Are 4×4 dual cabs family cars?

[2011G6E]

Turning circle? Not as huge a difference as one might think...certainly surprised us how nimble such a long vehicle is.
Triton twin cab: 12 mtr turning circle,
FG Falcon: 11 meters. Then again, we often found that the "effective turning circle" was larger with the G6E, as you had to be extremely careful of graunching the nose on kerbs of even fairly medium sloped gutters, so the "11 meters" might be a little conservative.

Servicing is about the same as the non-fixed price servicing on a Falcon as well, and consumables are roughly the same price.
Owning a four wheel drive isn't the massive extra cost impost it once was.

[johnydep]

http://www.fixedpricecarservice.com.au/

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

they are until your kids become teenagers, then room is an issue

Not in the later ones. The PX ranger has a lot more room in the rear then an PK.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Turning circle? Not as huge a difference as one might think...certainly surprised us how nimble such a long vehicle is.
Triton twin cab: 12 mtr turning circle,
FG Falcon: 11 meters. Then again, we often found that the "effective turning circle" was larger with the G6E, as you had to be extremely careful of graunching the nose on kerbs of even fairly medium sloped gutters, so the "11 meters" might be a little conservative.

Servicing is about the same as the non-fixed price servicing on a Falcon as well, and consumables are roughly the same price.
Owning a four wheel drive isn't the massive extra cost impost it once was.

12.7m for the PX Ranger, so almost 2m more than a Falcon. Our FG is much easier to park than our PX Ranger. As I said the high bonnet makes it worse. My Dad has an ML Triton and the Ranger makes the Triton look much smaller when they are parked beside one another.

As for servicing, our XR6T is on average $100 per service cheaper than the Ranger.

[H.G]

great if your raising midgets..

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Not in the later ones. The PX ranger has a lot more room in the rear then an PK.

Is it true there are no air vents in the back?

[Dash_XR]

We did a few big trips in the family Hilux crew cab as a kid, they really are pretty much indestructible and can do pretty much anything. Folks bought it brand new and its coming up on 500 now with almost nothing but regular servicing. The only complaint would be leaf springs on long trips can be a pita after a while, especially for the poor kids sitting in the back.

[Mr Hardware]

I can't understand paying more for a vehicle that is positively worse in nearly every way.
Hell, even an E-Series Falcon is more refined than a dual cab 4x4.

Less features, higher service costs, higher rego cost, more expensive tyres, no boot, slower, worse handling, rougher ride, harder to park, larger turning circle, less interior space than a camry. All for a G6E Turbo price? NO THANKS!

Reference: Over the last half a dozen years I've had a Ranger, two tritons and two hiluxes for work, all new. All 4x4 dual cab diesels. All thoroughly agricultural and devoid of comfort, pace and refinement.

[jimmyxr6t04]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I can't understand paying more for a vehicle that is positively worse in nearly every way.
Hell, even an E-Series Falcon is more refined than a dual cab 4x4.

Less features, higher service costs, higher rego cost, more expensive tyres, no boot, slower, worse handling, rougher ride, harder to park, larger turning circle, less interior space than a camry. All for a G6E Turbo price? NO THANKS!

Canopy becomes the boot. People don't buy them for handling. It's a lifestyle. My GT can't go where my triton can. And if it could, I wouldn't want to take it there anyway!!

Interior space isn't too bad these days. A few small compromises for quite a few benefits! It's nice to go off road knowing you have a relatively capable car.

[Franco Cozzo]

All this talk about "huge" turning circle, my GMC Sierra was 14M, the same as the F350 of the same year.

Its not an issue unless you plan on driving it through the CBD and you can just mount gutters and drive over them anyway given how high these dual cab utes are.

[Dash_XR]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I can't understand paying more for a vehicle that is positively worse in nearly every way.
Hell, even an E-Series Falcon is more refined than a dual cab 4x4.

Less features, higher service costs, higher rego cost, more expensive tyres, no boot, slower, worse handling, rougher ride, harder to park, larger turning circle, less interior space than a camry. All for a G6E Turbo price? NO THANKS!

Reference: Over the last half a dozen years I've had a Ranger, two tritons and two hiluxes for work, all new. All 4x4 dual cab diesels. All thoroughly agricultural and devoid of comfort, pace and refinement.

How's the G6E fair off road?

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I can't understand paying more for a vehicle that is positively worse in nearly every way.

Hell, even an E-Series Falcon is more refined than a dual cab 4x4.



Less features, higher service costs, higher rego cost, more expensive tyres, no boot, slower, worse handling, rougher ride, harder to park, larger turning circle, less interior space than a camry. All for a G6E Turbo price? NO THANKS!



Reference: Over the last half a dozen years I've had a Ranger, two tritons and two hiluxes for work, all new. All 4x4 dual cab diesels. All thoroughly agricultural and devoid of comfort, pace and refinement.

