Bakkies!?

[Toxxyc]

Hi guys,

So a few years ago wife and I were looking at vehicles, specifically looking to purchase a double cab bakkie. This has been a dream of us for a long time, but due to finances I ended up settling for a 2013 Honda CR-V 2.0. The car made sense, it's safe, comfortable and reliable. However, when we got it, we made a promise to each other that when we have the means to possibly do so, we'd look at getting a double cab for the family. It makes sense for our lifestyle - I often need to load tools and materials and dogs and stuff, and as such I've to date either borrowed someone else's bakkie, or tried to make do with the CR-V. It's no longer comfortable, and as a result of her getting a new job very recently, we're now looking.

However, I'm stumped. My wife is insistent - she wants a VW, a Ford or a Toyota. That puts me squarely looking for either an Amarok, Ranger or Hilux. It cannot be an older vehicle, the shapes we're looking at is:

Toyota Hilux - 7th Generation
Ford Ranger - 3rd Generation - newer is better
VW Amarok - All Gens are actually good for her

And yes, it's about looks for the most part. I want to avoid a petrol engine at all costs, and I'm hoping for a diesel. For me it's important that the bakkie has Bluetooth, but it's not a nail-in-the-coffin type deal. Cruise control would be great, but I suspect it's a wish that'll have to be waived at this point. Colour isn't really a concern, as long as it's not like black or purple or something weird. White, silver or grey are options I'll look at.

My budget is dependent on what I can get for my car, the CR-V, and if there's anything to gain on trading it in. I've already requested a settlement quote from the bank but I'm awaiting the quote from FNB.

Overall though, I'm looking at around R200k, maybe a bit more. Around R250k is my max, I simply can't afford more than that.

Then, my next question - what can I expect for a budget like that? I'm seriously looking for answers like "2013 Ford Ranger 2.2 XLT with 300k km on the clock", if it's possible?

Finally, reliability. I see tons of bakkies being advertised, some with 60k km on the clock, some with 500k km on the clock. What does it take to make it last until 500k km, and how would I look out for issues on bakkies like these? Obviously buying from a half-decent dealer is the main thing here, but it doesn't really solve it for me if the bakkie decided to blow a head or turbo a year after purchase and it ends up costing R60k to fix.

So, am I out of depth or do I have a chance here?

[Jens78]

It can be done, but you're gonna have to do your homework really thoroughly. FSH is obviously a must, but also consider what the bakkie was used for, and how. You don't mention 4x4, so there will be infinite opportunities. Just take the time and effort to find that polished jewel among all the downtrodden pebbles.

[PJ SA]

Might be easier and cheaper to get a new wife

My personal opinion is nothing feels better than having your finances in order and secure, if getting a bakkie at a bargain will put that at risk then it's just not worth the stress and anxiety, including buying a potential lemon.....Good luck!

[Morne - Skip]

'n R200k hilux gaan baie, baie kms op die klok he ... Sterkte. Dit is teen die wet vir my om enige iets anders op die forum voor te stel. Drink n draft, en doen huiswerk ...

[Willis]

The way the pricing has gone totally crazy the past year or two I would say your budget is going to be a tough one. Not impossible but really tough to find something decent in that bracket.

[Wicd]

I recently went through the same exercise. I just had Toyota, VW and Isuzu on the list. In the end have you considered an Amarok?

I just couldn't bring myself to trust the Ford and Toyota secondhand prices are scary.

[RoddieJ]

My 2c says you should use the We Buy Cars platform to gauge an idea on what you get for the money.
Once you have a fair idea on suitability, search all platforms looking specifically for what you want.

You may also want to take the wife out to test drive the other brands while you are at it

[Millie]

Talk to her about a Nissan and have a look at a 2.5 TD Nissan NP 300 or maybe a Nvara but the kilo's will be lower in that price range.

[Karol]

By just putting you choices into autotraders search criteria there are 180 choices of double cab bakkies 4x2 and 4x4 between year models from 2012 prices starting at R175K limited to R 250 K

https://www.autotrader.co.za/cars-fo...on=RetailPrice

[Morne - Skip]

By just putting you choices into autotraders search criteria there are 180 choices of double cab bakkies 4x2 and 4x4 between year models from 2012 prices starting at R175K limited to R 250 K

https://www.autotrader.co.za/cars-fo...on=RetailPrice

you mean 180 rangers?

[Graham]

By just putting you choices into autotraders search criteria there are 180 choices of double cab bakkies 4x2 and 4x4 between year models from 2012 prices starting at R175K limited to R 250 K

https://www.autotrader.co.za/cars-fo...on=RetailPrice

I did the same, and just scrolled and scrolled, didnt see one worth clicking on.
Unfortunately not a great budget for a GOOD double cab I think

[natand]

Out of budget but looks good at the price and kilos

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for...60=0&so=1&pl=1

[Karol]

you mean 180 rangers?

There's a couple of amaroks and hi lux's in there, but ja majority are rangers. Unfortunately some dodgy Bramely/ JHB cbd dealers too

[WillieJimny]

I wont trust a Ranger in that price bracket. Well not on any price bracket
Hilux will have high mileage or will be dodgy
Amarok will be the one to go for here if it has FSH.
Why not an Isuzu?
Nissan is also a solid option.

[HugoNotte]

Enjoy your "new" 6+ year old Ford Ranger 2.2 4x2 with more than 250k km on the clock!

Personally I would either wait until you can grow your budget to allow for a better choice (newer vehicle, possibly 4x4) or talk to your wife and make her see the daylight: for that budget you will struggle to find a DC which meet your search criteria.

I would include Isuzu, same reliability as Toyota, better ride quality and most probably younger year model and / or less mileage than a Hilux for the same money.

Alternatively, a Nissan NP300, unless the lack of safety features scares you off.

If you do have enough patience, maybe, just maybe you are lucky and get a VW Amarok 4x2 Trendline with safety package, which includes ESP and HDC. That would be the 90 kw or 103 kw single turbo 2.0 TDi engine, which got enough torque not to be a slouch. I had such an Amarok as a single cab and never had any problems overtaking. That was when I still lived in Windhoek. It had everything I felt was necessary for me, including cruise control. Those engines do last well, provided they have been looked after reasonably well. Maintenance at an indie with Goldwagen parts shouldn't bankrupt you either. Tyres are 245/70R16 standard, so you got a good choice of tyres at reasonable prices.

[sparewheel]

Would an '09 Hilux D4d double cab 4x4 interest you?

[Willis]

There's a couple of amaroks and hi lux's in there, but ja majority are rangers. Unfortunately some dodgy Bramely/ JHB cbd dealers too

I am busy on the same journey as the OP and I have also noticed that if there's a bakkie that is priced really well it is located at those Jhb CBD / Bramely dealers.

I even viewed one once and it looked to me like it was in an accident and badly repaired and from my chats to them they add on a lot of extras once you buy which then brings the price up to what the other dealers are selling that similar vehicle for.

[jaconell]

I will graciously speak my mind on this one - your budget is not sufficient to get you into something that meets your requirements.

[Darth]

I would stay away from Ford and VW.

Ford is not reliable high mileage.

VW will break the bank when something goes wrong out of warranty perhaps. You get stuff at Goldwagen but do they supply major engine parts and odds and ends?

I personally think anything Jap will be more reliable and cheaper to run in the long run. Nissan, Isuzu, Toyota and Mitsubishi.

[Mal Hannes]

I saw a 2011 Hilux today for R 290k and thought that was close to your bracket.

Well when I saw "only" 410K KM, I lost interest!