pick-up problems L200 v navara v hilux

[ascrawley]

Hi, i have fancied a pick-up for a while now and am looking to spend about £10k on either a navara, hilux or L200 warrior. Having done a bit of research I have found some terrible owner's write ups for pretty much all the pick-ups on my shortlist. Anyone have any knowledge?

[laser_jock99]

If you're worried about hitting a Moose don't buy the Hilux:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZF8N9NItHI

[ascrawley]

excellent! dont get many mooses in west yorkshire though!

[SmokinV8]

Have just sold my 53 warrior and bought a 57 navara, so what d'ya wanna know??

[GravelBen]

Down here in NZ where 4wd utes are the vehicle of choice for the vast majority of farmers, tradesmen etc the Mitsi isn't really even considered an option by most, they have an overriding reputation for poor reliability and being expensive to fix when they do go wrong.

For most of the last 20-something years the Hilux has been favoured over the Navara as the default option, but with the current models that has reversed slightly and the Navara seems current favourite by a small margin.

hth

[Justin Miles]

I don't particularly like the L200 at all... just personal preference. I probably didn't like driving it becasue i'd already conditioned myself into that mind-set. Who knows?

Anyway, that leaves the Navara or the Hilux. My inclination would be the Hilux, although the Navara is a fantastic truck. The Navara (in the £10k sort of age group) looked a little more hi-tec/hi-spec, but the Hilux less "dated" against current models.... actually... sod it... I couldn't really fit a Rizzler paper between the two so dig deep, pull out a penny, and flip it!

Whatever you get, I'm sure you'll love it.

Have fun!

Just

[TIS]

Don't forget the Isuzu Rodeo or D Max.

[jvaughan]

quite like the agressive look of the new VIGO Hilux range... the ones with the 3.0 D-4D engine.

Always a fan of the older L200 but didnt fancy the servicing intervals of the 2.5 engines.

I too would like to loose the eurobox and get a doublecab pickup. something for carrying DIY, launching the odd boat and carrying around 3-400kg of wet diving gear back from days out.

what I dont want to loose though is the CD Player, leather seats, aircon and comfort factor when doing a 6 hour return trip to Manchester or beyond.

WOuld also like the option of throwing a set of MT tyres on it and getting dirty occasionally on Salisbury Plain

Edited by jvaughan on Friday 27th June 09:16

[Sixpackpert]

Had my new shape L200 18 months now and would never look back.

Never missed a beat in 34,000 miles.
Servicing every 12,500 miles.
Comfortable, best driving position of any pickup I've been in.
28-33mpg typically.
Good off-road with normal tyres, very good with some proper mud pluggers on.
Doesn't fall over like a Hi-Lux.
Doesn't fold up in an accident like a Navara.

HTH

[jobbit]

All I've heard about the L200 (old shape) is that it's a truly awful towcar. Never actually driven one myself though.

[jvaughan]

popped down to my local Mitsibushi dealer and looked at a L200 animal with leather. Looks nice. not 100% about the curved body / rear but inside looks nice. Have been told theyare quite good off road too

well, 6 months until my car change ... Might have to arrange a weekend testdrive.

[jollygreen]

Hmmm, I wouln't say any of these pickups are any good offroad because they've all got fecking massive rear overhangs. I doubt there's much between them - I think they all have a rear difflock?

They're all part-time 4wd too (unless you go for a 110 or 130 double cab) so are twitchy as fk in the wet with an empty bed!

[Sixpackpert]

jollygreen said:

They're all part-time 4wd too (unless you go for a 110 or 130 double cab) so are twitchy as fk in the wet with an empty bed!

The new L200 has stability control which does reign in the rear end quite a bit, not completely but it does stop it going too far. It also has the transmission from the Shogun so you can run it in 4wd at all speeds all the time if you like, unlike the old model that would 'wind up' it's transmission if left in 4wd on the road.

I agree, if you want to go serious off roading then the overhangs can be problematic, but if you are doing it seriously you wouldn't choose one in the first place.

Edited by Sixpackpert on Friday 1st August 13:50

[GravelBen]

jollygreen said:

Hmmm, I wouln't say any of these pickups are any good offroad because they've all got fecking massive rear overhangs. I doubt there's much between them - I think they all have a rear difflock?

They're all part-time 4wd too (unless you go for a 110 or 130 double cab) so are twitchy as fk in the wet with an empty bed!

Agreed about overhangs, especially with a towbar on them!

I've never found the Hilux I drive at work to be twitchy at all, sure they're RWD and light in the tail so they'll go sideways when provoked but they have a pretty long wheelbase and pretty soft srings, I've always found ours to be very forgiving.

[jollygreen]

Sixpackpert said:

jollygreen said:

They're all part-time 4wd too (unless you go for a 110 or 130 double cab) so are twitchy as fk in the wet with an empty bed!

The new L200 has stability control which does reign in the rear end quite a bit, not completely but it does stop it going too far. It also has the transmission from the Shogun so you can run it in 4wd at all speeds all the time if you like, unlike the old model that would 'wind up' it's transmission if left in 4wd on the road.

I agree, if you want to go serious off roading then the overhangs can be problematic, but if you are doing it seriously you would choose one in the first place.

My bad, I haven't driven a new L200. The old ones had real comedy handling - fun at first, bloody annoying after a while!

[300bhp/ton]

ascrawley said:

Hi, i have fancied a pick-up for a while now and am looking to spend about £10k on either a navara, hilux or L200 warrior.

Well what sort of things are you going to use it for?

Is it a lifestyle thing?
Is it for towing?
Is it for off roading?
Is it for hauling?

ascrawley said:

Having done a bit of research I have found some terrible owner's write ups for pretty much all the pick-ups on my shortlist. Anyone have any knowledge?

What are the problems you are coming across? Is there anything specific you don't like or would like to have. There are loads of pickups to chose from and I'm sure there must be one to fit the bill.

[SmokinV8]

jobbit said:

All I've heard about the L200 (old shape) is that it's a truly awful towcar. Never actually driven one myself though.

Eh?? Used to use my old one for towing and had no issues whatsoever.

[jollygreen]

Yeah I'd expect them to tow well and it would solve a lot of the handling problems (if not the performance ones!)

[RoadDogg]

Took 5 old shape L200 overland through Europe and West Africa to Sierra Leone. 5 L200's doing over 5000 miles each nothing failed and only one puncture. Nuff said, see www.hullfreedomtrail.com

[diesel piston]

ascrawley said:

Hi, i have fancied a pick-up for a while now and am looking to spend about £10k on either a navara, hilux or L200 warrior. Having done a bit of research I have found some terrible owner's write ups for pretty much all the pick-ups on my shortlist. Anyone have any knowledge?

Navara ? NO WAY!

http://www.knackerednavara.co.uk/

£10k should just be be able to get you a mk3 2.5 TDCi Ford Ranger.
Not to be confused with the earlier model, they are worlds apart.
No bad write ups on either model
Try one !

Edited by diesel piston on Sunday 3rd August 16:05