"Pickup" as Family vehicle?
Discussion
(Not sure what section to put this in, I trust the Mods will move it if I have transgressed :-)
Currently running a "family car" Megane Estate and supposedly work van (Toyota HiAce PowerVan) since its my company the van lives with us and acts as a second car.
Now- I like the Megane, its economical, fast enough, swallows an amazing amount for its size but the Missus says its "Too big" for shopping and running about (!!! I know)
The Van is okay- Biblical Reliability and again- takes a huge load for its size but it is ear-splittingly load about 50mph and obviously subject to draconian speed limits and due to local Nazi (council) regulations banned from the dump- the one place I'd like to use it for outside work! Oh and of course, my wife refuses to even sit in the driving seat and its too noisy for family trips more than locally.
So, I don't Really need a van- I need to carry the odd larger, wet of dirty work stuff (and garden waste to the dump) we're wondering if a Crewcab Pickup (Hilux or similar) would do both family car and work van roles so she-what-must-be-obeyed can have a shopping trolly type car.
Pickups of any description are one of the few vehicles I've never driven- I'm wondering how they compare to a small van? Are they any quieter or more economical (Van gets 28-30mpg on a run, albeit at 90-100dB :-)
Anyone using a Crewcab Pickup as a "car"?
(I understand they don't handle like a car or perhaps have as many toys but not fussed about that, perfectly happy with driving my current commercial vehicle just want less noise and more family friendly, not to mention being allowed in the tip! :-)
Currently running a "family car" Megane Estate and supposedly work van (Toyota HiAce PowerVan) since its my company the van lives with us and acts as a second car.
Now- I like the Megane, its economical, fast enough, swallows an amazing amount for its size but the Missus says its "Too big" for shopping and running about (!!! I know)
The Van is okay- Biblical Reliability and again- takes a huge load for its size but it is ear-splittingly load about 50mph and obviously subject to draconian speed limits and due to local Nazi (council) regulations banned from the dump- the one place I'd like to use it for outside work! Oh and of course, my wife refuses to even sit in the driving seat and its too noisy for family trips more than locally.
So, I don't Really need a van- I need to carry the odd larger, wet of dirty work stuff (and garden waste to the dump) we're wondering if a Crewcab Pickup (Hilux or similar) would do both family car and work van roles so she-what-must-be-obeyed can have a shopping trolly type car.
Pickups of any description are one of the few vehicles I've never driven- I'm wondering how they compare to a small van? Are they any quieter or more economical (Van gets 28-30mpg on a run, albeit at 90-100dB :-)
Anyone using a Crewcab Pickup as a "car"?
(I understand they don't handle like a car or perhaps have as many toys but not fussed about that, perfectly happy with driving my current commercial vehicle just want less noise and more family friendly, not to mention being allowed in the tip! :-)
Sorry, I'm going against the above post. Having driven a VW Transporter back to back with a Mitsubishi L200, I felt the van was a far nicer place to be.
Have to remember the double cab pick-up are still based on itilitarian 4x4 vehicles and honestly drive as such, bouncy & slow with wierd driving positions.
How about a decent car & trailer for work and dump trips (under 6' to satisfy the dump nazis).
If the Megane is too big for your missus, how's she going to manage a double cab pick up? - sorry, re-read your post, small car for her shopping & decent (estate?) one for you.
Have to remember the double cab pick-up are still based on itilitarian 4x4 vehicles and honestly drive as such, bouncy & slow with wierd driving positions.
How about a decent car & trailer for work and dump trips (under 6' to satisfy the dump nazis).
If the Megane is too big for your missus, how's she going to manage a double cab pick up? - sorry, re-read your post, small car for her shopping & decent (estate?) one for you.
Edited by graham22 on Tuesday 6th May 13:48
I'm also going to have to question the whole Navara thing, one of my best mates has one - it's relatively new, 4-5 years old I'd guess - anyway very few vehicles lead such a sheltered life - he has it, "just because". He's a single bloke, earns a decent income, no kids etc so why not - he drives a boring company car 5 days a week that does a huge amount of MPG - the Navara is simply a weekend thing to hang mountain bikes of the back of about 40kgs worth including kit. It's an Advanturer (I think that's how they spell it). so has loads of spec, sat-nav / leather etc.
Things I've noted:
It's MASSIVE, huge even - yet the interior is relatively small - it's quite lovely in the front, but the back is cramped and the seats hard and slab like.
It's slow, not dog slow, but coupled with it's size it's slow progress.
It's very agricultural - if you're expecting a 4x4 with the back lopped off, you're going to be disappointed - despite all the leather it's still utilitarian - however if you're expecting a Van with the back lopped off, you're nearer the mark.
