Experiences of pickup-style vehicles L200, Navarra, etc

[Willy Nilly]

Jovial Joe said:

fantastic truck that never missed a beat but was a little agricultural.

Bet my tractor has a higher spec than a pickup;)

[cptsideways]

I find the double cabs hopeless for real usable space, the boot area is far shorter than a normal estate car & the seating is'nt really comfy in the rear, the ride is also awful on nearly all of them.

However the estate versions as such might be better, on the Navara one its a different suspension dsign (independant) and not a live axle so it should be comfier. I think the Mitsibishi is too.

[littleandy0410]

My BiL has a Navara as a company car. Very useful for carrying stuff about, it's made the run to Le Mans a couple of times. Just don't have a crash!:

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/nissan_navara/317.as...

(The 08 onwards version is a bit safer.)

I like the idea of the L200's electric rear window, allowing longer loads, or access from the rear seat to the rear load space.

[Lefty]

The only real advantage over a conventional 4x4 is if you really need a separate load bay.

Pretty handy for carrying wet logs, stinking chainsaws, muddy dogs or pretty much anything you wouldn't want in the cabin of your nice 4x4.

Regarding the current choice, I'd go for an L200 long bed. Permie 4x4 (unladen rwd pickups can be helluva skittish in the wet - fun if you're in the mood, tiresome if not), big load area, electric rear window and the long-bed looks better than the regular model imho.

[CO2000]

Tsippy said:

Cheers for the responses everyone

We have considered the Pathfinder, but they seem a lot more expensive compared to the Navarra (although I guess they have a lot more creature comforts) and so I think we could get a better example of a Navarra/ Hilux etc for the money but it's something I'll keep an eye out for!

Thanks again

I saw earlier this year from a Main Dealer (an unfashionable ?? at the time) a white 06 pathfinder for £8750 with less than 50k miles & last year pre reg Mammoth ones for 19k (saving over 10k)

But prices have gone up on these & similar lately.

[joebongo]

The "boot" space is too small by far to be properly useful when compared to estates.

We really need RHD versions of American size pickups with big backs and double cabs.

[Scuffers]

joebongo said:

The "boot" space is too small by far to be properly useful when compared to estates.

We really need RHD versions of American size pickups with big backs and double cabs.

whist I take you point, the Navara's 'boot/tray' is hardly small?

how much do you want to get in it?

[Sixpackpert]

I have an L200 Barbarian and before that had one of the first new shape L200 Warriors.

Smallest turning circle of any pickup, never had a problem parking in multi storey car parks.

The Warrior did 65000 faultless miles before being changed and the Barbarian is so far bullet proof as well.

You will always get the jittery ride, you can't get away from it as they are designed to have a tonne payload. You could always stick a few hundred weight of sand bags in the back! The traction control on the L200's is excellent and it's very rare you get a fish tailing moment.

The new shape L200 has the Shogun transmission which means you can run it in 4wd all the time without any transmission wind up, you can also shift from 2wd to 4wd on the move.

If you can afford a new shape L200 it is much better truck than the old classic shape.

[anonymous-user]

I've got a 2010 Hilux doublecab. Work vehicle - spends at least 80% of it's time off road.

Good driving position, woolly steering. Very tail happy on damp roads, coming off roundabouts in 3rd is fun. Smooth enough at lower motorway speeds, noise gets a bit much at prolonged 80mph+. Feels very safe, very well built. Well specced - A/C, iPod connector, no leather but it's a work slag. Never, ever got stuck, not even in alluvial clay below sea level and half covered in ice. Truly a go-anywhere vehicle. And I've not yet had need to engage diff locks.

I like it - but then I don't have to pay for it...

[Daniel1]

littleandy0410 said:

My BiL has a Navara as a company car. Very useful for carrying stuff about, it's made the run to Le Mans a couple of times. Just don't have a crash!:

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/nissan_navara/317.as...

(The 08 onwards version is a bit safer.)

