Best Pick up to buy

farmer2018 · 12-02-2021 12:49PM #1

What's the best all round pick up on the market? For driving and towing. Budget max 10k.

AckwelFoley · 12-02-2021 02:27PM

The taliban love Hilux.

Therefore they must reliable

I know an ESB mechanic. He hates the Ford Rangers. Many issues apparently

My personal choice would be the Hilux also. We have the landcruiser which are pretty bulletproof

Albert Johnson · 12-02-2021 02:37PM

farmer2018 wrote: »

What's the best all round pick up on the market? For driving and towing. Budget max 10k.

Jeeps have experienced another price hike in the last few month's imo and a 10k budget will see you looking at older models which is always a minefield regardless of make. Do you need a crew cab or are 2 seat's sufficient? Lot's of lad's locally have changed from Land Cruisers to Hilux's or Rangers because they need the extra seats. You'll sometimes see what looks like value in single cab Hilux's, L200s ect compared to similar crew cab version's.

I've a 08 Ford Ranger, it's the mark 3 version with a 2.5 engine. Touch wood I'm very happy with it so far and it does a good mix of driving and towing. I've heard a fair amount of complaints about the newer versions especially the 2.2 models but they'd probably be at the very top of your budget anyway.

As for the Toyota Hilux there very popular but it's hard to get clean low milage examples that aren't mega money. Any older jeep with lot's of work done is a risk and Toyota's are by no means exempt from this rule.

I see plenty of Mitsubishi L200s or Isuzu Dmaxs advertised that seem reasonable value but I wouldn't know much about them. The quickest lads to run them down usually drive Land Cruisers but I know several lads that have owned multiple L200s or Dmaxs so there must be something to them. The Dmax owners in particular wouldn't have much mechanical sympathy.

The most important thing imo is to give any potential jeep a good looking over (if your not up to the job then pay someone who is as it's money well spent). Look for something well minded and with lower milage even if it's a "lessor" brand, high milage and previous abuse is detrimental to any vehicle regardless of the decal on the bonnet. Once your happy with your purchase then keep it serviced, put some decent tyres on it and keep on top of regular maintenance and you should hopefully get good service from it.

ADKELMAC · 12-02-2021 03:05PM

My preference would be a Hilux especially for that budget. I've an '08, great machine. Easily serviced, repairs are straight forward when required. Look out for rust on the underside of the tub, especially over the exhaust silencer. Go for 3.0 L model.

Father has an '08 Ranger (Thunder model). The cab is a bit smaller than the hilux especially the rear set area. Can be a bit tight if you're carrying children and their car seats. Nothing wrong with it though to be fair. Very lively engine for a 2.5 L. Again its easy and inexpensive to repair. Timing belt broke on his one. The parts were only €400 and little damage was done to the bottom end due to the engine design on them. Local mechanic repaired it. It's going better than ever.

Rabbitman · 15-02-2021 09:32PM

Had a 06 hilux 3.0 lt . Great jeep , had it 10 yrs only regular service and a leaf in rear Spring . Have a 12 Navara now , completely different jeep , a lot softer .

farmer2018 · 15-02-2021 09:44PM

Rabbitman wrote: »

Had a 06 hilux 3.0 lt . Great jeep , had it 10 yrs only regular service and a leaf in rear Spring . Have a 12 Navara now , completely different jeep , a lot softer .

What kind of miles were you getting to the tank of normal driving out of curiosity?

Rabbitman · 15-02-2021 09:52PM

Had the auto gearbox , was getting 27 . Friend of mine had manual was getting 30ish . If you keep oil and filter changed out every 9k miles and keep an eye on the air filter it would serve you well &#55357;&#56832;

ADKELMAC · 15-02-2021 09:59PM

Agree with Rabbitman on both points.
Same here with a Hilux manual gearbox 30mpg consistently. Service regularly. Oil and oil, fuel and air filters. Use a good brand or if you can get Toyota parts. At the price of Jeep’s nowadays it pays to look after what u have.

Rabbitman · 15-02-2021 10:10PM

Definitely agree , always used genuine Toyota parts . Not much in the difference price wise .

15-02-2021 10:41PM

Value for money very hard to beat L200.
On our 5th one between us all here.
Can't say anything bad about them.

farmer2018 · 07-07-2025 04:59PM

What would people's preference be 2017-2021? this will be used as a private vehicle and light farm use. A friend was telling me a Navara you get good MPG and comfortable to drive.

DJ98 · 07-07-2025 06:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123612591#Comment_123612591

Also looking for a pick up here, anyone any opinions on vw amarok or ford rangers?

Grueller · 08-07-2025 10:47PM

Anyone here know anything about the 2.5l engine in the Isuzu dmax from about 2016? Looking at one at the minute and just wondering what they're like

Albert Johnson · 08-07-2025 11:33PM

I've a 161 dmax for nearly 3 years and I couldn't fault it tbh. It's not the most flash of pickups but does the job and is reliable. I'd do a right bit of towing and although it's not especially powerful it never fails to get the job done and is surprisingly economical to run imo. It usually averages around 28mpg over a mixed range of driving and will do over 30mpg on longer motorway runs. There a comfortable enough yolk as pickups go and nice to drive.

