Advice Needed

[V6Tek]

Hi all
I am about to buy my first Surf, I intend getting a 3rd Gen, I am not concerned with fuel consumption, insurance or Road Tax costs, So my question is which model is best Petrol or diesel, reliability would be a concern so based on your experiences which is the best way to go.
Any other relevant advice would also be appreciated.

[nero279]

there's very few petrol one's about, toyota diesels are bulletproof.

Diesel Pro's:
torque by the bucket load
less uneconomical


Diesel Con's:
Noisy


Petrol Pro's:
You can become pigheaded and elitist on the forum and we'll just ignore you
Bragging rights on an extra 15 BHP (7.5HP per tonne makes all the difference you know)
Quieter


Petrol Con's:
You can become pigheaded and elitist on the forum and we'll just ignore you
At the end of the day, they are just bragging rights
Having to tow a fuel bowser around behind you

[nero279]

No, seriously if you're looking for a 3rd gen, i really don't know much about the 3rd gen petrols, i think it's a 2.7 V6, later superceeded by a 3.4 V6. The 2.7s have been coming up cheap on here from time to time, and at the right price i'd definately consider a petrol motor. But as i said before the toyota diesels are bulletproof, and if it was a choice between the intercooled diesel or either of the petrols it would be the diesel everytime. Without the intercooler though it's a close call and depends on your planed usage aswell, if it's offroad or towing i think i'd stick with the diesel still.

[Sancho]

I don't remember ever being pigheaded or elitist. Not about having a petrol surf anyway.

The 2.7 petrol is a straight four I believe. There is also a 3.4 V6. Both are good engines. The V6 has a small issue with head gaskets but nothing to overly worry about. The only problem with the V6 in my opinion is that it only comes with an auto transmission.

The petrol vs diesel argument could go on for 100 years. As far as I'm concerned the pros of petrol are:

1. The fuel's cheaper
2. You can convert to LPG
3. When you press the accelerator something happens straight away
4. It is much smoother to drive, especially as a V6.

The cons are:

1. You use more fuel
2. You can't run on veg oil
3. When you press the accelerator on a hill not very much happens
4. If you drive it into a river, it will break

Personally, I would say if you're just looking for truck to cruise around in, go for petrol. If you're after something to tow and go off road, go for diesel.

The last point I would make is that there are aftermarket superchargers available for both engines which would, for a 4x4, make them very fast indeed.

[V6Tek]

Thanks for the quick replies, sounds to me the V6 petrol would be my best option, the wife wants the auto and to be honest I don't really mind, spent many years in California and everything is automatic over there.
Any other information anyone has would still be appreciated.

[Sancho]

If you're after a petrol 3rd gen, I would think very seriously about this one:

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...207#post467207

[John h]

I have to agree the newer the better ! and the one on the forum is a stunning Vehicle

However the 3ltr Intercooled diesel is still a force to be reckoned with !

[Predictable Bob]

Especially the silver one .......

[nero279]

I don't remember ever being pigheaded or elitist.

you must still be a 2.4 owner at heart

I wasn't thinking of you mate, someone else who used to manage to rile me right up on a regular, i just laugh when i see their posts now. I do apologise to all of you petrol (& ex-petrol) owners.

[POPEYE]

you must still be a 2.4 owner at heart

I wasn't thinking of you mate, someone else who used to manage to rile me right up on a regular, i just laugh when i see their posts now. I do apologise to all of you petrol (& ex-petrol) owners.

Who was that then?

[BUSHWHACKER]

Who was that then?

Me?

I use petrol you know.


Oops, almost forgot, Hi newbie, enjoy your stay!