Thinking of buying a L200 Warrior next year. (awaits lots of mickey taking…yes I know
, daft name). Probably used, (2011-2012model) Anyone have any ownership experience? Not expecting great economy, but any reliability issues? What are they like to live with as a day to day vehicle?

Drink the fuel like nobodies business and have ridiculously short service intervals, the Ford Rangers we have on our fleet are a third more economical 2.2 models and have 20,000 miles services.

This is before the numerous engine replacements we’ve had to have under warranty with them!

Do you have dogs?

The neighbours just bought a new one. They say you can’t lock it if the windows are open. They’re very annoyed.

My first L200 4work was a complete and utter bag of shite that that never spent more than a month out of the garage for one problem or the other then it finally gave up the ghost at 80,000 after about 4 years of hassle.

Had a second hand one to replace that one which was alright then got another new one in 2012 thats been very reliable and currently done 55,000 miles. I get about 340 miles out of a tank of diesel but a lot less if i’m towing. Turning circle is crap on them and on the 4work range is pretty basic in side.

If it was me personally buying one i’d go for Toyota though as we had them years ago and they were a lot better.

Yup and we get over 530 miles to the same size tank on the Ford Rangers!

We had some at work, what an utter load of carp, we had so many issues, engine, transmission, drive train………….
We now have Toyota pick ups, the lease company won’t supply L200’s any more?

Where I work L200’s will be replaced to Isuzu D-Max when their time is up for renewal.

Aren’t they crap offroad until you put a bit of weight in the back. 😉

They are ridiculed as hairdresser wagons in the pick-up world. If you absolutely MUST get one, and are buying s/h, then go for a Barbarian – more toys.

Also, similar to Toyota’s, the seats are quite low, so you lose a lot of the high up feeling.

My choice in order are

Navara (I own the fully loaded V6)
Ranger – engines limited between under powered and too thirsty, but might get one next, if the new Navara NP300 gets bad reviews
VW Amarok – could do with a bigger engine
Isuzu D-Max – underpowered
Hilux – low grade interior
L200

Most of the double cabs are rubbish off road unless full of logs.

Just gone from a Ranger to an Amarok, the difference is like night and day. The Ranger felt like a farm truck in comparison. Test drove a Hilux too but it felt dated and the engine really needed to be revved hard.

A mate has a 14 plate L200 which he swears by, he did have a really early one before that which was a bit unreliable to say the least but he loved it to bits.

Just remember they are built as a tool, but they are so versatile. I use mine for towing up to 3 tons, site visits, carrying the bikes round, the lot. With all the toys of a well specced car.

Agree they are crap, basic (unless you can get a fully specced Invicible) but ultra reliable is a Hilux. For more space and security if you are not going off road, a Kombi/Crew van could make more sense.

I have a ford ranger, not seen it for over a month though. Only done a few 100 miles in the last two months.
20k miles. New turbo and waiting for software apparently. Love the truck hate the customer service. Toyota next time.
Pepper, like to know what your issues have been?

Got one – but Trojan – and do a lot of miles. LOTS.

25mpg, 9,000 mile service intervals, weak gearbox (third has a habit of falling out), rear suspension has a habit of breaking, turning circle is actually pretty good for a pickup – if rubbish compared to anything else. Standard Bridgestone tyres are lethal.

Mine has Cooper AT3s on it which helped some of the more exciting and unpredictable handling characteristics, whilst also making it more useful off road!

The engine isn’t too bad and it can pick up it’s skirts reasonably well. The Super Select 4×4 system is actually VERY good IMO and can be used on tarmac too.

Driving experience is very agricultural… although better than the even more elderly Toyota.

Would I have the new one… probably not. Thinking of changing to a van this time and just picking up a cheap old 4×4 for when it is needed (Suzuki Jimmny or something possibly)

What’s your budget OP?

Yes, whats the budget, I know someone who may be getting rid of a Ranger with 20K on it. Lovely ride just serviced, no ecu software.

Ive got one, and it does me fine.. I’m getting closer to 35mpg, so not too bad.
To be fair, as I’ve only started my business this time last year, I wanted something cheap & cheerful to get me going, only gripe is short service intervals.
I’m happy with it.

