What shall I buy?

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 14:46

ThreadID: 88275 Views:3278 Replies:4 FollowUps:11

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Jane Brittain

Hi Totally new to this website. I'm about to move to Tennant Creek from Melbourne. I'm a sole parent with 2 kids... So I need to upgrade my vehicle. At the moment I have a Ford Courier 4wd 20 yrs old. I plan to mainly be on bitumen with some off road on well travelled routes in Central Aus. I have max $10,000 and want a diesal 4wd with loads of room for us, dog, luggage, bike etc..pref 4cyl. I'm thinking Subaru Forester, Ford Courier, Pajero. Please I need help!

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Reply By: Gossy - Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 15:39

Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 15:39

I think a 2.8td Nissan Patrol would suit your needs also. Hard to find a low mileage one but they are out there.

80 series landcruiser might just fit in your budget (maybe not).Well looked after 60 series would.

Could be worth a look at the Jeeps also.

Good luck

AnswerID: 461803

Follow Up By: Fab72 - Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 20:37

Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 20:37

Nissan dealership in Tennant Creek? Probably not. But I bet there is a Toyota one there.

Personally, I'd be inclined to buy based on which dealership/s are in the town.
Fab.

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Follow Up By: Member - Steve & Cecily W (QLD - Friday, Aug 05, 2011 at 16:20

Friday, Aug 05, 2011 at 16:20

Sorry Fab72; according to their web-sites, neither Nissan nor Toyota have a service centre in Tennant Creek!

Haven't stopped smiling!

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FollowupID: 735626

Follow Up By: Fab72 - Friday, Aug 05, 2011 at 17:59

Friday, Aug 05, 2011 at 17:59

Kittle Motor Company

Kittles Toyota, Holden, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda & Hino
Paterson St
TENNANT CREEKNT 0860.

Take you pick!

Fab.

FollowupID: 735633

Follow Up By: Member - Steve & Cecily W (QLD - Friday, Aug 05, 2011 at 20:20

Friday, Aug 05, 2011 at 20:20

As I wrote, neither Toyota nor Nissan websites listed dealers in Tennant Creek. However, your initial post betting Toyota would have a dealership there over Nissan is still a loser. I did look for you as a member to see if your profile indicated that you're a Toyota devotee but, alas, it would appear that you don't see the benefit of being not a member here.......

Haven't stopped smiling!

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Follow Up By: Fab72 - Saturday, Aug 06, 2011 at 08:36

Saturday, Aug 06, 2011 at 08:36

I'm sorry Steve and Cecily and I hate to digress from the original topic, but how does me not being a member make me any less eligible to post on this forum?

Are we now suggesting that non-members need to shut up because their input is not welcome? That's not a debate you want to start.

My original comment was based on fact. That is that there are more Toyota dealerships in Oz than there are Nissan. Look that one up on your website. Hence a greater likely hood that if there were to be a dealership in Tennant Creek, it would more likely be a Toyota one rather than a Nissan one. A fair assumption I'd say.

As for what I drive. A Mitsubishi and a Holden. So your Toyota devotee comment fell on deaf ears.

However, your initial post betting that Toyota AND NISSAN would NOT have a dealership is still a loser.

Fab.

FollowupID: 735670

Reply By: deserter - Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 15:40

Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 15:40

Thre are some vehicles in the classifieds on this site that would suit.

AnswerID: 461804

Reply By: becboo68 - Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 17:39

Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 17:39

If your moving to Tennant Creek I would say that reliability be a big factor in it. Bit different to Melbourne! :)

AnswerID: 461817

Follow Up By: Jane Brittain- Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 18:27

Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 18:27

Well I've worked in central Aus before on Aboriginal Communities so know the terrain.. I've looked in classifieds but am interested in not spending a fortune at petrol pump as will be doing some big trips and need to know which vehicle would best suit my need for fuel efficiency and storage.

FollowupID: 735540

Follow Up By: Mick O - Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 19:37

Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 19:37

Jane. with where you're going, big prices at the pump are a given so it's not going to make much difference.Check out the sage advice from Phil below but also, as you would no doubt know having worked there before, the most travelled routes around Tennant are likely to be those in the worst condition corrugations wise. You might want to have a few $ up your sleeve to consider some decent shock absorbers and/or springs for what ever you decide upon.

Good luck. Mick

''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 19:31

Thursday, Aug 04, 2011 at 19:31

Jane,

You seem set on a diesel - which is the perfect choice for Tennant Ck. But what are your plans for Melbourne? If it were me, I'd want a vehicle that is capable of doing many of the simple tracks in the Vic High Country and Pyrenees/Otways/Grampians etc so you could continue to enjoy camping with the kids.

If you are set on a diesel, maybe get an older 2.5L Pajero or Rodeo dual cab which were fairly reliable. 80series are probably too expensive for your budget and you'd be lucky to find a Landcruiser diesel 60series that would pass a roadworthy. The Jackaroo 3.1 litre diesels were reliable too. But old diesels may cost a lot to fix.

If you consider a petrol vehicle, you get more choice. Either get a smaller vehicle on petrol or a larger vehicle on ULP/LPG. In your price range, Suzuki Vitara Wagons were a very reliable petrol vehicle, have low range and are reasonably cheap to run. In the bigger vehicles, an 80series Landcruiser on LPG may suit your needs. And Xtrails and RAV4's will get you to the common camping spots OK.

But for $10k I'd always have a few $K up your sleeve if you need some repairs.

Cheers
Phil

AnswerID: 461831

Follow Up By: Jane Brittain- Friday, Aug 05, 2011 at 20:07

Friday, Aug 05, 2011 at 20:07

Just to clear up any confusion. I want to buy in Melb so I can drive up to TC. I have a job starting there. I won't be doing any trips around Vic. I simply want to do a few camping around Central Aus on weekends etc..Welcome all suggestions. I actually have worked around Alice don't know TC area at all...But guess there will be sand, corrugations and creek crossings on occasion..

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Follow Up By: Gossy - Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 09:13

Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 09:13

I wouldn't get too concerned about buying a vehicle that has an actual presence in the town. I've worked in these areas myself and I can guarantee that just because there is a "nissan" or "toyota" or other on the road sign it doesn't mean they hold every single part that is going to break. 80% of the time you will probably need to wait a few days for a part to arrive anyway.

Taking this into account as long as you buy a vehicle with a solid reputation it doesn't really matter what 'brand' you buy; as long as you find a good mechanic who knows what part to order.

I'm sure there are others in this forum who have worked at Roxby Downs like myself. I would bet that a few of them had to wait on parts to get their Toyota fixed from the actual Toyota dealership still. Lots of other branded cars there too :)
I had a Ford whilst living in Roxby. No problem getting parts, just had to wait a couple of days.

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Follow Up By: Jane Brittain- Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 11:50

Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 11:50

Thanks everyone. So far I have found a ford courier and pajero at the right price and 2.5l diesal so might be a toss up? What about Subaru Forresters are they unable to handle the terrain. I guess answer is yes?

FollowupID: 735813