I`m going to buy a Surf!

[mart 870]

Hi everyone,

Hopefully in a couple of weeks i`ll have the funds to buy myself a 3.0L 2nd gen Surf. I`ve been reading through this site for a few weeks now so hopefully i have an idea what to look for when buying one but i`m still not sure about a few things.

The Recaro seats that are fitted to some Surfs, are the back seats adjustable backwards and forwards? i saw one the other day and im sure one half of the back seat was further forward then the other.

Can anyone recommend any good road biased tyres? I`ll be using the Surf mainly for towing my race car to meetings so i`m not too concerned about off road tyres.

I`m a bit dissapointed with the MPG figures that most of you seem to get, a mate drives a Nissan Navara, towing even more wieght than me yet still returns around 30-35 to the gallon, i guess is what 10 years of diesel engine development and common rail diesels does for you!

I see that some of the 2nd gen Surfs suffer from saggy rear ends, since i`ll be doing lots of towing with it is it worth getting a better set of rear shocks/springs?

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies and until i get my own Surf i`ll carry on being a Surf spotter!!

Cheers

Mart 870

[Linda]

Hi everyone,

The Recaro seats that are fitted to some Surfs, are the back seats adjustable backwards and forwards? i saw one the other day and im sure one half of the back seat was further forward then the other.
Don't know about Recaro seats, but the rear seats in my 94 2nd gen do adjust (although only by a couple of inches.)

Can anyone recommend any good road biased tyres? I`ll be using the Surf mainly for towing my race car to meetings so i`m not too concerned about off road tyres.
I had Yokohama Geolander I/T's on mine when I got it. These are actually Ice Terrain tyres and stuck to the road really well in all conditions. Not sure if you can buy them over here though. Don't know a whole lot about raod tyres other than that.

I`m a bit dissapointed with the MPG figures that most of you seem to get, a mate drives a Nissan Navara, towing even more wieght than me yet still returns around 30-35 to the gallon, i guess is what 10 years of diesel engine development and common rail diesels does for you!
As someone else once said on here... you're driving a 2 tonne brick with the aerodynamics of a small bungalow... it ain't ever gonna be economical!!

I see that some of the 2nd gen Surfs suffer from saggy rear ends, since i`ll be doing lots of towing with it is it worth getting a better set of rear shocks/springs?
If the arse looks saggy - get the dealer to fix it for you before you buy! Actually its not that expensive of difficult to fit either shocs or springs...

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies and until i get my own Surf i`ll carry on being a Surf spotter!!
Good luck with the quest!!

Cheers

Mart 870

[slim]

hi mart,
i know somone who have a nissan navara for work use and by all account, they do not get any more than 23 to the gallon sometimes even less, as was once tried, filled tank up ran for 2 days he then re filled tank and worked out at about 20 to the gallon,now inless this vehicle is not set up correctly,then i would have thought that most navaras are the same . from my research up to yet the surf stands in the middle, most say that they get about 25 miles to the gallon ( iam sure anybody who whants to correct me on this will do)..... hope you find the surf you whant they apparently are out there somewhere??

[Gtdog]

I have Yokohama Geolanders on my toy, they work very well, and not too noisy.
MPG, on a motorway at constant 70mph I average 28-30, urban and extra urban about 23-25. Thats over the last k.

All the best of luck,
Dog

[mart 870]

Thanks everyone for the fast replies i`m really looking forward to owning a Surf and although i havnt actually got the money ready yet its burning a hole in my pocket already.

Something i forgot to ask before though - With the spare on the back or the car how far does it swing out to clear the boot, i need to be able to get in the boot of the car at meetings without having to unhitch the trailer.

Btw here`s a pic of what i race a Brisca F2 Stock Car.

Cheers

Mart 870

[marky]

The rear window comes down not all surfs have a rear mounted spare as they are underneath.
i was a BRISCA F1 fan once Len Wolfenden & Frankie Wayneman were the best oh & Stu Smith

[da SLUG man]

I have Yokohama Geolanders on my toy, they work very well, and not too noisy.
MPG, on a motorway at constant 70mph I average 28-30, urban and extra urban about 23-25. Thats over the last k.

All the best of luck,
Dog

what's urban, extra urban crap about??

mine gets less miles off road, using low range especially poor.
in town, keep stopping to eye up the girlies... not good mpg!
costs a lot to use on the motorway, cos i generally travel further...
up hill seems to be a bit thirstier than down hill.
using for work and back put about £20 a week in... cheaper than fags and beer!

[mart 870]

The rear window comes down not all surfs have a rear mounted spare as they are underneath.
i was a BRISCA F1 fan once Len Wolfenden & Frankie Wayneman were the best oh & Stu Smith

Nice one Marky, Frankie Wainman has a son now who`s doing pretty well although when i was a kid i was always a John Hillam fan myself, Get yourself over to Belle Vue sometime and get back into the sport!

Cheers

Mart 870

[Linda]

Something i forgot to ask before though - With the spare on the back or the car how far does it swing out to clear the boot, i need to be able to get in the boot of the car at meetings without having to unhitch the trailer.


Cheers

Mart 870

Swings out to 90 degrees and easily clears my trailer without unhitching. I can also drop the rear tailgate and clear the trailer hitch. Obviously depends on your trailer!

[mart 870]

Its got a 3 foot draw bar so fingers crossed it will be fine, thanks

Cheers

Mart 870

[marky]

Nice one Marky, Frankie Wainman has a son now who`s doing pretty well although when i was a kid i was always a John Hillam fan myself, Get yourself over to Belle Vue sometime and get back into the sport!

Cheers

Mart 870

might just give it a go mate. do you remember harry hughes he used to race F2 in the late 70's. i used to know him got us in for free at white city in m/cr