Some things are correct but less interior space than a Camry? Not in the new ones. Here is me in a new Colorado and I'm 195cm

[Ford_The_Win]

For a family of rednecks maybe? Not me.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Some things are correct but less interior space than a Camry? Not in the new ones. Here is me in a new Colorado and I'm 195cm image

Looks tight to me. I wouldn't want my leg that close to hard plastic, in a crash.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by johnydep

Looks tight to me. I wouldn't want my leg that close to hard plastic, in a crash.

That's not close this is

[Giant Cranium]

This is the ranger I get about 50mm clearance and ve which is about the same but a more reclined position I don't even think of fitting in other cars. The most comfy table ones are large dual cabs. You get shoulder and head space in them

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I can't understand paying more for a vehicle that is positively worse in nearly every way.
Hell, even an E-Series Falcon is more refined than a dual cab 4x4.

Less features, higher service costs, higher rego cost, more expensive tyres, no boot, slower, worse handling, rougher ride, harder to park, larger turning circle, less interior space than a camry. All for a G6E Turbo price? NO THANKS!

Reference: Over the last half a dozen years I've had a Ranger, two tritons and two hiluxes for work, all new. All 4x4 dual cab diesels. All thoroughly agricultural and devoid of comfort, pace and refinement.

I take it by "high rego costs" you're not in Queensland. We save quite a bit on the rego for our four cylinder Triton as compared to the previous six cylinder G6E.
Tyres? Depends what you choose and for what purpose, but the 19" tyres on our G6E were pretty crippling unless you were prepared to order something cheaper and wait for it to be delivered, seeing as how we don't live in a capital city. Also, you can get years out of a set of fourbie tyres because of the deep tread.

"Comfort, pace, and refinement". Comfort, on city roads and southern highways, I will give you. But if you buy a twin cab expecting "pace" (as some road testers seem to expect), then it's the wrong car for you.

"Cost" depends hugely on what you're buying. Toyotas are excellent but seriously overpriced, full stop. Tritons are the bargain of the quality twin cab bunch. Ranger too is excellent, but to get a reasonable level of trim, yes, you're paying G6E prices.
Also, an E series Falcon could not go half the places and get back again that even a two wheel drive twin cab can go.

Horses for courses...but it's hard to ignore the carrying capacity of a twin cab. Not to mention towing...and no, no one buys V8 sedans to tow the stereotypical "horse floats and big boats" anymore. they buy four wheel drives. Peoples needs and wants are changing...which is why Falcon and Commodore are going down the gurgler.

[Brazen]

Unless you are going to use the tray, dont bother. I don't care how much plasti-chrome they chuck on the front they still are ladder-chassis, drum brake equipped pieces of Thai crap. The engines are transmission are yesteryear, the bodies are tinfoil and the high centre of gravity and rubbery steering makes them awful to drive and staggeringly overpriced in this country.

Get a Grand Cherokee and enjoy the drive, otherwise buy an old $500 Kingswood and you will have something that you don't mind scratching off road and yet is still better built, more comfortable and better driving than a modern dual cab.

Having said all that, I grin and bear it, they are practical and I have to drive them extensively at work so a free vehicle is a free vehicle,

[Eaturbo]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Unless you are going to use the tray, dont bother. I don't care how much plasti-chrome they chuck on the front they still are ladder-chassis, drum brake equipped pieces of Thai crap. The engines are transmission are yesteryear, the bodies are tinfoil and the high centre of gravity and rubbery steering makes them awful to drive and staggeringly overpriced in this country.

Get a Grand Cherokee and enjoy the drive, otherwise buy an old $500 Kingswood and you will have something that you don't mind scratching off road and yet is still better built, more comfortable and better driving than a modern dual cab.

Having said all that, I grin and bear it, they are practical and I have to drive them extensively at work so a free vehicle is a free vehicle,

Maybe but the overwhelming majority of Australians might tend to disagree with you considering the number that get sold every month.

And what do you class as a family car these days, hell years ago the VW bettle and Leyland Mini's where family cars. A family car can be anything that suits your family

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I take it by "high rego costs" you're not in Queensland. We save quite a bit on the rego for our four cylinder Triton as compared to the previous six cylinder G6E.

No, I am in QLD, and No, rego for a 4 cyl commercial is higher than for a 4 cyl car. $663 car, $707 dual cab.

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

"Comfort, pace, and refinement". Comfort, on city roads and southern highways, I will give you. But if you buy a twin cab expecting "pace" (as some road testers seem to expect), then it's the wrong car for you.

I don't think we're talking at odds here. This is exactly what i'm saying, there are literally dozens of facts about a dual cab that you have to continually justify to yourself with a "...yeah, but it's a dual cab, what do you expect". They are an inferior vehicle in almost every conceivable way.

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Tritons are the bargain of the quality twin cab bunch.

You may have missed my posts in the past about the ML Triton I had which went back for warranty 3 times. It had so many warranty troubles I thought it might have been a BA Falcon in a former life.

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Horses for courses...

