Looking at buying a second hand ute around the 7k mark. Flat tray to use as a carrier of all the stuff I seem to accumulate and in hope of finally getting to work on the bush block next year.

Just got back from checking out a 98 Navara d22, but it was blowing a little too much smoke for my liking. Dunno much about diesels but there was enough to be wary.

Anyone got any recommendations on Navaras or any other model for a good workhorse...things to look for, petrol vs diesel?
Doesn't have to be fast or 4x4 but still needs to be built to last and get up some steep dirt.

Kinda spewing I sold my Toyota Stout when I moved to the mainland now :(

thanks

I'll keep an eye on our wholesale cars that come through if ya like.
Being in Melbourne it'll be easy to get here to look at something. I'll be able to get it for you for $500 over wholesale which should save you a few $$$.

Wholesale secondhands?
That'd be great if so. cheers.

if you want a good workhorse, decent fuel economy and to last a long time definately get a diesel.. im a qualified diesel mechanic and currently own a 2002 Ford courier dual cab 4x4, best diesel i have had yet, tows my 1200 on the trailer no sweat.. not really much different to a petrol in terms of what to look for, as you said excessive smoke is a good one to watch, often means the injectors or pump are on the way out (can cost yaround $2k!) just the usual things to check, service history, water in oil and oil in water etc, knocks in the engine, and driveline vibrations and noise..

If all those boxes are ticked it will last ages, if ya need to know anything diesel specific give me a yell

Ill see what we've got tomorrow. Our weekly tender is on Thursdays so by Wednesdays we generally have a few lined up in preparation.

Quote:

Thanks Shoota, interested to hear whats about.
Those supercab couriers look OK...its a compromise between cab and tray space I guess. Things like canopys definetely a bonus.
Wardy...I know there was supposed to be a little smoke at startup...but wheres my feet gone kinda smoke? Got him to rev it once it was warmed up and there was still a bit of white smoke coming out on acceleration like I said...enough to be wary.

White smoke? The only smoke a diesel should blow is a bit of black on acceleration. White smoke means there is water getting in somewhere. Obviously all vehicles blow a bit of white smoke (steam) on a cool morning start up. But should go away when warm.

If it's a ZD30 engine and it's blowing white smoke run for the hills! I worked at Nissan when the ZD30 was around in it's early days and were replacing motors left right and centre! They were an excellent engine power wise but they were a grenade waiting to explode!
Do a forum search of ZD30 engines and you will be inundated by explosion or melted piston stories. They used to warp a few heads too from memory.

Wurzel I checked our tender cars and there's nothing much there this week. If you haven't got anything by mid next week let me know and I'll check again. We just had a petrol D40 ST-X come through today but it's a bit pricey for what it is (mid $20's).

Thanks for that Shoota...In no real hurry might see how much more I can save as better ones seem to start at around 12k
The engine was a d22 with 160k on the clock, a bit weird for so much smoke? Wasnt actually leaving a visible trail of it on the highway, but the startup was enough to cover half his front yard and still smoky once I got him to rev it after it warmed up.

I think you'll find that the model of the Navara rather than the engine would be a D22. The engine will be either ZD30 or I think it was the TD25 in the lower spec or earlier models. It was generally unbreakable due to being earlier technology with the high compression or computerized nature of the ZD.
Either way it's not a vehicle you're just gunna buy and drive for ever if it already has dramas.
Something else will come up!