Thread: Navara ST-450 - Good deal?

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Though before the Nissan, there was the Volvo's, Jags, Sierras that had also won. The Sierras were 4x4 Turbo too. Just that the rice burners doing it was the last straw before the Aussies threw all the other toys out of the cot.

Yep, remember Tom Walkinshaw's Jag campaign. Was living there then. Would watch the race each year all bloody day. Must have been a masochist.

And this from a forum referring to the 85 race -
All the holden bogans complained how Brock's timing chain "allegedly" broke, even tho some claim it was started up a few hours later & put in the trailer, citing the rules making him use a single row timing chain, which "failed",waaaaa, welcome to reality, for years the rules favoured brock...not holden, but brock!

Originally Posted by cambo

A mate just bought a Mazda/dmax.
Very nice ute.
Got a good deal plus capped service costs.
He went in to buy a dmax but the salesman was so dismissive of him he walked off the yard with his cash still in his pocket.

we had the opposite at isuzu, was pleasant, no hard sells and no issues with trying different models.

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Yep that, to be meeting the 'lawful' requirements for towing at trailer you need to be loaded at 10% downforce although it's not really enforced. It is written into the rule for light trailers so a legal requirement in NZ. That means on a 3500Kg 'TB' class trailer you are meant to have 350Kg downforce give or take - and 350Kg downforce on most utes on the ball is the max legal loading for the rear axle due to load centers.

I personally don't like the TB class trailers, the electric brakes are prone to stopping working and the electric/hydraulic are a pest to maintain and keep working although are extremely effective. On one occassion, it was the trailer hydraulic brakes that stopped the rig I was in as the towing vehicle's brakes decided at that moment to gas up and have a dramatic fade event. The driver was very on to it and recognised the situation straight off, and hit the 'panic' button on the controller which bypasses the proportional settings. Unsure why exactly that occurred as there wasn't an apparent 'reason' for it, but the pads at both ends were replaced anyway and it never happened again.

Technically you are incorrect in your statement. 10% of the down load of the GTM (gross towing mass) is quoted as being the maximum permissible loading, not the required. Class TA trailers are under 750kg, Class TB 751kg to 3500kg. The braking systems you refer to are required between 2501kg & 3500kg, which splits Class TB in 3 categories, just for a headache to those who don't understand.
The tow bar ratings quoted on many new vehicles are actually in line with the Australian ADR rulings and link directly to the Aussie trailer weight rulings, they however do not link with the current NZ Light Trailer Rules.
Always good to consider how you are going to stop that mass hanging on the rear before you buy.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Though before the Nissan, there was the Volvo's, Jags, Sierras that had also won. The Sierras were 4x4 Turbo too. Just that the rice burners doing it was the last straw before the Aussies threw all the other toys out of the cot.

Well it WAS their race so I guess they could call the shots!

Took Mitzi Triton Black Edition then Mitzi Pajero Sport then Toyota Fortuner GXL for test drives.

Triton was ok and I thought good enough however not great as daily driver. Wife liked the Triton as I thought she would.

That was until she drove the Pajero. Liked it sooo much more. She pretty much said that's it, buy it. I liked it however wasn't completely sure (too many gadgets, too much stress if scratched it). In hindsight it simply felt too flash and just not us. Also wondered about Pajero depreciation. Some colours available early in 2022 before the proposed new tax (1 April).

Fortuner instantly felt 'home' for us. Comfy, drove well and it's essentially a Hilux so good resale. We knew straight away it was the vehicle for us. There are only 2 versions of Fortuner and the issue is none of the GXL are available unitl mid 2022 (so after new tax) and they can't even take orders or start a wait list for Limited version. Said 18-24mth minimum before they'd have any! They're selling used Fortuner's for more than current retail.

Decision now is do we buy a used Fortuner (for new price!), or wait until mid 2022, or longer, and getting cheapy tow 4x4 in meantime. So many options but at least our big choice is made. Toyota Fortuner.

Ford Everest, Ranger, etc not on list and never will be. $$ too high and our thoughts about brand.

Fortuner not 100% selected as overnight some thoughts we should try used Prado as alternative to waiting 7mths or 18-24mths for Fortuner.

FYI we will hire a 4x4 for boat tows in meantime

saved enough for a STX550? going for around ~30k ish. highly rate mine.

Originally Posted by Mohawk .308

This is a good video comparing the Prado and the fortuner, worth a watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yVHoxui8Q4

Have skimmed that one when looking for Fortuner reviews. I expected it'd recommend the Prado (more $ is always better?) so was surprised the Fortuner won.
Will watch it fully and let it be a guide for a test drive of a used Prado

Originally Posted by Mohawk .308

Yeah so was I, fortuner looks like a pretty good wagon, and pretty good value too.

Fortuner = Hilux with a boot. Pretty much the grandchild of the 4Runner/Surf

Il changed earlyer in year & look at Nissan was at 1% another d-max both those in base model & ended up with a Hilux sr5 the monthly repayments where $100 cheaper than Nissan & $250 cheaper than d- max & the Hilux is going to be cheaper to service than the other vehicles going on the costs the salesman's gave me but we will see on that one but I did have to wait bot 4 months for it to turn up

Originally Posted by hunt08

but I did have to wait bot 4 months for it to turn up

If I order this week a Fortuner GXL likely to be here June 22. Hilux was about same delivery wait. They won't even create a waitlist for Fortuner Limited.

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Fortuner = Hilux with a boot. Pretty much the grandchild of the 4Runner/Surf

Haven’t seen one but all you can hope is the 3 year old that designed the Hilux interior got sacked and someone with style got the job
Toyota went to shit after 05 but can’t help the Toyota fan boys

Kind of feels like a newer version of Surf, which it is. Nothing flash, just does its job. Maybe why we felt at home. The Pajero felt way too flashy.
https://www.toyota.co.nz/new-car/for...40-22#features


Have chatted with an owner of a 2021 Foretuner and a 2021 Hilux (lucky guy!!). He prefers the Fortuner off road. Better departure angles. Says hilux drags it's ass where he goes. As its essentially same as Hilux, ladder frame chassis etc can get all the after market 4wd bits way into future if I want to.

Fortuner deposit paid. Due July 2022

Looking forward to seeing it. Guess we'll be taking my old Honda on this year's annual trip, tho