Car opinions

[Joanne Hagan]

Mmmm, sort of related to retrieving, well, I need one to transport my dogs to the trials!

I am about to splurge on a Holden Rodeo dual cab ute - am seeking feedback - does anyone have good/bad experiences to share with me before I hand over the cheque to the 'dealer'...

Thanks in anticipation

Cheers
Joanne

PS - whilst on the subject of experience - never, ever, ever buy a Toyota 4runner!! 2 blown head gaskets in 18months - not good!! Seems it is an ongoing and recognised problem with this vehicle (seems the dealer & 4WD specialist who checked & serviced it declined to tell us this)

[Maureen Cooper]

Hi Joanne

Dont rule out extra cabs rather than a dual cab. I have had two extra cabs and both have been great. Only room for one passenger though but still plenty of space behind the seats for storage and having had crates built over the wheel arch which are lockable too, wish I had done it years ago!

Heaps of storage under the cages and plenty of room for two Labs in each cage so 4 travel fine and can lie down and sleep in it o/night.Still space in front of the cages for even more gear and a puppy crate if necessary.

There are seat belts behind the normal seats for extra passengers but really only suitable for children, bit squeezy for an adult and NOT over any distance!! Middle son had his knees up to his ears!! I have had a Nissan and now a Toyota Hilux and no problems.

Maureen

[Joanne Hagan]

Hi Maureen, what's an extra cab as opposed to a dual cab?
Wanted the dual cab cause I was looking forward to the time when I have to face up to it and think about the children phase of my life...

Joanne

[Peter Doley]

I have a '93 Rodeo,had a 127000 when I purchased it . It now has 343600.
Mine is only 2600cc .A V6 would be nice. There a bit heavy on petrol. I have Gas, That's is the way to go. They need an upper cylinder lubrication kit on gas.Except for normal service I have had 2 new fuel pumps and a front timimg belt pullley. It's been a no frills workhorse. You have to be careful with the brakes , you can easily lock up the wheels in the wet .
Hope this helps
Peter.

[Kerry Webster]

Joanne,

I have a Nissan Navara Dual Cab (1995) Diesel 4 x 4. Wonderful vehicle giving very little trouble over the years, just a clutch. Would have another one any day. I also had it fitted out with the separate cages in the back, with storage underneath. Can send you a photo if you wish.

Kerry

[Joanne Hagan]

Hi all, thankyou for your opinions & input. The new beast has arrived!! Just waiting for the canopy to arrive and get it fitted out for the dogs now. Must admit, having lots of fun driving it around the place, new cars are so much fun : )

Can any of the ACT listers recommend a place that would do the crate fit out for me??

Joanne

[Gareth Tawton]

Joanne,

Most of us have built our own but any of the engineering and welding fabrication places in the yellow pages will do. Baxter engineering in Fyshwick is one of the bigger places thast does that kind of work.

Gareth

[Jason Ferris]

Hi Jo

I had a quote from Pride Auto in Fyshwick - it was over $1000 for a basic suspended floor and centre divider/double door arrangement. I thought that a bit over the top so went with my home made floor and two air crates which cost in total about $600.

Cheers, Jason.

[Teresa Parkinson]

Hi Jo,

I gather you ended up with the Rodeo Dual Cab? Good friends of ours have one and they're delighted with it.

We have a 2001 model Mazda Bravo 4x4 which suits us down to the ground for trialing the dogs. Wayne, with the help of a friend, built a suspended floor with a divider/double crate arrangement and it all looks great. Total cost in materials - $200 to $300 max!

I believe Maureen may be able to tell you what she paid for her very spiffy looking powder-coated set up. But be prepared, I understand it's not cheap if you want to pay for a professional crate fit out. Is your husband 'handy' (and I mean that in the nicest possible way! )???

Teresap

[Maureen Cooper]

Mine cost me just over $1000 I think it was! However, as Jo saw, I can get two Labradors in each side which I could not do with two air crates so I guess you get what you pay for. Glenn also put in a rubber floor ex Clark Rubber,rubber on the tailgate so the dogs did not slip when they jumped up and if it rained I could mop the water off it and still sit on it which you cannot do with carpet on the tailgate!

Both front crate doors have fully lockable catches, important for me at dog shows or if I am sightseeing and also the "powder coated!" wire is extended down one side so I can have the long side trade window wide open for ventilation and yet the dogs are secure. Just take your time and check out what folks have had put in their trucks and why they chose the configuration they did. Some folks have nice drawers under their suspended floors, I just have plastic underbed boxes and a pole with a hook for fishing them out!

In answer to your earlier question re the diff. between a dual cab and an extra cab ( though it wont apply to you now but might for somebody else) A dual cab has 4 proper seats but much less canopy space ie a shorter tray whereas a dual or king cab has only 2 main seats for driver and passenger, space behind those seats for luggage etc or two small passengers! But much more tray length which means you have more dog space or whatever.

Maureen

[Annie Warner]

Hi Joanne
Not sure if this is any use to you or not (being as i am in Gippsland ) but i have a double crate that came out of my courier tray top sitting in my garage doing nothing. I don't need it now.
Not sure where you are located but most of the Vic triallers and a few from them places up north would know my now ex vehicle, the former 'labcab'!
if they are any good you can have them if you can work out how to get them!
Or get in touch with me with sizes that are relevant and I'll go measure up what I have....
Annie
PS if no good for Joanne and anyone else wants them give me a hoi.