Used Crew Cabs

Dave Joyce

Hi guys just wanted to pick your brains as regards used Crew Cabs. I'm looking at the various L200, Isuzu, Nissan Navara, Mazda B series. Just wondering if people have any opinion/experience of the various makes Ads/Dis Ads or does anyone know a site where I can read some road tests on used models. Thanks in advance for any help

BrianD3

My experience is with the l200 - crap vehicle which I've posted about before. The worst things about it are the extremely bouncy ride, crude suspension (cart springs at the rear) spongy brakes, poor grip and handling and the awful turning circle which is so huge it has to be seen to be believed. It lags way behind a proper 4wd like a Toyota Landcruiser which is a far nicer drive but admittedly is more expensive.

The L200 is based on an 80s pickup design and it shows. At least it has a big boot Just on that point, the covers that you can get for the load area areas of crew cabs are generally crap with shoddy quality and poor security. I have seen a few of these covers and a thief would have no problems opening the locks. Also, the locks for the covers are not part of the vehicles central locking system which is a pain

I would have thought that similar comments will apply to the other crew cabs. Although I hear that the Navara and Hilux are better than the rest.

Squirrel

Regarding the suspension apparently none of them are happy until you put a bit of weight over the back wheels to settle the pick up. Unfortunately I've no experience with any of them. Sorry

69 mustang

BrianD3 wrote:

My experience is with the l200 - crap vehicle which I've posted about before. The worst things about it are the extremely bouncy ride, crude suspension (cart springs at the rear) spongy brakes, poor grip and handling and the awful turning circle which is so huge it has to be seen to be believed. It lags way behind a proper 4wd like a Toyota Landcruiser which is a far nicer drive but admittedly is more expensive.

The L200 is based on an 80s pickup design and it shows. At least it has a big boot Just on that point, the covers that you can get for the load area areas of crew cabs are generally crap with shoddy quality and poor security. I have seen a few of these covers and a thief would have no problems opening the locks. Also, the locks for the covers are not part of the vehicles central locking system which is a pain

I would have thought that similar comments will apply to the other crew cabs. Although I hear that the Navara and Hilux are better than the rest.

The stuff covers all 4wd pickups, a lot of people make the mistake of comparing them to Pajaro's & Landcruiser's which I had before my L200 which am now on my second one since 99 started with a single cab now have a crew cab.
The L200 was chosen over the others as it has a higher speck than the others 4WD on the fly heated mirrors etc. Also the engine makes less noise than the others ,the Toyota is over priced and basic and the Navara and the old Dmax too low the Mazda is good value for money but also looks like it too.
I tested them all in 99 and in 02.
One bag of sand is enough to make the leaf springs feel soft the fiberglass canopy can this too, but watch out for cheap manufactured covers as they are all after market.
Had a friends BMW 320ci and couldn't wait to get my L200 back.
But remember they are a work van.:)

unkel

69 mustang wrote:

Had a friends BMW 320ci and couldn't wait to get my L200 back

LOL

I suppose if you like the driving characteristics of a Mustang, you'd like a L200 too

tinofapples

Dave ,
We have a few things in common , our names (I'm David too), our locations (Galway) and our taste in vehicles (L200). I've oggled over the L200 for awhile now but have heard alot , actually mostly negative things about them from everyone I have asked.

I took one for a test drive about 6 months ago from a dealer in Oranmore and have to say although I wasn't overly impressed with it. They are a fine looking machine and the major thing I think they have going for them is the fact the have the 2 rows of seats and are still classed as a commercial so tax is only €250 for the year.

Have you seen those Isuzu Cobra's ?? There's a black one going around town and it's sweet.

I'm going takin a Terrano for a drive this evening , it's a commercial LWB . Without meaning to hijak your thread has anyone any exper/comments on these ? Is insurance on commercial jeeps cheaper or dearer than similar passenger vehicles ?

Thanks

69 mustang

unkel wrote:

LOL

I suppose if you like the driving characteristics of a Mustang, you'd like a L200 too

Yep Torque.

You wont come across many used Dmax with the pimping done to them. They are nice The 3.0 diesel is good but no off road ability.

tinofapples you too are mixing categories with these 4x4.:) As the crew cab is a 1 ton load carrying 4x4 van while the other 4x4 made to only carry passengers have been riped a part paneled and resprayed over here to sell under Irish & UK laws cheaper. Nose weight and rear springs are set for that use.
The pickups may have stiff springs but less body roll on bends than the passenger types.:D

Dave Joyce

Forgot to mention I drive a Discovery, and am used to driving 4wd's.
Wow great feedback guys thanks a million. Seems to be what I've been hearing ie L200 is good but very bouncy etc and definately agree Hilux is way overpriced. Most people have said fairly positive things about the Navara and tbh I seem to be vering towards that although they are a bit expensive. I test drove an Isuzu that was great value and first impressions were that it was very low (which I don't like as I've always driven high vehicles like vans, jeeps and bikes and don't like being low down from a safety perspective), but drove very nicely. However, a lot of different people seem to think Isuzu's give a fair amount of trouble and are heavy enough on diesel. Basically guys what do you think for reliability and long term economy?? Navara, or anyone any experience of the Isuzu or Mazda, or any road tests anywhere, thanks guys.

