Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Just joking about the beer ..... but whilst I've got your attention I'm looking at buying either a 03 onwards rodeo or colorado in the next 6months as i'm finding everything else is either overpriced or underpowered/not hitting that bang for buck bar.

From the research I've done and to narrow it down, I'm after turbo diesel, least 4 seats so either space/king cab or dual cab styleside to fit a lil one in the back
less than 70 tho kms and maybe a canopy or bullbar but that can come in at a later stage.

Main use would be daily driver, work car, weekend trips to the beach, towing motorbike trailer around on weekends, a couple of trips a year to double island/ rainbow and maybe a cape trip/long distance tour once a year.

What I've seen you can get a say 03 rodeo with above specs for say 15K on a good day

or

07 rodeo for 20K

or

colorado for 25k

Now this is were your input is appreciated is the pros and cons of each say the 03 at only 96 kw is a bit sluggish , easy fix with chip and exhaust at say $3500 but that puts it so close to the 07 that its not really worth it especially for resale value, which i hopefully wouldnt have to do

So im trying to work out all the things like this and after hearing that the colorado whilst looking better doesnt have the same fit and finish, few more gearbox problems etc than the 07 rodeo's makes me wonder which one would be the best bang for buck buy ?!?!?! Possible myths or truths about problems gearboxes, computers turbos clutches, bouncy front ends and so on , thanks in advance !!

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had a look and considered buying from the auctions as I got a mate who works there but as i havent been to the auctions whilst they were underway and not many prices are listed, how much do you think you'd save over redbook pricing for private sales etc ?

any differences between dmax and rodeos apart from badging ?

Would prefer the Isuzu badges as most of my mates are ford fans

You can pick up some really good deals at the auctions if you do it right. The trick is to not get emotionally attatched to the vehicle until after you buy it.

10 years ago I bout our VT from Pickles, all we wanted was a povo pack with low km's. Rather than saying "I want that car" I selected a number of vehicles that would suit & then set a top dollar price on each car & didnt go over that. Picked up an ex Telstra wagin with a cargo barrier & roof racks for $14200, they were still pulling 22 -25 at the car yards.

A few years ago I picked up a BA wagon for the wifes grandfather we got a Silver one with 42,000km on the clock for 16k, under half price for a 3 year old car.

When we bought the Commo, there was one that had the Tiger Mica paint, same spec, went for 5000 more..........

If you are not a mechanic, get someone to go with you who can help.

I will say this, for me, auctions are not worth it if you pay the same price you might pay at a dealer.

yeh mate i just bought an apparent (ex mine) 2011 dual cab colorado.. 68000 klms still under warranty till december. got it home and detailed it turned out to be a quarry car and never touched coal in its life.. took it to a hoolden dealer got the log book service up to date and passed a rwc without a glitch.. few months later im still rapped in every aspect of it so far.. i paid $12,400 for it at auction and id get 20-25 for it eeveryday now. i bought mine unseen so i got a little bit lucky but id recommened going to them live if ur in the vicinity.. hope this helps