Advice from UTE owners

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Hammered
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#3436046 19-Nov-2025 18:43

Absolutely understandable, considering how expensive the mistake could be! Part of the problem, of course, is analysis paralysis. Rabbit holes don't help, either.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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#3436072 19-Nov-2025 20:06

Stu:

Absolutely understandable, considering how expensive the mistake could be! Part of the problem, of course, is analysis paralysis. Rabbit holes don't help, either.

We have decided to rent a UTE and take it away for a week traveling around the North Island to get an idea of the suitability, ride, my entry and exit over a period of time. I have to be very careful of my spine and SI joints.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Batman

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#3436096 20-Nov-2025 06:50

make sure you try the Shark after this

MikeB4

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#3437357 25-Nov-2025 10:09

We called into Brendan Foot Motors over the weekend and looked at the GWM Cannon, Mitsubishi Triton and the Kia Tasman. They also had some used Nissan Navaras, Toyota High Lux and Ford Ranger. The GWM Cannon seats are incredibly slippery making it very dificult for my to get in the vehicle. It offered a lot but I still have memories of their first attempts here. We liked the Mitsubishi Triton a lot. Its a very comfortable vehicle and offered a good level of features. My wife really liked the Kia Tasman especially the top specification. It is an incredible vehicle with a loooong list of features and creature comforts. The cost of the Tasman X-Line Pro 4WD is north of $80,000 incl on roads. I was certain she was going to order it on the spot but I convinced her we need to ascertain if teh mobility aids can be fitted.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Handle9

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#3437467 25-Nov-2025 15:36

Someone likes the Kia Tasman? Who knew? It's just as ugly as the Cyber Truck.

Of course it's totally subjective so if you like it go for it :)

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#3437504 25-Nov-2025 17:20

Handle9:

Someone likes the Kia Tasman? Who knew? It's just as ugly as the Cyber Truck.

Of course it's totally subjective so if you like it go for it :)

I thought the same but when you get up close it's a good looking truck especially in green or grey. The interior is excellent and it has a long list of features.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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#3444387 15-Dec-2025 22:30

Mike, I'm not sure if you are still towing your van but this could be worth watching. FWIW this one is interesting discussing engineering Cadogan not spouting nonsense Cadogan (for the first half at least)

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#3444475 16-Dec-2025 09:15

@Handle9 thanks for that, John Cadogen knows his stuff once you endure the profanities and excess verbiage. A YouTube channel I have been following is ReDriven, Adam and Jim that run that channel are excellent. My wife has devided that we shouldn't buy new and I agree. She does not want it to become a shiny urban tractor, she wants to take into the rough without worrying about getting it dirty and scratched.

We have sold our caravan as it is too constrained for my disabilities. The vehicles of most interest are late model low KM Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara, possibly a Ford Ranger but I have deep seated dislike of Ford due to the sketchy history. Those vehicles have lots of accessories available, lots of service folks and parts should not be a big issue (hopefully).

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

rookie65

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#3445120 18-Dec-2025 07:03

Sadly everyone seems to ignore that utes produce twice the CO2 of the average car, and due to the high COG are very likely to roll over rendering them very unsafe. Add in the poor ride, handling and questionable reliability of some (Ford wet belts anyone?) and I really can't see the attraction.

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#3445125 18-Dec-2025 07:42

rookie65:

Sadly everyone seems to ignore that utes produce twice the CO2 of the average car, and due to the high COG are very likely to roll over rendering them very unsafe. Add in the poor ride, handling and questionable reliability of some (Ford wet belts anyone?) and I really can't see the attraction.

I am very aware of the negatives of UTEs. This thread is seeking advice about them to meet my specific needs with regards to disabilities and the transportation of mobility aids. I simply won’t let disabilities limit my life. Our plan is to travel every possible inch of Aotearoa before my final shutdown in the near future.

