we have a few current model Rangers at work and the blokes seem happy with them. Super good on the fuel economy. They are a bit roomier than past models too. So far no mechanical problems.
Cant comment on the Colorado.
I've had a new Colorado for about 2months. Only has 3500k's. Mines a manual LT and i'm very happy with it so far. First few tanks of fuel have been getting 800k's to the tank (metro driving).
I came out of a 6ltr SS ute so I wasn't looking for performance when comparing. That said though I didn't drive the ranger as they were out of my price range.
I did drive the new d-max but found their sales people to be quite arrogant and unwilling to move on price. In a direct comparison (test drove the dmax, walked across the road and test drove the Colorado) there was nothing in it, i actually preffered how responsive the Colorado was to some right foot.
At the time what i was getting for my money was a lot more at Holden then at Isuzu (Tow bar, floor mats, nudge bar, weather shields, tonneau). Also would have had to go top of range d-max to get carpeted floors.
It's taken some time to get used to the clutch but I've come to really enjoy driving the Colorado, i've have had my ally runabout on the back (not heavy) and it didn't know it was there.
Sorry to ramble on but that's my experience anyway. Definitely don't have a bad thing to say about the Colorado
It's interesting that the Colorado has a better responce to the right foot, I though they were the same car just different badges, and panels? I am with you, if the saleman is a dick then I will do everything I can to buy what I am after somewere else.
Previous models yes (excluding some suspension/minor chassis differences)... Latest model is different in engine and drivetrain... Dmax still obviously runs the 3.0L isuzu engine and colorado runs a 2.8L made by Venturi/ventori, or something. Originally an Italian company which has been building diesels for quite a while and various companies have bought part shares in it, including Detroit diesel and later on in the piece Fiat. They are now part of GM Hence the inclusion in the colorado. Which is also in some jeeps and more recently the black London cabs...
anyway, I did a heap of research before purchase which made it alot easier to disregard dealers who were bagging out competitors products with false information.
Mechanically the same as the Ranger and a bit cheaper - at the time I could get one close to a Dmax price. Bought two months ago and now have 15,000km on it including towing a Signature 632F to Exmouth, and a trip unladen to and from Kununurra with some offroading thrown in for good measure. Very happy with both power and fuel economy, and with similar torque to a Landcruiser Ute towing is no dramas. Returned around 16l/100km towing, and is good for under 10 everywhere else. Hasn't missed a beat.
Whatever you buy, on the test drive take it down to a local shopping center and see how easy it is to squeeze into one of the parking spaces. Not all utes are created equal when it comes to turning circles.
I've got a manual 3.2 PX XL dual cab as a work car. Pretty soft panels, it gets used off road every day for work and fun on weekends so a few dents are expected but things like a stick flicking onto the door skin leave dings. Plus side, door skins are cheap. Give the panels on one a flex with your thumb ( not to hard, you'll leave a dent). The previous model ranger was a tank (ugly but).
Bluetooth is pretty nifty. Big on the inside. The manual gearbox is pretty rough, 1st gear is very short, second is a bit to long for second gear take off and I'm not sure how long the clutch will last as it gets driven by three crash test pilots most days. 4wd in high range runs out of puff in deep sand pretty quick due to the boost coming in at higher revs, low range not a problem though.
Ford have done some dumbass things to them like the alternator charging at 12.5 volts which won't run a waeco or a dual battery system. Ford can change that, turn off smart charge, local dealer in rocko did it for nix. Tow bar is to low and the wally that ran the cable for the trailer plug cable tied it directly behind the exhaust so it lasted a matter of days before melting. They have issues with trailers that have LEDs.
We also have colorados, they are also pretty capable although I personally haven't given one a proper flogging in the dirt. They are quick on Tarmac (auto).
Most dual cabs are pretty much the same thing these days. All good vehicles.
