Ignition channel"s best tow bakkie

[Digger]

Amarok,then 3.2 ranger then the BT mazda,,,,,isuzu kb 4th!! our 3.0 d4d only managed 8th place!!!Seems to show how the current hilux is been left behind(can toyota afford to wait untill 2015 with the new models)?

[BosveldBul]

Asseblief. Enige show wat die 2.0 Amarok eerste plek gee vir towing kan nie ernstig opgeneem word nie.

[Hoppy]

Het dit ook gekyk, as jy n bakkie net vir twee jaar wil ry is die Amakrok n opsie, maar ek sou eerder die Ford gekies het vir sleep.
Vir n lang termyn voertuig is daar steeds geen twyfel, die Hilux.

[CasKru]

Het dit ook gekyk, as jy n bakkie net vir twee jaar wil ry is die Amakrok n opsie, maar ek sou eerder die Ford gekies het vir sleep.
Vir n lang termyn voertuig is daar steeds geen twyfel, die Hilux.

Daai is die ding... jy kan enige krag ontwikkel uit omtrent enige enjin... maar vir hoe lank.

[Rebel 4x4]

Asseblief. Enige show wat die 2.0 Amarok eerste plek gee vir towing kan nie ernstig opgeneem word nie.

Enige ou wat so "comment" kan maak sonder om so voertuig te ry is 'n ou wat om 'n kampvuur BS stories vertel. Ek het die single cab self gehad (dubbel kajuit op order) en die voertuig sleep sonder dat jy iets agterkom.

Goeie re-sale waarde wat dit die moeite werd gemaak het om hom na 12 maande te verkoop. Vriende van ons het die 2010 model met 168 000km op sonder probleme. Kan nie wag vir nie nuwe "bluemotion" modelle wat maart uitkom nie.

Die les: Moet glad nie 'n ander model afkraak voordat jy self die voertuig gery het om jou opinie te maak nie. Geen Oom se tannie se broer met die skeel oog lesbeen suster se agterklein neef stories nie.....

[CasKru]

Asseblief. Enige show wat die 2.0 Amarok eerste plek gee vir towing kan nie ernstig opgeneem word nie.

Enige ou wat so "comment" kan maak sonder om so voertuig te ry is 'n ou wat om 'n kampvuur BS stories vertel. Ek het die single cab self gehad (dubbel kajuit op order) en die voertuig sleep sonder dat jy iets agterkom.

Goeie re-sale waarde wat dit die moeite werd gemaak het om hom na 12 maande te verkoop. Vriende van ons het die 2010 model met 168 000km op sonder probleme. Kan nie wag vir nie nuwe "bluemotion" modelle wat maart uitkom nie.

Die les: Moet glad nie 'n ander model afkraak voordat jy self die voertuig gery het om jou opinie te maak nie. Geen Oom se tannie se broer met die skeel oog lesbeen suster se agterklein neef storiesnie.....

Ek is jammer maar ek leer uit ander mense se foute. Ek het nie die tyd en geld om al daai foute self te probeer maak nie

[ROOFER]

Asseblief. Enige show wat die 2.0 Amarok eerste plek gee vir towing kan nie ernstig opgeneem word nie.

Enige ou wat so "comment" kan maak sonder om so voertuig te ry is 'n ou wat om 'n kampvuur BS stories vertel. Ek het die single cab self gehad (dubbel kajuit op order) en die voertuig sleep sonder dat jy iets agterkom.

Goeie re-sale waarde wat dit die moeite werd gemaak het om hom na 12 maande te verkoop. Vriende van ons het die 2010 model met 168 000km op sonder probleme. Kan nie wag vir nie nuwe "bluemotion" modelle wat maart uitkom nie.

Die les: Moet glad nie 'n ander model afkraak voordat jy self die voertuig gery het om jou opinie te maak nie. Geen Oom se tannie se broer met die skeel oog lesbeen suster se agterklein neef storiesnie.....

