Newbie questions

[Geckz]

Hi guys,

Need a second car so am looking at the surf, they are far better looking than the pajero's and others for the price!

Curently looking to get a 1993ish 2.4td surf. Noticed there are quite a few out there so just wondering what to look for.

Any pointers of things to check would be very good!!!

Thanks in advance

oh an also how much is a tank and what is the range?

[SurfnTurf]

Hi guys,

Need a second car so am looking at the surf, they are far better looking than the pajero's and others for the price!

Curently looking to get a 1993ish 2.4td surf. Noticed there are quite a few out there so just wondering what to look for.

Any pointers of things to check would be very good!!!

Thanks in advance

oh an also how much is a tank and what is the range? (sorry I'm a biker and can't get my hear round this mpg business)

Be prepared for it to become your first car! A tanks gonna be around the mid 40's, average 25-30 miles a gallon. Not too sure of the range, the good advice will follow shortly.....

[Geckz]

They are seriously cool - Hi to the ones going round reading - especially to the guy towing a (kart?) going round to lower early turnoff on M4 J11 roundabout.

Some inital thoughts

1. Best model to have - 2.4 is ok for me but is it the most bulletproof. I want to get one then drive it into the ground!

2. What upgrades are needed - I've noticed a lot have new heads and radiators?

3. Any recommendations - I'm looking at about 4.5k but may go slightly higher for something good.

[marky]

have a look in surfs for sale section & see if there are any you like. these are owned by members

[SurfnTurf]

They are seriously cool - Hi to the ones going round reading - especially to the guy towing a (kart?) going round to lower early turnoff on M4 J11 roundabout.

Some inital thoughts

1. Best model to have - 2.4 is ok for me but is it the most bulletproof. I want to get one then drive it into the ground!

2. What upgrades are needed - I've noticed a lot have new heads and radiators?

3. Any recommendations - I'm looking at about 4.5k but may go slightly higher for something good.

Okay, i've got a 2.4 and love it, though most will probably suggest a 3.0l. There are a few problems with the heads on the 2.4, and if it's going to recieve a good seeing to, the 3.0l may give you a little extra piece of mind. i guess the newest you can get for the money, L or M reg maybe, they all still look like a current model in my opinion. There are basic upgrades like the thermostat if you get an import as the temperature is different in Japan, or so im told, not been but i like the food.....From there it's up to you. Most change the tyres, affects performance off road greatly. The horn just doesn't do it justice(got my airhorn today!), you can lift it, dress it up like a christmas tree, chrome it up, and of course decorate it regularly with mud, whatever takes your fancy. Loads of places doing accsessories. But ultimately your right, they're cool as, and owning one is even better!

Enjoy......

[firefly]

MPG dont bother worrying too much about it, ive had a couple of bikes and couldnt have given a monkies how much i got out of them, its the pleasure you get while on them im sure you'll agree

SurfnTurf has just about covered the lot, best thing is to ask questions dont buy the first one you see, go to different dealers to see which model does it for you and then when you have an idea you can do some serious browsing,

GOOD LUCK i can assure you you wont regret it if ya do......

[andrewcrofts]

HI,
i got mine (92,SSRX 2.4TD) last week and think it is awsome! ive owned approx 34 cars in the past 10 years from fiat uno's to nissan sx200 turbos, but the surf is the one that has done it for me. as the other fellas say, have a good look round and try to find one as clean and well prepared as you can. as for the head problem, find me a make of motor which doesnt have trouble at the price you're looking at spending, and if it does break, fix it! simple as that. if you find one in a garage/dealers ask about warranty and make sure it covers cracked heads (the one i got with mine did'nt until i told the guy to shove it unless he changed his mind....... which he did... in writing!) make sure it's had a good service, and been undersealed. check the coolant has been swapped, and make sure it has RED antifreeze in it not blue or green, the red stuff is what toyota use and costs a little bit more but when it is mixed with the blue/green stuff it crystleizes and can block up water ways and could contribute to the head going. (we'll see if people agree with me on that one) do all the other obvious checks as well such as tyres, under oil filler cap, expansion tank, ect. ect and take it for a good test drive (not a couple of miles -youre gonna invest nearly 5 grand in it after all) ask if the stereo's been changed from a jap spec to english or you'll only be able to listen to radio 2, or at least had a band expander fitted. i'm getting around 27 to the gallon, and it costs about 45 quid from empty to 'off the gauge' full, which i think is pretty good for a 2 ton truck!
but i guarantee you, you will be chuffed to bits with it, they're solid and give you a real good road presence!
good luck and i hope i've helped you in your choice.
andy crofts
p.s wot bike do you ride? i was an instructor for 8 years, and play on a blackbird at weekends!

[Geckz]

Well looked at a couple more today - a couple of SSR-X and _G's. Most interesting one had recaro seats in there (a la xr3i) niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

Had a play with a manual and auo - have to say vastly preferred the manual. I also prefer having the spare wheel on the back rather than underneath - looks cooler!

However the ones I did test were a bit ropey to say the least - Now I bought a jap import 10 years ago and it was excellent condition. These seem to be the cheese....

Well I'm continuing to look and will let you guys know what is happening.