New Utes, recomendations please

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Ge0rge

2059 posts

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#2108238 15-Oct-2018 14:59

Two blokes at work both brought Foton Tunlands in the last few years - one a welder and the other a mechanic.

Cummins diesel engine, Bosch electrics, Borg Warner transfer case, Dana running gear and a Getrag transmission - all known good brands that are bolted together well and fully supported here in NZ.

Neither have had any issues with them, they come standard in NZ with all the accessories that you have to pay extra for with other brands, and a reasonable price - quick look on trademe shows ~$90k for an Amarok, ~$45k for a Tunland, both brand new.

I quite like them and would happily drive one myself. Little bit bouncy in the rear when unladen, but they are a ute designed to carry a load, and feel very nice when they are. Go off road quite nicely too, more than capable of keeping up with a Navara, and run rings around the latest Triton (which is now almost a slightly raised station wagon as opposed to a ute).

Coil

6614 posts

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#2108259 15-Oct-2018 15:29

Ge0rge: Two blokes at work both brought Foton Tunlands in the last few years - one a welder and the other a mechanic.

Cummins diesel engine, Bosch electrics, Borg Warner transfer case, Dana running gear and a Getrag transmission - all known good brands that are bolted together well and fully supported here in NZ.

Neither have had any issues with them, they come standard in NZ with all the accessories that you have to pay extra for with other brands, and a reasonable price - quick look on trademe shows ~$90k for an Amarok, ~$45k for a Tunland, both brand new.

I quite like them and would happily drive one myself. Little bit bouncy in the rear when unladen, but they are a ute designed to carry a load, and feel very nice when they are. Go off road quite nicely too, more than capable of keeping up with a Navara, and run rings around the latest Triton (which is now almost a slightly raised station wagon as opposed to a ute).

No ones ever shunned the running gear here :)
Its all great stuff, just everything else that it bolts to is cheap. Chassis = Rust, Interior Plastic = break.
Maybe they have sorted the rust issues out, someone else here said plastic is still junk.. This is going off of 2 year old knowledge.

By the way, Getrag and a handful of others make all the auto trans world wide. Borg Warner make pretty much everything turbo/transfer case/gear sets as well with Bosch and electronics and dana with diffs. Like its cheaper to buy from them then R&D, tool then make your own parts for a single model.. So you can't avoid them..

I do know auto sparkies who have hell dealing with these vehicles with different vendors for everything and the interfacing between each component doesn't always line up.
Sinotruk is a new one in the field and people are HATING it. Still has known brand parts in it...... Doesn't mean much.

Dial111

978 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2108272 15-Oct-2018 16:00

Ge0rge: run rings around the latest Triton (which is now almost a slightly raised station wagon as opposed to a ute).

I considered the Tunland, but it wasn't as responsive as a Triton. The Tunland has a bigger engine (just) but it has lower torque and power, which iirc from looking up the specs at the time.

This is comparing the similar specc'd and priced versions side by side.

mattwnz

20181 posts

Uber Geek

#2108389 15-Oct-2018 18:11

As someone who has had a Mazda BT50, without any issues, I would buy another. They aren't the most pretty though, which is why many prefer the Ford Ranger, which is tougher and more boxy looking, but I understand is built on the same platform?

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

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#2108430 15-Oct-2018 19:44

Grab yourself a Ranger, then work hard on following people about 3 feet off their bumper.

I believe the instructions to do this are in the user handbook?

Coil

6614 posts

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#2108437 15-Oct-2018 19:55

Dunnersfella:
Grab yourself a Ranger, then work hard on following people about 3 feet off their bumper.

I believe the instructions to do this are in the user handbook?

Can concur. It used to be a hilux with a flat deck and bull bars before the ranger got popular.

RunningMan

8965 posts

Uber Geek

#2108438 15-Oct-2018 20:00

Dunnersfella:

Grab yourself a Ranger, then work hard on following people about 3 feet off their bumper.

~~I believe the instructions to do this are in the user handbook?~~

Ford have just released a new Ranger - electromagnet fitted in the front to help stick to the car in front - no need to learn, it happens automatically

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Scott3

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#2108539 15-Oct-2018 21:58

YvonneW:

Need a new Ute to cart the dogs around in. Looking at a Mitsubishi Triton. Pros and cons please?

The 4th generation had a really shallow tray compared to it's competitors. Not sure if this is the case with the 5th gen.

Pros:

Cheaper than more popular hilux / ranger
Best warranty in class (awesome if you are going to keep it 10 years, note long power train warranty is not transferable)
Super select 4wd system (high spec GLX only I think), can be used on sealed roads. All other common utes (except amarok) have part time 4wd that cannot be used on road.