Ek is jammer maar ek leer uit ander mense se foute. Ek het nie die tyd en geld om al daai foute self te probeer maak nie

NOU waar is my Blik Jam Nou

[Klong se Pa]

Hier gaan ons alweer!! (en dis nie om te gaan visvang saam Petri nie) lol

[Hoppy]

Ek het almal gery en ek moet se, niks kom by die amarok se padhou vermoe, afwerking en rygerief nie, die ford se kraglewering en rat verhoudings sit hom definitief bo aan die lys vir sleep, maar vir betroubaarheid, moet hulle maar nog n hele paar jaar agter in die ry staan. My vriend se VW bus met soortgelyke enjin kort n silinderkop na 160 000km, R105 000 oo by VW n D4D s'n kos R12 000 oo, die voorste stuk uitlaat pyp kos R23 000 oo en die injectors R12 000 oo elk by VW, wag maar n paar jaar tot die foutjies opduik dan sien julle hoekom ons Hilux ry, ek kan net eenvoudig nie daai bekostig nie.

[Digger]

Come now guys,a whole panel of judges cant all be wrong!!I love my d4d lux,BUT,maybe the current model is getting a bit"long in the tooth",placed 8th surprised me!!what changes need to be made to the new model for it to once again reign supreme??what mods can be made to the current model to get it "up"there? :problem:

[Hoppy]

Suspension and horsepower, some cosmetics won't hurt, but it shouldn't look anything like the BT50 that was placed much higher.

[Rebel 4x4]

Ek het almal gery en ek moet se, niks kom by die amarok se padhou vermoe, afwerking en rygerief nie, die ford se kraglewering en rat verhoudings sit hom definitief bo aan die lys vir sleep, maar vir betroubaarheid, moet hulle maar nog n hele paar jaar agter in die ry staan. My vriend se VW bus met soortgelyke enjin kort n silinderkop na 160 000km, R105 000 oo by VW n D4D s'n kos R12 000 oo, die voorste stuk uitlaat pyp kos R23 000 oo en die injectors R12 000 oo elk by VW, wag maar n paar jaar tot die foutjies opduik dan sien julle hoekom ons Hilux ry, ek kan net eenvoudig nie daai bekostig nie.

Om die VW bus te vergelyk met die Amarok is om die KZ-TE te vergelyk met die D4D.......

Altwee die T5 1.9TDi en die KZ-TE het silinder kop kwale, toevallig op dieselfde km's ook.....180 000km - 230 000km

[CasKru]

Ek het almal gery en ek moet se, niks kom by die amarok se padhou vermoe, afwerking en rygerief nie, die ford se kraglewering en rat verhoudings sit hom definitief bo aan die lys vir sleep, maar vir betroubaarheid, moet hulle maar nog n hele paar jaar agter in die ry staan. My vriend se VW bus met soortgelyke enjin kort n silinderkop na 160 000km, R105 000 oo by VW n D4D s'n kos R12 000 oo, die voorste stuk uitlaat pyp kos R23 000 oo en die injectors R12 000 oo elk by VW, wag maar n paar jaar tot die foutjies opduik dan sien julle hoekom ons Hilux ry, ek kan net eenvoudig nie daai bekostig nie.

Om die VW bus te vergelyk met die Amarok is om die KZ-TE te vergelyk met die D4D.......

Altwee die T5 1.9TDi en die KZ-TE het silinder kop kwale, toevallig op dieselfde km's ook.....180 000km - 230 000km

Ek dink jy het die grootste verskil mis gelees

[Thabogrobler]

Hey,

Watch dit - KZ's is nie so sleg as wat julle dit maak nie! Myne het vandag oorgeslaan 351 000km toe met sy oorspronlike enjin en silinderkop - wel, 99% van die trok is nog soos hy van sy Ma af kom! Selfs die wiel bearings!

