Isuzu D.Max
Submitted by Paul G on Tue, 2011-06-14 10:22
Hi just wondering do any members have one of these we are looking at a couple for the buisness.any info would be good
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The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
Hi took one for a drive last
Hi took one for a drive last year. Was impressed but was out of my price range.
RockoBrian
Posts: 11
Date Joined: 19/04/10
D Max
Had ours for a couple of months and love it
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
DMax not to bad at all.
Hi Paul, i test drove one recently the LSM 4x4 model. Seemed pretty good towed my 5.8m ally up the hill at Midland and it pulled it easily. The inside i'll say doesnt seem as luxurious as some others like the Triton GLX-R or the Hilux SR5, but i thought for the price brand new didnt seem to bad. One thing i'll say is it has that very distinct Diesel clatter when driving it at low speeds. More so than the Triton, Ranger and Hilux. But other than that i thought it was pretty good. If you plan on doing your own services some of the underbonnet componets i thought seemed difficult to get to, well compared to my old shitbox hilux which has heaps of room to move about under the bonnet! :)
In actual fact i am only holding off getting the DMax to see and test drive the new Ford Ranger T6 which is supposed to come out in August. It has a 5cyl 3.2L Turbo Diesel. Bit more grunt for towing. Plus its gone to coil front suspension. Even though i dont mind torsion bars like on the Current Ranger/BT50 and Colorado/Dmax i like the more options you can play around with on a coil sprung IFS.
Other than cosmetics though the DMax and Colorado are exactly the same. Apparently sometime next year though the Colorado will be sourcing a differnt engine than the DMax and i think, might also be getting a body facelift. Thats one plus side of going the ISUZU, they are the ones that actually make the car and from what i have read they are continuing with the exact same car for a couple more years.
The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
Buz there is a bit off
Buz there is a bit off differnence between the two they are closely related yes but Im pretty sure the power plants differ slightly. Paul have you checked out the new VW ute? They look pretty flash.
If it helps I bought the 2wd Triton T/Dsl Tray back. I love it fantastic and great value for money- Got tray tint and tow bar chucked in. Would have loved the 4x4 but just couldn't afford the extra 10k. Around town i get 8.5l/100.
Ben
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Hi Ben,Have a look under the
Hi Ben,
Have a look under the bonnet of the two when you get the chance. Absolutly identical in every respect. Even has ISUZU on the plate of the Colorado. They state the ISUZU is a DOHC and the Colorado is SOHC. If you have a look at the specs of the two cars engines you see they are exactly the same. I think the only difference is the stated power and torque. Which is bugger all, and hey differs between different cars of the same model anyway. They were even coming from the same factory in Thailand for some time, dont know if they still are??. But like i said from what i have read the deal GM(holden) has with ISUZU for their engines in their cars runs out next year so they are sourcing a new engine. Cant remember exactly but i think it was going to be Korean, maybe Hyundai?????.
Either way if you think there really is a difference between the two and are willing to pay more for the 'difference' so be it. Personnaly if i had to choose between the two i would go a DMax, simply because they are the company that make them and they are going to be around making them for a whole lot longer too i imagine. Unlike the Rodeo/Colorado everyone knows which they are changing.
Had a look at the Amarok online and read the 4x4 reviews. Falls way short apparently. But hey gotta check it out in real life and take it for a test drive to know for sure!
Nauti Buoy
Posts: 595
Date Joined: 20/04/09
D-Max
Paul-We had some at my old workplace. They were very reliable- even though they copped a bit of a beating around the countryside. Economical on fuel and reasonably good to drive. Didn't have any issues/problems with them, and most were doing 50k per year.
Would still prefer a Hilux- but price must be considered.
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
good package, but I decided
good package, but I decided on bang for buck the Ranger run out deal on the 2011 model before the new T6 comes was too good to pass by.
Would have loved a SR5 Lux, but could not justify the extra $12k for the same level of fit out as the Ranger!!!!
My Ranger towed a 19 foot 2 ton boat to Exxy and Back two months back with not a single issue and cruised the whole way like a dream.
Only big issue is the small fuel tank, does need a long range tank in my books.
Back to DMax, the one we had in Thialand was rooted to it's guts and back by the work drivers, yet just kept going and going, pretty tuff and a bit more agricultural than I wanted for a family ute.
JMO
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Going the older model.
Other than costs and the waiting period is there any other reasons you choose to go the PJ instead of waiting for the newer T6? Just was wondering as i have thought maybe i should buy a PJ too with all the EOFYS going on, instead of waiting for the T6.
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
$39,000 drive away with a
$39,000 drive away with a canopy and auto is a big reason to go the old Ranger route in my books.
I'd have loved the new 5 cylinder more powerful engine and the siz speed auto box, but not for an extra $10k or so. And as they could not give me a firm price on the new T6 when it arrives, I was not prepared to wait and end up loosing out on the deals on hand.
ps always look at the extras included! my Ranger with the tub liner, rear tie down strap hooks, 12V aux socket in the rear tub, dual 12V sockets in the cab, plus six CD shuttle, speed-cruise control, side steps, side impact air bags, 3ton tow hitch, etc was close to $6k worth of extras that had to be added onto some other models of utes being offered at over $40k. Some dealers don't play fair-ball when they tell you whats included in a deal on some utes, we saw this when questioning the Triton and Hilux sales people...
my big selection was 3 ton tow capacity, big-long full 1 ton tub on the back and needed to be auto for wife to use it as well. Ranger ticked all the box's for the price it became a no-brainer.
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Hi Tony. Yeah it seems
Hi Tony. Yeah it seems definitly the way to go with what you got for that price. I am basically looking for the same needs. Except i want a manual, if my missus wants to drive it then she can get het manual licence instead of just having her auto haha. Do you mind if i ask where you got your Ranger? Got me really thinking now.
