To Ute or not to Ute ?
Discussion
The wife and I have spent a few weeks mulling over the options for transport when we arrive in Perth on September 1st. Whilst we have a company vehicle for a month, we need to buy something.
My wife really wants a ute - Mainly because it's "very Australian". However, we have a dog who needs to be taken places and I'd like to do the shopping without having to put it in the back to get rained on/cooked.
My preference is for something like a Commodore Wagon (Estate).
We've sold our cars in the UK and are using a nearly-new Toyota Avensis estate. Whilst it is a lousy drive, the enormous boot and interior space is great - I used to have an Octavia estate many years ago and I'd forgotten how good it was to have a big boot. My last car was a Lexus GS300 which had a big boot for a saloon car but no where near the size of an estate.
The wife's second choice would be a Ford Escape - We had one when we were in California and she loved it. I think that with something other than the bottom of the range engine and the more modern 6 speed auto it could be a decent vehicle.
So the question is this......... Why would anyone want/need a Ute and what are they like to drive/live with?
My wife really wants a ute - Mainly because it's "very Australian". However, we have a dog who needs to be taken places and I'd like to do the shopping without having to put it in the back to get rained on/cooked.
My preference is for something like a Commodore Wagon (Estate).
We've sold our cars in the UK and are using a nearly-new Toyota Avensis estate. Whilst it is a lousy drive, the enormous boot and interior space is great - I used to have an Octavia estate many years ago and I'd forgotten how good it was to have a big boot. My last car was a Lexus GS300 which had a big boot for a saloon car but no where near the size of an estate.
The wife's second choice would be a Ford Escape - We had one when we were in California and she loved it. I think that with something other than the bottom of the range engine and the more modern 6 speed auto it could be a decent vehicle.
So the question is this......... Why would anyone want/need a Ute and what are they like to drive/live with?
I drove crew cab utes for years. Full five seats, with lots of carrying capacity in the back. They can have a less comfortable ride in the more workmanlike ones, but the Holden is very cooth.
My son has a 3.0L turbo diesel Ford Ranger 4x4, [Mazda Bravo in drag], & loves it. I found it required careful use of throttle in first & second if wheel spin was to be avoided. It's fine around town, but a bit harsh on rougher roads when empty.
My daughter & husband have a Nissan Navara 4x4 turbo diesel crew cab ute, with a canopy. Seats 5, or 3 plus the 2 kids in kids seats, & is great for towing their large V8 powered sky boat. Not only can it tow well, they carry all their gear in the enclosed back under cover.
They do a fair bit of skying on inland dams & rivers, camping over night. In wet weather they & the 2 kids can sleep in the back, perfectly dry & comfortable.
Ford also do a local SUV type thing the Territory. It comes in a 6, with 195Kw or 245Kw, in 2 or 4WD, which may suit.
Look all these up on Caesales.com.au. They have a research section which will give you full specifications on anything reasonably young.
My son has a 3.0L turbo diesel Ford Ranger 4x4, [Mazda Bravo in drag], & loves it. I found it required careful use of throttle in first & second if wheel spin was to be avoided. It's fine around town, but a bit harsh on rougher roads when empty.
My daughter & husband have a Nissan Navara 4x4 turbo diesel crew cab ute, with a canopy. Seats 5, or 3 plus the 2 kids in kids seats, & is great for towing their large V8 powered sky boat. Not only can it tow well, they carry all their gear in the enclosed back under cover.
They do a fair bit of skying on inland dams & rivers, camping over night. In wet weather they & the 2 kids can sleep in the back, perfectly dry & comfortable.
Ford also do a local SUV type thing the Territory. It comes in a 6, with 195Kw or 245Kw, in 2 or 4WD, which may suit.
Look all these up on Caesales.com.au. They have a research section which will give you full specifications on anything reasonably young.
Hasbeen said:
Ford also do a local SUV type thing the Territory. It comes in a 6, with 195Kw or 245Kw, in 2 or 4WD, which may suit.
There is a diesel one now too. Depends what you want the ute for really. I do have a Commodore SSV ute and love it. It handles very well, however it is not for offroad and it can only carry 2 people. It can carry 500kg in the back and tow about 1500kg. I guess it is really a pratical sports car sort of thing really.
There is the VE SS wagon which has the V8 engine and is built on the sedans floorpan and comes with a 6 speed manual or auto.
You may find it best to get a local car, ie Toyota, Holden, Ford initially. Then once you are settled in, go for what you really want.
OP - your wife sounds like she has 'noveltyitis' of becoming Aussie. Be yourself and life will be easier.
Personally if you have more than you and the wife I would imagine a Ute would become tiringly impractical quickly. Imagine an MX5 with a big boot - could you live with that as that's what you're getting (not a lightweight drivers car but a simple 2 seater to be clear...).
If you want to be aussie get a V8 wagon or 4x4.
Remember you'll pay stamp duty on car purchases here so if you buy then dont like your car you'll pay stamp again when you buy the replacement. Buy right first time.
Personally if you have more than you and the wife I would imagine a Ute would become tiringly impractical quickly. Imagine an MX5 with a big boot - could you live with that as that's what you're getting (not a lightweight drivers car but a simple 2 seater to be clear...).
If you want to be aussie get a V8 wagon or 4x4.
Remember you'll pay stamp duty on car purchases here so if you buy then dont like your car you'll pay stamp again when you buy the replacement. Buy right first time.
We bought an SR5 hilux new in 2009, had full leather, satnav, reverse camera and front parking sensors fitted within a week of buying it and it's the best motor for here in Oz. Nice comfy car for everyday, plus if you need to take stuff to the tip or go away for the weekend then just throw everything in the back and off you go! Been on the beach with it, plenty off of road driving, get home wash it down with the jet wash, then it's ready for the school run Monday morning!
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