Hi Guys, so wife and I have our hatchbacks but space is becoming more and more of an issue.
I'm looking at the second hand market for a 7 seater vehicle that can be: a daily driver, automatic, max 5 years old, less than 100 000km, able travel on bad farm roads on holiday, do long trips, fit more that 5 people from time to time, reliable, not slow (can overtake at highway speeds) and safe.
Other features would be nice: to tow a boat in the future, accessible parts for maintenance and not break the bank to maintain.
What keeps popping up is... you guessed it a Fortuner.
What do you recommend? Or what would you buy if in my shoes?
(I want to do my due diligence and look at every option before buying one of the most popular SUVs in the country)
@StangV2_0 - for vehicle input. Hope you like insurance (fortuner). Like A LOT.
Hey Chaps. Thanks for the tag. Again, (Just kidding, anytime I can help)
Fortuner obviously fits this need pretty well. But yeah, they cost a bit more than their competitors and they cost more to own. FOrget about insurance, that's its own issue all together. They also have a shorter service interval to compared to their competitors, only 10 000km service intervals. Another thing with the Fortuner is the 3rd row of seats do not lie flat in the boot. They fold up to the side, so boot space is hindered a bit. You can remove them, but thats a mission and the seats weigh a ton.
Pajero / Pajero Sport would be another good option. Well priced compared to the Toyota.
But, there is one particular vehicle NO ONE has mentioned yet. Ticks all your boxes. Just as reliable as the Toyota (maybe more?) but costs less. Also built on a ladder frame chassis and will tow your house if you need it to.
Isuzu Mu-X.
Fits your budget. 3.0 TDi engine that's more reliable than a hammer. 15 000km service interval. 5 year warranty came standard. Wont cost as much as the Toyota to insure. This engine is bulletproof. One of the reasons for this is that the engine power is only 60% of what the engine is capable of. They just work and work and work.
Bi-Led headlights are standard. Back row of seats fold flat in the boot and not to the side, so boot space isn't a problem when seats folded away. The engine is a very unstressed design, so it lasts forever. Has a variable geometry turbo so it gives max torque very low down in the rev range, which saves fuel. Has a towing capacity of 3.5 Tons.
There are two versions in SA.
1st gen was from 2018 to 2022. 130kw / 380Nm. 6 speed auto. Climate control standard, keyless entry standard, rev camera standard, 6 airbags standard, Cruise control standard, Diff lock not standard.
Edit. The 1st gen had a few negatives. Fuel tank was only 65L since Isuzu felt the vehicle was economical enough to not warrant a larger tank.
Diff lock on these models was not standard even on the 4x4 models. Isuzu SA later introduced an auto locking diff lock as an optional feature. However this auto locker is not as good as a manual controlled locker. 2nd gen got an 80L tank and proper diff lock as standard.
2nd Gen from 2022 - present. Same 3.0 Engine with quite a few changes to the engine. Engine a bit quieter on this model. 140kw and 450Nm. 6 speed auto. Don't let these numbers fool you. It actually has a better power to weight ratio than the higher powered 2.8 Fortuner. I would bet on the 140Kw Mux to slaughter the 150kw Fortuner from 80 - 120km/h.
I suspect that you will be able to get a base model in your budget which does not have climate control, but this isn't a major issue. 7 airbags standard, with rev camera, bi-led lights, diff lock standard. 7" Screen supports android auto and apple car play.
THIS WOULD BE MY FIRST OPTION IF YOU CAN FIND ONE IN YOUR BUDGET.
Came with a 5-year service plan to 120 000km and a 5 year / 120 000km warranty.
Isuzu SA released a 1.9 model late last year, but I doubt you will find one in your budget, but I would still look at the 3.0L rather.
I wish to point out that I know these specs rather well becuase I sold Isuzu for 5 years. I no longer sell Isuzu, so I have no obligation to punt the Isuzu over any other brand. With that said, the Isuzu Mu-X offers better value for money over the Fortuner. And carries less risk.
I am sorry, I just cannot look at Ford. I don't like them; I don't feel they can be trusted. And since I would not ever consider an Everest as a 2nd hand vehicle in this budget, I just cannot recommend it to anyone else. And I will have you know that I currently drive a Ford. And still won't look at an Everest.
