Hi, I'm currently driving a manual 3lt BT-50. I'm thinking of changing to an ISUZU MU-X. I'm looking at the LS_U automatic, 2 wheel drive.
The reason I want to change is more comfort, & auto. The only disadvantage I can see is the ability to carry a lot of crap that rarely gets used. (shovels axes etc)
My reason for posting is to ask if anyone has any experience with the MU-X. Positive or negative comments appreciated.
I have a mate who has been selling Isuzu for about 5 years now. I bought my D-Max through him and he actually put me into the bottom model - the SX - because it has all terrain tyres, stiffer rear springing and all rubber flooring - the "better" models didn't have any of these things.
The MUX had been on the market for about 6 mnths then, and he didn't think it was rugged enough for towing vans, doing dirt/gravel roads on an on-going basis like a lot of us do. He said it was just fine for the casual black-top roads for a few holidays a year
For what its worth...........we wouldn't buy anything else other than a D-Max - canopy on back - comfortable seating, will pull 3.5 tonne - good fuel economy. Biggest problem is keeping speed down:)
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
I have a mate who has been selling Isuzu for about 5 years now. I bought my D-Max through him and he actually put me into the bottom model - the SX - because it has all terrain tyres, stiffer rear springing and all rubber flooring - the "better" models didn't have any of these things.
The MUX had been on the market for about 6 mnths then, and he didn't think it was rugged enough for towing vans, doing dirt/gravel roads on an on-going basis like a lot of us do. He said it was just fine for the casual black-top roads for a few holidays a year
For what its worth...........we wouldn't buy anything else other than a D-Max - canopy on back - comfortable seating, will pull 3.5 tonne - good fuel economy. Biggest problem is keeping speed down:)
HiBruce and Bev, one of the utes Ihave recieved a price on is the DMax LS Terrain but I am a bit iffy about the 3ltr donk Can I ask how big your van is , how much you tow and at what speed you travel at . Thanks Henry
Hey Henry. Theyre all 3 lt common rail motors. For towing an auto is better than a manual. I tow right up to the 3.5t mark (and probably a bit more at times). I try to keep it at about 90kmh but on long stretches of road either you will suddenly find youre doing 120 or whatever or your GPS is telling you. It usually sits in over drive and its got to be a mighty hill for it to drop down more than one gear.
Its very fuel efficient - I haven't bothered to keep records of litres/kms - what I use, I use and cant do much about it, but unless youre one of these people that crank the hell out of the motor going up a steep/long hill (I wind my speed up before I reach them and almost glide up), like my wife, you wont notice a big difference in fuel with a 'van on or off it.
It also has a neat feature that if youre going down-hill and brake, it will start to automatically change down the gears (if an auto) itself - saves a lot of wear and tear on the motor and brakes.
Isuzu always seem to be running deals if you can hold off buying one for a month or so. When I got mine - the SX - I got it for $4000 off list, spent about $7K on extras (I got all this stuff priced myself and saved about $2K getting the Dealer to do it). Also got a $1000 debt card and, wait for it...................a G shock watch!!!
Seriously, we shopped around specifically for a tow vehicle. I have had a Patrol GU and Cruiser and glad I went D-Max.
I get my local mechanic to service it when Im at home and he reckons the motors are great and he is getting himself one in 2015.
I change my oil every 5000 and oil and filter every 10,000. Should get 500,000 out of it
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
We have had the Mux now for 6months. Very happy with it around town but still waiting to go a trip and do some towing. don't know anything about the 2x2 but it is a lot cheaper and if you don't need the 4x4 then great.
2x2's are obviously much cheaper than a 4x4 (sorry if that's so obvious), BUT you need to be sure that you will never be on metal or dirt roads, never go on grass and never need to U turn onto the road shoulder where there is a risk of skidding or getting stuck. I have a 4x4 and have only needed to use it about 2-3 times towing the 'van on our last 3 mnth trip. Each one of those times we were in isolated areas, hadn't intended to be in a situation where the 4 wheel drive was necessary but we would have been in deep doodoo if we hadn't had that facility.
Im not into sand surfing and two wheel driving as you see in the 4 wheel drive magazines - just your average punter who uses a mix of free camps and Parks and sticks mainly to sealed roads (to keep the red dust off and the stone chips down as well as corrugation damage), but would never have a 2x2 unless "I was the go on holiday using major sealed roads and only staying in Parks once or twice a year type of traveler"
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
We purchased an Mux to specifically tow our van a 16ft New Age Little Joey. The Mux tows it with no problems at all. a great tow vehicle and very comfortable. We love it.
