Which dual cab ute?
Discussion
In an apparent show of appreciation for my hard work over the years, the MD has asked if I'd like a dual cab ute. Currently I have a car of my own and was considering changing it for a Kluger so the timing is quite good.
The thing is that I'm not really one for utes, but there are obvious tax (no tax) benefits to having one as a company vehicle.
I asked what the budget was and he says there isn't really one "go and try a few and see what you like"
I'm not into off-roading, don't have a boat to tow or anything like that - Just two kids under 4. It would need a decent canopy.
So which dual cab is "best" for a family of 4 who don't really need or want a ute and would be better suited to a Kluger haha!
I'm thinking Amarok?
The thing is that I'm not really one for utes, but there are obvious tax (no tax) benefits to having one as a company vehicle.
I asked what the budget was and he says there isn't really one "go and try a few and see what you like"
I'm not into off-roading, don't have a boat to tow or anything like that - Just two kids under 4. It would need a decent canopy.
So which dual cab is "best" for a family of 4 who don't really need or want a ute and would be better suited to a Kluger haha!
I'm thinking Amarok?
Thanks for the input - I'd not given any thought to the Merc. As you say, I'm really looking for the one with the most car-like interior. The MD has a deposit down on the V6 and apparently delivery estimates keep slipping. I'm sure the wait list would be pretty long if I joined now.
Apparently there's a new Hilux special edition with a carpeted well-body. Pair that with a decent canopy and it becomes a big 4x4 wagon. Not sure if I'd go that far though!
Budget cap just confirmed as "so long as it's not 100k".
Apparently there's a new Hilux special edition with a carpeted well-body. Pair that with a decent canopy and it becomes a big 4x4 wagon. Not sure if I'd go that far though!
Budget cap just confirmed as "so long as it's not 100k".
Shame.
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-...
You could probably fit the bosses Merc in the tray.
A canopy does not make them a wagon, unfortunately. You still have that firewall. You need a 4Runner/Surf for that.
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-...
You could probably fit the bosses Merc in the tray.
A canopy does not make them a wagon, unfortunately. You still have that firewall. You need a 4Runner/Surf for that.
Edited by Bibbs on Friday 18th May 03:45
HSV Sportcat 
Isn’t the tax thing all related to payload? And don’t most of the top spec ones fall under the threshold because all the extra stuff tips them under the 1000kg? Or something.
Caradvice did a group test recently - Ranger, HiLux Triton, Navara, Colorado, D-MAX, BT-50, Amarok. Wildtrack won, Amarok 2nd, HiLux/Colorado 3rd. Might be worth a read.
They are horrible things but rapidly becoming the new family car.
Isn’t the tax thing all related to payload? And don’t most of the top spec ones fall under the threshold because all the extra stuff tips them under the 1000kg? Or something.
Caradvice did a group test recently - Ranger, HiLux Triton, Navara, Colorado, D-MAX, BT-50, Amarok. Wildtrack won, Amarok 2nd, HiLux/Colorado 3rd. Might be worth a read.
They are horrible things but rapidly becoming the new family car.
Bibbs said:
No tolls in WA.
Just stupid laws that make visiting more than one car dealer (with 2 small children in-tow) on a Saturday impossible! What kind of stupid does someone have to be to think restricting car sales on a Saturday is a good thing? What's the F'ing benefit?Anyway, having failed to sit in actual cars over the weekend I watched YouTube instead and its a 2-horse race. Amarok Vs. Ranger Wildtrack
Amarok has a distinct advantage it its drivetrain - permanent 4 wheel drive, making it easier for the wife to drive around corners in the wet with nothing in the tray. No low range but a well recieved 8 speed auto making up for it and more than adequate for our needs. Of course its the most powerful too.
Amarok has no airbags in the rear and now we have 2 small kids that's a problem.
Ranger Wildtrack would be in RWD 99% of the time for us, increasing the chance of the wife putting it in a ditch on a wet roundabout. However, when she gets there the rear airbags will help protect the kids!
