Adice - Toyota Surf 2.4

[clivvy]

chaps, as some of you know im looking for a "new" 4x4. needs to be cheap and cheerful. Anyway, seen a Toyota Surf (import) 2.4 diesel. fairly low mileage and good price £950. May need a new rad at some point, but other than that its described as good.

is the 2.4 ssrx or whatever it is worth looking at? Peter (Briggie) thinks not, as his friend suggests cracked head issues. I read into that, and yes, apparently they are more susceptible due to the water ways in the head being too small (replacement heads are available with this fixed).

other than that, im reading nothing but glowing reviews about these cars, especially in terms of reliability, which is what I want.

The price is really good, and if its as described, then its worth it. I checked some prices, clutch is about twice as expensive on Milners as one for a terrano, RADS quite dear but everything else is of a similar cost. TAX is cheaper, insurance im getting silly numbers for so far and by all account I shouldn't expect too much change out of 25mpg..

I appreciate your advice, as you guys know your stuff...consider, or avoid?

[Fez_uk]

why not just get a cheap terrano??

Tax will be the same.

[clivvy]

cant find a cheap terrano so far that isn't as bad as the one I just scrapped.

im still looking though...I just don't wanna pass up a bargain that's all.

[stevo]

I've had a couple of Surfs - good cars, but the mpg is about 25 on a good day, especially if you buy the 3.0, as its a bit fruity

My first was a 2.4, and that overheated, but turned out to have blown a pin hole in the rad top. cured with a self tapper and liquid metal....

Anyway, definitely consider. But have a drive first, the seating position is a bit 'legs forward' but well comfy.

the rear bumpers corrode, and thats about it

look at the forum here
good bunch, and helpful.

[davenclaire]

looking at what they say on there forum seems obvious keep looking for a terra lol all 2.4 heads go on the surfs i looked into them before settling on the terrano

[stevo]

oh hang on - just remembered - the rear window is on an electric motor, and have a habit of the motor failing. which means you can't open the tailgate.

But, its the same motor as the nearside rear door, and the same motor as a corolla nearside front door, so replacements are available.

if you buy it, check thermostat, rad cap, coolant, and operation of rear window especially.

[JimE]

Mate had a 2.4 Surf and apart from cooling issues, new rad, water pump, upgraded head etc and jut over £1200 later.... It was a great car they are very comfortable and I was very tempted to get one as they are cheap at the moment. Maybe cheap for a reason?

[clivvy]

guys, brilliant feedback thank you very much!!

I know id be asking a lot of ANY 4x4 at that price to be reasonably trouble free at the start, and from what the seller says the rad will need changing soon-so obviously this worries me because the head could be an issue as well.

I think ill leave that one, not because its bad or anything, but because so far I cant get an insurance quote below four figures and the apparent "risk" is just more than im willing to take taking into account how well I know the Terrano! Id rather spend a bit more on a decent Terrano than buy a risk-I know all cars are a risk, but at least I know the Terrano very well...!!

[makeitfit]

Mine was a great drive but auto. MPG ...........yes it did get some
Imports are defo best but need the coolant drained and thermostat sorted annually to be safe. Drives just like a car including the seating, it's a very high floor, which is good offroad
Insurance I did via the Surf forum and wasn't aweful
If I was to have one again it would be the 3.0 litre and manual SRRXZXLdeluxe but a tad rare

[clivvy]

Originally Posted by makeitfit

Mine was a great drive but auto. MPG ...........yes it did get some
Imports are defo best but need the coolant drained and thermostat sorted annually to be safe. Drives just like a car including the seating, it's a very high floor, which is good offroad
Insurance I did via the Surf forum and wasn't aweful
If I was to have one again it would be the 3.0 litre and manual SRRXZXLdeluxe but a tad rare

yeah ill keep my eyes peeled for one!!

[clivvy]

weird...just noticed my post title says adice...not advice...

[Barrbeast]

Whats your budget? I'm a Troll man now but before that I drove a Mk2 Shogun, '95 2.5 SWB first then a '95 2.8 LWB, both very capable - rear live axle and front independent like a Terrano, rear diff lock, 2H, 4H centre diff open, 4H centre diff locked and 4L centre diff locked. Plenty of them about Shogun/Pajero/Montero (10pts for the first person to tell me why they changed the name to that )

SWB cost me £900 and lasted 7 months before the timing belt went cos I'm an idiot (knew enough that I should have checked and replaced it) and it's still sitting at the farm but prob still worth ~£300/400 as the 2.5 has sacrificial rockers and it did provide a few shinier bits for the 2.8 LWB that replaced it at £1100. I would have fixed the SWB but was coming up for lambing time and I needed a vehicle and the garage I had always used wouldn't listen to me and just replace the broken rockers and belt like I had asked . Had the LWB 13 months and was still running fine (not even one advisory) when I sold her on.

... I did get the LWB bellied once in a bog though I was 4th in a convoy behind a Ranger with twin-axle game trailer, P38 Range Rover (miracle it was even running let alone offroading), and a '07 Landcruiser - Landcruiser uses traction control and so was ripping up the ground in front of me, I was too busy chatting to the passenger and followed the wheelmarks like I hadn't spent summers driving grain out of bogged fields and driving forklifts through 2ft mud ... took a tractor to get me out in the end!

[clivvy]

Well, currently my budget is low, £1000. But as the pay days go by I'm saving more.

[stinka]

Hold out for terry mate, at least it's a known quantity

[jims-terrano]

Better the devil you know I reckon mate

Give it another few pay days and get a nice one.