And that's exactly it. But I put it to you all that a large portion of people who have a 4WD only do so because they've been sold the idea of a 'new magical outdoorsy lifestyle previously denied to them' by advertising.

[dirtyclevo]

what are these like?

Jeep Wrangler unlimited overlander/rubicon

i was thinking about looking at one but not sure about them. i know they are tough. i like how the all the doors and roof come off.

[GT69]

My XLT has a better turning circle than my missus Focus ST.....

They are 'big' but really not THAT big. Certainly not a reason to avoid buying that's for sure, My missus is 5,1 she doesn't like driving it because it 'feels huge', and compared to a Focus it certainly is. Realistically, a 10 minute drive and she's all sorted.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Hally

Gents can I chime in with a question.....

We have a diesel X-Trail, which is a great rig but we want a dual cab that we can pack up dogs and kids to go camping and tow a bit better etc. My question is basically on the Colorado. Everyone bags them but is a Ranger worth 8-10k more? Please take out the brand bias on this one.

Cheers,

Andrew

I found the PX Ranger is more comfortable & spacious in the back compared to the Triton , D Max, Colorado & Nissan which I looked at.

Colorado was my second choice, as they were good value on price when I looked 14 months ago.

I thought paying extra was worth buying the Ranger & have no regrets.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Brazen

The engines are transmission are yesteryear

the 3.2 diesel and 6 speed auto in the Ranger is yesteryear?
I have always heard such good reviews about this combo of engine and transmission

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Ben73

the 3.2 diesel and 6 speed auto in the Ranger is yesteryear?
I have always heard such good reviews about this combo of engine and transmission

They are good!!!

[Flat Top]

you can also auomate any hard lids (for the missus)

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Is it true there are no air vents in the back?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they stuck it them in the centre console instead.

[wranger]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Unless you are going to use the tray, dont bother. I don't care how much plasti-chrome they chuck on the front they still are ladder-chassis, drum brake equipped pieces of Thai crap. The engines are transmission are yesteryear, the bodies are tinfoil and the high centre of gravity and rubbery steering makes them awful to drive and staggeringly overpriced in this country.

Get a Grand Cherokee and enjoy the drive, otherwise buy an old $500 Kingswood and you will have something that you don't mind scratching off road and yet is still better built, more comfortable and better driving than a modern dual cab.

Having said all that, I grin and bear it, they are practical and I have to drive them extensively at work so a free vehicle is a free vehicle,

Auto from the Falcon, manual from the Mustang and M3, engine that will likely go in the F150 next year, I wouldn't call the Ranger drive-train Yesteryear.

Guessing that you've driven Hiluxes and Tritons, Ranger and Amarok are completely different beasts.

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I can't understand paying more for a vehicle that is positively worse in nearly every way.
Hell, even an E-Series Falcon is more refined than a dual cab 4x4.

Less features, higher service costs, higher rego cost, more expensive tyres, no boot, slower, worse handling, rougher ride, harder to park, larger turning circle, less interior space than a camry. All for a G6E Turbo price? NO THANKS!

Reference: Over the last half a dozen years I've had a Ranger, two tritons and two hiluxes for work, all new. All 4x4 dual cab diesels. All thoroughly agricultural and devoid of comfort, pace and refinement.

Depends on what dual cab you are talking about - i own a Navara 550 ( currently on a trip that would challange your avarage sedan) - it has leather interior , electric heated seats, sat nav and hd music box , folding mirrors ,great sound system . Engine is 170kW 550Nm V6 TD with 7 speed auto and more than refined enough for me . Not as quick as G6ET but i would not say it struggles in any way as far as pace is concerned. Tows effortlessly especially on long Hume Hwy inclines :-) Economy is great and with some All Terrain tyres it gets places out of reach to ordinary sedan. Mine has canopy and boot space is huge even with a fridge installed . Tyre expense is not greater than a sedan as good quality high performance tyre for G6ET is just as expensive as a decent All Terrain but only lasts half as long .
Only problem with a dual cab is wrestling the keys away from my mrs :-) .
New generation of dual cabs are much improved vehicles even if not quite as refined as a good sedan . It really depends on your lifestyle , if you are active person who likes to get out, ride bikes , surf , kayak or own dogs or even all of the above :-) dual cab can do it all ...if you just want to drive around the city , from and to work etc . sedan might be a better choice.

[XWGT]

Originally Posted by dirtyclevo

what are these like?

Jeep Wrangler unlimited overlander/rubicon

i was thinking about looking at one but not sure about them. i know they are tough. i like how the all the doors and roof come off.

image

The Rubicon is great off road with diff locks standard etc.

However all Jeep Wranglers are like a mid 90's Camry inside. Designed specifically to be hosed out after day 4 x 4ing in the mud but that makes for a fairly rough and ready on bitumen experience. They are not quiet or refined in the slightest.

I would recommend a good long test drive in tarmac if you are considering one for a daily family commuter.

If its adventure you want however, you are looking at the right rig.