[Oupa Stig]

Yaaay, you tell 'em, Thomas Rebel 4x4! Amaroks RULE!
I'm gonna sell my KZ tomorrow & get a Amarok.
Not.
Tell ya what, ole chum, lets make this fair:
When your Amarok reaches 220k kilo's like my KZ has, we compare parts costs
Not services.
Broken bits and bits that fell off.
You got a bit of a challenge on hand, coz the figure you are up against is 0. All I have done on this truck is regular servicing. Oh, and my driver's footrest came loose...
Until then it is inadvisable for you to sing the praises of the Amarok, coz it hasn't proved itself yet. ESPECIALLY on a HILUX forum. You're just being silly old chap! You're trying to milk the bull, and you are gonna get trampled.

Ps:
Much is being made of KZ heads. You hear of the cracked few, and think they are all like that. You forget the silent majority with no hassles at all!

[Rebel 4x4]

Yaaay, you tell 'em, Thomas Rebel 4x4! Amaroks RULE!
I'm gonna sell my KZ tomorrow & get a Amarok.
Not.
Tell ya what, ole chum, lets make this fair:
When your Amarok reaches 220k kilo's like my KZ has, we compare parts costs
Not services.
Broken bits and bits that fell off.
You got a bit of a challenge on hand, coz the figure you are up against is 0. All I have done on this truck is regular servicing. Oh, and my driver's footrest came loose...
Until then it is inadvisable for you to sing the praises of the Amarok, coz it hasn't proved itself yet. ESPECIALLY on a HILUX forum. You're just being silly old chap! You're trying to milk the bull, and you are gonna get trampled.

Ps:
Much is being made of KZ heads. You hear of the cracked few, and think they are all like that. You forget the silent majority with no hassles at all!

If you check out any of my posts, none was praising any vehicle.........yip, go ahead, scroll up.

The topic is about the best tow capability, not who's head crack more than others and what it's costing..... I'm in the market for a double cab, Toyota my first option, but i'm not too brand biased, just after quality..... All what i'm saying is, don't brand bash..... You make more enemies than friends doing that.

[FJCruiser-ZN]

Performance and reliability go together; the higher the performance, the lesser the reliability.

I'd rather tow with my 2.7i and know I'm going to reach my end destination, than tow with a small high performance engine that'll most probably blow its turbo on the way.

Too many high performance cars on the side of the road these days, not too many Hiluxes.

What happened to the Voetspore Amaroks that took on Africa? If I recall, most of them came home on roll backs...

Need I say more...

T

[Rebel 4x4]

Performance and reliability go together; the higher the performance, the lesser the reliability.

I'd rather tow with my 2.7i and know I'm going to reach my end destination, than tow with a small high performance engine that'll most probably blow its turbo on the way.

Too many high performance cars on the side of the road these days, not too many Hiluxes.

What happened to the Voetspore Amaroks that took on Africa? If I recall, most of them came home on roll backs...

Need I say more...

T

Don't know which programe you watched.

[Boet Croukamp]

Tony
Jy prat war. Ek het die naweek met my Merc ge tow en die ding het nie einde aan krag nie. Maar ek het besef sy sal nie vir alteid hou nie. Met my werk bakie (GWM 2,8 Diesel ) is dit baie stadiger maar meer virtroue. Nou kan jy jou self indink wat maak my Hilux.

[Traveler]

Tony, ons moet maar die waarheid praat, die Amaroks van Voetspore het wel met 'n skip terug gekom, maar dit was deel van die plan. Hulle het tot in Alexandria gery soos die plan was met 1 breakdown.

Al wat my verras het van die voertuie was dat die Amarok beter gedoen het met meer 6% as die Ranger. Dit wys jou dat in hierdie vergelyking (van 2WD voertuie) het die 3.2l nie beter gedoen as die 2.0l nie. En as julle die hele reeks gevolg het was daar geen punte toegeken aan betroubaarheid nie. Die toets het ook nie gegaan oor watter bakkie kan 'n chassis onder 'n body uitsleep nie; daar was baie meer eienskappe wat getoets is.