My Step Dad has done two gear boxes on his current model BT50 which is the same as the ranger, he’s got the diesel 5 cylinder manual version. He pulls a 3t caravan allot with it which is what is causing the problem according to Mazda, they told him it was rated to pull 3.5T but it was also capable of doing over 180km and you don't see anyone driving one every were at 180km so don't pull close to the limit everywhere. Because he spent so much time pulling the van they didn't want to even honour the warranty, it was only when he threatened to go to consumer affairs that they honoured it. Then the new gear box shit its self 2000km later. One of his friends has done one as well and on the caravan scene it is pretty common apparently.
That all the manuals are only rated to tow 3 ton only the autos are rated for 3.5 ton i have a 2012 Colorado done 60,000 km and proberly 15,000 of that has been towing a 3.5 ton cat .haven't had a problem yet
The 2012 owners manual lists the manual 2.2 litre as 2.5 tonnes, and the 2.2 auto and 3.2 manual and auto at 3.35 tonnes. I am up to 80,000 kms with no problems but have done very little towing.
I have the 2015 LTZ Colorado & tows my 3t boat no dramas. Not as nippy as the Jeep was but a little less Kw & 50 nm.
I found the auto in the ranger felt like it was slipping free revs on acceleration, like an old sludge box trimatic. I tried 3 different ones at 2 dealers.
Terry
Posts: 458
Date Joined: 04/12/05
dont know
we have a few current model Rangers at work and the blokes seem happy with them. Super good on the fuel economy. They are a bit roomier than past models too. So far no mechanical problems.
Cant comment on the Colorado.
scottnofish
Posts: 1617
Date Joined: 28/08/07
I have the Colorado
Absolutely love it tows my 3.5 ton cat piece of piss . Had the 09 ranger before that and hated it new ones might be better
sstevee
Posts: 466
Date Joined: 15/11/11
I've had a new Colorado for
I've had a new Colorado for about 2months. Only has 3500k's. Mines a manual LT and i'm very happy with it so far. First few tanks of fuel have been getting 800k's to the tank (metro driving).
I came out of a 6ltr SS ute so I wasn't looking for performance when comparing. That said though I didn't drive the ranger as they were out of my price range.
I did drive the new d-max but found their sales people to be quite arrogant and unwilling to move on price. In a direct comparison (test drove the dmax, walked across the road and test drove the Colorado) there was nothing in it, i actually preffered how responsive the Colorado was to some right foot.
At the time what i was getting for my money was a lot more at Holden then at Isuzu (Tow bar, floor mats, nudge bar, weather shields, tonneau). Also would have had to go top of range d-max to get carpeted floors.
It's taken some time to get used to the clutch but I've come to really enjoy driving the Colorado, i've have had my ally runabout on the back (not heavy) and it didn't know it was there.
Sorry to ramble on but that's my experience anyway. Definitely don't have a bad thing to say about the Colorado
Steve
Pilbra Dave
Posts: 194
Date Joined: 30/09/11
It's interesting that the
It's interesting that the Colorado has a better responce to the right foot, I though they were the same car just different badges, and panels? I am with you, if the saleman is a dick then I will do everything I can to buy what I am after somewere else.
If you ain't Fishin you ain't Livin
sstevee
Posts: 466
Date Joined: 15/11/11
Previous models yes
Previous models yes (excluding some suspension/minor chassis differences)... Latest model is different in engine and drivetrain... Dmax still obviously runs the 3.0L isuzu engine and colorado runs a 2.8L made by Venturi/ventori, or something. Originally an Italian company which has been building diesels for quite a while and various companies have bought part shares in it, including Detroit diesel and later on in the piece Fiat. They are now part of GM Hence the inclusion in the colorado. Which is also in some jeeps and more recently the black London cabs...
anyway, I did a heap of research before purchase which made it alot easier to disregard dealers who were bagging out competitors products with false information.
Broady
Posts: 131
Date Joined: 16/01/13
Mazda BT50 here
Mechanically the same as the Ranger and a bit cheaper - at the time I could get one close to a Dmax price. Bought two months ago and now have 15,000km on it including towing a Signature 632F to Exmouth, and a trip unladen to and from Kununurra with some offroading thrown in for good measure. Very happy with both power and fuel economy, and with similar torque to a Landcruiser Ute towing is no dramas. Returned around 16l/100km towing, and is good for under 10 everywhere else. Hasn't missed a beat.
