Want to buy a surf

[Memran]

Hi all

I used to have a SWB 2.5tdi Pajero, which I loved, but was forced to sell due to mechanical problems. I unwisely decided to go for a more economical car - a saxo vtr - and have regretted it since. I miss my Paj

Anyway, I really like the looks of the Hilux Surfs, but have heard some very bad things about the engines. Over heating problems leading to head problems...

From what I have read here I've been a little more reassured that its common on 2.4 engines and very uncommon on 3.0 engines. Can some people with experience of this please advise?

Another concern is fuel economy... in my 2.5tdi Paj, I was spending around £50 per week, and travelling around 250 miles. What is the 3.0 engined Hilux like?

Any obvious things I should look out for when inspecting my potentially new vehicle?

Many Thanks

Rob

[stormforce]

Hi all

I used to have a SWB 2.5tdi Pajero, which I loved, but was forced to sell due to mechanical problems. I unwisely decided to go for a more economical car - a saxo vtr - and have regretted it since. I miss my Paj

Anyway, I really like the looks of the Hilux Surfs, but have heard some very bad things about the engines. Over heating problems leading to head problems...

From what I have read here I've been a little more reassured that its common on 2.4 engines and very uncommon on 3.0 engines. Can some people with experience of this please advise?

Another concern is fuel economy... in my 2.5tdi Paj, I was spending around £50 per week, and travelling around 250 miles. What is the 3.0 engined Hilux like?

Any obvious things I should look out for when inspecting my potentially new vehicle?

Many Thanks

Rob

Hi and welcome have a read here

See here.....
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/faq.htm
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/history.htm
hi and welcome

[smiffy]

Hi all

I used to have a SWB 2.5tdi Pajero, which I loved, but was forced to sell due to mechanical problems. I unwisely decided to go for a more economical car - a saxo vtr - and have regretted it since. I miss my Paj

Anyway, I really like the looks of the Hilux Surfs, but have heard some very bad things about the engines. Over heating problems leading to head problems...

From what I have read here I've been a little more reassured that its common on 2.4 engines and very uncommon on 3.0 engines. Can some people with experience of this please advise?

Another concern is fuel economy... in my 2.5tdi Paj, I was spending around £50 per week, and travelling around 250 miles. What is the 3.0 engined Hilux like?

Any obvious things I should look out for when inspecting my potentially new vehicle?

Many Thanks

Rob

Wecome to the Surfers paradise Rob.

I have a 2.4 Surf which i've just had to get a new head for

The warning sign that it was knackered was it was throwing water into the header tank causing it to bubble,slight white smoke and dirty water in the radiator. All things to check for when lookin at a 2.4

Not all 2.4's suffer from head proplems and you're correct in saying the 3.0 does not,or it is very uncommon.

If you search the forum there's plenty of info regarding every aspect and everythin you'll ever need to know.

[Toyney]

the 2.4 is not bad economy really. its comparable to most estate cars of the same age, if not better. the 2.4 is cheaper to buy than a 3. the 2.4 is slower than the 3, but then again this car isnt about speed. the 3 gives you more welly for not much difference in fuel consumption.
if you want economical go for a citroen C1... if you want space, flexibility and a big smile go for a surf
if you go for one like mine where it has documented/receipt head replacement by a known specialist you cant go far wrong... it should run and run
if you consider how much vehicle you get for your money... its brilliant.

why did you regret changing the paj for a dinky car? im considering doing the same because i dont use my surf enough to warrant taking up all the drive way space! im worried i will regret it come the first house move or big object purchase. ( i like the load space)

[smiffy]

Previous thread regarding fuel economy

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...t=fuel+economy

[smiffy]

im considering doing the same because i dont use my surf enough to warrant taking up all the drive way space! im worried i will regret it come the first house move or big object purchase. ( i like the load space)

Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!

You'll only regreat it.

I went a run the other day,was going to take the French go cart(clio172) but decided to take the Surf. Just as well..... came back with full set of decking furniture,bags of compost,plants,length's of wood,railings and a bag of cement!!!!

[Memran]

Thanks, all very useful

I looked at a 96(M) ssx ltd edition 3.0, with 50,000 miles (ish) on it. They look so cool! Not so sure if its a realistic asking price though, £6500

why did you regret changing the paj for a dinky car?

I miss the height, being able to look down on people the grin factor, and of course the off-roading
I thought I liked the Saxo for the first couple of months but it got boring fast, and too many boy racers wanting to me race off the lights etc... not for me.
The HUGE space in the surf will be great for transporting my bikes to mountain bike races, without having to worry about leaving them on a rack when I've parked somewhere.

Hmm £6500... not sure

[joker??]

paid about half of that for a 94 3,0 td ltd ,head done , new rear springs, new towbar. new alarm, atf cooler,roughly 100,000 miles on the clock though,
but should'nt be a prob on diesels , oh yeah in very good condition

[andy]

Have a look in the Surfs for sale section, nice 3rd gen here http://www.yotasurf.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=22767

[Chillitt]

surely, anything is better than one of them bitsafishmonkeys.....

[Memran]

Oh that £6500 is from a dealer, who will give £3500 for my Saxo...

I really can't be bothered trying to sell cars privately

[skyhooked]

hi mate

i dont really know anything about the 3rd gen surfs (95 on i think) i have a 2nd gen and its a 2.4 and i dont know much about them either but

it too now has the uprated head, aside from the engine stuff that you read up on show me some, you may want to have a good crawl about underneath the surf - check that it has the toyota rear shocks so that the suspension stiffening switch works

perhaps have a good gander at the chassis and all the other metal bits to see if they are getting flakey - the jap vehicles arent waxoiled as they dont use salt on their roads so this is something you may wanna get done

have you been for a test drive yet> the high floor pan isnt for everyone...pesonally i like it - its the same driving position as an old celica supra

[Memran]

This isn't a 3rd gen, must be 94 then I guess..

Planning to test drive it (or others) tomorrow after work, (dealer is about 30 seconds from my workplace).

[Toyney]

I imagine my surf will be up for sale after July to be honest. I could do with the money to put towards my impending house boat purchase which should hopefully be around september october november time.

1 last service and a little road trip and then I think im done with it.

I originally bought it to carry pushbikes and canoes around and its done the job perfectly. But I think I could survive for a while with a small car, my boyfriends giving me an old french 2cv...
while I save up for my 3.0 surf