poor relative said...

Ok its time now.
Laser is going and a decent Ute is coming.
Money's in the bank and am looking at either a Navara or a Hilux from 15-20k

What are your experiences/recommendations with these utes good and bad?

I can only vouch for Toyota in general.
Been driving them for ...ever and have never had a fault that wasn't just some piece of rubber or similar finally wearing out, like the tyres.

Had a hilux (2wd) and watched girlfriend, who was used to driving on other side of the road, clip my parents' big front gate on way in. I was a bit pissed to react in time. Sensational carnage. Now this is a gate that takes 4 men to lift it. It was bent like a banana around a tree. Motor for it was in about 1000 pieces.

Gate: 0
Hilux: 1 (small scratch on bull bar)
Look on parents' face: Priceless

A T/D Navara has nothing wrong with it... dunno about "steer clear of the Nissans"
either of them will be top vehicles.

Hilux bit better in serious offroad, Navara bit better on road handling.

For just getting down the beach either will be tops: (don't listen to the 4WD enthusiasts they will try and tell you that you need it lifted with mud tyres and maximum wheel articulation etc.)

I have an 07 Navara stx- love it. The economy and stuff is really good and it is comfy to drive. Personally I found that for a taller person the nissan was more comfy to drive... not alot of room in the back seats though for the mates.

wayneg said...


I now own a Hilux (old shape)

When you say old shape, how old? Mine celebrated its 26th birthday last October, according to the compliance plate, and still going strong.

Well, not as strong as when it didn't leak oil and coolant, but still somewhat strong.

I know its different price range , however DONT buy a D40 navara which is the really square new shape ones. im a mechanic and we had one come into work its a work car for a plantation manager so it gets used allot , its 2 yrs old and done a fair few ks for its age i forget exactly anyway the Variable vane turbo has died and also the injectors and possibly the injector pump as well. big dollars right there.

As for the older navara's ide say there just as good as a hilux , i have a HiAce with the same Diesel engine as the hilux and its very good.

If you get an older hilux say around 99, 00 make sure it DOESNT have a 5LE engine it.
the 5L's are awesome but that little E on the end means electronic injection timing and they had allot of expensive problems with the IJ pumps.

hope that jibberish helps!

poor relative said...

Thanks all
I'm busily lookin looking at the moment.
I kn hate cars.

Either will do the job just fine, some call the Nissan a poor mans Toyota, but you wont go too far wrong with either. Keep and eye on Pickles actions, to gauge what your up for, unless you going brand new

I doubt you could go wrong with either, but I have seen a lot of Hilux with burnt out clutches and / or difs. I used to put it down to crap drivers, but just keep seeing them....

I flogged out the pinion bearing on the rear diff of my hilux once, does that count? $20 to replace.

I had a Navara for some 14 years, sold it. Would buy another no worries.

Drive a new Hilux at work, sensational but pricey.
Havent driven a new Navara, but believe they are very good.

Yeah, go the auctions for a better deal (Pickles, Fowles etc), but be careful not get an ex mining company or ex lease or hire one. Most Govt ones are ok, just make sure its a good one, cos you cant test drive em.

poor relative said...

Laser

LAZER!!!

Reli,

Late last year I bought a 2004 duel cab diesel Hilux (4x4).
I looked around heaps before snapping this one up. It had only 83k on the clock and clean as a whistle. I ended up getting it for $20.5k cash from a holden dealer believe it or not.
Have a look at Pickles auctions and also Drive. com, Quakka ect. Im sure you know where to look.

This is my 2nd Lux I have owned now and swear by em. Nice and cheap to run yet still enough power (tyres down) in the sand. Mine is stock 3.0 with no turbo.

You should score some pretty damn nice wheels for 15-20k at the moment, seen as the market for all cars is right down.
Good luck

I just bought this one at lunchtime.

Indeed, but

a) I don't have a family.
b) I might treat it a bit 'ruggedly'.

Gruezi knows what I'm going to do to it...

I had a SR5 dual cab Hilux and at the same time my best mate bought a STX D40 Navara.

In both our opinions the Hilux was much better than the Navara. The Hilux seemed better on the road, had more cabin space and a larger tray. We picked them both up for approx the same price brand new (not sure how you would spend $70k on a Hilux - mine was $45K with all the fruit).

We have both since sold the trucks, for me, my wife just wasn't happy with the size of it getting around carparks etc. I have to say I still miss it though and am sure my next vehicle will be a 4x4 Lux again.

hi have worked on both as im a machanic toyota with 5l replace head at 100 000 broke 4 valve stems from over reving apart from that broken body mounts 2002 model not to much hard 4wd ing as for narvara d40 just a slite oil leak from turbo
witch nissan says is acceptable and pulls 2 tonne to moonie on a monthly bases
as for the narvara looks 100% better than the toyota as for the ford and madaz
you didnt ask for them as i wouldnt eather as you want a real 4wd good luck and hope u find a beauty HAPPY TIMES