Ranger wins on tech with almost everything included except blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking - But lets face it, I've managed just fine without them for nearly 20 years.
Edited by 200bhp on Monday 21st May 03:59
Bibbs said:
I passed over the VW at the start. No low range and no petrol.
Ford isn't too bad. But again, why have they not put the Mustang V8 (or even the i6t Barra) in it.
I really don't like diesel.
Apparently the lack of low range isnt a problem for most people who've actually driven it off-road.Ford isn't too bad. But again, why have they not put the Mustang V8 (or even the i6t Barra) in it.
I really don't like diesel.
The most laughable Ranger is of course the forthcoming diesel Raptor.
200bhp said:
Just stupid laws that make visiting more than one car dealer (with 2 small children in-tow) on a Saturday impossible! What kind of stupid does someone have to be to think restricting car sales on a Saturday is a good thing? What's the F'ing benefit?
Anyway, having failed to sit in actual cars over the weekend I watched YouTube instead and its a 2-horse race. Amarok Vs. Ranger Wildtrack
Amarok has a distinct advantage it its drivetrain - permanent 4 wheel drive, making it easier for the wife to drive around corners in the wet with nothing in the tray. No low range but a well recieved 8 speed auto making up for it and more than adequate for our needs. Of course its the most powerful too.
Amarok has no airbags in the rear and now we have 2 small kids that's a problem.
Ranger Wildtrack would be in RWD 99% of the time for us, increasing the chance of the wife putting it in a ditch on a wet roundabout. However, when she gets there the rear airbags will help protect the kids!
Ranger wins on tech with almost everything included except blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking - But lets face it, I've managed just fine without them for nearly 20 years.
There is a facelift Ranger coming later this year which I think has AEB.Anyway, having failed to sit in actual cars over the weekend I watched YouTube instead and its a 2-horse race. Amarok Vs. Ranger Wildtrack
Amarok has a distinct advantage it its drivetrain - permanent 4 wheel drive, making it easier for the wife to drive around corners in the wet with nothing in the tray. No low range but a well recieved 8 speed auto making up for it and more than adequate for our needs. Of course its the most powerful too.
Amarok has no airbags in the rear and now we have 2 small kids that's a problem.
Ranger Wildtrack would be in RWD 99% of the time for us, increasing the chance of the wife putting it in a ditch on a wet roundabout. However, when she gets there the rear airbags will help protect the kids!
Ranger wins on tech with almost everything included except blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking - But lets face it, I've managed just fine without them for nearly 20 years.
Edited by 200bhp on Monday 21st May 03:59
I wouldn’t be too worried about no permanent 4WD - they all have stability control, don’t they?
And yes, no rear airbags in the VW is a big miss.
Found myself passing a Ford dealer on Friday so called in to look at Ranger with my wife and kids. We all loved the Ranger Wildtrack (in Orange!).
The new model comes in August so combine that with EOFY and there's some good discounts around.
Dealer indicated he could do the current model WIldtrack for $58k which, is a sizable chunk off the retail price.
The new model comes in August so combine that with EOFY and there's some good discounts around.
Dealer indicated he could do the current model WIldtrack for $58k which, is a sizable chunk off the retail price.
Back to those Toyota's you mentioned – the one with the carpeted bed is the Rogue. There's also a couple of more off-road oriented versions, the Rugged and the Rugged X. If you like the Wildtrack in orange, have a look at the Rugged X, also in orange... I know all of this because I'm the bloke that did the brochure for them – I had an awful lot of fun smoking the Rogue around Broken Hill for a week or so...!!!
They're effectively an SR5 with differing levels of trim – the Rogue having leather etc, the Rugged's having bullbars and lights... – mechanically they're all SR5.
So hands up. I do have some form of brand association. What I will say though is that as soon as you get out of town into anything that's a bit remote it's Toyota's as far as they eye can see. Now this is probably not relevant for 99.99% of the time, it's just something to consider if you're thinking of touring off the beaten track...