The clutch went in about 2 years back and apart from that it hasn't needed anything other than regular servicing and consumables. There a bit highly geared imo and if you're doing much reversing with a loaded trailer it can be hard on the clutch. I use the 4wd low box to try and avoid this. I had a Landcruiser and a Ford Ranger before this and although it hasn't got the same low down grunt type power that they had it's a nicer yolk to drive and has never failed to get the job done. I'd often have 3 tonne of cattle on behind and if you tip away it will get there the same as any other pickup. If I'd reason to buy another pickup I don't see any reason I wouldn't pick the Dmax, there's nothing outstanding about it but it ticks all the boxes.

Grueller · 08-07-2025 11:41PM

I'm looking at an automatic so the clutch won't be a problem Albert. Thanks for the honest appraisal.

Conversations 3 · 09-07-2025 08:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123612591#Comment_123612591

I have a pre adblue Navara and pull a tri axle box with cattle regularly enough.

It pulls no bother, its automatic, just make sure the gearbox has been serviced or get it serviced yourself.

The arse of it hangs down a bit, some people upgrade the rear shocks, but its not a major issue.

It's very comfortable to drive and hasn't let me down yet, same as any other vehicle, keep it serviced regularly.

Thekeencyclist · 09-07-2025 12:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123612862#Comment_123612862

Have a 15 Reg 2.0L Amarok here. Find it a nice comfortable drive. Its Automatic so constant 4WD but as a result, sticks to the road very well. Also has a good stiff suspension so cornering is also a comfort and never get that feeling of about to fall over into the passenger side etc. Can be hard on juice depending on what way its driven (but they all are in fairness). If you can get a manual gearbox in 2.0L (which i think are rare), then you get an option to be in 2WD or 4WD, which may leave it a bit easier on diesel but prob not by much at the end of the day. I upgraded from a 04 DMAX and i found the difference to be night and day with the Amarok been far more comfortable to sit in for long journeys and also the spec been miles ahead.

Grueller · 09-07-2025 02:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123617346#Comment_123617346

To be fair, everything is an upgrade on an 04 dmax in terms of comfort and spec. Had you bought a 2015 dmax again it would be too. Not sure are many an upgrade on reliability though.

Thekeencyclist · 09-07-2025 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123617601#Comment_123617601

To be fair, I have the Amarok 3 years now and haven't had any issues with it beyond a regular service. So to me its reliable compared to the dmax whereby I had to replace ABS sensors every 6 months or so. It also had an electrical leak which no one could find the root cause of believe it or not, so every now and again I would have a flat battery!! But yeah true, anything is an upgrade from a 04 🤣

farawaygrass · 17-07-2025 10:28AM

does anyone here use a Volvo xc90 for farm use? My farm use would be the odd run to the co op or trailer load of cattle or sheep to the mart.
herself is on the look out for a car too and instead of getting a 7 seater for her and a pick up for me I’m wondering would the xc90 and a cheap run around car do the trick

Edit: or something like a q7 too.
tax is cheap enough on them at around 400 for the year plus you can easily get 170bhp above

wrangler · 17-07-2025 10:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123644052#Comment_123644052

Most cars are illegal now pulling livestock trailers. I 've only ever heard of one farmer being told to change to a jeep if he wanted to keep pulling his trailer , so it's not being enforced that much

ELM327 · 17-07-2025 11:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123644052#Comment_123644052

We don't have a farm but a 'smallholding' or 'hobby hold' at best, however even I found our XC90 to be awful. I say xc90 but that's actually xc90s, I owned 3. All of them had issues with the AWD and or the gearbox. Lovely cars, safe and great interior etc but about as useful as a moped for offroad agricultural use.

Softroaders/faux by fours like the Q7, XC90 etc are not for real agricultural or offroad use, they are for collecting kids from school in a premium marque.

For real farm use I'd suggest a range rover l322/l405, a defender, a landcruiser, or something like that. An older landcruiser amazon would have 7 seats as well but have high tax.

farawaygrass · 17-07-2025 01:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123644133#Comment_123644133

I wouldn’t using the car for trailer work.seen as I don’t do a whole lot of trailer work I was thinking I could use the xc90 or equivalent those days. I know lads are driving cars and heavy loaded trailers and getting by fine, but you’d be worried about insurance if there ever was an accident

farawaygrass · 17-07-2025 01:49PM

Ya I know what you mean, nothing beats the pickups actually built for the job but I suppose I’m trying to not have to buy two vehicles soon. Any half decent pickup seems to be 20k plus.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123644183#Comment_123644183

Conversations 3 · 17-07-2025 03:02PM

What's the towing capacity of an xc90?

farawaygrass · 17-07-2025 04:30PM

2.4 t I think from a quick google

Jim Simmental · 17-07-2025 06:26PM

what year of a xc90 are you looking at ? The older models have very high road tax with 2.4 engine

farawaygrass · 17-07-2025 06:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123645843#Comment_123645843

looked on done deal, there’s a 2016, 190bhp for 280 tax, another 16 with 235 bhp for 400 and an 18 with bhp 235 and tax at 600. All 3 were 2 litre

wrangler · 17-07-2025 09:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123645879#Comment_123645879

I like those cars myself but I didn't think they were fit for 2.4 ton, my hilux is 2012 and could do with a change as they do rust

farawaygrass · 17-07-2025 09:46PM

was researching it a bit more. There is different engine variants of xc90, a d4 fwd with towing capacity of 1.8t, a d4 awd of 2.4t and a d5 with 2.7t

Grueller · 17-07-2025 10:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123644738#Comment_123644738

Stuff is not shifting any more. Keep an eye, an odd bargain is starting to appear. I picked up a 161 dmax with 160,000kms, so 100k miles in old money, automatic, top spec in good nick for €11k.

Best Pick up to buy

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