Ja, ons geliefde "langtand" Hilux het 8ste geeindig in hierdie vergelyking; maar ek dink regtig daar is geen nut of nodigheid daarin vir ons hom nou te staan en die Hilux te verdedig of ander voertuie af te kraak nie. As ons so maak dan lyk dit of ons ly aan 'n minderwaardigheidsindroom. En die realiteit is dat jy jouself nooit hoef te verdedig of te bewys as jy 'n Hilux in jou oprit parkeer nie; die Hilux bly maar steeds KONING.



PS. Ek is nie verras deur die KB se resultate nie. Praat nou van langtand, daai KB is al op valstande en hy eindig 4de.

[Dodging]

Die joernaliste kry altyd nuwe voertuie om te toets, en hulle toets hulle vir 'n week of so. Daar is nooit regte langtermyn toetse van die voertuie deur hulle nie. Die mense wat dit doen is die mense wat geld moet uithaal vir die voertuie en hulle moet ry vir 4 jaar of langer.

Nou hierdie mense is ook nie almal stewpit nie, want 'n swak besluit kos baie geld. Gevolglik weeg hulle hul opsies mooi op voordat hulle die tonne sente uithaal. Nou die Hilux is miskien no. 8 op die joernaliste se lys, maar hy is steeds bo op die verkoop-lys... Piet Publiek se opinie verskil heel duidelik met die joernaliste. Ek wonder somtyds wat sou daai joernaliste se keuse wees as hulle self moes koop...

[ROOFER]

Die joernaliste kry altyd nuwe voertuie om te toets, en hulle toets hulle vir 'n week of so. Daar is nooit regte langtermyn toetse van die voertuie deur hulle nie. Die mense wat dit doen is die mense wat geld moet uithaal vir die voertuie en hulle moet ry vir 4 jaar of langer.

Nou hierdie mense is ook nie almal stewpit nie, want 'n swak besluit kos baie geld. Gevolglik weeg hulle hul opsies mooi op voordat hulle die tonne sente uithaal. Nou die Hilux is miskien no. 8 op die joernaliste se lys, maar hy is steeds bo op die verkoop-lys... Piet Publiek se opinie verskil heel duidelik met die joernaliste. Ek wonder somtyds wat sou daai joernaliste se keuse wees as hulle self moes koop...

I would put My money on this table :!: :!:

[Traveler]

Andre, dit is 'n baie goeie punt wat jy maak. Maar ongelukkig weerspieel dit nie direk in die verkope nie.

Gaan kyk bietjie die Kinsley verslag, en die voertuie met die goedkoopste parte en goedkoopste onderhoud is nie bo aan die lys van topverkopers nie.

Ek stem wel, ek val op my rug wanneer 'n joernalis vir jou vertel dat R400k vir 'n voertuig is GREAT waarde vir geld. Of dat die nuwe Honda Brio is spotgoedkoop vir R120k.

[Dodging]

Nee daarmee stem ek heeltemal saam. 'n GWM sal nooit 'n Hilux uitverkoop nie. Mense bly by wat hulle ken.

Kyk maar in die supermarkte - baie mense maak tamatiesous (en 'n paar maak baie lekker tamatiesous), maar All Gold bly top verkoper. Nie omdat hy die goedkoopste of duurste is nie, dis net 'n produk wat mense ken en vertrou. Dis dieselfde met die Hilux - die Amarok sleep beter, is baie mooier binne, ry lekkerder ens, maar mense sal aanhou om die Hilux te koop ten spyte van daai baie klein tekortkominge

[Rebel 4x4]

Tony, ons moet maar die waarheid praat, die Amaroks van Voetspore het wel met 'n skip terug gekom, maar dit was deel van die plan. Hulle het tot in Alexandria gery soos die plan was met 1 breakdown.