Cons:

Styling not as nice as compeditors
Rear axle position not ideal if going to be carring / towing near the rated limits.
Less ground clearance (by approx 20mm) than ranger / hilux (smaller tires)

Wheelbarrow01

1726 posts

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#2108658 16-Oct-2018 10:03

I only know what I know - which is that I have driven many brands of ute over the years but keep coming back to the Ranger. My last 3 vehicles have all been Rangers and I currently have a 2016 Wildtrak. Do not under estimate the value and convenience of adaptive cruise control - I really miss it when I have to drive a vehicle that doesn't have it.

The naysayers crap on about reliability and build quality of the Ranger, but my first one (2007) had over 300,000kms on it when I sold it and I never had a single mechanical or warranty issue. My second one (2012) needed the internal driver's door handle replaced when the chrome finish started to delaminate. That was the only warranty issue I had with that one.

The only thing I don't like about my current Ranger is the fuel economy around town. My previous Rangers were all manual and I averaged around 8.5 litres per 100kms of mostly city driving (stop/start in Christchurch). My current auto Ranger sits at around 11-12 litres per km around town. I am keen to test the 2.0 litre twin turbo engine option on the 2019 Wildtrak (a $1000 option) as their quoted figure for the 10 speed auto is around 7 litres per 100kms which is pretty good for the size of vehicle. Note that all Rangers going forward will be automatic only due to increasingly poor manual sales over the past few years.

Whilst the recently face-lifted Hilux has a visually improved front end (to my eye), I still can't get over the entertainment screen which they haven't fixed - it still looks like someone has glued an iPad to the dashboard as an after-thought.

It all comes down to what you want it for. It's my opinion that the Ranger can out-tow anything else in the same class. I have quite a large boat and caravan so for me I would never consider anything else just for that one fact alone. I have felt the trailer sway mitigation feature towing my caravan in near gale force winds and it truly is a revelation. I guess a V6 Amarok may do the same job but the fuel bill would be crippling.

The above paragraph notwithstanding, you can get all the performance and most of the features of a Ranger for less money just by buying a Mazda BT50. Their looks have significantly improved with the latest facelift and they also have reasonable fixed price servicing.

I once went to the local Foton dealership to check out the Tunland. I was instantly put off when I noticed that a metal seam in the ute tray was rusting - and the vehicle had not even been registered yet.

ObidiahSlope

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2108665 16-Oct-2018 10:22

Amarok; assembled in Argentina.

Be aware of badge engineering. This refers to the practice of one vehicle manufacturer selling a vehicle from another manufacturer branded as their own. Often you can get the same basic vehicle from another franchise which is the same except for the badge and save yourself some money.

Ford Ranger = Mazda

Mercedes A Class = Nissan

Obsequious hypocrite

Coil

6614 posts

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#2108673 16-Oct-2018 10:38

ObidiahSlope:

Amarok; assembled in Argentina.

Be aware of badge engineering. This refers to the practice of one vehicle manufacturer selling a vehicle from another manufacturer branded as their own. Often you can get the same basic vehicle from another franchise which is the same except for the badge and save yourself some money.

Ford Ranger = Mazda

Mercedes A Class = Nissan

We got a brand new (X class) X250D 4x4 thing, like its ok... but like Mercedes look Nissan finish for sure. Also the big merc bonnet makes it an absolute piece to get in and around driveways. Especially my driveway as we got a 2 foot high concrete wall either side and the hill is a steep grade...

VW Crafter = Mercedes Sprinter too..

xcon

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#2108721 16-Oct-2018 11:11

Wheelbarrow01:

Whilst the recently face-lifted Hilux has a visually improved front end (to my eye), I still can't get over the entertainment screen which they haven't fixed - it still looks like someone has glued an iPad to the dashboard as an after-thought.

I got one of these :P

I didn't buy it for the interior or entertainment setup, needed to be 6 speed manual and black , ended up with a Hilux TRD

Neighbour has an Amarok ,with a canopy that has sliding windows on the side , the windows on the canopy has air vents , they transport their that way , looks a a good idea for their size of dog :)

WyleECoyoteNZ

1049 posts

Uber Geek

#2108747 16-Oct-2018 11:39

You could also get one of these.....if you're mad....

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/chevrolet/auction-1759788195.htm?rsqid=062306250a354323801d5e48de9d8b26

YvonneW

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#2120533 5-Nov-2018 20:36

Thank you all. I am now a very happy owner of a Mitsubishi Triton.

Coil

6614 posts

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#2120680 6-Nov-2018 07:07

WyleECoyoteNZ:

You could also get one of these.....if you're mad....

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/chevrolet/auction-1759788195.htm?rsqid=062306250a354323801d5e48de9d8b26

I wonder how bad it would end up if yo slap her in 4 low at 100k instead of headlights?

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