Hey
I am looking for a new (to me) ute and have come across a 06 courier with 20000ks for a great price. 4x4 cab plus flat deck. BUT I havent had much to do with them.
I know about hilux's and navara's, rodeos (not an option).
What I want to know from those who own/have owned/driven regularly is what they are like.
Interested in towing (have a 25ft caravan, and soon to have zuki on trailer) and just how they generally hold together.
It wont be used for anything really hard core off road. perhaps the odd shiny trip etc.
I dont want to here by this not that etc just real world expereince with the courier or its Bravo sister.
Thanks
reveiw the 03-06 ford courier for me
courier
they do well towing , bit underpower but nothing major , throw some muds on it and it will do well on a shinny, took mine throught the whanganomama road only need one tow, the g/box xmember is a bit low
89 safari, pto winch, 33x15 simexs. sliders,75mm lift . turbo intercoolered
HI, I have done over 100k in two of these utes. A 2003 & 2005 - They were Bounty SD-X's 2.5, identical to Courier except for the Bonnet, Grill, wheels, steering wheel, radio and of course the badge.
They are very good honest preformers, gearbox issues. When they got a minor facelift (got the white dash dials instead of blue) they changed something in the 5th gear to make it more reliable. My 1st one had 150000 when 5th gear died and that was with a lot of towing often a ton or more ($1800 to fix).
Some people have had head issues but me nor any others in the company (15 in South Island) had any problems and mine was the only one with gearbox. I also know someone who had a gearbox and a head... I guess with so many on the road there is bound to be the odd lemon. A set of glow plugs at 130000 otherwise nothing other than 10k services. When sold at 165000 the 1st one never used a drop of oil.
Low range gearing is brilliant however it does need to be as off boost the 2.5 turbo is a slug. Once 1800rpm is hit then it takes some beating even by todays standards, they really go well. Once you get round its off boost blues and always drive between 2000 & 3500rpm no problems.
Ride can be a bit hard when empty like any ute and the front a little soft.
So to answer your question - I wouldn't hesitate towing an uki with one and it will be more than capable for shiny runs. I don't think the crash tests rate them wonderfully but the Bounty's come with airbags in both spec - the Courier only in top spec. Take one for a spin.
They are very good honest preformers, gearbox issues. When they got a minor facelift (got the white dash dials instead of blue) they changed something in the 5th gear to make it more reliable. My 1st one had 150000 when 5th gear died and that was with a lot of towing often a ton or more ($1800 to fix).
Some people have had head issues but me nor any others in the company (15 in South Island) had any problems and mine was the only one with gearbox. I also know someone who had a gearbox and a head... I guess with so many on the road there is bound to be the odd lemon. A set of glow plugs at 130000 otherwise nothing other than 10k services. When sold at 165000 the 1st one never used a drop of oil.
Low range gearing is brilliant however it does need to be as off boost the 2.5 turbo is a slug. Once 1800rpm is hit then it takes some beating even by todays standards, they really go well. Once you get round its off boost blues and always drive between 2000 & 3500rpm no problems.
Ride can be a bit hard when empty like any ute and the front a little soft.
So to answer your question - I wouldn't hesitate towing an uki with one and it will be more than capable for shiny runs. I don't think the crash tests rate them wonderfully but the Bounty's come with airbags in both spec - the Courier only in top spec. Take one for a spin.
SWB V6 Paj with one or two mods 
Thanks for the replys. Will definatly be taking one for a spin later in the week. Might see if I can have it long enough to get home and hook the caravan on the back 
(weighs about 1700kg empty)
The gearbox thing I hadn't heard but then again I have heard that most jappa utes have a true overdrive 5th and shouldnt be used for towing heavy loads in top gear.
Not to worried about crash stats. Not planning on crashing
(prob famous last words)
Looks like the local dealer will be sharpening his pencil plenty or I might be headed to Palmy North to get one.
Oh and looking at diesel. My work rodeo is V6 petrol and you need shares in an oil company to run it plus its got no low down torque.
(weighs about 1700kg empty)
The gearbox thing I hadn't heard but then again I have heard that most jappa utes have a true overdrive 5th and shouldnt be used for towing heavy loads in top gear.
Not to worried about crash stats. Not planning on crashing
(prob famous last words)
Looks like the local dealer will be sharpening his pencil plenty or I might be headed to Palmy North to get one.
Oh and looking at diesel. My work rodeo is V6 petrol and you need shares in an oil company to run it plus its got no low down torque.