And if you are thinking of doing that, sod off the smaller versions and get a proper one – the LandCruiser 79 series Dual-cab... they have absolutely no creature comforts, or safety aids, or NVH standards, but they've got a V8 and will go anywhere!!!
They're effectively an SR5 with differing levels of trim – the Rogue having leather etc, the Rugged's having bullbars and lights... – mechanically they're all SR5.
So hands up. I do have some form of brand association. What I will say though is that as soon as you get out of town into anything that's a bit remote it's Toyota's as far as they eye can see. Now this is probably not relevant for 99.99% of the time, it's just something to consider if you're thinking of touring off the beaten track...
And if you are thinking of doing that, sod off the smaller versions and get a proper one – the LandCruiser 79 series Dual-cab... they have absolutely no creature comforts, or safety aids, or NVH standards, but they've got a V8 and will go anywhere!!!
Well the decision is made...... Ranger Wildtrack in orange with ARB "Ascent" canopy including central locking integration. The canopy totally ruins the look of the car but its essential to maintain any kind of usability in the rear from a family point of view.
I had to laugh when at the dealership - I asked how water tight the Wildtrack roller shutter is and the salesman said "totally watertight, even after all this heavy rain we've had. Here, look at this......" and promptly unlocked one, rolled back the shutter to reveal two puddles in the tub!
The vehicle itself comes in at a little under $60k but with canopy, stamp duty and all the rest of the silly charges ends up at $64,900
I decided that the changes in the forthcoming facelift model arent really significant enough for me to wait, the boss wants to spend the money before the end of the financial year too. If it were my own money I'm not sure I'd buy one now as the resale value would likely take a hit being the "older" model even if only a few weeks older than a facelift version.
Why didnt I go for Amarok or Hilux?
Amarok has no rear airbags and I'm dubious about parts availability and support here in WA. We use some passat parts in a machine at work and the wait times for simple things like brake callipers is crazy compared to the UK. The local dealer is offering warranty backed remaps on the current model to 220kW though which, was tempting. However, the lack of rear airbags and lower ANCAP score (the numbers not the stars) put me off.
I really dont like the look of Hilux, even those new special editions. The proportions of the front end are wrong and the SR5 looks like the front overhang is 25% longer than it should be. Then you get inside and see the stuck-on screen and hazard switch/clock that look like an afterthought and it doesnt really tick the "car-like" box for me. Its a few grand cheaper than the Ranger though which would make it tempting if I were spending my own money.
Will be interesting to see how the Ranger goes and feels in the coming weeks!
I had to laugh when at the dealership - I asked how water tight the Wildtrack roller shutter is and the salesman said "totally watertight, even after all this heavy rain we've had. Here, look at this......" and promptly unlocked one, rolled back the shutter to reveal two puddles in the tub!
The vehicle itself comes in at a little under $60k but with canopy, stamp duty and all the rest of the silly charges ends up at $64,900
I decided that the changes in the forthcoming facelift model arent really significant enough for me to wait, the boss wants to spend the money before the end of the financial year too. If it were my own money I'm not sure I'd buy one now as the resale value would likely take a hit being the "older" model even if only a few weeks older than a facelift version.
Why didnt I go for Amarok or Hilux?
Amarok has no rear airbags and I'm dubious about parts availability and support here in WA. We use some passat parts in a machine at work and the wait times for simple things like brake callipers is crazy compared to the UK. The local dealer is offering warranty backed remaps on the current model to 220kW though which, was tempting. However, the lack of rear airbags and lower ANCAP score (the numbers not the stars) put me off.
I really dont like the look of Hilux, even those new special editions. The proportions of the front end are wrong and the SR5 looks like the front overhang is 25% longer than it should be. Then you get inside and see the stuck-on screen and hazard switch/clock that look like an afterthought and it doesnt really tick the "car-like" box for me. Its a few grand cheaper than the Ranger though which would make it tempting if I were spending my own money.
Will be interesting to see how the Ranger goes and feels in the coming weeks!
Is Orange an Australia Piston-heads select colour? 
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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