Toyota Surf

[Ibeecken Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ibeecken]

Gday all,
Im hoping someone here may be able to assist. Im trying to help my eldest son buy a vehicle as his commodore is becoming a money pit and he and his better half are expecting their first little bundle of joy early in the new year, he wants a 4wd and only wants a toyota but only has $7000 to spend. After a few weeks of searching the used car sites the Toyota Surf seems to be his best bet, id love to get him into a prado but obviously he doesnt have that kind of cash and he isnt interested in a dual cab ute
We have come across a number so far within the price range but they either over priced for what needs to be repaired of been screwed over by the owners, Im hoping someone on here may know someone or knows someone who knows someone that has one they are selling or thinking of selling. We are in the Tea Tree Gully area of Adelaide but are willing to travel a little ways to check out a vehicle if it sounds right, any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Ian

[bundyk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bundyk]

Ian,

would he not be better off with something like this?:

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de.../?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

Parts are available locally should you need any and people know them and know how to work on them. It would be cheaper and easier for the young family to insure as its not an import and its a Prado! The Prado will also have a heap more space inside. I spoke to a couple of people when we were looking for a 4wd a few years ago and was told to stay away from the Surfs.

I have had no experience personally with a Surf, but know a couple of people who had the 2.4td's and hated them, heaps of problems with both cars. Apparently the 3.0 tdi is heaps better, but not all parts are interchangeable with the local 1kz.

Just a bit of food for thought.

[150D4DNikki Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 150D4DNikki]

The Surf is a grey import, many got imported to the country as second hand vehicles from Japan. Further some are rebuilds, either have accident damage or unknown service history/parts.

I worked in an area where I had dealings with a car dealership that was importing them and got told a few stories. Further a friend bought one and you could see the panel repairs that werent disclosed to her at the time of purchase.

[Joshy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joshy]

I'd go for a 4runner for that price. I bought my 92 3litre v6 4runner a few years back for 4k and sold it just over a year ago for $3800. No rust, I got it with 280k's with a rebuild at 220, 4inch lift, 33's, great straight truck and very capable. All I did for 80000ks was regular services, a new alternator and tyres. Towed the camper trailer fairly easy too but was reasonably thirsty. For 7k I'd want one pretty decked out with low ks.

[Smickbus Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smickbus]

X 2 for a 4runner instead of a Surf. Ive had an 87 surf and also a 2.8 diesel runner, the surf didn't have a lot of the plush features that the later models had but still, parts and trying to get a mechanic to touch it were near on impossible in Adelaide. The 4 runner was a great reliable car, bit slow and no fancy gizmos but would go anywhere! As posted above though for 7k your lad could get a 90 series prado with a lot more safety features and comfort....

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

Totally agree with the above comments. My son bought a Surf as his first 4WD. Ended up with -

Broke diff x 2
Wiring problem with auto window
Radiator issue - replaced
Replaced Turbo
Replaced Engine

Sold after 2 yrs

As I have said before great looking car, but unreliable and hard to source parts

[sjcprado120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sjcprado120]

I'd have to agree with the 4Runner comments. I only just retired my 91 V6 4Runner after almost 20 years of service and the only major issue I had in that time was with the head gasket at 200k mark which was a common problem in that model, otherwise a very trusty capable and reliable 4WD that took me everywhere.

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

also good option are older hiluxs and dare i say it - pajeros.....

the old paj's are pretty tough too abnd much cheaper than prados.

[starbuck76 Member Find all posts View Profile Close starbuck76]

I had a 1994 3.0 TD for 11 years and did 360K kms in it without too much trouble. Lots of get up and go for a diesel and reasonable fuel consumption as well. Plenty of room in the back with the seats folded down (flat). If I could have bought a new or near new one I would have instead of the Prado. If the servicing has been done correctly, especially the oil changes every 5000K, then you should get at least 400k kms out of it. I never had a problem getting parts, all you need is the VIN and engine numbers and the Toyota Spare Parts Dept will tell you what it came out of the factory with, and order parts in if needed. Some parts are standard Landcruiser parts. You can buy after-market oil and air filters for a fraction of the cost of OEM if you look around. Stay away from the 2.4 Surf as it is under powered and as such, suffers from being abused by owners who thought they had a V8 under the bonnet.

[Ibeecken Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ibeecken]

G'day guys thanks for the replies it has certainly given me food for thought. It appears unless we can find a 3ltr it's leave em alone.. I love the prado bundy but how does the petrol engine compare to the diesel? With a youngster on the way they won't have loads to spend constantly topping up with fuel for example. We have also looked at the 4runner haven't had great success finding one yet here in Adelaide though, even a decent manual diesel pajero is tight to find at 7k.

[bundyk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bundyk]

G'day guys thanks for the replies it has certainly given me food for thought. It appears unless we can find a 3ltr it's leave em alone.. I love the prado bundy but how does the petrol engine compare to the diesel? With a youngster on the way they won't have loads to spend constantly topping up with fuel for example. We have also looked at the 4runner haven't had great success finding one yet here in Adelaide though, even a decent manual diesel pajero is tight to find at 7k.

Mate, longevity wise there are quite a few on here with very high km 3.4's and have had no problems (no major ones anyway) so they seem to be a fairly bulletproof engine. Driveline is quite possibly the same. As far as economy goes, I couldnt really tell you. My 2001 Pajero V6 uses around 15 l/100 km around town and about 11.5 on the highway, and I am lead to believe that the Prado is a bit better on fuel than the Pajero, with similar performance.

If the car HAS to be diesel, but is willing to look outside a Toyota, then a Gen 2 Pajero is a pretty tuff wagon. Go good off road and drive well on road. I didnt suggest one as the OP says has to be toyota. If so, have a look here: (A bit overpriced for the age and spec level, but should be able to talk them down)

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de.../?Cr=3&sdmvc=1

Going off your OP though, I would be looking at a 4cyl petrol or V6 Prado though to stick with the Toyota marque.