Never had an issue with gearbox on any of them and did have a suspension spring snap on an old one and agree on under powered. Also the 4work must have the most uncomfortable seats going.

Though I find them pretty good off road running BF Goodrich AT’s.

Holy carp, they sound terrible. We use Shoguns in work, and they are great (but not very fuel efficient). I was looking at 10k used. I think Toyota may be the way forward. Dont think a VW used would be in my price range.
We have a good Mitsu dealers nearby so I may try and get an extended test. Plus I need to make sure the screen prices (10k 2011) include VAT.
Cheers for the honest replys guys. Appreciate it. 🙂

Hilux for reliability ranger for VFM

When we needed a pickup for the farm we looked at the L200, but the size of it and rumors of reliability were an issue. Words travel fast in the farming community and also being tighter than a ducks bottom so does the cost.
We tested one, I quite liked it, but then I’m not going to live with it day in, day out. Once the BIL took it out onto the fields he came back and handed me the keys. To be fair our scope was to tow a flatbed and a small’ish cattle trailer so it seemed to fit the bill.
We tested the Ford Ranger too, this came with whole heap of recommendations and if you are ever in North Yorkshire you’ll see more than a few blatting down tight lanes towing a few bails. BIL took that out into the fields and came back and would’nt hand the keys back. It kinda was a done deal, we also went back to Ford with the price comparison and they opted to fill the new one with all sorts of toys we didn’t need as a sweetener.
After less than 10k in it so far it’s been a whole heap of useful and continues to return decent enough MPG and comfort for what really is a workhorse of a vehicle.
We have a battered SWB Landie for the really steep stuff and a couple of tractors so you get the scope of what we were looking for a vehicle to do.

You’ll be struggling to find anything really decent for ten grand inc vat without stupid miles on the clock tbh

Any vehicle branded with sub-model names reminiscent of condom brands deserves to be mocked!

You need a Great Wall Steed.
Great name

Ford Rental have just offered me an L200 as a replacement for my Ranger which the dealer can’t fix. May be able to let you know what I think of it if it gets here.

Not sure if richmars is serious 😕

You want anything BUT a Great Wall

Saying that, the way car threads go on here, it would probably be the STW 4×4 of choice 😉

There’s a Great Wall dealer just around the corner from me. You get a lot of metal for your money, plus all the toys you need. What can go wrong?

Not sure if it is an option for you, but they have just launched a new version of the L200 with improved fuel consumption / turning circle / acceleration etc (all the stuff they say is rubbish on the old one)

If you leased from one of the specialists, you might approach the monthly cost of buying an older one?

FWIW I would probably go for the Navara – seems to be the markets favourite – there are horror stories though!

The new L200 does look a big improvement – I always buy just under a year old to make big savings though.
Not so many horror stories with newer Navaras, but yes there were a few with older ones

Great Wall Steed – why would you?

some lad on landyzone bought a steed to use instead of getting his landy trashed on the farm.

it didnt fare well….and was nearly launched through the dealers window as they were next to useless.

in a word -thirsty- (2004 model)

I love pick-ups – my three in the last 5 1/2 years

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Sheeeet, what happened to the white one 😯

Tell us everyone was alright, please… 😕

I have one through work, thankfully I didnt buy it. 30mpg on a good day, when its not going sideways everywhere. Useless off road unless heavy in the back then its slightly less useless. Rubbish dash, aircon, wireing. short service interval.

Theres a 2010 trojan on eBay for £4175, 75k, one owner, no vat, used as personal only… in black too..

Might give Farmer bouy a ring..

I’ve got one in my fleet, it’s utter junk. Get a hi lux (crap ride) or a navara. The new Isuzu d max we have is quite nice.

Sheeeet, what happened to the white one

Tell us everyone was alright, please…

Lads in the Peugeot came spinning out of control round a corner. They had to be cut out, I was fine – driver spent a little while in a coma and I believe is ok now, but has had his licence revoked on medical grounds

I’ve a 2014 barbarian now on 16k miles , no problems so far usually around 35 mpg , 5 year warranty was what appealed the most and had transporters for 10 years and fancied a change … We’re all different buy what You want

Ranger 3.2 Wildtrack if you can find one.

Changed my mind, VW commercial customer service is shite (at my local anyway).