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
got my deal from Midway Ford
got my deal from Midway Ford in Midlands and manual version is even cheaper!!! at under $37k drive away!
http://www2.dmotorworks.com.au/autoads/WEB00850/new-weekly-ad.pdf
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Thanks Tony, might go for a
Thanks Tony, might go for a drive out there tomorrow and have a looksee what they can do for me.
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
colorado
Paul give deckie a ring about the colorado unit hes buying
fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
I have a colorado
3.0 diesel, I tow a 6m glass boat with no problems at all.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
yes I to was impressed with
yes I to was impressed with the drive very smoth.I didn't think it was a noisy as the hilux i drove.but with all the extras racks ,canopy roo bar ,lift kit,wide tyres ,tint and many others .none of the others come close to the price 15k higher.
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hk85
Posts: 85
Date Joined: 04/01/10
Seeing as it's for business
Seeing as it's for business use I think you can't go wrong with the dmax. As others have said, interior not as plush as the top of the range triton/hilux, but it's a solid unit none the less - and I have seen them being flat shifted one day and towing the next without any drama(mate has one).
Have a look at some of the Colorados from the 4 day holden sale as well (although you're probably going to be buying with an ABN etc .. so not sure if it applies ).
I think most would shut this down - but have u had a look at the great wall?
I was going to trade in my lux but I think 2012 / early 2013 is going to be the time when all the 'new shaped' models start rolling out...
PS Tony - you did good with the ranger.. my mate just bought one with the armadillo rolling tray cover... pretty nifty
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
Have noticed more and more courier companies
On the road driving great walls...... Id be reluctant to buy one now, rather wait and see how they turn out reliability wise in a few years but sometimes who dares wins :)
Gooooone Fishin!
Nelly
Posts: 518
Date Joined: 04/05/08
Have had a dmax lsm auto
Have had a dmax lsm auto since april 09.Have done just over 58000km's and its been trouble free,Tows my old mans boat easyily enough (around 2t) and is really good on fuel,and have no probs in the sand.Next generatation dmax is out early next year and i will be having a close look for sure.
cudbfishn
Posts: 1311
Date Joined: 06/04/09
2 litre twin turbo diesel
2 litre twin turbo diesel just doesnt do it for me in the amarok. especially for the 60k asking price. I tow 2 tonne all day every day. Ive got an older 2.5 ltr td courier. Its been great. Cant wait for the new utes to come out. 3.2 striaght 5 in the ranger. 3ltr v6 td in the navara seems nice. But also asking a 60k price tag.
HuggyB
Posts: 2515
Date Joined: 03/08/08
We've got a colorado
ute (cab chassis) 4x2 TD and they are spritely enough, tow no worries and a fair bit more economical than a 4x4 if you dont really need the 4x4 for work (unless you want it to tow your boat etc). The work one has done ~60,000km, regularly carries 700 - 900kg loads around town and returns 7-8L/100km which was almost identical to the Rodeo 3L TD we had before it. My 4x4 Hilux cab chassis TD runs around 10L/100km in comparison (all cars are manuals) also carrying similar loads.
The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
I've got the Dmax
had it for 2 months and clocked up over 10000km, 8000km of that towing my boat(6m 2ton). We also have the latest base model 4x4 hilux and a 2001 79 series non turbo landcrusier. I'm really impressed with the dmax, it is quieter the both the other cars. Gets 8.3L/per 100km around town and 17-20L towing the boat at 100km depending on wind etc. It has a bit cheaper looking interior then the hilux. It seems to have better low down grunt then the hilux but when unladen I would suggest the hilux has more topend.
I put it side by side with a mates Colarado and the only differance under the bonnet is the computer box(apparently the two have different engine mapping)
So far so good
I would say the hilux has a better allround build quality but so it should for the price differance.
Cheers
CCC
PJ64
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 09/10/10
I have a May 10 build DMAX just going on a year
Have no complaints whatsoever does everything I ask her to and more. They must be ok QLD police are adopting them and I hear defence is getting a few.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Thanks guys for you input
Thanks guys for you input ,will let you know how i get on.
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Hey Paul you end up getting
Hey Paul you end up getting the Dmax?
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Yer mate we have ordered two
Yer mate we have ordered two with all the fruit.could be a couple of months before they get here .
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Nice, hope to hear good
Nice, hope to hear good reports from you about them when you get them. Guessing by 'all the fruit' you got the LSU or did you go the LSM?
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
LSU duel cabs ,roo bar ,lift
LSU duel cabs ,roo bar ,lift kit,off road tyres,tinted windows, tow bar, rear conopy.took a few differant dule cabs for a run and i was impressed with the D/Max very comfortable to drive .
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HuggyB
Posts: 2515
Date Joined: 03/08/08
Just seen the new Colorado
that they just showed at The Australian International Motor Show. Due for release in early 2012 (just when I will be looking to do a changeover on the Hilux).
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/52034/2012-holden-colorado-concept-revealed-at-2011-aims
Single cab with the suicide doors thank you!
The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
AndI bet its around the
AndI bet its around the 60-70k
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HuggyB
Posts: 2515
Date Joined: 03/08/08
no chance
Already been in touch with my mates and they wont be significantly more expensive than what they are replacing.
The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........
Deckie
Posts: 1296
Date Joined: 03/04/09
Nice Paul
Good pick Paul, i ordered a dual cab colorado in the middle of last month & should pick it up this week. Very similar to the DMax so i'll let ya know what i think of it. From all reports they are very comparible to everything in its class & in some cases a little betta.
I'll decide for myself.
cheers Rob
Cheers & Stay safe