The time has come to upgrade (downgrade???) my much loved 80 series. As I get older I do less 4 WD work and I need to increase my payload to take more gear to keep the better half happy. I tow a Vista Crossover (1700 kg). Decided on a BT 50 and am not after opinions on any other tow vehicles. My question is on mileage that a newer car has done. When I bought the 80 series it had done 260,000 km and I knew the history (all country k's on the black top). The Bt 50 I am looking at is a 2014 XTR with 120,000 km on the clock. Most others I have looked at for the same year are around 60,000 km. For the modern smaller turbo engines is this a high mileage? My main concern at the moment is not just the engine, but auto gearbox and suspension if it has done lots of towing. It is from a very reputable Mazda dealer that I have uses to buy 2 Mazdas from in the last 2 years ( a Mazda 3 and a CX5) and I am very happy with the dealer
The two I am looking at 2014 XTR with ARB canopy 116,000 km for $31990 (not sure if it has elecric brakes) 2014 GT with ARB conopy and ARB bullbar 64,000 km for $39900 (has electric brakes) Looked at new/demo, but at $40900 for the XT I still needed to add the canopy, tow bar and bull bar giving a cost of $47,000
For us after much thought we went for the bt50 4x2 high rider as we don't do 4wd anymore. the Highrider fitted the bill because it is exactly the same as the dual cab 4x4 ,it still has the same ground clearance just no front diff or transfer case. Also cuts tare weight by about 100 kg so more stuff for the better half .Have had it nearly 2 years now and can honestly say i have never regretted the choice.also cheaper than 4x4 .
Yes I have had other brands in 4x4 and 2 wheel drive . The suspension seems lighter and better on road conditions . The only time 4x4 come good is in conditions you hopefully wonât go or need !! As said ground clearance is all you need . Iâve driven all around Aus with rear wheel drive . Being sensible where I drive off road . Never had an issue !! As we say . Getting too old for rough 4X4 roads these days .
Just as an added note to my post the BT50 highrider uses all the exact same suspension ie springs shocks etc they just drop the transfer box , lose the front diff and add some stub axles were the cv joints go .they have the same ride height as the 4x4.
I tow with a BT50 extra cab. I use 4 wheel drive regularly, 1/ h4 at intersections to get better traction when starting off, and 2/ L4 when backing and manouvouring the van so I can go slower with the automatic. A scangauge is a well worth purchase to monitor gearbox temperature.
