Which Ute?

[rancidpunx]

I am after some advice one what people's thoughts are on a ute I need. I cant wait really until FZ and don't really want to be going with another new car just yet anyway.

I am looking at base/R6 FG utes as it will be a work horse or a decent XR spec B series. Same sort of pricing with lower K's. If I spend a few thou more I can get into an FG XR6 or with the right seller and haggle even a BF Super Pursuit.

Its going to be for business so needs to look decent. I enjoy driving and the extra theatre that the SP would provide would be enough to put a smile on my face when not pulling into another servo. The base model ute would be cheap and possibly find one on gas to make it cheap to run but its value will be nothing by the time I am done with it and its looks are not the best. The XR's are tempting and I have always had a soft spot for the B series. One in a bright colour fits the bill in making a statement but then I think maybe I should just get a motivated sellers FG XR.

At the moment I cant get away from the SP but its most expensive and have I have the most to lose from it. Not only in value but also the running costs. I nearly got a ex demo when I got my Turbo ute so again always thought about that car and whether I made the right choice. Made the right choice on parting with my FG Turbo on the R-Spec but since things have changed and I need a ute again as my little Mu is not really the right car for the job.
I am interested in peoples opinions?

[tut0r]

Well firstly, I always set my price range and my max point of spending since you haven't said that but mentioned getting some FPV models I'm going to assume you have room to move. I to love the B series and still the utes are holding a higher value than the sedans, I've seen some B series utes going for more than the FG utes.

Before I got my ute I had the choice for my price between an xt/r6 FG or my B series xr6/xr8, I almost bought an R6 ute with canopy for 10grand with 60,000km on the clock but it was in WA and I am in VIC.

One thing I never really care about is resale, it does have some weight in my decision but at the end of the day you don't want to drive something that you're not entirely happy with because the resale is good!

What kind of driving do you do? Lots of HWY or city? If HWY grab an FPV has everything for a cheap fuel bill! But I'd take a B series manual XR any day of the weak over any of the non fpv in the FG range.

[rancidpunx]

Lowish teens for the XR's, bit less for the base. Higher teens for the FPV. Driving will be bit of both. I am in the country a bit so always have an hour or so a day with 100kph driving. The SP's have higher Ks but the motors are pretty hard I assume.

[PG2]

What condition are the country roads that you will be driving on?

[rancidpunx]

Fun in the GT.

[smoo]

Go an FG, a nicer ute to be sitting in and drive. Plus, park an FG next to a B series and the B shows its age.
My two complaints is that the tourneau cover is a pain in the **** compared to the AU strap type, and the lack of tie down points on the tray floor and tail gate. As a result whenever I take my bikes somewhere the tail gate has to be open with weight on it, and whatever else is in the back needs to be strapped in, as opposed to tie the tail gate hard up to the tyre or whatever else. Other than that, unless you need rear seats or 4wd, the Jap utes don't come close.

[b2tf]

I almost went down the same path but logicality (and practicality) prevailed. Granted my business is a lot different to yours and I cart a lot of different stuff, but the idea would be similar. In the end I went the Ranger (after a brief sidetrack in a D40) and don't regret my choice one bit. I did consider the PX but the $$ was just not something I could justify, not yet anyway.

For the money I reckon a BF XR would be the go, I wouldn't go the SP purely because you'll be sick of visiting servos (it's the single biggest reason I dont miss my FG XR8). With what you do, an immaculate B series ute is going to turn just as many heads as the current model, parts are cheap, you could even buy an XR and put an FPV kit on it etc if you so desired.

I'd do the same thing but ground clearance and the ability to jump the odd gutter here and there is important.

[commonrails]

Get a fg xr6 in vixen to colour match that Rspec of yours.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Fg R6 LPG. Cheap to run, cheap to service and still looks respectable infront of the customers. I would stay away from a super pursuit, things like 19 inch rubber, brembo brakes etc.

[rancidpunx]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Fg R6 LPG. Cheap to run, cheap to service and still looks respectable infront of the customers. I would stay away from a super pursuit, things like 19 inch rubber, brembo brakes etc.

I had considered all of that, even insurance is high on them compared to the GT. I think one would have to be very sharply priced to win me over 100%. The base model utes are all a bit crap though condition wise which puts me off. A well priced R6 though would be good. I saw one yesterday in Lightning Strike that was well looked after but was not for sale.

Originally Posted by smoo

Go an FG, a nicer ute to be sitting in and drive. Plus, park an FG next to a B series and the B shows its age.
My two complaints is that the tourneau cover is a pain in the **** compared to the AU strap type, and the lack of tie down points on the tray floor and tail gate. As a result whenever I take my bikes somewhere the tail gate has to be open with weight on it, and whatever else is in the back needs to be strapped in, as opposed to tie the tail gate hard up to the tyre or whatever else. Other than that, unless you need rear seats or 4wd, the Jap utes don't come close.

I used to have an FG ute and I still have a Ranger. The FG is ahead in terms of the package but you do pay for that in parts and as well as the initial outlay. 2 similarly priced XRs and I will take the FG. Also the B Series are so accessible now, FGs as well actually so there are a lot more examples that have had a hard life. Even those with sub 60ks on them.

Originally Posted by b2tf

I almost went down the same path but logicality (and practicality) prevailed. Granted my business is a lot different to yours and I cart a lot of different stuff, but the idea would be similar. In the end I went the Ranger (after a brief sidetrack in a D40) and don't regret my choice one bit. I did consider the PX but the $$ was just not something I could justify, not yet anyway.

For the money I reckon a BF XR would be the go, I wouldn't go the SP purely because you'll be sick of visiting servos (it's the single biggest reason I dont miss my FG XR8). With what you do, an immaculate B series ute is going to turn just as many heads as the current model, parts are cheap, you could even buy an XR and put an FPV kit on it etc if you so desired.

I'd do the same thing but ground clearance and the ability to jump the odd gutter here and there is important.

Being low was one of the things I enjoyed escaping from my FG ute. Going to different premises on a daily basis can be hard on cars. Over grown bushes in driveways, impossibly cambered kerbs, kids and dogs. I think actually having the SP I would get back into the precious state of mind constantly worrying about the car and where it is.

[DFB FGXR6]

The good thing about the FG R6 as apposed to a base XL or sports XR, the R6 has XR seats and more up-spec interior compared to the XL, but has the lower spec front bar that is less prone to scraping on low driveways ect.
R6 also has XR spec suspension too, so you basically get an XR but in a more work friendly skin.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Being low was one of the things I enjoyed escaping from my FG ute. Going to different premises on a daily basis can be hard on cars. Over grown bushes in driveways, impossibly cambered kerbs, kids and dogs. I think actually having the SP I would get back into the precious state of mind constantly worrying about the car and where it is.

Think you might have just answered your own question.....

[wranger]

A manual, 2wd 3.2 Ranger in single cab is bloody quick for a diesel.