Dave, thats a good one! Most people seem to be positive about the various Nissans including the Terrano. As regards insurance price around like mad, I got mine for nearly 300euro cheaper this year but then I'm an old fart ie over 40. Some crowds won't quote if you're not self-employed etc, but my commercial insurance is about the same as I was quoted for a private Discovery. Funnily enough I think I know the guy with the Cobra, hes a mate whose building a house down the road from me, but the price of them is outta my league.

unkel

69 mustang wrote:

Yep Torque

Entry level L200 2.5 Turbodiesel has less torque than BMW 320Ci, but your Mustang no doubt has loads

BrianD3

69 mustang wrote:

tinofapples you too are mixing categories with these 4x4.:) As the crew cab is a 1 ton load carrying 4x4 van while the other 4x4 made to only carry passengers have been riped a part paneled and resprayed over here to sell under Irish & UK laws cheaper. Nose weight and rear springs are set for that use.
The pickups may have stiff springs but less body roll on bends than the passenger types.:D

Point taken about the different categories. As I did admit in the original post, the crew cabs are a lot cheaper than Landcruisers etc. hence it's not a surprise that they are inferior on road.

Not sure about this 1 ton carrying capacity. I don't have the L200 in front of me at the moment but AFAIK the VIN plate and handbook state that it has a max payload of approx 800kg including passengers, driver and cargo. Which is about the same as a commercial Landcruiser. I agree that the rear springs on the L200 do seem like they would take a heavy load though and have found that the vehicle handles and rides a bit better with a trailer pushing down on the tow hitch

Dave Joyce - what will you be using the crew cab for? It might be a good workhorse but I think if you're going to use it as a family vehicle on road you won't like it at all and will find it inferior to your Discovery (which itself will have inferior road manners to a decent saloon car) As for reliability I have heard good reports about the Navara. Have you looked at the Ford Ranger at all. I don't know anything about these.

69 mustang

unkel wrote:

Entry level L200 2.5 Turbodiesel has less torque than BMW 320Ci,

It didn't feel like it the words rice pudding, pull and couldn,t come to mind.:)

On the other thing I just heard of so many people who bought them when the full VRT was removed as a tax free car for the wife
and then had to sell it cause she didn't like to drive it or couldn't park it (some may say no change in the case of the latter then)
which flooded the market and made dealers of them a hefty sum, which is fine ,but then the Gov twigged it and put VRT back on.

Dave Joyce

Hey Brian it'll be used for a lot of different things, only very ocassional towing/loads but won't be the primary family car (needless to remark, the wife has a 03 Mazda 6 and I'm left with the banger). Also we live in a country area with ****ty roads etc, so a good 4wd is an advantage. With so many assholes driving and me having the kids with me a lot I think crew cabs also offer excellant safety. From my own perspective I find most Jeeps extremely comfortable over long distances also. Had a test drive in a nice Navara today but the guy wouldn't haggle and was way over my budget, so sod him end of the year is near and should be able to get something. Like the Fords but like the Hilux I think they're overpriced.

fre

69 mustang wrote:

On the other thing I just heard of so many people who bought them when the full VRT was removed as a tax free car for the wife
and then had to sell it cause she didn't like to drive it or couldn't park it (some may say no change in the case of the latter then)
which flooded the market and made dealers of them a hefty sum, which is fine ,but then the Gov twigged it and put VRT back on.

Just looking for clarification - Am I right in saying that these are all now back to full VRT? Mostly Class B vehicles mentioned here so they would be 13.3% VRT? What was the story with the VRT removal - don't know much about it.

Revenue Online VRT Calculator

colm_mcm

Single Cab Pickups VRT is €50

fre

And double cabs?

colm_mcm

VRT on double cabs is 13.3%

Head The Wall

Dave Joyce wrote:

I test drove an Isuzu that was great value and first impressions were that it was very low (which I don't like as I've always driven high vehicles like vans, jeeps and bikes and don't like being low down from a safety perspective),

Research has proven that these high vehicles are more prone to rollovers due to a higher centre of gravity. Their size and weight also impact on their ability to make evasive manouvres safely if required and they are harder to slow down. Avoiding a crash is better than "I have a big heavy SUV so i'll be safer"

tapest

[Quote tin of apples...They are a fine looking machine and the major thing I think they have going for them is the fact the have the 2 rows of seats and are still classed as a commercial so tax is only €250 for the year.
quote]

Check this out carefully. I work for very large Gov. organisation, We buy specialised and converted vehicles as well as "normal" types. We went for VW twin cabs, we wanted the "crew" area for exp[ensive tools, generators, etc. Even with seats ripped out and glass in crew doors blacked out / blanked with panels,we had trouble over vat/vrt. They're argument was that the vehicle could be re-converted. So as I say, check it out fully.
t

colm_mcm

why would a government orginisation pay VAT or VRT?

Kersh

We have an L200 here. No problems yet in 5 years of ownership. Picked it over an Isuzu/Navarro cos it was bigger and cheaper.

colm_mcm

The new L200 is rather nice, isn't it?