As for the CO2 modern utes produce less emissions than most of Aotearoa’s aging fleet of cars and buses. I do care about the environment but should I, not many on this planet do.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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#3445131 18-Dec-2025 08:07

people who complain about CO2 emissions ignore the fact that the people who drive the CO2 reduction propaganda are the ones that emit the most. they literally fly around in their private jets, cruise around in their yachts, while telling everyone to drive electric cars. it's a scam by the richest people on the planet. In fact Saudi oil is now the champion of green planet. Good luck.

also a thousand utes isn't going to add much more CO2 than a single fighter jet mission bombing other people. And norway EV image is funded by oil exports

however the thing i hate most about ICE is i have to smell their sheet. it's so polluting to the air that i breathe and proven to be killing people just by breathing.

have you tried the BYD? what do you think?

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johno1234

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#3445144 18-Dec-2025 09:03

Batman:

people who complain about CO2 emissions ignore the fact that the people who drive the CO2 reduction propaganda are the ones that emit the most. they literally fly around in their private jets, cruise around in their yachts, while telling everyone to drive electric cars. it's a scam by the richest people on the planet. In fact Saudi oil is now the champion of green planet. Good luck.

also a thousand utes isn't going to add much more CO2 than a single fighter jet mission bombing other people. And norway EV image is funded by oil exports

however the thing i hate most about ICE is i have to smell their sheet. it's so polluting to the air that i breathe and proven to be killing people just by breathing.

have you tried the BYD? what do you think?

I don't think I've seen a single bad review on the BYD Shark. Does anyone here have one?

Hunter

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#3445252 18-Dec-2025 10:39

A few things that you may like to consider
1. Ute quite difficult getting in and out, 4WD high as well.
2. As noted, Utes quite uncomfortable ride especially in back seat
3. Long distance, the seats quite hard on bum, Our bum was flattened Akl-Well trip
4. The tray is not water proof, if have a canopy, might as well buy a SUV
5. Not a comfortable vehicle in parking lots, turning circle is like a Truck :-)
6. Visibility is not a great out back
7 Tyres are not cheap

Would recommend that get a Travelscoot mobility scooter and a SUV if want a 4WD
Advantage with Travelscoot, can use on airplanes and overseas.

MikeB4

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#3445276 18-Dec-2025 13:04

Hunter: A few things that you may like to consider
1. Ute quite difficult getting in and out, 4WD high as well.
2. As noted, Utes quite uncomfortable ride especially in back seat
3. Long distance, the seats quite hard on bum, Our bum was flattened Akl-Well trip
4. The tray is not water proof, if have a canopy, might as well buy a SUV
5. Not a comfortable vehicle in parking lots, turning circle is like a Truck :-)
6. Visibility is not a great out back
7 Tyres are not cheap

Would recommend that get a Travelscoot mobility scooter and a SUV if want a 4WD
Advantage with Travelscoot, can use on airplanes and overseas.

The Ute will not be our only vehicle, we have and will keep our Honda for urban travel. We will be long testing prospective Utes to gauge entry and exit and will if necessary have an appropriate mobility passenger seat installed. We have owned SUVs for several decades and our experience is that they are restricted for space and when loaded one has a huge untethered load that can end up in the front seats in an accident. It is also very difficult if not impossible to get a mobility scooter or electric wheel into that back of a SUV.

My wife is a very experienced and very capable driver who has driven supercars, 18 wheelers, Utes, SUVs and yes even a tank. She has towed boats and caravans with ease. We will of course get a Ute with 360 cameras etc.

As for travel scooters they are not recommended by my specialists or occupational therapists due to their instability and high risk of tipping over. On aircraft Air NZ are excellent with provisions of wheelchairs for getting on and off aircraft and provides chairs and assistance getting me through customs and immigration very quickly. My own chair goes in the aircraft cargo hold.

For long distance road trips we stop often and rest and for example would not travel from Wellington to Auckland in a day.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

michaelmurfy

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#3445493 18-Dec-2025 23:44

@johno1234: I don't think I've seen a single bad review on the BYD Shark. Does anyone here have one?

I know a few people with them. Excellent vehicles and the people I know absolutely love them. They're also really good for off roading.

Saw one today with a fully loaded roof rack on top of the gear in the back - it'll kill efficiency but they're super capable.

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