Ute, Petrol vs Diesel?

mrssmudge, Aug 10, 9:08am
Gentlemen, Having last owned a diesel more than 10 years ago, Im out of touch with costings etc. The Son inlaw is wanting a ute for running to n from work which is generally inter towns as he is an apprentice builder. What would you recommend he look in to as in Petrol or diesel (+Milege) Being a young fella, it wont be a fancy pants one but he does need it to be semi economical (if there is such a thing lol) More interested in Petrol vs Diesel at this stage. Thoughts, suggestions, all appreciated. Many Thanks.

msigg, Aug 10, 9:43am
I would always go diesel. Under 10k a year the cost will work out about the same. Over 10k a year a diesel will start to get better. Diesel will be more expensive to buy. The diesel will hold its value better. A diesel will pull a larger load without using a larger amount of increase fuel. I like the diesel, must be a turbo diesel, and late model, Look after it and it will look after you. You are better to spend more and get a late model, the very early ones will be all flogged out by now and they don't drive nice like a 2 year old ute. Life is short, go buy the best one you can , now. Each to their own.

franc123, Aug 10, 9:52am
Need to know budget first. A ute may not necessarily be the best choice at this stage of things.

budgel, Aug 10, 11:35am
If he wants a ute that isnt too old, then it's probably gonna be a diesel.
An extra cab is good because you can still easily carry a sheet of ply or similar, and still have some gear in the extra space behind the front seats, whereas a double cab has a pretty small tray.

s_nz, Aug 10, 12:20pm
In short, Diesel is preferable for utes, unless there are specific requirements like a lot of short running which risks issues with the diesel emissions reduction systems, or a desire for more power like the (now discontinued) 4.0L v6 petrol engine in the hilux.

The way diesel RUC's and petrol taxes are structured, diesel fuel is more tax efficient in larger, less aerodynamic vehicles like ute's.

New Petrol Ute's are rare these day. Toyota's only petrol offering at the moment is the low cost "workmate" specification which has a well regarded 2.7L petrol. Every other ute sold by toyota NZ is diesel.

If your son in law is looking for something economical, utes are not always the best pick. The likes of a NV200 van is cheap and would have the running costs of a hatchback. Unlike a double cab ute, it has space to put a standard drop saw base in the cargo area.

mrssmudge, Aug 10, 3:32pm
Wow, awesome. Thanks so much for the info. Now I have something to go on. Valuable support youve given me here, helping me weigh up options and information for him. Thanks so much.

lythande1, Aug 10, 3:43pm
Petrol. Diesel isn't cheap anymore and add in the RUC and it's no longer worth it.

mrfxit, Aug 10, 4:01pm
This ^^

stevo2, Aug 10, 5:54pm
^^ Excellent advice from s_nz^^
I would like to add that a ute is useless for a chippie, a van is much better but you cant teach the younguns that. They will soon find out the hard way that practical is far more important than looking cool. I had a ute for 3 months and was glad to get rid of it for a van.

m16d, Aug 10, 6:51pm
OR wot. diesel $1.12 a litre. petrol $2.00 a litre.
Diesels just sip on the gas, petrols guzzle it. even with ruc's diesels are way cheaper.

franc123, Aug 10, 7:49pm
This is consistent with what I've heard from tradies who need to cart gear and supplies everywhere.

gpg58, Aug 10, 9:50pm
My input as an electrician near fully retiring, having used everything from dx corolla wagons, and escort vans, thru transits, L200's and L300's mitsi, hiaces etc etc.
If its work only use, a van is best.
If its dual use (personal and work), a ute with canopy is best.
Reason is the ruddy noise of tools and things rattling non stop in a van, and the smells of products etc, ok to put up with between job sites, but a total piss-off on day off longer trips.(ever noticed van drivers doing violent swerves for no reason, i have and sometimes did, its to shake the shit up a bit, to hopefully shut up the most annoying rattles).
Re economy, agree low mileage a petrol can be cheaper.
- Personal experience, my holden adventra sx6 awd was cheaper annually (only by a tad), than the then new 2013 navara dc 4wd i replaced it with, but losing all the smell's and rattles, offset that by a lot more.

stevo2, Aug 11, 5:49am
An electrician doesn't need the same tools a carpenter needs though. The dropsaw and stand is the biggie. The stand is 1800mm long and wont fit into a double cab or even a crew crew tray. The saw takes up most of the room in the tray and the tray height is so high these day that you need a stepladder to get in.
Carpenter doesn't carry any smelly stuff.
If you fit out the van well, you can avoid rattles. Mine has almost no rattles at all.
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/1380735435.jpg https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/1380735655.jpg https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/1380736740.jpg
but the lad wants a ute. At his age we don't listen to others and all have to learn by our mistakes and I agree, if its his only car, a van isn't great for weekends or picking up chicks.

gpg58, Dec 8, 9:07pm
That is a nice kit out, and getting most rattly stuff down under the floor in the tray, would help a lot.