Al wat my verras het van die voertuie was dat die Amarok beter gedoen het met meer 6% as die Ranger. Dit wys jou dat in hierdie vergelyking (van 2WD voertuie) het die 3.2l nie beter gedoen as die 2.0l nie. En as julle die hele reeks gevolg het was daar geen punte toegeken aan betroubaarheid nie. Die toets het ook nie gegaan oor watter bakkie kan 'n chassis onder 'n body uitsleep nie; daar was baie meer eienskappe wat getoets is.

Ja, ons geliefde "langtand" Hilux het 8ste geeindig in hierdie vergelyking; maar ek dink regtig daar is geen nut of nodigheid daarin vir ons hom nou te staan en die Hilux te verdedig of ander voertuie af te kraak nie. As ons so maak dan lyk dit of ons ly aan 'n minderwaardigheidsindroom. En die realiteit is dat jy jouself nooit hoef te verdedig of te bewys as jy 'n Hilux in jou oprit parkeer nie; die Hilux bly maar steeds KONING.



PS. Ek is nie verras deur die KB se resultate nie. Praat nou van langtand, daai KB is al op valstande en hy eindig 4de.

+1

[Cleaner]

Come now guys,a whole panel of judges cant all be wrong!!I love my d4d lux,BUT,maybe the current model is getting a bit"long in the tooth",placed 8th surprised me!!what changes need to be made to the new model for it to once again reign supreme??what mods can be made to the current model to get it "up"there? :problem:

Can they not be wrong? How many people voted the president into power and don't tell me they were right! Just saying...

[Jaans]

n Vraag wat vir my belangrik is, is of die voertuig op 500ppm kan ry? As die kar nie op 500ppm kan ry nie kan jy dit nie vir overlanding gebruik nie. Ek weetnie watter van die nuwe bakkie kan op dit ry nie al wat ek weet is die lys word korter. Ek vermoed die Amarok kan.

n Ander ding wat my pla is die grote van die nuwe bakkie persoonlik dink ek hulle raak te groot. As ek maar net my SFA en Vigo vergelyk is dit baie makliker om te parkeer en trails te doen met die SFA. Ek dink nie van die nuwe bakkie gaan in my garage pas nie.

Ek weet dit is nie wat getoets is in die sleep toets nie maar dit is hoekom die uitslae moet gelees word in die omstandighede wat dit getoets is. As hulle bakkies met a woonwa by Van Zyls pas afgevat het sou die uitslae anders gewees het.

my2c

[Gerrie]

Die joernaliste kry altyd nuwe voertuie om te toets, en hulle toets hulle vir 'n week of so. Daar is nooit regte langtermyn toetse van die voertuie deur hulle nie. Die mense wat dit doen is die mense wat geld moet uithaal vir die voertuie en hulle moet ry vir 4 jaar of langer.

Nou hierdie mense is ook nie almal stewpit nie, want 'n swak besluit kos baie geld. Gevolglik weeg hulle hul opsies mooi op voordat hulle die tonne sente uithaal. Nou die Hilux is miskien no. 8 op die joernaliste se lys, maar hy is steeds bo op die verkoop-lys... Piet Publiek se opinie verskil heel duidelik met die joernaliste. Ek wonder somtyds wat sou daai joernaliste se keuse wees as hulle self moes koop...

Oi! Moenie ons almal oor dieselfde kam skeer nie...

[CasKru]

Die joernaliste kry altyd nuwe voertuie om te toets, en hulle toets hulle vir 'n week of so. Daar is nooit regte langtermyn toetse van die voertuie deur hulle nie. Die mense wat dit doen is die mense wat geld moet uithaal vir die voertuie en hulle moet ry vir 4 jaar of langer.

