Thinking of buying a surf

[keithl]

Hi all, Im a newbie on this excellent forum you guys have got going and as the title says I am really interested in buying a 1993 Toyota surf thats caught my eye.

Its a 3.0l TD with 92000 miles (not KM) on the clock and looks really clean, no corrosion underneath, runs really sweet etc etc.

Now, the only issue I have with buying it is that its older than my current 4x4 which is a 2000 mitsubishi shogun with 90000 miles on the clock which has been good to me over the last 5 years. However the Surf does look to be in better nick than my Shoggie.
The dealer who is selling it has it advertised at £2995 and says he will sell it to me for £2000 with my Shogun as a trade in. Therefor Im going to be paying 2K for an older car (obviously I will haggle a bit).

Is this a fair trade? I mean are these Surfs really as good as the dealer makes out??

Any help or comments appreciated

[tashtego]

Hi all, Im a newbie on this excellent forum you guys have got going and as the title says I am really interested in buying a 1993 Toyota surf thats caught my eye.

Its a 3.0l TD with 92000 miles (not KM) on the clock and looks really clean, no corrosion underneath, runs really sweet etc etc.

Now, the only issue I have with buying it is that its older than my current 4x4 which is a 2000 mitsubishi shogun with 90000 miles on the clock which has been good to me over the last 5 years. However the Surf does look to be in better nick than my Shoggie.
The dealer who is selling it has it advertised at £2995 and says he will sell it to me for £2000 with my Shogun as a trade in. Therefor Im going to be paying 2K for an older car (obviously I will haggle a bit).

Is this a fair trade? I mean are these Surfs really as good as the dealer makes out??

Any help or comments appreciated

Keith, a 2000 Shogun, plus £2000, for a 1993 Surf...doesn't sound good to me. Of course it depends on the vehicles' condition and on how much you want the surf...
Last July I was in the UK and I saw some very clean 30L surfs in the 1500 - 2000 quid bracket (I was helping some relatives who were looking for one).
I would look for a private seller and save myself some money if I were you.
Good luck

[keithl]

Thanks for the reply Tashtego. I did think that myself but just wanted another opinion as to how good these Surfs actually are.

Cheers
Keith

[J i m s t e r]

My 2p is I think the dealer being well cheeky.

Check ebay/autotrader, you should be able to pick up a good 93 3.0 Surf for much less than 3K.

Even if you were doing a straight swap, he should be giving you cash too.

I know he has to make a living on the deal etc. but 2K + yours is too much.

[tashtego]

Thanks for the reply Tashtego. I did think that myself but just wanted another opinion as to how good these Surfs actually are.

Cheers
Keith

Well, most people on here will tell you they are very good
Seriously, when I think of all people that I know who drive similar vehicles (here there's more 4x4s, pick ups etc than normal saloons/hatchbacks), Toyotas seem to be more reliable and better built, when compared with other similar Jap trucks. All mechanics I know will agree with this.
In particular the engines that go strong here are the 3RZ (2.7 petrol), the 1KZ TE (used both in pick-ups and in the 3.0L surfs) and the 3L (2.8L) or 5L(3.0L) engines, mostly used in pick-ups (but the 3L also in some old surf).
People on a Mitsi or Nissan forum might disagree, but there you go.
Good luck

[J i m s t e r]

After seeing a United Nations-spec one, I used to fancy a Patrol Safari 4.2D but they rot on the arches (well, they do over here given our weather and salted Winter roads).

Couple of mates have had newer Mister Bitchys but their gearing didn't suit motorway journeys and they both had gearbox problems. Neither were thrashed.

Been more than happy with my Surf.

[keithl]

I did a wee bit of research on Surfs and the stats dont lie. Toyota definitely build better 4x4's. Dont get me wrong ive had my shoggie for the last 6 yrs and its been great. I think its just getting a wee bit tired now, ive had to weld it for its last 2 mot's other than that its fine.

I will get another 4x4 soon and TBH i prefer the older types to the newer ones
Also the tax is a hell of a lot cheaper on the older models.

I'll keep you all updated if I get myself a Surf.

[pasty]

he's asking way too much!

I got my clean 95 3L with 100k miles on the clock for £1200.

As with anything you're thinking of buying, look around to see what the markets doing.

[M8WHR]

At the money your thinking about, I'd either go for a surf, or a landcruiser 80 series.

[keithl]

Thanks for all the great advice guys, it really helps. Im glad I asked the question. I think I was just a bit smitten with the said Surf as it was clean as a whistle underneath-no rust whatsoever. I'll maybe go back and see the dealer and see if he can do a better (much much better lol) deal.

[Diezel Weazel]

Hi Keith gotta agree with the others on this Forum, 3k will get a peach 2nd Gen or even a 3rd gen if that's ya bag .... don't rush to get the first Surf Truck under ya belt !
Oh welcome to Mad house, enjoy ya stay ..... Good Luck n Happy hunting

12+ Years of Surfs ..... n Faultless to a "T" is my Yota, no it's not spotless !!

[keithl]

Cheers Diezel, Im gonna just keep on looking at other Surfs and see what I can find. Its just ive not seen many for sale. Any ideas where to look for a decent one?

[si tate]

Cheers Diezel, Im gonna just keep on looking at other Surfs and see what I can find. Its just ive not seen many for sale. Any ideas where to look for a decent one?

mine

[tashtego]

Check the for sale section, the 3rd Gen just come up for sale is cheaper than your dealer one, and probably better. And it's fairly priced.

[CWA]

I paid £1300 for a 3.0 SSRX on an M plate, 86000 MILES, pretty mint apart from rust on the rear bumper quarters.

I might add its no longer mint ! Cant help trying to get it dirty !