Anyone in a current model diesel Hilux/Rodeo/Navara/Triton?

[KiwiBacon]

I do wonder what the longevity of these new breed, small, fast revving, powerful diesels will be like compared the old school patrol and cruiser 4.2 diesels.
I think this is common to all these new motors from each manufacturer and i wouldnt be expecting 4 or 500,000ks like can be seen out of an older style 4.2lt diesel.

It's funny how little faith people have in car makers these days. Almost like they don't believe the manufacturers test their products properly.

I bet the internets role in making sure EVERYONE hears about the occasional melt down is a huge factor.

[subie_man]

Can't comment on the other's, but i've got a STX navara diesel auto.

I am very much leaning towards the Navara, but had not considered an Auto. I had a very bad (read snail/slug/slow/gutless) experience with a mates diesel auto Prado towing my boat to the south coast - man what a slug that thing was (I know the current model has more power now, and boy did it need it ). I think my 2000 2.8 diesel Rodeo felt more powerful with the boat on the back.

Anyway, for that reason I was considering manual only - but from your comments Tazz maybe I should take an auto for a test drive... always been a manual man though hmmm. Out of interest, can I ask why you got an auto?

Cheers and thanks!

[Tazz]

I do wonder what the longevity of these new breed, small, fast revving, powerful diesels will be like compared the old school patrol and cruiser 4.2 diesels.
I think this is common to all these new motors from each manufacturer and i wouldnt be expecting 4 or 500,000ks like can be seen out of an older style 4.2lt diesel.

It's funny how little faith people have in car makers these days. Almost like they don't believe the manufacturers test their products properly.

I bet the internets role in making sure EVERYONE hears about the occasional melt down is a huge factor.

Hey, I'm not saying they wont last, if you read my post it does say i do wonder , and I do. No where did i say they where ticking time bombs, just they arnt proven.

I know that there are advances in technology, but its yet to be seen if they will last the long distance of an old school lower performance diesel.

And, yes I guess I do wonder how well any manufacturer tests there product....At the end of the day warranties run out long before we really want to start rebuilding things, but do nissan or toyota or any other manfacture care if the motors wont last triple or more of the warranty period.... I doubt it.

[Tazz]

Can't comment on the other's, but i've got a STX navara diesel auto.

I am very much leaning towards the Navara, but had not considered an Auto. I had a very bad (read snail/slug/slow/gutless) experience with a mates diesel auto Prado towing my boat to the south coast - man what a slug that thing was (I know the current model has more power now, and boy did it need it ). I think my 2000 2.8 diesel Rodeo felt more powerful with the boat on the back.

Anyway, for that reason I was considering manual only - but from your comments Tazz maybe I should take an auto for a test drive... always been a manual man though hmmm. Out of interest, can I ask why you got an auto?

Cheers and thanks!

I used to have a falcon (auto) as a company car and 80series as tow / camping / snow car, things changed and I now have the navara for both duties.

I was a manual man also, but the falcy convinced me otherwise, maybe I got lazy not sure, but stopping and starting in traffic is much more bearable with the auto.

Now, I dont think i'd go back, its just so easy to drive, and from what i've heard from mates with Navara manuals, they reckon mine tows heaps better also.

They say 1st is too high for taking off when towing ( even the 80 was a little high geared in 1st with the car trailer loaded up to head of for a comp, so I can imagine it would be even worse with little 4 cyl) and they are constantly changing back gears to keep the motor on boost when towing.

Sure it still tows well, but they have to work harder to keep the motor on the boil power wise, and ride the clutch more taking off.

With the auto, I just let it go, often just on cruise control and i'll knock it out of 5th when i see a large hill ahead.

If I was'nt using it for work (often in traffic) or doing a heap of towing, maybe i'd go back to the manual, but for those 2 area's i find the auto is great, and for long hauls (like syd to melb) its real relaxing to drive.. cruise control on and just go.

[KiwiBacon]

I do wonder what the longevity of these new breed, small, fast revving, powerful diesels will be like compared the old school patrol and cruiser 4.2 diesels.
I think this is common to all these new motors from each manufacturer and i wouldnt be expecting 4 or 500,000ks like can be seen out of an older style 4.2lt diesel.

It's funny how little faith people have in car makers these days. Almost like they don't believe the manufacturers test their products properly.

I bet the internets role in making sure EVERYONE hears about the occasional melt down is a huge factor.

