Best knock about ute? (for the Oz gang)

Kev

Kev

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Nov 7, 2011
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What would you go for it you were going to get a knock about ute? i'm thinking well used ~$5K. Obviously it'll come down to the merits of a specific vehicle, but what are your stars and lemons???

This'll be a "knock about" in so much as it'll have racks for boards, SUPs and ocean skis for short trips and will also be used for local utility (grab some timber, garden stuff or something for home).

I've seen the odd old Hilux and Rodeo in seemingly good nick for cheap, but I was originally thinking ~2000 Holden ute.

If it's reliable I'll probably end up giving it to my son when (if he ever) gets his licence?

Thoughts?

Kev.

 
[size=14pt]

Holden UTE  (as you said) or Ford. (FPV!  [smile])

If 4wd, definitely Toyota HiLux. I see plenty of the them around 10-12 years old in the Timber Yard, and they are in the main all going well and strong.

I take it then that your new pride and joy will not be enjoying the surf?  [eek]
 
Untidy Shop said:
[size=14pt]

Holden UTE  (as you said) or Ford. (FPV!  [smile])

If 4wd, definitely Toyota HiLux. I see plenty of the them around 10-12 years old in the Timber Yard, and they are in the main all going well and strong.

I take it then that your new pride and joy will not be enjoying the surf?  [eek]
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The RSQ3 is getting enough salt settling on it in the driveway [sad]

I'm half inclined to get something quite old and make it a running project (though I've probably got enough projects I'm sitting on already!)
 
JUDOKA said:
TOYOTA LANDCRUISER (FJ80)
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Too tall .. the attraction of a low utility is the easy on and off of boards and skis, etc.
 
If buying old, make sure it is a model that sold heaps as parts etc will get harder to source over time and the wreckers are more likely to have bits for those models that sold in big numbers.

A six cylinder Ford or Holden would do what your after if you can find one in reasonable condition.They are good value for money with performance and durability of an acceptable level.

A 5k budget may be a little low and be more likely to buy a problem but there is are really solid vehicles available for not a lot more,i would look at a little more on the upfront spend if it was me looking.

On a practical note get a tray back with fold down sides rather than a style side vehicle as you will find it more adaptable to various tasks.

A great project which isnt too much trouble and that looks good is to put a hardwood timber deck in for the tray bottom.

A little project for all those tools!!!!
 
Larso said:
If buying old, make sure it is a model that sold heaps as parts etc will get harder to source over time and the wreckers are more likely to have bits for those models that sold in big numbers.

A six cylinder Ford or Holden would do what your after if you can find one in reasonable condition.They are good value for money with performance and durability of an acceptable level.

A 5k budget may be a little low and be more likely to buy a problem but there is are really solid vehicles available for not a lot more,i would look at a little more on the upfront spend if it was me looking.

On a practical note get a tray back with fold down sides rather than a style side vehicle as you will find it more adaptable to various tasks.

A great project which isnt too much trouble and that looks good is to put a hardwood timber deck in for the tray bottom.

A little project for all those tools!!!!
Click to expand...

I've been casting my eye about for a HQ~HZ 1 tonner tray back ... they're a bit scarce and either junk or over the top!

When I say $5K I'm +/- a bit - it was just a stick in the sand.

A timber tray back project would be a bit of fun - I'll certainly keep that in mind. Thanks [wink]

I'd deffo go for a six cylinder, otherwise the young fella won't be able to drive it on his red P's.

Was thinking something like this ...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1975-Holden-Kingswood-HJ-Yellow-4sp-M-Trayback-/221571945790?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item3396b7953e

... but will more likely aim at something like this ...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2005-HOLDEN-VZ-V6-ONE-TONNER-MANUAL-DROPSIDE-TRAY-TIMBER-DECK-ute-/221566371876?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item3396628824

... or this on Ford flavour ...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Falcon-2005-XR6-ba-ute-tray-leather-MARK-II/121460228735?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3D4e684f39aaac4d93828d4d8ccd9f820d%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20140106155344%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D121456260704&rt=nc
 
Kev said:
Untidy Shop said:
[size=18pt]
And then again Kev, what about this one -

http://www.drive.com.au/drive/-115bwt.html

- and  I am sure it is available in a color close to Festool green!
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OMG! [scared] [eek] ... you're showing your strips [wink]
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[size=14pt]
Stripes? No not really, although I like watching V8 Supercars, I am really into German cars (one day?!); just not the same ones/one as you!  [big grin]

Just thought I would shock you with something over the top!
 
Untidy Shop said:
Kev said:
Untidy Shop said:
[size=18pt]
And then again Kev, what about this one -

http://www.drive.com.au/drive/-115bwt.html

- and  I am sure it is available in a color close to Festool green!
Click to expand...

OMG! [scared] [eek] ... you're showing your strips [wink]
Click to expand...

[size=14pt]
Stripes? No not really, although I like watching V8 Supercars, I am really into German cars (one day?!); just not the same ones/one as you!  [big grin]

Just thought I would shock you with something over the top!
Click to expand...

Yes, I short changed you an "e"  - sorry [embarassed]

The only German flavours I've had to date are BMW's and Audi's. First real German car was a lovely little BMW 323 5 speed 2 door in the 80's. Life went through some changes, got married and decided an Audi 80 would be a nice safe car for our first bub. When I hit my first mid life crisis they'd just launched the first BMW Z3 roadster. I rushed in when only the 1.9l engined version was available. Sad to say the Mazda MX5 was a better car and Honda's S2000 was far superior. We still had the Audi 80, but it was getting on and I also picked up a cheap Ford sedan (the Z3 just wasn't practical).

Time for a change came and we went for a pair of new Audi's ... an A4 Avant 2.4 and the fresh on the Market TT Quattro.

We've mostly stuck with Audi's ever since apart from a brief splash with Mazda's (Mazda 6 + RX8) and a Pathfinder for pulling a boat.

Truth be told, I'd love to pick up a Kombi and do it up! [smile]
 
[size=14pt]Kev,
I have had around twelve cars, my fondest memories are reserved for Volkswagen 1600 Superbug Beatle, Split Screen Kombi Camper (wish I still had it  given current value), 1962 MGB, and Slant 6 S Series Valiant. Wish I still owned all of these, but life and circumstances move on.  [eek]

Like the look of the new Merc C class.

Back to Utes, when I was a child, a local builder wrote off a Jag S type, the original from the 1960s, and had it converted to a Ute.
 
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