4x4 Action Group

Because I can't make up my mind...please help me choose.

I want a double cab, 4x4 and auto. It's going to have to last me at least 10 years, and will be expected to tow a not enormous boat from time-to-time, as well as an off-road trailer occasionally (if Trish gets her way and makes me rent one from Jannie again - see what happens when you spoil them once...).

Budget between R300k and R400k, with the emphasis on R300k.

I've been browsing the usual websites and the following are the options:

Ford Ranger 3.2
Ford Ranger 2.2

I'd only look at 2016 plus facelift models. If it has a ton of plastic / fibreglass crap glued or bolted onto it, I'm not interested. Are the reported autobox issues true, or are people making a mountain out of a molehill?

VW Amarok - I like, but having been repeatedly burnt on dealer only parts at stupid prices on the Kombi, I'm a little reluctant. Service at my local VW dealer is appalling.

Isuzu - haven't seen any in my price range (WTF are they so expensive, it's a tractor for crying out loud)

Hilux 2.4GD-6 or 2.8GD-6 - in my price range they're much older with way more mileage than the equivalent Ranger

Triton - don't know them at all, other than a mate's new one is way more than I'm going to spend and possibly the ugliest vehicle since the Fiat Multipla, nice in a kissing your hot cousin way.

Nissan Navara - seen a few in my price range with intergalatic mileage, and they just feel soft / dated. Feel like I'd need to get a pitbull and tattoos to fit in it.

Outsider - Defender 130, but I've already got that T-Shirt and I'm not going to pay what the dealers are asking for them. Actually no, forget it.

Merc X-Class - I sort of like it, but it'll make me feel like a tenderpreneur, and I can't afford one.

Not interested in a Fiat Fullback or any Tatas, GWMs etc.

Please make up my mind for me. What have I missed? What should I avoid.

Value-for-money wise, the Ford Ranger seems the obvious choice to me...but I've been known to be wrong, spectacularly so.

Will avoid any dealers in Savoy Estate, Bramley, Highlands North, Centre of Jo'burg etc. How is it that they manage to sell all the really low mileage, late models for so much less than anyone else?

Don’t buy a Ford. Just wait for a decent Isuzu in your price range.

Like this one? It's the only one on Autotrader that matches what I'm looking for.

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Pretty sure this one's a scam, or it's a code 3 with a haircut.

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Genuine question though, why not the Ford? What sort of time-bomb are they?

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I would go with the Isuzu. I am a Mitsubishi man deep inside but thats me.

Fords I have heard reports of 3.2 engine problems way more than Toyota or Isuzu.

And they get hijacked too, but maybe not the older models. Toyota as well.

My 5c

The Ranger has suffered from turbo and gearbox issues over the years.... never heard of latent issues with the Isuzu.

But I really do suspect that, no matter what any of us say here, the decision to buy a Frod has already been made by Erin and we are just being played like fiddles....

Nah, haven't made any decision yet - looking to buy in a couple of months.

I do like the Isuzu, which is probably my first choice, but they're expensive compared the other options, even more so than the Hiluxes. The two I posted above are the only options on Autotrader under R400k, and one of them is almost certainly a scam of sorts. I'm happy to spend up to R400k, but really don't want to go over that (if if I do I want this one: https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sa ... 0/25468876)

Thinking about looking at an manual rather, but I know I'm going to regret not buying an auto.

Mad Manny wrote:Did you miss post#3 or are you ignoring it?

Consumption is a consideration, hence I'd prefer a diesel. Does Isuzu still make petrol bakkies?

Diesel it is then.

I guess there's a reason there are so many Rangers for sale.