Hey, I'm not saying they wont last, if you read my post it does say i do wonder , and I do. No where did i say they where ticking time bombs, just they arnt proven.

I know that there are advances in technology, but its yet to be seen if they will last the long distance of an old school lower performance diesel.

And, yes I guess I do wonder how well any manufacturer tests there product....At the end of the day warranties run out long before we really want to start rebuilding things, but do nissan or toyota or any other manfacture care if the motors wont last triple or more of the warranty period.... I doubt it.

It was your comment about "not expecting 4-500,000km like the older diesels".

[Ezookiel]

I'm looking at the Triton myself.
It came 4th in the 4wd monthly test due to it's lower towing capacity, and would have come much further up the list otherwise.
I am more interested in the rear leg room than in it's towing capacity and it's shocks which from memory were describes as "I've seen bigger shocks on a mountain bike"
The shocks I'd just simply throw a set of Bilsteins in the moment I bought it, and the towing capacity isn't a need for me, so that limitation doesn't worry me as much.

I'm over 6 foot, and my two kids are fast catching up, if not about to overtake me. The Triton won pretty much hands down for room in the back seats, so that's what does it for me. We have family in pretty distant places, and no-one wants six hour drives with their knees under their chin.

It got rave reviews for it's handling, and since you're buying new, there's a pretty decent warranty being offered on all Mitsi's at the moment, so longevity shouldn't be too big an issue, but maybe I'm just a sucker for their advertising, but I do believe they've put a lot into reliability in an attempt to dispel the stigma the company got from their pre-88 Magna's.
Secondly, the rear locker is a factory option for just $500 !!! And if ARB already have a front one ready, then you're set there as well.

One came down to our campsite on the weekend, and I had a bit of a chat to the driver, but he was a pretty unapproachable, unfriendly sort of guy, who knew so little he didn't even know if he HAD the factory locker, but thinks he might, so I wasn't able to get a lot out of him other than that he's very happy with it, and obviously since it made it to my favourite camping spot, it goes pretty much where I'd want it to go.

[subie_man]

I plan on test-driving the Triton, Navara and Rodeo - after various comments on this and other forums, reading the reviews and talking to owners I don't have much interest in the others for varying reasons

[hoges]

Can't comment on the other's, but i've got a STX navara diesel auto.

I am very much leaning towards the Navara, but had not considered an Auto. I had a very bad (read snail/slug/slow/gutless) experience with a mates diesel auto Prado towing my boat to the south coast - man what a slug that thing was (I know the current model has more power now, and boy did it need it ). I think my 2000 2.8 diesel Rodeo felt more powerful with the boat on the back.

Anyway, for that reason I was considering manual only - but from your comments Tazz maybe I should take an auto for a test drive... always been a manual man though hmmm. Out of interest, can I ask why you got an auto?

Cheers and thanks!

I used to have a falcon (auto) as a company car and 80series as tow / camping / snow car, things changed and I now have the navara for both duties.

I was a manual man also, but the falcy convinced me otherwise, maybe I got lazy not sure, but stopping and starting in traffic is much more bearable with the auto.

Now, I dont think i'd go back, its just so easy to drive, and from what i've heard from mates with Navara manuals, they reckon mine tows heaps better also.

They say 1st is too high for taking off when towing ( even the 80 was a little high geared in 1st with the car trailer loaded up to head of for a comp, so I can imagine it would be even worse with little 4 cyl) and they are constantly changing back gears to keep the motor on boost when towing.

Sure it still tows well, but they have to work harder to keep the motor on the boil power wise, and ride the clutch more taking off.

With the auto, I just let it go, often just on cruise control and i'll knock it out of 5th when i see a large hill ahead.

If I was'nt using it for work (often in traffic) or doing a heap of towing, maybe i'd go back to the manual, but for those 2 area's i find the auto is great, and for long hauls (like syd to melb) its real relaxing to drive.. cruise control on and just go.

Hi mate just wondering how many k's you get per tank towing?????

[Tazz]

Depends on how much weight its towing.

With a few quads on the car trailer (prob about 1200kg in total) it gets about 14lt / 100ks, but with a full bodied range rover (close to 3tonne rangie + trailer) that I towed from Melb to Sydney it was up around 22lt / 100ks.

Bear in mind that this is setting the cruise at 110, and there are a heap of hill's between Syd & Melb.

If you drove more sedately, prob 90 to 100ks I think the fuel consumption would be a heap better, but expecting it to sit at 110 it tends to drink a bit, but will definately do it.