Nou hierdie mense is ook nie almal stewpit nie, want 'n swak besluit kos baie geld. Gevolglik weeg hulle hul opsies mooi op voordat hulle die tonne sente uithaal. Nou die Hilux is miskien no. 8 op die joernaliste se lys, maar hy is steeds bo op die verkoop-lys... Piet Publiek se opinie verskil heel duidelik met die joernaliste. Ek wonder somtyds wat sou daai joernaliste se keuse wees as hulle self moes koop...

Oi! Moenie ons almal oor dieselfde kam skeer nie...

[Rebel 4x4]

n Vraag wat vir my belangrik is, is of die voertuig op 500ppm kan ry? As die kar nie op 500ppm kan ry nie kan jy dit nie vir overlanding gebruik nie. Ek weetnie watter van die nuwe bakkie kan op dit ry nie al wat ek weet is die lys word korter. Ek vermoed die Amarok kan.

n Ander ding wat my pla is die grote van die nuwe bakkie persoonlik dink ek hulle raak te groot. As ek maar net my SFA en Vigo vergelyk is dit baie makliker om te parkeer en trails te doen met die SFA. Ek dink nie van die nuwe bakkie gaan in my garage pas nie.

Ek weet dit is nie wat getoets is in die sleep toets nie maar dit is hoekom die uitslae moet gelees word in die omstandighede wat dit getoets is. As hulle bakkies met a woonwa by Van Zyls pas afgevat het sou die uitslae anders gewees het.

my2c

Ja, hy kan op 500ppm ry, ek dink ook dis die enigste bakkie op SA mark wat wel, ek praat onder korreksie.. Die Amarok het nie 'n DPF soos die ander VW voertuie nie. Die model spesifiek vir Suid Afrika is so gemaak omdat die meerderheid van diesel pomp garages het net 500ppm (plase het mos seker 4000ppm of so iets). Maar ekt altyd by myne 50ppm ingegooi omdat dit maar beter is vir "long term"

[ThysdJ]

Ja, hy kan op 500ppm ry, ek dink ook dis die enigste bakkie op SA mark wat wel, ek praat onder korreksie..

Alle bakkies kan op 500ppm ry.. die diensintervalle word net verkort. Daar is nie 50ppm in Namibie nie.. Voertuie wat met DPF's toegerus is kan probleme ontwikkel..

[smokintyres]

Hopefully without stirring the pot any further, I would like to add my experience with other brands from a hopefully detached point of view.

I have driven the following vehicles and done a lot of research (mostly online):
Hilux 3.0 D4D (Brother owns a super cab 4x4)
Hilux 2.5 D4D (Mother owns a DC 4x4)
Nissan Navara 2.5 TDi
Amarok 90kW (Friend owns a single cab 4x4)
Amarok 120kW
Ford Ranger 2.2 TDi

I would like to provide a proper write up of my findings, but because most of the tests issued in some of the magazines and on websites, I'll keep it short and sweet.

The Ford disappointed me the most. Not because of the power (it was only the 2.2 after all), but because of the built quality. I had been drooling over the photos when it was announced in SA (shoot me, but it is a good looking, imposing vehicle), but a look at the real life car was a disappointment. The finish especially of the interior is not what you would expect from a car in that price range. I also could not find a comfortable position no matter how much I fiddled with the seat adjustments; but that's something that will be different for every individual person.

The Navara was a surprise; the 2.5l engine performed a lot better than expected, albeit a lack of pull below the 1450rpm range. Above the 1500rpm mark and up to about 3000rpm the engine felt very alive. The Navara looks and feels a lot bigger than most other bakkies (inside it certainly is, but loadbox is about the same size as the rest); perhaps this added to the sensation of power. Built quality inside and out felt and looked good. BUT: upon my research I quickly found that probably 50% of Navara owners were unhappy and have had to replace anything from a half shaft to an entire engine within the first 50 000km of the purchase of a new Navara. It quickly became clear to me why the second hand car market is flooded with these vehicles at reasonable prices even. In my opinion not worthwhile taking the risk.

