My Surf is dead

[MadcapMagician]

I was taking the mrs to work on Tuesday morning, came round a blind bend....and came face to face with some silly bitch in a Freelander, driving in the middle of the road!

I hit the brakes but the road was wet....and that, as they say, was that.

The entire driver's side of the Surf was totalled, including the rear wheel. I am an unhappy bunny.

The only positive thing about the incident is that the insurance company have given me a brand new BMW 520d for the next 14 days. It's like getting into a spaceship!

So, I'm looking for another 4x4. I'd like another 3 litre Surf...though I am kinda having my head turned by the Pajero; I like the fact that it has a better 4x4 drive system than the Toyota does (it'll work on tarmac, for one thing) though the total lack of a proper boot is a bit of a minus. I've got a budget of £2000; so far, the Pajeros I've seen have been in far better nick than the Surfs. I do like the look of this Surf, though. Ah, well...we'll see what happens.

[stormforce]

As long as you and the mrs are ok thats the main thing.
The pajeros have the same problems as the surfs have if not worse with the heads.I have heard they are more expensive for repairs aswell.
They are thirstier than a surf aswell.Pajero in Spanish is WA*KER

Go for another surf and if your budget allows go for a 3rd gen as you can have 4wd all the time if you wanted.I prefer the 2wd to 4wd option myself rather than permenant 4wd

[MadcapMagician]

As long as you and the mrs are ok thats the main thing.

Well, a bit of whiplash and I've knackered my lower back but if we'd been in a normal car, I don't think I'd be posting in the forum if you know what I mean...

The pajeros have the same problems as the surfs have if not worse with the heads.I have heard they are more expensive for repairs aswell.

Ah! Thanks for that bit of info. I was sure they had head problems but my mate (who used to own one) told me he'd never heard about that.

Go for another surf and if your budget allows go for a 3rd gen as you can have 4wd all the time if you wanted.I prefer the 2wd to 4wd option myself rather than permenant 4wd

I don't think I'll get a 3rd gen for £2k, to be honest...unless you know of a good one?

[ads surf]

yeah stormy's right i owned a pajero once then i met my first surf, sold the pajero and bought the surf instead and never looked back.

[Apache]

I agree with Stormy. Not sure what the obsession for 4 wheel drive on tarmac is about. It wont help you when you're braking or otherwise trying to avoid an accident, and if you need it when the roads are slippy, then its slippy enough to switch in 4wd on a 2nd gen.

I leave my 3rd gen in 2wd for all the same situations I left my 2nd gen in 2wd. All using 4wd when there's no need does is increases fuel consumption.

PS - I got a 3rd gen for £2400.

[funkykebab]

My mate has a SWB Shogun and the Super Select 4WD While Brilliant is a nightmare if it goes wrong....and very expensive


Matt

[MadcapMagician]

PS - I got a 3rd gen for £2400.

Which is over my budget of £2000

[Apache]

Which is over my budget of £2000

Should get you a nice 3.0 2nd gen if you keep your eyes peeled then. All you're missing out on is haircare equipment

[funkykebab]

I got my 2nd gen 3.0 for £1200 and nothing wrong with it apart from a slight ripple on one of the rear wings.

Seems to be loads around North London for sale at the moment!

Matt

[TonyN]

I hate working on Pajaros, nothing is easy or sensibly set out like a Toyota.

Only the Challenger/Shogun Sport looks in the same league as a Surf, but its gutless and clunky.

AWD is a luxury unless you're towing on wet roads or want to drive like loon. If its slippery or snowy you can use a 2nd Gen in 4wd anyway. It won't save you from people on the wrong side of the road. lol.

Personally I'd save an extra couple of hundred quid and get a 3rd Gen, especially if its a daily driver, a 3rd Gen will be easier to live with and more reliable long term.

[stormforce]

Here's one for you Jerhttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-HILUX-S...item41543a2a8d
A good price aswell i think

[wishbone]

I'd buy the latest 2nd gen I could find and spend the left over cash on new shocks, springs, bushes, brakes, radiator, full service etc.

Parts availability puts me off the 3rd gen. You can get almost everything for the 2nd gen from R'trax and Milners.

[Apache]

Parts availability puts me off the 3rd gen. You can get almost everything for the 2nd gen from R'trax and Milners.

You big girl! You can get everything you need for a 3rd gen from Boots!

[wishbone]

Very true

[puddlesurfer]

Shame about your Surf - but at least you and your mrs are ok! (within reason)