Which Pickup???
Discussion
I'm looking to spend £4K-£5K on a double cab pickup to use for work (I'm a Joiner) leisure and pleasure. I want something reliable and good looking. I am considering a Hilux, a Navara or a L200. Any thoughts, recommendations, or experiences? Also, any recommended specialist pickup Dealers within 30-40 miles of the Manchester area worth talking to?
Edited by Rick the Builder on Monday 19th September 10:57
A friend's company runs a Ford Ranger double cab, Thunder level I think and 57 plate. The thing's bloody indestructible, get's some serious abuse.
My nan's neighbours who I chat with quite often had a Navara (Not sure what age as it was a private plate, but at a guess no older than 2008) which was a never-ending s
tstream of problems, mostly electrical IIRC.
My nan's neighbours who I chat with quite often had a Navara (Not sure what age as it was a private plate, but at a guess no older than 2008) which was a never-ending s
tstream of problems, mostly electrical IIRC.GravelBen said:
A mate in forestry bought a pair of new L200s last year and both have already had gearboxes rebuilt with less than 30,000km on the clock. Covered under warranty fortunately, but apparently its pretty common.
I'd heard a number of stories about the L200 being, shall we say, not as robust as the image suggests!vit4 said:
A friend's company runs a Ford Ranger double cab, Thunder level I think and 57 plate. The thing's bloody indestructible, get's some serious abuse.
My nan's neighbours who I chat with quite often had a Navara (Not sure what age as it was a private plate, but at a guess no older than 2008) which was a never-ending ststream of problems, mostly electrical IIRC.
I have heard about Navara's destroying half-shafts, but not too much about electrics.My nan's neighbours who I chat with quite often had a Navara (Not sure what age as it was a private plate, but at a guess no older than 2008) which was a never-ending s
tstream of problems, mostly electrical IIRC.Liquid Knight said:
Land Rover Defender?
Didn't really consider a Defender as they are a little too focused on off-road use and not quite as comforable for general use as a Pickup. However I guess you would never get it stuck!! THe Hilux seems to have a reputation for being bomb-proof, but you pay accordingly.Beware of towing capacities on Hiluxs (and a few of the other older pickups, in fact), they are very low which may be an issue if you want to start dragging stuff around.
Some old shape Navaras had a tendency to throw con rods out of the side of the block so be wary of that.
Most older pickups ride terribly unless laden.
Some old shape Navaras had a tendency to throw con rods out of the side of the block so be wary of that.
Most older pickups ride terribly unless laden.
GravelBen said:
A mate in forestry bought a pair of new L200s last year and both have already had gearboxes rebuilt with less than 30,000km on the clock. Covered under warranty fortunately, but apparently its pretty common.
We have an L200 at work, a 57 plate. Not too long ago the gear linkage snapped and it stuck in 4WD. We were told this happens often. We also have a 2005 Ranger which IMO is a much better vehicle. It's proven to be quite impressive off-road. Newer models are nicer to drive as the suspension is much less bouncy and they also seem very robust off road as well as being comfortable on long journeys.Not sure on the price now but i run a 2005 mdl Nissan Navarra 2.5 Aventura. This is a double cab with leather sat nav etc.....I bought it new and have done 106000mls now, fuel consumption has been 33-36mpg, problems to date broken plastic door catch and bonnet release. Mechanically still on original clutch, have had both front wheel bearings replaced and 1 set of front discs. All in all a good truck to me.
gtdc said:
I've run an 05 plate Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max for 4 years and can't fault it. 3l auto. Top vehicle. Reliable. Cheap to run. Nice to drive and tows like a dream.
We've got an 11 plate one of these at work (but the manual version). Sorry gtdc, but it's terrible. Uneconomical, desperately slow despite being 3l, horribly uncomfortable driving position unless you always have your left foot on the clutch pedal, tiny flatbed and although nobody expects a big Lotus when buying a pickup it is the worst vehicle to drive I or any of the chaps in my department have ever experienced. Space inside is good though, it can take 4 adults with ease.Sorry, can't give any recommendations but steer clear of the Isuzu. Unless it's almost free.
Rick the Builder said:
GravelBen said:
A mate in forestry bought a pair of new L200s last year and both have already had gearboxes rebuilt with less than 30,000km on the clock. Covered under warranty fortunately, but apparently its pretty common.
I'd heard a number of stories about the L200 being, shall we say, not as robust as the image suggests!ks! 
I owned a previous generation L200 double cab (which is where your budget puts you). Never went wrong and took plenty of abuse as my shooting hack. It was terrible to drive on the road, but with this type of vehicle driving pleasure is not the priority. One of the chaps on our shoot has run a single cab pick up from new (51 plate). He uses it for work, gamekeeping etc. It's never (to my knowledge) been serviced and resembles the Top Gear Hi-Lux, but it keeps chugging on. L200's do go wrong, but I would guess that the abuse they take contributes to that.
Guessing they are rare, but a pre-gen Hilux should be within budget. They are all much along the same lines.
Edited by B.J.W on Monday 19th September 18:34
AdeTuono said:
You will never get consensus on this, as dozens of threads will attest. Everyone has their own favourite model, and to be fair, all have their strengths and weaknesses.
For me, we've had 4 Navaras, they've all been great, and will probably buy another.
Fair point. A Hylux would be great, but there are not many around and tend to be pricey! I was told a lot of older ones end up in Africa where they are broken for spares. The L200 is in plentyful supply, but seems to have on average more reliability issues than the other two. So I think my preference is good straight last gen Navara where there appears to be a reasonable supply at ok prices. However if a a good Ranger pops-up that might be worth looking at.For me, we've had 4 Navaras, they've all been great, and will probably buy another.
Rick the Builder said:
Liquid Knight said:
Land Rover Defender?
Didn't really consider a Defender as they are a little too focused on off-road use and not quite as comforable for general use as a Pickup. However I guess you would never get it stuck!! THe Hilux seems to have a reputation for being bomb-proof, but you pay accordingly.
Have you really looked at any of these ?
AFAIK none have a load space much bigger than 4ft x 5ft which is useless for tradesmen.
Several guys I know bought them and all regretted it as they are simply useless when you need to shift some 8' sheets or even 6'6" doors
Plus you have to lift your fancy chop saw 2' higher and some won't even get it in below the load cover.
I lent my Joiner my old £900 P100 when his fancy £15k L200 was being fixed - he much preferred mine it drove better, was more economical and actually functioned as a work truck.
AFAIK none have a load space much bigger than 4ft x 5ft which is useless for tradesmen.
Several guys I know bought them and all regretted it as they are simply useless when you need to shift some 8' sheets or even 6'6" doors
Plus you have to lift your fancy chop saw 2' higher and some won't even get it in below the load cover.
I lent my Joiner my old £900 P100 when his fancy £15k L200 was being fixed - he much preferred mine it drove better, was more economical and actually functioned as a work truck.
Beartato said:
gtdc said:
I've run an 05 plate Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max for 4 years and can't fault it. 3l auto. Top vehicle. Reliable. Cheap to run. Nice to drive and tows like a dream.
We've got an 11 plate one of these at work (but the manual version). Sorry gtdc, but it's terrible. Uneconomical, desperately slow despite being 3l, horribly uncomfortable driving position unless you always have your left foot on the clutch pedal, tiny flatbed and although nobody expects a big Lotus when buying a pickup it is the worst vehicle to drive I or any of the chaps in my department have ever experienced. Space inside is good though, it can take 4 adults with ease.Sorry, can't give any recommendations but steer clear of the Isuzu. Unless it's almost free.
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