Cheers
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Den & Sue New Age Little Joey S - Isuzu MUX
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Thanks for the replys. I understand your concern Bruce & Bev. I've had 4wd for the last 25 years. 3 Jackeroos, 1 Rodeo & now the BT50. The 2wd is $7000 cheaper.
I think I can take a bit more care where I go for a $7000 saving. It has traction control. I don't know how effective that is in a sticky situation. In the past limited slip diff & good tyres has mostly got me through without going to 4wd. But then I suppose Murphys Law prevails.
I am mainly chasing more comfort, automatic & a tug that's easier to park around town.
Hey Henry. Theyre all 3 lt common rail motors. For towing an auto is better than a manual. I tow right up to the 3.5t mark (and probably a bit more at times). I try to keep it at about 90kmh but on long stretches of road either you will suddenly find youre doing 120 or whatever or your GPS is telling you. It usually sits in over drive and its got to be a mighty hill for it to drop down more than one gear.
Its very fuel efficient - I haven't bothered to keep records of litres/kms - what I use, I use and cant do much about it, but unless youre one of these people that crank the hell out of the motor going up a steep/long hill (I wind my speed up before I reach them and almost glide up), like my wife, you wont notice a big difference in fuel with a 'van on or off it.
It also has a neat feature that if youre going down-hill and brake, it will start to automatically change down the gears (if an auto) itself - saves a lot of wear and tear on the motor and brakes.
Isuzu always seem to be running deals if you can hold off buying one for a month or so. When I got mine - the SX - I got it for $4000 off list, spent about $7K on extras (I got all this stuff priced myself and saved about $2K getting the Dealer to do it). Also got a $1000 debt card and, wait for it...................a G shock watch!!!
Seriously, we shopped around specifically for a tow vehicle. I have had a Patrol GU and Cruiser and glad I went D-Max.
I get my local mechanic to service it when Im at home and he reckons the motors are great and he is getting himself one in 2015.
I change my oil every 5000 and oil and filter every 10,000. Should get 500,000 out of it
Thanks Bruce and Bev, I have today got what Ithink is a good quote on a LS-Terrain with all the bells and whistles but I have been a bit worried about the 3ltr donk and 5 speed trans I do 80 ksph in the navara towing and would like a bit more about 90
Hi Henri 1, What are you concerned about with the 3.0 ltr motor and 5 sp trans, exactly. ?
The Isuzu engines are well tried and tested in their Light Trucks, not as powerful as some, not as Torquey as some, but will go on for ever. They generally run less Turbo boost than their opposition which is a benefit to engine and results in a very good fuel economy.
Mine is an older model, (09) the first of the up graded motors and it is going along beautifully at this stage.
At 90 - 105 kph, they are purring so should suit you well.
If you want more power, this can be modified easily. If you want a good, track proven vehicle to last you a while I think you'll be happy with the Isuzu.
By the way, mine is only 4 sp auto, and is fine, the newer 5 speed would be fantastic.
Hope this helps. DR.
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Karl Marx.."the masses are the asses" Groucho Marx.. "I never knew my brother Karl"
2x2's are obviously much cheaper than a 4x4 (sorry if that's so obvious), BUT you need to be sure that you will never be on metal or dirt roads, never go on grass and never need to U turn onto the road shoulder where there is a risk of skidding or getting stuck. I have a 4x4 and have only needed to use it about 2-3 times towing the 'van on our last 3 mnth trip. Each one of those times we were in isolated areas, hadn't intended to be in a situation where the 4 wheel drive was necessary but we would have been in deep doodoo if we hadn't had that facility. Im not into sand surfing and two wheel driving as you see in the 4 wheel drive magazines - just your average punter who uses a mix of free camps and Parks and sticks mainly to sealed roads (to keep the red dust off and the stone chips down as well as corrugation damage), but would never have a 2x2 unless "I was the go on holiday using major sealed roads and only staying in Parks once or twice a year type of traveler"
The older ones among us would remember the days prior to the mid 70's when toyota brought out the 55 series when 99% of caravans used holders, falcons & valiants as tow cars. Highway 1 was not completely sealed yet so most places anyone wanted to go was on dirt roads.
Nowadays the mindset is - if you tow a caravan you must have a big 4x4.
Having said that, we have a 4x4 because the van we like & have is a bit big for a 4x2 to legally tow.