I like the idea of the L200's electric rear window, allowing longer loads, or access from the rear seat to the rear load space.

woh thats quite shocking

[Wheelrepairit]

As a side note, should you get a pick up then a good way to spend some pennies is getting the buck spray lined.

Mine is sprayed in like a black rubberised stuff, resistant to just about everything it still looks like new after 4 yrs.

[Scuffers]

Daniel1 said:

littleandy0410 said:

My BiL has a Navara as a company car. Very useful for carrying stuff about, it's made the run to Le Mans a couple of times. Just don't have a crash!:

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/nissan_navara/317.as...

(The 08 onwards version is a bit safer.)

I like the idea of the L200's electric rear window, allowing longer loads, or access from the rear seat to the rear load space.

woh thats quite shocking

and mostly total bks!

it got down-marked for an airbag (timing issue), cost them 2 stars apparently...

what you have to remember with NCAP is that all the good work they do on detailed analysis ans stuff get's buggered up by a over-simplified start point system that's heavy biased depending on what market sector the car is aimed at.

for example, you cannot compare a 5 star supermini with a 5 star Merc S class, but they both have the same rating.

[B.J.W]

br d said:

Tsippy said:

nammynake said:

A reasonable proportion appear to be driven by cocks.

How insightful

Yeah, that's helpful.

I have had loads of L200's Tsippy, Warriors, Animals and the 4 Lifes they started with. All reliable, all hard wearing.
There were some teething troubles with these crew cabs early on but they are fine now.
The only things to be aware of are the turning circle, which is like an oil tanker, and the bumpy ride for rear passengers. It's not unbearable but can be a little harsh.

All the options are available and if you're not working them they are a nice place to be.

Edited by br d on Sunday 12th December 17:28

I run a 55 Plate L200. No issues with it so far, and had it's first 'proper' off road test at the weekend. With 4-Low and Rear Diffs selected it was pretty impressive (with AT's fitted I reckon it would be just as useful as my Disco 2)

Fuel economy is not good. They are a bit slow and crude (but I find that you alter your driving style accordingly) Drove 600 miles in it recently (mostly motorway) and between 70-80 it made for a fairly relaxing journey. I will be taking it up to Scotland for a week's shooting in Jan and will have no issues getting all my kit in the back (along with 2 others and their kit).

Driving position is good, particularly for country road driving as you can see above the hedge line, but handling is poor.

In so far that they are mainly driven by cocks... Most of the people I know who own them needed something tough and generally reliable (farmers, game shooters, trade).

In hindsight, I prefer the look of the Navarra to the L200 (mine is the previous generation), but the L200 were a bit cheaper and given that it was a second car, I wasn't overly fussed.

[Tsippy]

Thanks again for your experiences

We'll start looking over the weekend and see what meets our needs, will update the thread with what we think

[busta]

I've always found double cab pickups very compromised as a non work vehicle. Regardless of how much leather and electrical goodies you throw at them, they never convincingly hide the fact they are a commercial vehicle with leaf spring suspension designed to carry 1 ton. They also offer less practicality than a large estate car as the load bed isn't ideal for things like bags of shopping or anything valuable and although you can get a secure top, these are clumsy, require another key and make the truck look terrible. They also return woeful fuel economy.

Given your criteria, I'd be seriously looking at a used Volvo V70 XC or Audi A6 all-road. Both offer the AWD, practicality, space and towing capacity you need with the benefits of being refined, comfortable, economical, nice to drive and having proper rear doors and rear seat leg-room.

Just my 2 penneth worth!

[300bhp/ton]

Tsippy said:

We're planning on switching to one vehicle and need something that can do everything basically (We do lots of camping which often takes us quite off-road, will need towing capability, plenty of storage for transport, kayaking etc) and we think that something like a Ford Thunder, Mitsi L200, Toyota Hilux etc would be a suitable vehicle due to the twin cab setups and the obvious storage at the rear with the options of the clip-on cabs.