It's thirsty, very thirsty - as above his carries almost nothing, it's usually the pair of us, plus 2 boxes of kit and two bikes - at a constant 70, it's going to be doing low-mid 20's mpg, around town it's going to be in the teens.
It's not that tough, nor that reliable - even doing 3-4k miles a year CV joints are failing, the gearbox is playing up and it picks up rattles from the oily bits underneath.
Oh and the 'boot' is useless - even with a sliding cover it's not water proof so you can't keep anything in it overnight nor take anything in it on the road unless you don't mind it getting wet and it's not going to blow away.
Doesn't mean he doesn't like it though, loves it in fact, because it's a pick-up and looks cool, but it's a second car, a play thing for the weekends - as a daily it would be a nightmare - we calculated something like an RS6 or M5 would be cheaper and easier to live with.
Things I've noted:
It's MASSIVE, huge even - yet the interior is relatively small - it's quite lovely in the front, but the back is cramped and the seats hard and slab like.
It's slow, not dog slow, but coupled with it's size it's slow progress.
It's very agricultural - if you're expecting a 4x4 with the back lopped off, you're going to be disappointed - despite all the leather it's still utilitarian - however if you're expecting a Van with the back lopped off, you're nearer the mark.
It's thirsty, very thirsty - as above his carries almost nothing, it's usually the pair of us, plus 2 boxes of kit and two bikes - at a constant 70, it's going to be doing low-mid 20's mpg, around town it's going to be in the teens.
It's not that tough, nor that reliable - even doing 3-4k miles a year CV joints are failing, the gearbox is playing up and it picks up rattles from the oily bits underneath.
Oh and the 'boot' is useless - even with a sliding cover it's not water proof so you can't keep anything in it overnight nor take anything in it on the road unless you don't mind it getting wet and it's not going to blow away.
Doesn't mean he doesn't like it though, loves it in fact, because it's a pick-up and looks cool, but it's a second car, a play thing for the weekends - as a daily it would be a nightmare - we calculated something like an RS6 or M5 would be cheaper and easier to live with.
Edited by P-Jay on Tuesday 6th May 14:28
Just to echo what's already been said, and that you should maybe try to have a drive in one first.
Ran a 59-plate L200 Animal for about six months. Even with option of 2WD, it rarely saw more than about 31mpg in mixed driving, and I drove it like a saint most of the time because the back end could easily wiggle when there was no weight over the rear leaf springs, especially in the wet. Even with something like 160bhp, it wasn't quick at all, and I considered it too noisy to drive at much beyond 60mph - could really have done with a sixth cog.
Guy who had it before me also managed to dent just about every panel at the back - the overhang needs a fair bit of care when parking!
It certainly had a certain presence, completely at odds with my own, so was a bit of a giggle roaming around in and surprising people by turning up in it!
Ran a 59-plate L200 Animal for about six months. Even with option of 2WD, it rarely saw more than about 31mpg in mixed driving, and I drove it like a saint most of the time because the back end could easily wiggle when there was no weight over the rear leaf springs, especially in the wet. Even with something like 160bhp, it wasn't quick at all, and I considered it too noisy to drive at much beyond 60mph - could really have done with a sixth cog.
Guy who had it before me also managed to dent just about every panel at the back - the overhang needs a fair bit of care when parking!
It certainly had a certain presence, completely at odds with my own, so was a bit of a giggle roaming around in and surprising people by turning up in it!
I have an Amarok as my daily and it is excellent for the what i ask of it. We have been to South of France and back, I have done nearly 38k miles in a little over a year in it, mostly on the motorway, it can pull a speedboat or our sailing boat with ease and returns upto 36mpg at motorway speeds. Mine is the 180bhp twin turbo model but i believe they did a 163 and a 120bhp model.
It has plenty of power and cruised very happily over the French motorway limit for hours.
It is a little bouncy at times but there is enjoyment hussling it through a few turns, driving within it's limits. The kids love it, its great for the tip run, and generally to be used and abused. In RWD mode it drifts wonderfully on a grassy field or gravel too.
There is plenty of space in the back and front with oddment storage throughout the cabin. I don't have satnav but everything else was included in teh Trendline model.
We also have an Alfa and a Swift Sport for other duties. It is my first 'pick up' and one of the reasons I chose it was because it was one of the types of vehicle I hadn't owned.
It has plenty of power and cruised very happily over the French motorway limit for hours.
It is a little bouncy at times but there is enjoyment hussling it through a few turns, driving within it's limits. The kids love it, its great for the tip run, and generally to be used and abused. In RWD mode it drifts wonderfully on a grassy field or gravel too.
