Help, what to buy?

[3VILC]

I thought I had settled this puzzle already in my head, but the longer the money takes to come thru the more options I keep adding to the list
It needs to be an SUV type truck to fit the kids and thier associated stuff, nice looking, comfortable for a daily driver and trips away, reliable, suitable for occasional towing of the mud truck (estimate around 18-1900kg incl trailer) so definately diesel turbo.
Budget around 15k incl mods EGT gauge trans cooler towbar if not fitted etc.

So far top of the list is 96-98 R50 Terrano Regulus (I like the ones with the Starfire bodykit) look good, good solid engine, plenty of pulling power. 98+ is the ZD30 engine which I know to stay well away from.

Next is a 95series Prado, much easier to come by, nice trucks seem to go alright, just don't like all the 1KZ horror stories you find online.

Also thought about Mitsi Challenger but don't know what these are like reliablity wise, have seen a few 'dont touch mitsi diesels' posts around.

Good old UBS69 Bighorn is a good reliable old truck, but most of them K's are getting up now, and the newer 3.0 engines blow up almost as bad as the nissan ZD30 (seems to be a common theme here with late 90's 3.0 diesel engines ), and they look pretty ordinary in comparison to the others.

Even thought about stretching the budget a little for a early 2000's Ssangyong Rexton, seem to be good reviews and reliable and excellent for towing, only thing that scares me is how much is that merc common rail going to cost when something does go wrong with it..

Anyone have anything further to add or any other suggestions? I'm fairly settled on the 3.2 Terrano unless someone can suggest otherwise

Thanks, Clive

[Dirtydog]

Good old UBS69 Bighorn is a good reliable old truck, but most of them K's are getting up now, and the newer 3.0 engines blow up almost as bad as the nissan ZD30 (seems to be a common theme here with late 90's 3.0 diesel engines ), and they look pretty ordinary in comparison to the others.

Thanks, Clive

Isnt that when emissions laws etc came out?

[fullthrottle]

Do you want an offroad capable SUV or just one with AWD good for gravel tracks etc?

[skid]

80 series cruiser

XJ had one for sale 11k

[xj]

still is Skiddy, cheers for the pump.

Had two indians stop by on the last two nights asking if its for sale, one for use on his farms (yes plural) and the 2nd to tow his boat. Both are coming back sat/sun to have a decent look and drive..... odd though as Ive no signs or anything on it.

As for the Challenger... mate and I went head to head in the far north dunes at christmas time, both stock, but only one couldnt handle the sand.. and it wasnt the mighty 80!!!

[3VILC]

Yup xj's is the 1 he deicided to sell when i was trying to decide 80 or 90 series cruiser 80 is getting a bit old, 90 im a bit wary of the head cracking issue. Is it almost garunteed like the isuzu and nissan 3.0 diesels or is it more to do with driving style pushing it too hard. I do like them few nice 1s local.
Next option i could come up with was the terrano. But we are a yota family, also got a v6 camry and the trailer truck is a lux. Thus want a nice comfy road only truck that can pull the lux when needed

[fullthrottle]

Well matey. You could easily pick up a Ford Territory. Yes I said it
I'm on my second one as our family SUV.

They seem to be the cheapest late model looking SUV around. Common as with so many parts shared with the XR range.

We sold our first one to pay for our kitchen, a year and a half later, absolutely hating the jap wagon we bought, the wife had to have one again. It tows the caravan like its not even there. Heaps of room inside. I must admit it is bloody nice to drive.

Downsides...
It likes petrol. The diesel would be great but too new and expensive.
Watch out for rust forming, seems to be more around the seams I've noticed, but I've just treated all mine to kill it off.

[Dirtydog]

Next option i could come up with was the terrano. But we are a yota family, also got a v6 camry and the trailer truck is a lux. Thus want a nice comfy road only truck that can pull the lux when needed

Go the V6 camry!!!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 278524.htm

[3VILC]

Seen that one Dirtydog. Had a look a couple of weekends ago but they werent open. Might take it for a spin when I'm up that way Monday if I get chance..then I can compare it to the Prados I've driven. Only Regulus I've driven so far felt like the trans was f00ked, and Carjam showed previous rego was cancelled by insurance co so stayed well away from that one.

And yup, the V6 camry has go some serious herbs for a family wagon Don't think it would be very nice to tow a heavy trailer with tho

[Dirtydog]

if its any good to ya, i towed a xe falcon an a big arse salvage trailer, from gore to blenhiem, with no issues. we were averaging 100k quite easy, only really slowed down up the hills. there were also 4 people in the car, and gear for 2 of us to stay up in blenhiem for 3 weeks.

lets not talk about the gas bill......