going in the Navara's... is it the towing that is doing them or an issue with them in general. I was swaying towards one but if the clutches are soft during general use then I may rethink. My Dad and BIL both have dual cab Colorado's and love them but they're going to be out of my price range and it will only be a second vehicle for us as the Forester will be our regular driver.

Gary towes cars. He's dragging the porsche from dorrigo to geelong this week on a heavy car trailer. He's got an xj6 that he races. I know a lot of people have had trouble with navara clutches but I don't know if they all tow.

carsurvey.org has owners reviewing thier own cars. Also look at the jd power survey site in the us. They don't pull punches.

IMO nowdays it's just not good enough for a car manufacturer to build substandard cars. There is a lot to choose from and prices don't vary that much. If your spending $20k you don't want to end up with a car that's going to hit you with a $2k repair bill when brand B down the road will work without trouble. Obviously you have to consider the condition of the specific car given your buying second hand. If you read the review sites and find brand A has a known problem and brand B doesn't seem to ahve too many complaints, well, you know what I'd be buying...

When I bought my car we drove everything as a matter of course. My prejudices were shattered.

I have liked toyotas but the rav4 was rubbish. Conversely I don't like nissans but the X trail was outstanding. Trouble is the previous generation blows transfer cases at about 4 - 6 years old. I wasn't prepared to take that risk.

The suzuki rattled and squeaked and it and the honda were studies in mediocrity. The mitsubishi was predictably awful. The tiguan was an even bigger shock than the rav4. Rock hard ride, no space AND much dearer than the others. $1400 for a towbar...

I wasn't even going to look at the subaru because the dealers are so hard to deal with, but my partner spotted an ad for the forester on special for $32. I got the towbar for $440 down from $850. Total saving 9% on retail but I was exhausted by this time AND they agreed to some special conditions so I let the last $500 slide.

So in the end all the cars were about the same $. All were flawed but I think I got a demonstrably less awful car.

Same deal with the ute. If no one is unhappy with their izuzu or mazda and it's the same $ I probably wouldn't buy the nissan even if clutch problems are only for those who tow.

2c.

Hi Corbs ,I have a 2001 twin cab Rodeo which I have had for 7 years. It is really reliable ,drives like a car ( as Gaza pointed out ) is very comfortable but it is very thirsty. I know you are looking at a later model but I'm just putting my 2 bobs worth in.
Planepig.

Evening all... just a quick update on the search. It's been a while but I haven't been in a hurry to purchase. Today I put a deposit down on a 2006 Mitsubishi Triton GLS with a 2.8ltr turbo diesel engine. Their reviews are pretty solid with the turning circle being the only issue for most people. Fingers crossed I can pick it up by the end of the week, have to say that I'm pretty happy with what I have ended up with at the moment and looking forward to getting it on the dirt and taking the boys out fishing in the near future