VW Amorak, owners opinions?
Discussion
I've got a 2 day test drive in one next week. 180bhp 8 sped auto. It's a limited edition although I would be getting a highline.
I've got to decide if one is viable as a company car doing 25k miles a year? I know it will be great for everything else I do camping, mountain biking, allotmenting but will that be enough to offset the presumed compromises of its main use?
Any thoughts appreciated.
I've got to decide if one is viable as a company car doing 25k miles a year? I know it will be great for everything else I do camping, mountain biking, allotmenting but will that be enough to offset the presumed compromises of its main use?
Any thoughts appreciated.
Get's a bad rep from the Aussie's, the biggest pick-up market outside of the US
In Australia, in 2013/2014, the rising numbers of issues, including fan belt failures distrusting the timing requiring a new engine/top end rebuild, and driveline failures (mainly differentials and cvs)and electrical issues (canbus playing up, alternator failing etc) have resulted in the Amarok losing much of the reputation it has built up the past couple of years. This is made worse by the fact that Volkswagen is not fixing many of these issues, not under warranty & not even with full payment, meaning several of these utes have been written off over warranty issues and sold for parts, despite some of them being less than a year old. They do not prove to be tough enough to handle the tough markets of Australia as well as its competitors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Amarok
In Australia, in 2013/2014, the rising numbers of issues, including fan belt failures distrusting the timing requiring a new engine/top end rebuild, and driveline failures (mainly differentials and cvs)and electrical issues (canbus playing up, alternator failing etc) have resulted in the Amarok losing much of the reputation it has built up the past couple of years. This is made worse by the fact that Volkswagen is not fixing many of these issues, not under warranty & not even with full payment, meaning several of these utes have been written off over warranty issues and sold for parts, despite some of them being less than a year old. They do not prove to be tough enough to handle the tough markets of Australia as well as its competitors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Amarok
bern said:
Interesting, may be the Australian market is a bit more environmentally hostile than ours?
Just ever so slightly!! I'm sure they would be fine for 99% of UK users for one thing you won't die if you get stranded between MacDonalds and waitrose and most are used exactly like an regular car,unlike Aus where there can be 200km of dirt roads and 40+degrees heat if your a way out of the city limits ..I suspect the problem is the mining industry has been buying these things up now as they are 5 star crash safety rated, which means under Australian law, they do not need to be fitted with a roll cage.
Until now the mines have been buying Toyota land cruiser's and Hilux pickup trucks.
Reports from Australia are claiming the Amarok's are utterly shagged after around 50,000 km's, usually the point when they are sold on to the general public.
So it's a quirk of the Aussie legal system which has resulted in so many Amarok's being used for commercial mine work.
That said... if Toyota can build a car which in theory is supposed to be a work vehicle that can actually survive being used for work, why is VW having such problems?
Supposedly the Amarok is falling out of favour toward the new ford Ranger these day's, as it is also 5 star safety rated.
Until now the mines have been buying Toyota land cruiser's and Hilux pickup trucks.
Reports from Australia are claiming the Amarok's are utterly shagged after around 50,000 km's, usually the point when they are sold on to the general public.
So it's a quirk of the Aussie legal system which has resulted in so many Amarok's being used for commercial mine work.
That said... if Toyota can build a car which in theory is supposed to be a work vehicle that can actually survive being used for work, why is VW having such problems?
Supposedly the Amarok is falling out of favour toward the new ford Ranger these day's, as it is also 5 star safety rated.
I have a 62 reg highline 180 bhp manual. I have driven 26000 miles in the last year as a company vehicle. It is quiet, reliable, fast enough and very comfortable. My farmer friends have Rangers which are tougher, or certainly give the impression they are. The farmers are impressed with the relative refinement of the VW. Mpg is about 30/32 overall. Drops to about 23 if towing. I would have another. They are expensive though.
Family friend has been disappointed by the off-road ability compared to his previous Hilux. Getting stuck crossing bars in riverbeds due to lack of articulation etc, fortunately he found someone with a 30 year old Nissan Patrol to tow him out. Nice and comfortable as an on-road vehicle though apparently.
Just spent 2 days in a dark label limited edition auto. Really enjoyed it, great on the motorway, good ride, and fast enough. Only downside was it was quite rough sounding when accelerating but very quiet when at a constant speed.
However when I took it back today I got a business lease quote. For a highline with nav, phone prep, load liner and hardtop, 28k per year, over 3 years they wanted £575 a month! For reference a 320d msport auto estate with nav and privacy glass same mileage and term it's £466. Don't think I will be able to make my MD swallow that!
However when I took it back today I got a business lease quote. For a highline with nav, phone prep, load liner and hardtop, 28k per year, over 3 years they wanted £575 a month! For reference a 320d msport auto estate with nav and privacy glass same mileage and term it's £466. Don't think I will be able to make my MD swallow that!
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