The Amarok was equally a surprise; I was expecting a lazy, difficult to drive engine coupled with almost unshiftable gears, having read a lot of reviews of the car. But to my surprise, it was not that bad. It was not worse than most bakkies I have driven to date. Both versions 90 and 120kW provided ample power with very little lag. The engine does become noisy in the higher rev range, but so does my 2.7...

The Hiluxes are the basic vehicles that one would be looking for when looking for a decent reliable vehicle for most purposes. The 2.5's power band or rather torque curve is only available in a very short range of revs, the gearbox is unforgiving and wants full attention. The 3.0's power and torque can be much better applied, gearshifts are about the same. Built quality inside and out feels and looks good. Toyota fortunately have opted to stay away from too many buttons and driver assist programs thus far, but due to market demand they will probably add similar features in future models. ABS and ESP are already part of the higher end models if I remember correctly. The 4x4 kierie must remain, I hate choosing 4x4 mode by pressing a button.

That being said, the Hilux is the safest choice in my opinion. The outstanding track record of many, many years has to mean something. But the Amarok is a more thrilling and exciting vehicle taking all aspects into consideration. So I would have the Amarok rather than the Hilux and on that Bombshell it is time to end. I'm kidding! That would have been the Topgear conclusion, chosing the exciting, less reliable (I'm not saying the Amarok is unrelaible!) vehicle over the cheaper, more reliable, but more exciting one. Every person chooses a vehicle to suit the different needs in his life (or at least that's what one should do).

My point is, the Amarok is not a bad vehicle for what it is: the first try at a bakkie by a reputable and energy conscious manufacturer. Those familiar with the Mercedes Sprinter and Vito vans will know that these huge vehicles are equipped with similarly small engines, but provide unbelievable power and torque. These vehicles are among the first choice of courier companies, collecting kms like almost no other car and being pushed probably to the limit (I don't know how many times I was overtaken by these busses on my trips between Cape Town and Windhoek) . But I also have my Dad as a reference who owns both these vehicles as part of his company's fleet and both vehicles have in excess of 300 000km, with only the normal diesel engine problems: turbo and injectors. These components are part of the wear and tear items and will consequently fail at some point. The turbo on both cars failed only after about 200 000km, which in my opinion is good. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I have probably thrown fuel into the fire now, but it is a topic that I have been researching, trying my very best to remain neutral. In the end you can end up with a lemon from any manufacturer, but that's where after-sales service comes in and it is one of the strong suites of both Toyota and Volkswagen.

[Rebel 4x4]

Hopefully without stirring the pot any further, I would like to add my experience with other brands from a hopefully detached point of view.

I have driven the following vehicles and done a lot of research (mostly online):
Hilux 3.0 D4D (Brother owns a super cab 4x4)
Hilux 2.5 D4D (Mother owns a DC 4x4)
Nissan Navara 2.5 TDi
Amarok 90kW (Friend owns a single cab 4x4)
Amarok 120kW
Ford Ranger 2.2 TDi

I would like to provide a proper write up of my findings, but because most of the tests issued in some of the magazines and on websites, I'll keep it short and sweet.

The Ford disappointed me the most. Not because of the power (it was only the 2.2 after all), but because of the built quality. I had been drooling over the photos when it was announced in SA (shoot me, but it is a good looking, imposing vehicle), but a look at the real life car was a disappointment. The finish especially of the interior is not what you would expect from a car in that price range. I also could not find a comfortable position no matter how much I fiddled with the seat adjustments; but that's something that will be different for every individual person.

The Navara was a surprise; the 2.5l engine performed a lot better than expected, albeit a lack of pull below the 1450rpm range. Above the 1500rpm mark and up to about 3000rpm the engine felt very alive. The Navara looks and feels a lot bigger than most other bakkies (inside it certainly is, but loadbox is about the same size as the rest); perhaps this added to the sensation of power. Built quality inside and out felt and looked good. BUT: upon my research I quickly found that probably 50% of Navara owners were unhappy and have had to replace anything from a half shaft to an entire engine within the first 50 000km of the purchase of a new Navara. It quickly became clear to me why the second hand car market is flooded with these vehicles at reasonable prices even. In my opinion not worthwhile taking the risk.