Andrew.
shonky
Posts: 203
Date Joined: 22/04/12
Whatever
Whatever you buy, on the test drive take it down to a local shopping center and see how easy it is to squeeze into one of the parking spaces. Not all utes are created equal when it comes to turning circles.
This habit is getting expensive!
Redchoppa
Posts: 102
Date Joined: 15/07/12
PX XL Ranger
I've got a manual 3.2 PX XL dual cab as a work car. Pretty soft panels, it gets used off road every day for work and fun on weekends so a few dents are expected but things like a stick flicking onto the door skin leave dings. Plus side, door skins are cheap. Give the panels on one a flex with your thumb ( not to hard, you'll leave a dent). The previous model ranger was a tank (ugly but).
Bluetooth is pretty nifty. Big on the inside. The manual gearbox is pretty rough, 1st gear is very short, second is a bit to long for second gear take off and I'm not sure how long the clutch will last as it gets driven by three crash test pilots most days. 4wd in high range runs out of puff in deep sand pretty quick due to the boost coming in at higher revs, low range not a problem though.
Ford have done some dumbass things to them like the alternator charging at 12.5 volts which won't run a waeco or a dual battery system. Ford can change that, turn off smart charge, local dealer in rocko did it for nix. Tow bar is to low and the wally that ran the cable for the trailer plug cable tied it directly behind the exhaust so it lasted a matter of days before melting. They have issues with trailers that have LEDs.
We also have colorados, they are also pretty capable although I personally haven't given one a proper flogging in the dirt. They are quick on Tarmac (auto).
Most dual cabs are pretty much the same thing these days. All good vehicles.
solly
Posts: 376
Date Joined: 11/09/05
Just ordered mine today
Ordered a new wildtrak,delivery 7 months away
Took me six months of looking to make my mind up drove the missus up the wall
There are two types of people ,do'ers and watchers
Right now the do'ers are the doing it
And the watchers are watching us do it
Pilbra Dave
Posts: 194
Date Joined: 30/09/11
BT50/Ranger Gear boxes
My Step Dad has done two gear boxes on his current model BT50 which is the same as the ranger, he’s got the diesel 5 cylinder manual version. He pulls a 3t caravan allot with it which is what is causing the problem according to Mazda, they told him it was rated to pull 3.5T but it was also capable of doing over 180km and you don't see anyone driving one every were at 180km so don't pull close to the limit everywhere. Because he spent so much time pulling the van they didn't want to even honour the warranty, it was only when he threatened to go to consumer affairs that they honoured it. Then the new gear box shit its self 2000km later. One of his friends has done one as well and on the caravan scene it is pretty common apparently.
If you ain't Fishin you ain't Livin
scottnofish
Posts: 1617
Date Joined: 28/08/07
think you will find
That all the manuals are only rated to tow 3 ton only the autos are rated for 3.5 ton i have a 2012 Colorado done 60,000 km and proberly 15,000 of that has been towing a 3.5 ton cat .haven't had a problem yet
Ian S
Posts: 71
Date Joined: 20/01/14
BT 50 towing capacities
The 2012 owners manual lists the manual 2.2 litre as 2.5 tonnes, and the 2.2 auto and 3.2 manual and auto at 3.35 tonnes. I am up to 80,000 kms with no problems but have done very little towing.
merdel12
Posts: 306
Date Joined: 19/07/12
got the 2014 colorado with
got the 2014 colorado with the 3.5T towing capacity and it pulls my trailcraft easy
slugger
Posts: 156
Date Joined: 17/02/11
Ranger Wildtrak
keen to learn how has one and has been towing a 2 tonne boat and what the performance is like, overtaking capability on the open road etc
cheers
Colt_Striker
Posts: 624
Date Joined: 26/07/09
I have the 2015 LTZ Colorado
I have the 2015 LTZ Colorado & tows my 3t boat no dramas. Not as nippy as the Jeep was but a little less Kw & 50 nm.
I found the auto in the ranger felt like it was slipping free revs on acceleration, like an old sludge box trimatic. I tried 3 different ones at 2 dealers.