Basic work truck, which would you buy and why?

[Mr Earl]

I'm shopping for a basic single cab 2wd work truck from either Nissan, Isuzu, Ford, or Toyota.
I've looked at both the new Nissan and Ford offerings. The Nissan seems to be the technological leader and has some nice features. And a comfy cab and seat in the standard trim.
The Ford Ranger is also new and offers a load of nice features in standard trim also.

The Isuzu and Toyota seem to have loyal followings and brand names that strike me as overrated. They are an older generation and don't seem to offer as much value.

I'm leaning towards the Nissan because the dealer in Ranong seems good and they are sell the crap out of them.

Anyone else been shopping basic trucks care to share their observations.

[panama hat]

I had a Hilux E and was quite happy with it, it seems the advantages are in the re-sale value and build quality - also how much you can get out of the dealer for free
- I squeezed them for 40k worth of extras as well.

As for your Nissan deale being friendly, remember that they will love you before you buy . . . what comes after is more important.

[good2bhappy]

Isuzu has excellent after sale sevice. Also more dealerships, service centres etc.

[sabang]

If I was buying new, I'd personally be deciding between The Toyota vigo and the Mitsubish triton. The Triton has the edge in terms of the interior and handling, and has picked up a fair bit of market share.

[Marmite the Dog]

The Nissan has just been tested for European safety standards and failed miserably (to the point that Nissan a rushing through a redesign).

Isuzu are over-priced.

Toyota are good workhorses, but the interiors are not that good and they're everywhere.

The Ford (for me) is the best of the lot (best 2.5L engine by a mile) has good trim and unlike the Mitsu is built to work.

[big_cloud]

Toyota Hilux
nice after sale service in CEI



The Ford Ranger is based on Mazda BT-50 now

[good2bhappy]

Isuzu are over-priced.

But hold their resale value

[Marmite the Dog]

The Ford Ranger is based on Mazda BT-50 now

No. The Mazda is based upon the Ford Ranger.

[baldrick]

basic hilux kingcab

[Tokyo Rose]

Toyota is best.

[Spin]

Ive been looking a the ford ranger 2.5 open-cab. good looking vehicle at the right price but i had fords in the past and seemed to spend a lot of time in their parts depts replacing this that or the other.

[Norton]

The Triton has the edge in terms of the interior and handling, and has picked up a fair bit of market share.

Nice but they look like helicopters not a truck.

[Marmite the Dog]

The Triton has the edge in terms of the interior

If your idea of cheap, brittle plastics is good, then I'd agree.

[Norton]

I have had both Ford and Chevrolet pickups. Can't complain about either. The Ford was a simple 2 door low end model but was a real good "working" truck. The Chevy is a 4 door with many more accessories. Has much better highway comfort and ride but for banging around the farm, I preferred the Ford. IMO, there is little difference other than potential resale value between all you have mentioned so all depends on budget and the "technology" you need for a "work" truck.

[mrsquirrel]

Failed chinese crash test

Get one of these

[Bung]

There's a guy in our village who has this old isuzu, must be from the 70's that he drives in and out of town every day two or three times everyday of the year - a 40klm round trip. He supplies all the little shops with the things they all sell. No a bit of rust on it and when asked was told it never broke down. Ever. I want it. I've seen a couple of others some literally falling apart but still runnng.

Was it a Isuzu Love? I can't remember the model.

[Bung]

Bit like this one, different grille.

[gjbkk]

Vigo or Triton are the best choice

[sabang]

If your idea of cheap, brittle plastics is good, then I'd agree.

Really, I think that describes all of the Pickups. I do think the Triton is the most attractive interior though. I'm not on a mission to sell the Beast- mine is a Vigo anyway.

[Texpat]

There's a guy in our village who has this old isuzu, must be from the 70's that he drives in and out of town every day two or three times everyday of the year - a 40klm round trip. He supplies all the little shops with the things they all sell. No a bit of rust on it and when asked was told it never broke down. Ever. I want it. I've seen a couple of others some literally falling apart but still runnng.

He's my hero. I've had a car since I was 18 but never owned one for more than three years. I want to drive my vigo until it falls off the frame. How many years do you think I can keep it running if I take care of it? Ten+ I hope. I put 38,000 km on it in two years -- not too many.

Toyota interiors suck, but they have nice engines.

[Bung]

You have to wonder if you would be able to run a vigo or any of the new pick ups into the ground.....Anyone keen to try? A public service like.

My vigo has 70k klm's on it and seems pretty much as tight as the day I bought it but with all the technology on them would they last like an old basic one, given they both have the regular and recommended servicing?

[sabang]

Some grizzly old timers say the Tiger was tougher. Not that I'd know.

[Bung]

Has a steel bumper....

[Marmite the Dog]

I'm not on a mission to sell the Beast

I know you're not. I just think the Triton is shite after looking at all of them a wee while back. The ONLY downside to the Ford was that the depreciation is higher than the Jap stuff.

[Mr Earl]

I rented a fairly new Ford Ranger in Laos last December with the 2.5 TDCI engine. It was a fantastic truck. Is the engine in the new Ranger model the same?