There is plenty of space in the back and front with oddment storage throughout the cabin. I don't have satnav but everything else was included in teh Trendline model.
We also have an Alfa and a Swift Sport for other duties. It is my first 'pick up' and one of the reasons I chose it was because it was one of the types of vehicle I hadn't owned.
Phil Dicky said:
Our council tip is funny about pick ups as they are still commercials. So worth checking.
True, ours explicitly says "vans" and I have seen plenty of car-based commercials get away with entry. Supposedly we can get a pass from the council for occasional use but you have to prove its your sole vehicle and by prove they stipulate a household visit!!!Daft really
TwigtheWonderkid said:
scubadude said:
The Van is okay- Biblical Reliability
That's a shame. I hate unreliable vehicles.aarondbs said:
I have an Amarok as my daily and it is excellent for the what i ask of it. We have been to South of France and back, I have done nearly 38k miles in a little over a year in it, mostly on the motorway, it can pull a speedboat or our sailing boat with ease and returns upto 36mpg at motorway speeds. Mine is the 180bhp twin turbo model but i believe they did a 163 and a 120bhp model.
It has plenty of power and cruised very happily over the French motorway limit for hours.
It is a little bouncy at times but there is enjoyment hussling it through a few turns, driving within it's limits. The kids love it, its great for the tip run, and generally to be used and abused. In RWD mode it drifts wonderfully on a grassy field or gravel too.
There is plenty of space in the back and front with oddment storage throughout the cabin. I don't have satnav but everything else was included in teh Trendline model.
We also have an Alfa and a Swift Sport for other duties. It is my first 'pick up' and one of the reasons I chose it was because it was one of the types of vehicle I hadn't owned.
A friend a football has just picked up an Amarok has a second family car. Previously had a Tourag on the company car scheme and was hammered on CO2. Changed to the Amarok and loves it. Spends most of the time on the motorway and he had nothing but praise for it. It has plenty of power and cruised very happily over the French motorway limit for hours.
It is a little bouncy at times but there is enjoyment hussling it through a few turns, driving within it's limits. The kids love it, its great for the tip run, and generally to be used and abused. In RWD mode it drifts wonderfully on a grassy field or gravel too.
There is plenty of space in the back and front with oddment storage throughout the cabin. I don't have satnav but everything else was included in teh Trendline model.
We also have an Alfa and a Swift Sport for other duties. It is my first 'pick up' and one of the reasons I chose it was because it was one of the types of vehicle I hadn't owned.
I know the Amarok and Ranger have stepped up the mark in terms of styling compared but to the early L200 or Navara's. What about a lpg'd F150?
Crew cabs are much more comfortable than ordinary utes, & more comfortable than any van I've driven. Some are quite couth.
I ran a crew cab Hilux, & a Ford Courier/Mazda Bravo crew cab for some years, as I had to tow a horse float, & carry all the saddles & gear, & a couple of kids all over the place. The Hilux was a bit firm, but the good seats made it OK. The Ford was a very comfortable vehicle, with the extra usefulness.
Currently my eldest daughter, [2 kids a sky boat & lots of gear] drives a Nissan Navara 4X4 crew cab, with a fiberglass canopy. It is big & she loves it.
Her husband drives a Hilux 4X4 equivalent for work & play. It is not as comfortable as the Navara.
My son drives a new 5 cylinder turbo diesel Ford Ranger 4X4, with all the toys including cruise control. It really goes very well, & is a pleasant place to be. He is surprised, but very happy to be getting better than 7L/100 Km, [40+ mpg], from it, which is pretty good for a led foot in a large vehicle.
Even the youngest one drives a RAV 4, but more for pose than usefulness. I guess I must have indoctrinated them as kids.
I ran a crew cab Hilux, & a Ford Courier/Mazda Bravo crew cab for some years, as I had to tow a horse float, & carry all the saddles & gear, & a couple of kids all over the place. The Hilux was a bit firm, but the good seats made it OK. The Ford was a very comfortable vehicle, with the extra usefulness.
Currently my eldest daughter, [2 kids a sky boat & lots of gear] drives a Nissan Navara 4X4 crew cab, with a fiberglass canopy. It is big & she loves it.
Her husband drives a Hilux 4X4 equivalent for work & play. It is not as comfortable as the Navara.
My son drives a new 5 cylinder turbo diesel Ford Ranger 4X4, with all the toys including cruise control. It really goes very well, & is a pleasant place to be. He is surprised, but very happy to be getting better than 7L/100 Km, [40+ mpg], from it, which is pretty good for a led foot in a large vehicle.
