DEFINE WHAT YOU WANT
o More seats or a bigger tray?
o Fuel. Petrol is increasingly popular with the rising cost of Road User Charges. But if you do high km’s and/or tow heavier loads, diesel is better
o Tonneau cover, hard lid or canopy all have their pros and cons in terms of load size, weather and security. It will be cheaper to buy the vehicle complete than to buy extra’s separately. Thinking through what you’re using it for before you buy could save you a lot of money afterwards
o Tow rating. Remember, there’s no insurance if you go over. And is a braked tow rating of, say, 3500kg really going to cut the mustard for extended periods of towing behind a vehicle which weighs a lot less? Safety, comfort and compliance are important considerations
o Manual or auto? Manual is often preferred for carrying/towing heavy loads and off-road use
o Brand tax. Certain brands command a premium. Are they really that much better? Google ‘common problems with…’ and you might be surprised. Every vehicle has its issues. A lesser known vehicle here may already be a big auto manufacturer elsewhere. You may decide the lower capital cost of one of them more than offsets the lower resale value at the other end