The Amarok was equally a surprise; I was expecting a lazy, difficult to drive engine coupled with almost unshiftable gears, having read a lot of reviews of the car. But to my surprise, it was not that bad. It was not worse than most bakkies I have driven to date. Both versions 90 and 120kW provided ample power with very little lag. The engine does become noisy in the higher rev range, but so does my 2.7...

The Hiluxes are the basic vehicles that one would be looking for when looking for a decent reliable vehicle for most purposes. The 2.5's power band or rather torque curve is only available in a very short range of revs, the gearbox is unforgiving and wants full attention. The 3.0's power and torque can be much better applied, gearshifts are about the same. Built quality inside and out feels and looks good. Toyota fortunately have opted to stay away from too many buttons and driver assist programs thus far, but due to market demand they will probably add similar features in future models. ABS and ESP are already part of the higher end models if I remember correctly. The 4x4 kierie must remain, I hate choosing 4x4 mode by pressing a button.

That being said, the Hilux is the safest choice in my opinion. The outstanding track record of many, many years has to mean something. But the Amarok is a more thrilling and exciting vehicle taking all aspects into consideration. So I would have the Amarok rather than the Hilux and on that Bombshell it is time to end. I'm kidding! That would have been the Topgear conclusion, chosing the exciting, less reliable (I'm not saying the Amarok is unrelaible!) vehicle over the cheaper, more reliable, but more exciting one. Every person chooses a vehicle to suit the different needs in his life (or at least that's what one should do).

My point is, the Amarok is not a bad vehicle for what it is: the first try at a bakkie by a reputable and energy conscious manufacturer. Those familiar with the Mercedes Sprinter and Vito vans will know that these huge vehicles are equipped with similarly small engines, but provide unbelievable power and torque. These vehicles are among the first choice of courier companies, collecting kms like almost no other car and being pushed probably to the limit (I don't know how many times I was overtaken by these busses on my trips between Cape Town and Windhoek) . But I also have my Dad as a reference who owns both these vehicles as part of his company's fleet and both vehicles have in excess of 300 000km, with only the normal diesel engine problems: turbo and injectors. These components are part of the wear and tear items and will consequently fail at some point. The turbo on both cars failed only after about 200 000km, which in my opinion is good. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I have probably thrown fuel into the fire now, but it is a topic that I have been researching, trying my very best to remain neutral. In the end you can end up with a lemon from any manufacturer, but that's where after-sales service comes in and it is one of the strong suites of both Toyota and Volkswagen.

You've summed it up nicely, and true....

[Rebel 4x4]

Ja, hy kan op 500ppm ry, ek dink ook dis die enigste bakkie op SA mark wat wel, ek praat onder korreksie..

Alle bakkies kan op 500ppm ry.. die diensintervalle word net verkort. Daar is nie 50ppm in Namibie nie.. Voertuie wat met DPF's toegerus is kan probleme ontwikkel..

I've should have explained myself better here. Yes, all vehicles can run on 500ppm +.....but for instance (this is a fact as my friend who owned a Triton got his fingers burnt), he had injector issue, Mitsu took sample of tank and found sulphur content in his diesel of 346ppm. Warranty on injectors was voided due to vehicle not running on diesel off 50ppm minus.....

Some manufacturers void warranty if you don't use 50ppm diesel.

[Die$eL]

Come now guys,a whole panel of judges cant all be wrong!!I love my d4d lux,BUT,maybe the current model is getting a bit"long in the tooth",placed 8th surprised me!!what changes need to be made to the new model for it to once again reign supreme??what mods can be made to the current model to get it "up"there? :problem:

Can they not be wrong? How many people voted the president into power and don't tell me they were right! Just saying...

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