Even the youngest one drives a RAV 4, but more for pose than usefulness. I guess I must have indoctrinated them as kids.
scubadude said:
(Not sure what section to putintintiI trust the Mods will move it if I have transgressed :-)
Currently running a "family car" Megane Estate and supposedly work van (Toyota HiAce PowerVan) since its my company the van lives with us and acts as a second car.
Now- I like the Megane, its economical, fast enough, swallows an amazing amount for its size but the Missus says its "Too big" for shopping and running about (!!! I know)
The Van is okay- Biblical Reliability and again- takes a huge load for its size but it is ear-splittingly load about 50mph and obviously subject to draconian speed limits and due to local Nazi (council) regulations banned from the dump- the one place I'd like to use it for outside work! Oh and of course, my wife refuses to even sit in the driving seat and its too noisy for family trips more than locally.
So, I don't Really need a van- I need to carry the odd larger, wet of dirty work stuff (and garden waste to the dump) we're wondering if a Crewcab Pickup (Hilux or similar) would do both family car and work van roles so she-what-must-be-obeyed can have a shopping trolly type car.
Pickups of any description are one of the few vehicles I've never driven- I'm wondering how they compare to a small van? Are they any quieter or more economical (Van gets 28-30mpg on a run, albeit at 90-100dB :-)
Anyone using a Crewcab Pickup as a "car"?
(I understand they don't handle like a car or perhaps have as many toys but not fussed about that, perfectly happy with driving my current commercial vehicle just want less noise and more family friendly, not to mention being allowed in the tip! :-)
I've always had pick ups first car to present with a few unusual and boring cars in between ,just keep coming back to a truck have a hilux good but not perfect If your expecting a car ride the sound level isn't bad its my only vehicle at the moment best bet is to get a proper test drive over a weekend oh mine does about 500 miles on £90 if you drive steadily!! however I previously owned a ford F250 which was roomy and like a big comfy car with a massive payload and towing capacity low twenty's MPG and a bit big for daily useCurrently running a "family car" Megane Estate and supposedly work van (Toyota HiAce PowerVan) since its my company the van lives with us and acts as a second car.
Now- I like the Megane, its economical, fast enough, swallows an amazing amount for its size but the Missus says its "Too big" for shopping and running about (!!! I know)
The Van is okay- Biblical Reliability and again- takes a huge load for its size but it is ear-splittingly load about 50mph and obviously subject to draconian speed limits and due to local Nazi (council) regulations banned from the dump- the one place I'd like to use it for outside work! Oh and of course, my wife refuses to even sit in the driving seat and its too noisy for family trips more than locally.
So, I don't Really need a van- I need to carry the odd larger, wet of dirty work stuff (and garden waste to the dump) we're wondering if a Crewcab Pickup (Hilux or similar) would do both family car and work van roles so she-what-must-be-obeyed can have a shopping trolly type car.
Pickups of any description are one of the few vehicles I've never driven- I'm wondering how they compare to a small van? Are they any quieter or more economical (Van gets 28-30mpg on a run, albeit at 90-100dB :-)
Anyone using a Crewcab Pickup as a "car"?
(I understand they don't handle like a car or perhaps have as many toys but not fussed about that, perfectly happy with driving my current commercial vehicle just want less noise and more family friendly, not to mention being allowed in the tip! :-)
Would have one again if I could afford to run 2 motors ,
I've got a 2007 Ford Ranger double cab that is now used as a family car. It was bought by my company for a specific job. When the job finished, I bought it. It's allowed into the tip. It's just about comfortable enough. The kids are getting big for the back seats now, just coming into their teens. The dog's got a cage fixed into the bed, with a hardtop. The fuel economy is disastrous. About 26-28mpg whatever I use it for.
It's practical and useful. We do a lot of walking, and it's ideal for keeping all the muddy gear (and the dog) away from us and the interior. Having said that, I'd swap it for a V70 in a heartbeat, and spend a few quid on a valet every so often. If I lived in an urban area, it would have been gone by now. It's big enough (on the outside at least) to be a pain in the arse to park. I doubt it would fit in most multi storey car parks. The turning circle is vast. There is as has been noted above, the implication that you might be a
.
It's practical and useful. We do a lot of walking, and it's ideal for keeping all the muddy gear (and the dog) away from us and the interior. Having said that, I'd swap it for a V70 in a heartbeat, and spend a few quid on a valet every so often. If I lived in an urban area, it would have been gone by now. It's big enough (on the outside at least) to be a pain in the arse to park. I doubt it would fit in most multi storey car parks. The turning circle is vast. There is as has been noted above, the implication that you might be a
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