[hoges]

Depends on how much weight its towing.

With a few quads on the car trailer (prob about 1200kg in total) it gets about 14lt / 100ks, but with a full bodied range rover (close to 3tonne rangie + trailer) that I towed from Melb to Sydney it was up around 22lt / 100ks.

Bear in mind that this is setting the cruise at 110, and there are a heap of hill's between Syd & Melb.

If you drove more sedately, prob 90 to 100ks I think the fuel consumption would be a heap better, but expecting it to sit at 110 it tends to drink a bit, but will definately do it.

What you getting unloaded ??

[subie_man]

Drove a Navara ST-X today (thanks to Mik from another forum ). Very impressed with the torque, and the 6-speed manual gearbox works very well, although the throw seems V E R Y W I D E.

Good looks, comfy seats, nice interior, deep useable trayspace with built-in tie-downs. I would be happy with one of these

[Tazz]

What you getting unloaded ??

I think about 11 to 12lt per 100, but i do give it a bit of a hard time, and have quite a few hills around me.

[mtbscott]

Drove a Navara ST-X today (thanks to Mik from another forum ). Very impressed with the torque, and the 6-speed manual gearbox works very well, although the throw seems V E R Y W I D E.

Good looks, comfy seats, nice interior, deep useable trayspace with built-in tie-downs. I would be happy with one of these

I have an STX and they are great. Only went one over a Toyota because of the folowing reasons:

Most powerful engine - I have a boat
6 speed manual - economical
Factory Cruise Control - no after market warranty issues
Rear Seats fold up - Waeco Fridge
Rear Doors open wider - mountain bike wheels straight in
Towing Capacity and Torque
Fuel Economy
Slightly Cheaper
Passenger Seat Folds into table

I agree that the throw seems much wider and it is hard to judge where the front of the vehicle is when coming over a steep burm into a corner. A bullbar and aerial would fix this. The Navaras appear low with the side steps but they are no lower than any mounts ect. Not one hang up yet on medium level stuff. Some extra protection could be placed around the sump for piece of mind. Getting around 9.5 to 10 L/100km.

Have had to wait for 3 months for delivery of three Navara RXs. Just arrived and coming in dribs and drabs. Was lucky with STX and only had to wait for 3 weeks.

Toyotas have always had a good resale and reputation. Ask me in 3 years how I am going with the Navara.

[subie_man]

I have driven them all and will be ordering a Triton GLX-R, although I was amazed by the Mazda BT50 which is something of a quiet achiever (albeit an ugly one). I drove and would have liked the Navara STX, but the reviews in 4WD Monthly and Kondinin Farming magazines scared me off - I just wasn't sure it would handle the hard life it would get on the farm It would have been perfect for towing my boat on weekends, but it and I have to earn the weekend freedom with a hard week's work

While they all had features I really liked and performance-wise they were similar, the warranty and interior space of the Triton were compelling, plus it's a well-proven engine and drivetrain. Only time will tell if I've made the right decision

[grimbo]

I was on the 4WD Monthly test and was one of the testers.
Of the 6 tested the Mazda and Ford were fantastic based on the criteria of the test. They did everything well, were comfortable, powerful and capable.

The Triton did come fourth based on the test and as a stock vehicle. However if you upgraded the suspension it would be a fantastic ute.

The Hilux does everything k but to me was just like driving a 4wd Camry, nothing exciting or memorable about it and it had a tendancy to skip the rear end out at any excuse.

The Rodeo was a good solid truck perfect for a tradie or farm truck. Unfortunately the spec level we got from Holden was the workhorse version not the more upmarket ones like the rest. It had a great engine and a really solid feel to it.

The Navarra was just disappointing. It didn't feel as solid, it was ok on the highway but always felt a bit out of its comfort zone with the engine working hard. Build quality was a bit ordinary with the rear doors almost impossible to open after a couple of days, the 4wd activation played up in both of them very early on. To top it off the hole being punched through the t/case whilst being a fluke doesn't mean it wouldn't happen again.

[subie_man]

Hi grimbo, it was basically the 4WD monthly article AND a similar test done by a farming mag that killed my interest in the Navara; without articles like these I could have made an expensive mistake - the Navara drives very nicely on bitumen roads when you test-drive a new one, but it certainly wouldn't have handled the punishment it would get in my hands

For me it came down to the Triton or Mazda, and it was a hard decision. I basically didn't choose the Mazda/Ford for the following reasons;
- I don't like their exterior styling
- No lash/sash belt in the centre rear seat
- No headrest in the centre rear seat
- Rear seating and access is no better than my 2000 Rodeo that is being replaced

Cheers
Holmesie

[grimbo]

Hi grimbo, it was basically the 4WD monthly article AND a similar test done by a farming mag that killed my interest in the Navara.

