mitsubushi L200, shogun sport or nissan navara

[Steve_5090070]

has any one got any opinions on these cars, are they good for towing a van 1300kg max.what is the fuel economy like?

cheers Steve

 

[Guest]

For a van of 1300kg you are in a way taking a 'sledgehammer to crack a nut'. Unless you live on a farm in the remote wilds, or have another reason to buy such a type of vehicle, what would be the point?

 

[Lutz]

All 3 should be more than capable of towing a 1300kg caravan but I'd recommend avoiding a pickup like the L200 or Navara. Pickups are designed primarily to carry loads on their flatbed and their suspensions, especially the rear, are tuned accordingly. As a result, handling can be rather nervous without adequate payload, especially when not towing.

 

[Lol1]

Hi Steve, I have driven the commercial brothers of the L200 and Shogun Sport, so some remarks may not hold true to the passenger car that you're looking at. To be brief though, these can be noisy to drive with contributions from both wind and engine. Steering lock and steering feel are not up to standard for day to day driving of a family car. Fuel consumption is a little on the guzzling side if you have a heavy right foot, which you may need to get these beasts going. Seating can be cramped and the controls can seem dated and utilitarian, the ride is poor over potholed roads too.

As you can see, a picture is forming, but it's not all doom and gloom. If you need this type of tug then you will be prepared to put up with some minor discomforts, they are at the end of the day a robust and hard wearing vehicle. True they can be a little light at the rear end and the 4x4 system (if it's not been updated recently) is crude but one person's crude is another's reliable. As you're probably aware they are rated to tow well above their own weight, I think its 2.8 tonnes on the Shogun, so legally they are a good idea for large twin axles.

I would offer the opinion that if you don't need that particular type of tow car i.e. based on a commercial, then take a look at the Sorento's and Terracans of this world. They can compete on value and purchase price terms and are a whole lot better to drive and own. In fact we looked at the Sport for ourselves but went with the Sorento, and are mighty glad we did.

 

[mcghee]

Steve, you've picked out three not very nice cars. The L200 is radically underpowered, the Navara is very hard on the road unless you have a pallet of bricks in the back, and the Shogun sport is basically an L200, and a bit of a dog. The Shogun sport V6 petrol is far nicer but there are better cars around.

 

[354]

Discussed this last year as we considered getting an L200 Animal, but whilst the cab may look comfy it is at the end of the day a commercial vehicle with leaf springs (not the smoothesy ride) didnt think it was realy suitable as an everyday car. general feed back we recieved confirmed this. Also the warriors and Animals seem overpriced on the used market. Navara looked a bit better (auto bax available) but it is still a commercial vehicle. If I had to choose between the 3 it would be the Shogun Sport .

 

[Steve_5090070]

thanks everyone for your comments. I am new to this towing buisnes and appreciate all the feedback

cheers Steve

 

[DavidW1]

Steve,

We did this one last year so should still be in the archive - basically nobody has said anything new, i.e they look nice, have a harsh ride and poor steering lock - best avoided unless you want to look like a dude on an Arizona ranch or are a Jobbing builder who want's to tow a van and can only afford one car.

 

[gary_5099071]

There are a few misconceptions on this thread and you're not comparing like for like. Yes, the Navaro and the L200 are pickups (or pick up based) and have leaf springs and a horrible agricultural ride. They are usually also made in third world countries and are not subject to the same quality control as Japanese models. BUT the Shogun Sport is nothing less than a lowered Shogun, made in Japan, with proper suspension and all the usual Shogun attributes. No contest, it has to be the Shogun Sport every time.

h

 

[mcghee]

Gary, I don't honestly know where the Sport is made, but having driven the Sport, Shogun, and L200 I would say the Sport feels much more like the L200 than the Shogun. I actually thought the Sport reminded me of the old Shogun from about 1987. You are right the sport is better than the L200 and Navara, but I think there are far better cars available.