Want to get a Surf

[bradley444]

Hi all i'm new to the site and just came accross it on the net. I've never considered buying a 4x4 untill i saw a mitsubishi Pajaro on the weekend at Usk Show (a agracultural show that the mrs plauged me to go to, glad i did now) anyway i fell in love. Behind though i noticed something that i could just see myself driving a toyota surf. so since then thats it i have to have one of these amazing machines i've tryed to find out all i can about them but wondered if any one could tell me more, I do a lot of milage so would need to get it gas converted i guess, will this break the bank, will it affect performance? also what are they like on repaires expect it to be a bit more expensive but i realy don't know as i said never thought about getting one before. is it better to get a manual or auto? please could someone give me a bit of insight

[JackRabbit]

Welcome!
If you buy a surf you wont regret it! There are a few Gas converted surfs already out there if you look around, some come up on Autotrader every now and then, but to most of us 25mpg is a way of life! Parts are not too overpriced, Milners and others do them at reasonable prices, plus advice is always available here, and often spares too!

[bradley444]

Welcome!
If you buy a surf you wont regret it! There are a few Gas converted surfs already out there if you look around, some come up on Autotrader every now and then, but to most of us 25mpg is a way of life! Parts are not too overpriced, Milners and others do them at reasonable prices, plus advice is always available here, and often spares too!

cheers mate good to know. in work now but not got much done today as been on net checking auto trader and this site. actualy very excited about getting one are they just as good on raod as off?

[Chiko]

I've only just (and by only just, i mean yesterday) got a surf myself!

I'd suggest that if you do a lot of mileage, it might be worth getting the auto. My mum used to have a 52 plate Landcruiser in manual and it it was occasionally a bit of a pain, even with the 164bhp D4D engine!

Parts seem very cheap! Depends what you're comparing to, but as an example, Milners do a surf bonnet for about £48....A bonnet for my honda civic would cost from 150 for a standard one, to 450+ for a carbon fibre affair.

Fuel mileage isn't great (again, depends what you're used to) and if you like to sit at anything over about 65-70mph on a motorway, it would be worth getting the 3 litre....that or get used to driving more slowly!!

hth

-keith

(n00bs giving n00bs advice? It's like the blind leading the blind...)

[stevehulluk]

well i've had my hilux surf nearly 3 weeks now, it worked for the 1st week then the rear diff & half shaft broke. but can honestly say i loved it for the 1st week & i still love it now, just need to get it repaired again soon.

[Draig]

welcome aboard


well worth having - I do lots of miles - had mine 2 years and still think it's the best thing since sliced cucumbers

don't regret it one bit - drives well both on and off road. simple advice - get one!

[The Lovely Boyo]

To buy, or not to buy..............

The Surfs are much better than the Pajeros.

BUT - be very careful - the 2.4TD are notorious for cracking the cylinder head. A newer stronger head is available.

I bought my Surf from a garage in Caerphilly only to have to fit a new head after two weeks. That was 2 1/2 years and 40,000 miles ago and I love it. It gets a total hammering all summer towing horses around, and never complains. It is always serviced when it should be.

The 3.0L seems a much better bet - my only regret is that I didn't buy one - you live and learn.

Get used to travelling serenely, forget the word accelerate, think more along the lines of gaining momentum!

Regards

[bradley444]

The Surfs are much better than the Pajeros.

BUT - be very careful - the 2.4TD are notorious for cracking the cylinder head. A newer stronger head is available.

I bought my Surf from a garage in Caerphilly only to have to fit a new head after two weeks. That was 2 1/2 years and 40,000 miles ago and I love it. It gets a total hammering all summer towing horses around, and never complains. It is always serviced when it should be.

The 3.0L seems a much better bet - my only regret is that I didn't buy one - you live and learn.

Get used to travelling serenely, forget the word accelerate, think more along the lines of gaining momentum!

Regards

thanks all for the advice surprised about the motorway driving!! I have been told that it is the auto that uses more petrol than the manual but then guess it realy doesn't matter can't be that big a difference. Have got a friend who apparently knows a bit about 4x4's so hoping to pick a decent one if something like the above happens not going to be to happy. are these common problems ?

[bradley444]

welcome aboard


well worth having - I do lots of miles - had mine 2 years and still think it's the best thing since sliced cucumbers

don't regret it one bit - drives well both on and off road. simple advice - get one!

i'm itching to one!! where would be the best places to take it off road and that any idea?

[codlord]

where would be the best places to take it off road and that any idea?

Have a look in the forums:
Off Road - Green Laning / Expeditions
and
Off Road - Centres

and which newport are you from? apparently according to multimap.com there are 14 different ones!

[bradley444]

Have a look in the forums:
Off Road - Green Laning / Expeditions
and
Off Road - Centres

and which newport are you from? apparently according to multimap.com there are 14 different ones!

14 ****** hell didn't think there was that many, i'm in newport south wales mate will try to find those forums now cheers

[codlord]

i'm in newport south wales mate

Well, probably lots of places near you where you can off-road (although I know they have been cracking down on greenlaning etc in wales and closing lots) but the best place I know anywhere is Toms Farm in mid wales (near Rhayader), see my site here for some details:
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/inf..._toms_farm.htm

Also did some green laning a couple of times in mid-wales (these may or may not be still open):
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/inf..._mid_wales.htm

And going to this place this weekend, but dunno what its like yet:
http://www.offroadwales.co.uk/

[bradley444]

Well, probably lots of places near you where you can off-road (although I know they have been cracking down on greenlaning etc in wales and closing lots) but the best place I know anywhere is Toms Farm in mid wales (near Rhayader), see my site here for some details:
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/inf..._toms_farm.htm

Also did some green laning a couple of times in mid-wales (these may or may not be still open):
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/inf..._mid_wales.htm

And going to this place this weekend, but dunno what its like yet:
http://www.offroadwales.co.uk/

brilliant cheers mate will look into these and check them out.

[surfenstein]

has nobody mentioned the inevitable SURF GRIN.

[Gtdog]

Only just since you mention it reaper dude!

I have covered many miles in my manual 3.0 td a few service items and a few running repairs later still enthuse every chance I get, so much so that wifey has one too.

Manual or Auto eithe rare great, I just prefer stirring the noisy bits by hand, and on occasion like today driving from Basingstoke to Southampton without touching the brakes, the 3.0 is that torquey! (nb new disks and pads, so trying to gently bed them in)

best of luck in your search

All the best,
GTdog