News used pick up help

[robinh73]

Evening all. To cut a long story short, I am looking at buying a second hand crew cab pick up for about £6k. It will be my only vehicle so used for my business (tree surgery) and also my day to day vehicle. I am looking at either a Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max or Toyota Hi-Lux. While I can pick up a lower mileage Ford or Isuzu (80k ish) the Toyotas are around 110k, so not massively different. Is there one that is preferred over another? I know that traditionally the Toyota is bomb proof, but is that still the case on say the 2008 models? Thanks in advance.

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say they're pretty close in terms of reliability these days the

Isuzu is a robust truck that are good value:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The Fords are easier to find:

3.0 Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.5 Manual

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[robinh73]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say they're pretty close in terms of reliability these days the

Isuzu is a robust truck that are good value:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The Fords are easier to find:

3.0 Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.5 Manual

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Huge thanks once more for the input here, very much appreciated. The ranger does seem to be more popular and a 3.0ltr but manual would be ideal (unless the auto is a better option in these??).

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say go for the manual.

[robinh73]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say go for the manual.

I prefer a manual, so that's a good answer!

[Jag_NE]

Ford or Infiniti

[MYOB]

They have long gearing, auto would be better if you can cope with the reduced fuel economy.

[sunbeam alpine]

I have a Toyota Hilux for business use (agricultural contracting). I bought it to replace a LR Discovery.

Just one word of warning - I wouldn't want to use it as my only vehicle - it's huge! Car parks - even supermarket ones - are a challenge, and you can forget parking in marked spaces in town - you'll be half-way into the next space.

The load area is useless for putting shopping in - by the time the tailgate is dropped, you're a couple of feet away.

Don't get me wrong - they are great vehicles as workhorses in the countryside - and I can imagine it would be as good for your work needs as it is for mine.

I've posted this assuming you've never owned one - please feel free to ignore!

[Toed64]

I recently bought a 2011 Ford Ranger Thunder 2.5 manual. It's a one fleet owner from new, so I was able to get the full service history, every garage visist since new: it's had lots of maintenance, but very few repairs.

It's tough, quiet and reasonably economical. It's got 1 3 ton tow capacity and tows well. The manual shift is positive, if a tad slow. I think it may have a clutch delay valve on it, because it's imposible to get the clutch to actuate fast. This is not an issue, just an observation.

I would have one of these in preference to a Mitsubishi or an Isuzu, and in comparison to a Toyota of similar value, you'll be getting a newer, perhaps lower mileage truck. The Toyotas are almost always more expensive. A chap I know recently bought a 12 plate Toyota double cab from a used van centre and paid almost twice what I paid for my Ranger.

Which ever you choose, for £6000 you will be looking at trucks that may be getting very rusty. Look closely at the bodywork and bumpers. You may be better buying one that has not been prepared for sale on a forecourt because panel rot is easily hidden with fresh paint...for a short while.

The Ford Ranger is identical to the Mazda BT50. There are fewer of them available, but they are sometimes keenly priced.

[robinh73]

Sound advice again there chaps, many thanks. I haven't owned a crew cab pick up before, so the size is going to be a bit of a shocker. In an ideal world, I would have a car too, but I really am just trying to keep overheads down as much as possible while the business is in its infancy, so sadly, this will be my only vehicle for a while.
I have limited my search now to Ford and Toyota. There are a couple of Mazdas coming up, but they are not quite right. Isuzus at this price seem to be a little tired, but there are a couple popping up, so haven't ruled them out entirely.
I have however found these, which going by the pictures seem to be half decent and should have good life left in them:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-RANGER-THUNDER-XLT...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Ford-Ranger-2-5-Di...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Hi-Lux-2-5D-4D-I...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Hi-Lux-2-5D-4D-4...

[robinh73]

Just another bit of advice on this, as the internet is full of conflicting opinions, what about a Nissan Navara? Now I know that they had their issues with chassis rot but this seems to be the 2005-2008 models. There are a few 2010 models knocking about with sensible mileage and within budget, but I haven't really seen that many used as work horses. I see plenty getting used as day to day vehicles though, so am wondering if they are more of a fashionable pick up rather than a functional one?

[mbwoy84]

robinh73 said:

Just another bit of advice on this, as the internet is full of conflicting opinions, what about a Nissan Navara? Now I know that they had their issues with chassis rot but this seems to be the 2005-2008 models. There are a few 2010 models knocking about with sensible mileage and within budget, but I haven't really seen that many used as work horses. I see plenty getting used as day to day vehicles though, so am wondering if they are more of a fashionable pick up rather than a functional one?

My neighbour has a 2014, and that was recalled for Chassis Rot. It effects them all. Nice truck aside from that though.

[robinh73]

mbwoy84 said:

robinh73 said:

Just another bit of advice on this, as the internet is full of conflicting opinions, what about a Nissan Navara? Now I know that they had their issues with chassis rot but this seems to be the 2005-2008 models. There are a few 2010 models knocking about with sensible mileage and within budget, but I haven't really seen that many used as work horses. I see plenty getting used as day to day vehicles though, so am wondering if they are more of a fashionable pick up rather than a functional one?

My neighbour has a 2014, and that was recalled for Chassis Rot. It effects them all. Nice truck aside from that though.

Ah right, that is enough to make me think twice then. Shame as they are a good looking truck with a decent interior.