Cars: Keep or Renew?

[WBennett]

How does the broker get paid?

Commission.

I bought a new AU2 XR6 Ute many many moons ago.
I'd gone to the Canberra Ford dealer, and couldn't get the one I wanted for under $39k on road (manual, leather, rollbar etc) and for 3 months.

A mate of a mate of mine was a wholesaler/broker. I asked him, and he told me to wait til the end of the month.
On the 28th he phoned me up saying he had one lined up from Goulburn - the dealership needed to move x cars to hit their target, and I ended up getting mine for $31500, and he got $500 for his trouble.

Unfortunately he is out of that game these days but their are other brokerages around who seem to buy at fleet prices.

[AndyP]

My mechanic, who I have used for over 15 years, did the shopping for my last car. That was a used car though.

[goughy]

Yeah, mechanics seem to know what's around. And often they're the ones who work on the car so really know it's condition.

[markTHEblake]

How does the broker get paid?

some brokers charge a fee to do the deal, most are free.

In my first experience with a broker I paid $50 for the first one i found, and then I tried another one that was free, and their quote was cheaper by a couple hundred.

As the brokers are dealing direct with fleet sales managers, who dont get commissions like normal carsale men do (or they get none at all per car), the car is therefore cheaper.

[3Puttpete]

So fleet sales manager pays the broker?

[markTHEblake]

yes.
and no, they dont tell us how much

[Daves]

Thinking of getting rid of my C Class, taking the Disco and putting the wife in some sort of people mover type vehicle.

She was always dead against it, but after our US trip with the kids - she really liked the space and seating arrangements available in the mini van type vehicles, and the automatic sliding doors on each side. We got a Toyota Sienna a few times and it was great, but I don't think they have them here in Aus.

What else is out there? Seems to me its just Tarago and Kia Carnival?

In MPVs there is also the Honda Odyssey, and the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. Hyundai also has an iMax with extra seats, but its more Commuter van than MPV.

[WBennett]

In MPVs there is also the Honda Odyssey, and the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. Hyundai also has an iMax with extra seats, but its more Commuter van than MPV.

If 7 seats is what he is after, check out the Kia Sorento Platinum and Toyota Fortuner. Both more 4wd than people mover but with foldable back rows of seats.

[LeftyHoges]

I think we had a specific Utes thread at some stage but can't be arsed searching. So...


The 2015 or 2016 Nissan Navara Dual-Cab D23 4x2 ST-X model. Anyone have any experiences good, bad or otherwise?

[rubin]

I think we had a specific Utes thread at some stage but can't be arsed searching. So...


The 2015 or 2016 Nissan Navara Dual-Cab D23 4x2 ST-X model. Anyone have any experiences good, bad or otherwise?

I'm assuming u mean the new one -

I've had 3 clients get into them one one a fleet of 6. All 3 have hated them, and varying issues across them.

The client who just got 6 of them told me yesterday he wished he kept the old model.

[markTHEblake]

2015 or 2016 Nissan Navara Dual-Cab D23 4x2 ST-X model. Anyone have any experiences good, bad or otherwise?

There are several reviews in this page that include the Navara.
http://autoexpert.com.au/ute-advice

If you drink the cool-aide of any particular brand, you might not want to read it. He gets pretty harsh on some.

[LeftyHoges]

I'm assuming u mean the new one -

I've had 3 clients get into them one one a fleet of 6. All 3 have hated them, and varying issues across them.

The client who just got 6 of them told me yesterday he wished he kept the old model.

Concerning. I've had a report that the 2016 is better than '15 in ride and handling.

There are several reviews in this page that include the Navara.
http://autoexpert.com.au/ute-advice

If you drink the cool-aide of any particular brand, you might not want to read it. He gets pretty harsh on some.

Don't drink on any brand, cos I tend to know **** all about them!

[Hux]

Mate has a vw dcab work ute and a 200 series cruiser for fun. Reckons the Amarok is better. But more $

[LeftyHoges]

Some interesting reading in MTB's link.

It's basically pushed me into a 2015/16 Mitsubishi Triton Exceed.

[Courty]

Some interesting reading in MTB's link.

It's basically pushed me into a 2015/16 Mitsubishi Triton Exceed.

Ewww.

Although they may be better now, but the previous Triton's were horrible. As you know we have a substantial fleet of commercial vehicles at my work. Triton's are black-banned, Ford Ranger & Isuzu D-Max are now the favoured options.

[LeftyHoges]

Ewww.

Although they may be better now, but the previous Triton's were horrible. As you know we have a substantial fleet of commercial vehicles at my work. Triton's are black-banned, Ford Ranger & Isuzu D-Max are now the favoured options.

2015> was a completely new build for them, so I'm hoping yours were older? I do remember both yourself and BITS saying to steer clear of them, but hopefully that was 2014 and back. Will need to test drive...

[Courty]

2015> was a completely new build for them, so I'm hoping yours were older? I do remember both yourself and BITS saying to steer clear of them, but hopefully that was 2014 and back. Will need to test drive...

The (POS) Triton I had was probably a 2013, so definitely not worth considering. However, the black-ban still exists on the new ones (although nothing like the Exceed end of the range). Make of what what you will.

[LeftyHoges]

The (POS) Triton I had was probably a 2013, so definitely not worth considering. However, the black-ban still exists on the new ones (although nothing like the Exceed end of the range). Make of what what you will.

Would that still be because it exists because of the previous models "crapness"? Or does someone actively review new models when they're released and continue the ban?

[Courty]

Would that still be because it exists because of the previous models "crapness"?

It's entirely possible, I'll grant you that. I did see a demo of the new model in the yard a few months back, but still no new Tritons have appeared.

[rubin]

The new triton isn't too bad, but you pay for what you get.

The ranger/bt50 is still brilliant - and the updated front end on the ranger makes look even better as well. The Amarok is great as well, but then it's a diesel VW - soo......
Depends on what you want. If your going hardcore off-road carrying heaps of gear - go the 70 series cruiser.

[WBennett]

Lefty

Go the Ranger or BT50 (if you can stand its looks)
Its not as if you will be using it for hardcore off road work.

I have two mates with 3-4 year old D-Maxes - they really are a truck in comparison to the Ford/Mazda twins.

[markTHEblake]

Some interesting reading in MTB's link.It's basically pushed me into a 2015/16 Mitsubishi Triton Exceed.

He repeatedly puts the Ford, Holden,and the Mazda in the top 3. I didn't think the new Mitsubishi got a thumbs up.

[goughy]

Ewww.

Although they may be better now, but the previous Triton's were horrible. As you know we have a substantial fleet of commercial vehicles at my work. Triton's are black-banned, Ford Ranger & Isuzu D-Max are now the favoured options.

I know nothing at all about cars and even I've heard you keep away from these.

[LeftyHoges]

Lefty

Go the Ranger or BT50 (if you can stand its looks)
Its not as if you will be using it for hardcore off road work.

I have two mates with 3-4 year old D-Maxes - they really are a truck in comparison to the Ford/Mazda twins.

The ranger and BT-50 lack in electronics, which is what I'm more interested in.

[Yossarian]

Get a MX-5.