For me it came down to the Triton or Mazda, and it was a hard decision. I basically didn't choose the Mazda/Ford for the following reasons;
- I don't like their exterior styling
- No lash/sash belt in the centre rear seat
- No headrest in the centre rear seat
- Rear seating and access is no better than my 2000 Rodeo that is being replaced

Cheers
Holmesie

Yep I'd agree on those points as well. The Triton is a love it or hate it with the styling. I liked it, especially the interior. With the upgraded suspension and some good tyres (the Coopers we used were really good for what we did) it would be a great little truck

[subie_man]

I'm a Coopers tyres fan too

[jop]

go the triton , from memory they tested it without locker (factory option for $500, with looooong factory warranty)

and old mother roothy loved it

love my old one, surprises many with it's lsd, about to buy new one

[subie_man]

go the triton , from memory they tested it without locker (factory option for $500, with looooong factory warranty)

and old mother roothy loved it

love my old one, surprises many with it's lsd, about to buy new one

already ordered GLX-R being prepared as I type!!!

[Bluey]

i recently got a dual cab diesel navara as a work car, almost 1000 kays now. business bought the car, not me. find it great on road. it will never see anything harder than a muddy work site, gravel roads or the like. haven't done bigger trip than 200k, but the cruise control on a work car in a business where we do heaps of travelling is a necessity. anyway, for hard stuff will be private trip and i'll take the cruiser.

although i bought the 4wd monthly mag to see what they said, and i read through the article in question, i simply can no longer take seriously a 4wd magazine that does a product review of a high pressure cleaner


cheers
Lance

[KiwiBacon]

Does the aussie spec hilux have the towbar welded onto the chassis crossmember?

[grimbo]

i simply can no longer take seriously a 4wd magazine that does a product review of a high pressure cleaner


cheers
Lance

why not, people who own 4wds are also more than likely to own or use a high pressure washer and aren't likely to wan tto buy Choice magazine to find out what is a good one.

[JWB]

thanks Nick,

I haven't got a brochure for the current Rodeo yet, so can't comment on the gear ratios - I have heard about the poor fuel economy on the highway as well. Like you say, hopefully the current model is better.

I forgot to add earlier that the Navara has a 6-speed gearbox, although I'm not really sure if this is much of an advantage. Power & torque increases aside, it almost seems a backward step that Nissan would go from a 3.0litre diesel in the D22 to a 2.5litre in the D40.

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew,
A mate of mine has one of these 2.5lt units. Goes like a cut snake!
he's done about 40,000 so far.
he had an issue with the AFM. It was replaced.
Issue has now surfaced again! similar problem he expects.
I believe their towing capacity is one of the highest available also
he loves it! I Thought his was 5 speed Auto.?

[Bluey]

i simply can no longer take seriously a 4wd magazine that does a product review of a high pressure cleaner


cheers
Lance

why not, people who own 4wds are also more than likely to own or use a high pressure washer and aren't likely to wan tto buy Choice magazine to find out what is a good one.

ah, but it was a product review on one type of washer (like an ad), not a comparo on different ones available (not like an ad). its really a moot point anyway as this type of article is one i don't associate with a hardcore magazine (paraphrazed from many covers), and turns me off buying it.

i'm not really saying the opinions in the ute comparo were wrong (well, they are opinions so can't be wrong anyway), but it must come down to the person who makes the purchase. in my case it was between the triton and navara because of cabin space esp rear seat, and the easily folding seats and cruise control on the navara won the day for me. oh, and someone else was paying anyway


Lance

[grimbo]

I was just curious why the inclusion of an article on a high pressure washer meant you couldn't take a magazine article about 6 vehicles seriously. Seemed like a massive leap of thought

[Bluey]

i guess i've just lost faith in the whole magazine. the pressure washer is just one reason, others include the mad ramblings of roothy (which to begin with i didn't mind but now i find very irratating), absolute nonsensial intros to many articles, write up on mainly tourers (or bolt on bandits) but still the insistance that it is a hardcore mag, an absolutely huge lead time of something approaching 6 months for printing (good for shiny pages, bad for anything near to up to date comps) and others.