Does anyone on here have experience of these? And if so what are they like in regards to reliability as I've heard a few 'horror' stories (although I guess it could be the same with most vehicles where the annoyed are the most vocal!) The fuel economy does not look too bad and the tax gas emissions are fairly low which also goes in the favour of the pickup vehicles.

Your opinions and experiences including a possible suggestion are much appreciated

Depending on budget I'd also look at a Defender double cab 110. Will hold it's money WAY better and be more fun.

Also if you want a truck, forget these watered down UK variants, look for a Dodge Ram, Ford F150 or Chevy Silverado. Diesel engines are available on some, or LPG petrol. All go better than the UK spec trucks, better equipped, better residuals and likely to cost no more to run overall, if not cheaper.

[robm3]

Scuffers said:

Daniel1 said:

littleandy0410 said:

My BiL has a Navara as a company car. Very useful for carrying stuff about, it's made the run to Le Mans a couple of times. Just don't have a crash!:

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/nissan_navara/317.as...

(The 08 onwards version is a bit safer.)

I like the idea of the L200's electric rear window, allowing longer loads, or access from the rear seat to the rear load space.

woh thats quite shocking

and mostly total bks!

it got down-marked for an airbag (timing issue), cost them 2 stars apparently...

what you have to remember with NCAP is that all the good work they do on detailed analysis ans stuff get's buggered up by a over-simplified start point system that's heavy biased depending on what market sector the car is aimed at.

for example, you cannot compare a 5 star supermini with a 5 star Merc S class, but they both have the same rating.

Well...not complete bks



But most of your points are relevant.

Still rather be in a Disco 3 than a Navara...

[busta]

300bhp/ton said:

Tsippy said:

We're planning on switching to one vehicle and need something that can do everything basically (We do lots of camping which often takes us quite off-road, will need towing capability, plenty of storage for transport, kayaking etc) and we think that something like a Ford Thunder, Mitsi L200, Toyota Hilux etc would be a suitable vehicle due to the twin cab setups and the obvious storage at the rear with the options of the clip-on cabs.

Does anyone on here have experience of these? And if so what are they like in regards to reliability as I've heard a few 'horror' stories (although I guess it could be the same with most vehicles where the annoyed are the most vocal!) The fuel economy does not look too bad and the tax gas emissions are fairly low which also goes in the favour of the pickup vehicles.

Your opinions and experiences including a possible suggestion are much appreciated

Depending on budget I'd also look at a Defender double cab 110. Will hold it's money WAY better and be more fun.

Also if you want a truck, forget these watered down UK variants, look for a Dodge Ram, Ford F150 or Chevy Silverado. Diesel engines are available on some, or LPG petrol. All go better than the UK spec trucks, better equipped, better residuals and likely to cost no more to run overall, if not cheaper.

At 32", the load bed on a 110 double cab is a complete joke though.

[Lefty]

130" hi-cap double-cab...

[C8PPO]

At the start of this year, my fleet included a Monaro VXR and a Series III Landie for general load-lugging and crap disposal. After my brother kindly broke the Landie, I decided to sell, and bought an 04 Ford Ranger as it's replacement, again, for load-lugging, wet dog duties, rubbish disposal, house moves, towing bikes, putting dirt bikes on the back, etc etc etc. In practice, I've found that the Monaro is now hardly ever used - I get into the truck for almost every journey, unless it's a long-ish business trip (and even then, during the snow I used the Ranger. In the snow, with M&S tyres fitted, it was surprisingly capable, including scaling the local 1 in 4 with about 15" of snow lying around, so that we could have a ski!)

On that basis, early in the new year, my plan is to sell the Monaro and to chop in the Ranger for something similar but newer, 1-2 years old, and that'll be the main vehicle. I still have other options if I have a "need for speed" but realistically I can't see why I'd ever be without a truck going forward. I like the outside of the Toyota, and the inside of the Navara. Pre-06 (I think) Navaras were the ones with the engine issue but that's since been sorted. Someone I know with an 03 Navara has said that it's awful in the wet, but I haven't noticed any problems with the Ranger.