Discussion
alright lads, currently driving and loving a 2002 Audi S3 owned her for 5 yrs and been maintained regardless of cost and is a great car, however finding myself towing with it which id really rather not do! as im doing up my house so thinking abouut getting rid if her and getting an L200 or hilux
what do we think?
think i will miss the speed and comfort of the audi but cant bring myself to upgrade to an S4 and trash it with diy crap!!
anyone running some kind of pick up with and reccomendations??
my old man has a Toyota Hilux invinsible lovely pick up but he has auto where as id fancy a manual
what do we think?
think i will miss the speed and comfort of the audi but cant bring myself to upgrade to an S4 and trash it with diy crap!!
anyone running some kind of pick up with and reccomendations??
my old man has a Toyota Hilux invinsible lovely pick up but he has auto where as id fancy a manual
I sometimes drive drive a 06 Ford Ranger crew cab at work, and do a lot of road miles (500 a week if I'm using it). It's on off road tyres, and the hilux may be a bit more refined so YMMV, but it isn't exactly a thrilling drive. You can get them to hussle along ok, but driving quickly is a case of keeping momentum up and managing weight transfer in corners. You can't really thrash it about, and it understeers like a b
h.
Overtaking requires more planning and care than in a car or small van, but if you get one with plenty of poke it'll be ok. Gearing is low (although it's an older 5 speed, not a 6), 5th is the same as 4th in my 6 speed 320d. Newer models with a 6 speed box may be better, but motorway driving can be grating at speed.
On the plus side the driving position is nice, as is the space. Although getting stuff in and out of the back is a hassle, being a long high load bed. You need to get in it to get stuff from the far end of the bed.
If anything I'd say a mid size van (crew van if you want seats) would be better, more comfortable, quieter and handle better. Only downside would be lower speed limits. Or a more civilised off road barge (disco or shogun or something? Maybe an X5 or range rover?) could potentially be got cheaper than a crew cab. Alternatively a a 5 series or something. If you want an S4 get that and spend shed money on a big estate or 4x4 for towing.
h. Overtaking requires more planning and care than in a car or small van, but if you get one with plenty of poke it'll be ok. Gearing is low (although it's an older 5 speed, not a 6), 5th is the same as 4th in my 6 speed 320d. Newer models with a 6 speed box may be better, but motorway driving can be grating at speed.
On the plus side the driving position is nice, as is the space. Although getting stuff in and out of the back is a hassle, being a long high load bed. You need to get in it to get stuff from the far end of the bed.
If anything I'd say a mid size van (crew van if you want seats) would be better, more comfortable, quieter and handle better. Only downside would be lower speed limits. Or a more civilised off road barge (disco or shogun or something? Maybe an X5 or range rover?) could potentially be got cheaper than a crew cab. Alternatively a a 5 series or something. If you want an S4 get that and spend shed money on a big estate or 4x4 for towing.
It'd be a shame to get rid of a car you've owned for so long, spent a lot of money on, and clearly love, to replace it with an 'inferior' vehicle that you'll only really need when lugging stuff around?
What about just getting a little crappy Escort-based van or something and run that alongside the S3?
What about just getting a little crappy Escort-based van or something and run that alongside the S3?
I'd not touch the L200 with a barge pole, they have a rep for being a bit unreliable, and have generally average features (not class leading in any way). On the other hand the hilux is king of pickups, certainly the most reliable, and I think one of the best looking externally. Internally though they are a bit commercial feeling - seems more like you're sitting in a transit than an SUV. And also to drive, the gear change and steering feels a bit agricultural. I think the latest model refresh has improved the interior somewhat. The old 2.5 hilux is pretty gutless (so the 3.0 was a much better choice for practically the same mpg), but the newer 2.5 is an improvement. the 3.0 is only available in the invincible spec now though.
But I guess you are pretty familiar with the hilux already. Whatever you do though, avoid the grey import version of the hilux (known as the Vigo, but often not obvious), they are built to a lower spec and have had problems with things like fuel injectors (i.e. expensive to put right).
The Navara is the most car like to sit in and drive, the interior is very nice. It also has the lowest load bed, being 10cm lower than a hilux, which doesn't sound like much, but is pretty significant if you're constantly getting stuff in and out. But they have had some problems with manufacturing/design faults - things like wheel bearings and rive shaft failing after a few thousand miles. It does pull very well though in a straight line is has plenty of poke for something that size. The downside is that being the heaviest (along with the ford ranger), they are the thirstiest.
I spent months trying to decide between a Navara and a Hilux, and the the new Isuzu D Max came out, which as far as I am concerned is the best of both worlds between the navara and the hilux. So if you are buying new (doesn't sound like it though), definitely look at the Isuzu. I was going to buy a 2 year old navara/hilux, but they both hold their value pretty well, and the Isuzu is a bit cheaper new, and it comes with a 5 year warranty on the drivetrain. I think they are known for their reliability anyway? It has a cracking engine (sequential twin turbo), and on paper at least, decent mpg. I took delivery of mine 4 weeks ago, and I'm well happy with it so far.
But I guess you are pretty familiar with the hilux already. Whatever you do though, avoid the grey import version of the hilux (known as the Vigo, but often not obvious), they are built to a lower spec and have had problems with things like fuel injectors (i.e. expensive to put right).
The Navara is the most car like to sit in and drive, the interior is very nice. It also has the lowest load bed, being 10cm lower than a hilux, which doesn't sound like much, but is pretty significant if you're constantly getting stuff in and out. But they have had some problems with manufacturing/design faults - things like wheel bearings and rive shaft failing after a few thousand miles. It does pull very well though in a straight line is has plenty of poke for something that size. The downside is that being the heaviest (along with the ford ranger), they are the thirstiest.
I spent months trying to decide between a Navara and a Hilux, and the the new Isuzu D Max came out, which as far as I am concerned is the best of both worlds between the navara and the hilux. So if you are buying new (doesn't sound like it though), definitely look at the Isuzu. I was going to buy a 2 year old navara/hilux, but they both hold their value pretty well, and the Isuzu is a bit cheaper new, and it comes with a 5 year warranty on the drivetrain. I think they are known for their reliability anyway? It has a cracking engine (sequential twin turbo), and on paper at least, decent mpg. I took delivery of mine 4 weeks ago, and I'm well happy with it so far.
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