Alternatives to the Triton (ute)

[naddis01]

Mate bought an ML in 2007 and have put 333,000 kms on it, first four years as lease ute for work as geologist so all manner of bush work, its such a reliable ute thinking of trading for an MN, most opposition at the moment is way to dear for what they are, all this talk of mazda and ford pfft, top 3 selling utes are still hilux, navara and triton

Actually the Ranger is comfortably out selling the Triton in 2014 and the Navara is not in the top three.

Actually the number one selling ute in the private sector is the ranger. Not the hilux anymore.

Ranger is second overall behind Hilux in 2014.

[Longranger1]

I kind of like the ranger but the rear shock mounts are stupidly low. Some aftermarket bars on the dmax, Colorado etc look hideous. Reminds me of Dame Edna Everidge.

[Crash486]

Looks like the US are planning some fun...
http://newatlas.com/ram-rebel-trx-concept/45741/

[MiteeWidge]

Work at an underground mine site in Western Queensland that up until four years ago was exclusively Landcruiser/Hilux. However , when BHP started to enforce the purchasing of on 5 star ANCAP rated vehicles that opened the door to Ford and their Ranger. We still have the odd HIlux onsite and I would still rather drive the oldest Hilux than the newest Ranger. No barrow to push because I do not own either and this is purely from a work vehicle only perspective but with around 30 Rangers on site they are no where near as durable or reliable as the Toyota. Workshop keeps 2 spare gearboxes ready as three gear has gone on almost everyone.Button controls on steering wheels falling out , power windows fail regularly , hood linings and trims hanging loose and at three motors hydro locked due to the poor air cleaner intake positioning which has necessitated the purchase of snorkels for all thirty. And some of these have less than 20k on them.Workshop also loved Ford's smart alternator - had a dedicated fitter with a start cart running jumping most of them until that half arsed idea was sorted. Oldest Lux is up over a 130k with none of these issues. Like I said this is a work vehicle only view and there is no harder life for a vehicle than down the hole for 24 hours a day , 7 days a week for every day of the year. Never had a Triton on site but have also had the odd Navara and Amarok and neither of these where ever purchased again either. Was only told last week before flying out that no more Rangers either now that Toyota have the 5 star rating. Lots of Light vehicle fitters working around with smiles on their dials and most of the operators as well. Been said before today but you only have to look at Toyota's resale price. People still prepared to pay top dollar for them and surely not all sales are not to one eyed Toyota supporters.

[RHKTriton]

That RAM looks the goods!

Interesting how the yanks refer to them as half-ton trucks. If the big RAM is designated to carry a payload of around half a ton then our little utes here must really only be intended for around 250 to 300kg.

[shaman42au]

Finally collected a new Mazda BT50 this week.
I still have the 2011 MN GLX-R for a while, and put 115k on it over 5 years.

I looked at Triton Exceed, Hilux SR5 and Ranger and Mazda BT50.

Ranger eliminated because the sales rep would not give me a written quote for the vehicle (twice).

Tough decision in the end between the Hilux and BT50 but settled on Mazda because of it's better cabin space.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
"When you come to a fork in the road , Take it!" - Yogi Berra

[Crash486]

Merc anyone....
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/merc ... s9ywm.html

[Thongsbot3000]

Merc anyone....
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/merc ... s9ywm.html

Interesting ! I always consider the likes of Merc and say VW Amorok coming from a grand engineering perspective and design. And would always consider in the test drive if buying. The only let down is the support network after in event of a breakdown. The horror stories of hassles in parts lead time and support is the the killer for what are likely quite good cars.

I guess this is where Toyota/Mits/Ford/Holden hold ground in Aust

* The concept Merc looks super slick !

[braydenc]

I will be upgrading to a 200 series due to not needing a ute so much anymore as we have the camper trailor but this wont be for at least a year or so.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Crash486]

So what will Joe (and Josephine) Public make of 3 star ANCAP?
http://www.news.com.au/technology/innov ... cbf3dea86d

crash486

[RHKTriton]

There is obviously a problem with the ANCAP rating in really comparing apples to apples. Maybe the rating should be listed with the year or rating test, eg. 3-15, 5-18 with a decay factor applied as time progresses.

Probably we should also consider that some of the test criterior deal with potential driver's inadequacies, such as autonomous braking stepping in for a stupid women looking on the floor for her dropped iPhone while zooming into a red light at me at around 70klicks!

Or a light to 'suggest' to fasten your seat belt.

You can have all the tech in the world but the old adage 'the most dangerous part in the car, is the nut holding the wheel'.

[MN Driver]

Just my 2 cents worth but I understand that the turning circle on the BT 50 isn't that great. My mn has what I consider a good turning circle for a 4wd. Nothing worse than having to do a 6 point turn.

[NowForThe5th]

My mn has what I consider a good turning circle for a 4wd.

Provided you're prepared to put up with the ridiculous gearing that means taking two bites at every corner.

[SLIMaxPower]

Merc anyone....
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/merc ... s9ywm.html

As long as its the 6WD Merc

[Crash486]

VW / Merc cross with US flavour by the look.
https://media.vw.com/releases/1001

[RHKTriton]

Next gen DMax might be interesting. ( from memory aren't they tying up with Mazda? )

Multi level car parks are a good test for dual cabs. The ml is as easy as any car to get around in.

The upcoming Scrambler (wrangler dual cab ) will be a nightmare to do a U'ee in.

[Longranger1]

Not so user friendly in multi-story car parks but I like the look of the Iveco Daily 4x4.

[Crash486]

I've looked fondly at the VW Transporter Cab Chassis. I don't do serious off road so the all wheel drive would be fine on the unsealed roads and my 99% black top travels.

crash486

[RHKTriton]

X2 the Iveco (poor man's Unimog ).

With 35s (or 37s) fitted, you can see well ahead in the traffic and how many cars you'll have to drive over to get to the next gap.

I used to have a T4 dual cab VW Crash. Only front wheel drive but it was great on loose stuff, so 4motion would be awesome. It actually had the best seats (5hr stretches didn't leave you with any stiff or sore backs).

When I win lotto I'll have one of each.

[Ray57MQ]

Holiday crowd's here, spotted a new Iveco Daily 4x4 dragging a huge Patriot campertrailer modified for his Zodiac & Quad toys.
Looked bloody awesome....was too quick to take photo.

[Ray57MQ]

X2 the Iveco (poor man's Unimog ).
With 35s (or 37s) fitted, you can see well ahead in the traffic and how many cars you'll have to drive over to get to the next gap.I used to have a T4 dual cab VW Crash. Only front wheel drive but it was great on loose stuff, so 4motion would be awesome. It actually had the best seats (5hr stretches didn't leave you with any stiff or sore backs).
When I win lotto I'll have one of each.

For anyone interested in recording the story of Iveco 4x4, 1 hour doco on Channel 7mate today (Thu) at 2.00pm and repeated tomorrow (Fri) 1.00am & 11.00am.

[Crash486]

Could always go for a Unicat 4x4 for a lazy $815k.
https://newatlas.com/unicat-md57-man-4x4/54093/

[Ray57MQ]

That's a mean mother...
Notice it didn't mention the fuel economy (or lack of it)
Suppose not an issue if you can afford to outlay that amount of $$ for 14ton of kraut grunt.

[RHKTriton]

These are toys for the Arabs.

I was killing time today and stuck my nose into a Mitsi dealer.

I couldn't get over how physically small the 2.4 motor is.

[Ray57MQ]

You labelling my motor a weiner ?