Advice for my first Surf

[Paul R]

Hi All,

I am looking for advice on purchasing my first Surf. I have spent the last few weeks trawling different websites looking to get a good understanding of the different Surfs available, but I am struggling. From what I have gathered so far the SSR-G is the top of the range (but I am not sure why!), and the 3rd Generation started in 96, I am not having much luck learning any more.

Can anyone tell me (point me to a good link) specifically what the differences are between the various Surf models? I am also unclear about when the models changed; I thought the third generation came out in 96? I noticed today on EBay a manual for the 93 to 2001 model? Can anyone clear this up?

As for buying I think I am looking at a 2nd generation model 3rd if my budget can handle it. I would like to keep my budget down to below £5k and am keen to get all the mod cons. My main buying criteria are to get a reliable workhorse with the creature comforts. Can I do it and if so what would you recommend. I appreciate cost is relative but would appreciate some rough estimates.


And finally I understand there are auctions down at the Southampton docks for new imports has anyone any experience of them, Good or bad?

Thanks in advance for your help, Paul

[That Ruddy Squirrel]

Hi All,

I am looking for advice on purchasing my first Surf. I have spent the last few weeks trawling different websites looking to get a good understanding of the different Surfs available, but I am struggling. From what I have gathered so far the SSR-G is the top of the range (but I am not sure why!), and the 3rd Generation started in 96, I am not having much luck learning any more.

Can anyone tell me (point me to a good link) specifically what the differences are between the various Surf models? I am also unclear about when the models changed; I thought the third generation came out in 96? I noticed today on EBay a manual for the 93 to 2001 model? Can anyone clear this up?

As for buying I think I am looking at a 2nd generation model 3rd if my budget can handle it. I would like to keep my budget down to below £5k and am keen to get all the mod cons. My main buying criteria are to get a reliable workhorse with the creature comforts. Can I do it and if so what would you recommend. I appreciate cost is relative but would appreciate some rough estimates.


And finally I understand there are auctions down at the Southampton docks for new imports has anyone any experience of them, Good or bad?

Thanks in advance for your help, Paul

Try getting in touch with Andy at Polegate, he can help you or try contacting Koi for his SSR

Both of these gentlemen can be located in the members list for contact information.

Hope this helps Paul.


Trev

[Sewerat]

Paul,
Welcome M8

Trev has pointed you in the right direction.
With £5000 you might get a KZN 130 with a 3L diesel, you will certainly get a LN 130 with a 2.4 L diesel, i doubt about a KZN 185 ( 3rd gen ).
Follow Trevs recomendations if i was you.

Auctions : Southampton / Tilbury / Bristol / Liverpool docks
have you got a couple of hours ??????????

Bottom line, yes they maybe cheaper but they maybe are not the best or for that matter anywhere near the best, but someone else may disagree, but man thats this forum.
If i was you i would'nt go near them, but its your choice & cash M8

[RobD]

You won't get a 3rd gen for 5k,unless it is a damaged repairable(one on ebay couple of weeks ago for bids over 3k,but it was well !!!!ed!)

[rich]

There is a history of the 4runner on the hiluxsurf.co.uk website which the Surf follows closely (i.e. Same thing - ish) just click on the banner or of this link works you can downloads the file.

http://www.yotasurf.co.uk/php_lib/do...ile.php?uid=54

Rich.

[andy]

Hi All,

I am looking for advice on purchasing my first Surf. I have spent the last few weeks trawling different websites looking to get a good understanding of the different Surfs available, but I am struggling. From what I have gathered so far the SSR-G is the top of the range (but I am not sure why!), and the 3rd Generation started in 96, I am not having much luck learning any more.

Can anyone tell me (point me to a good link) specifically what the differences are between the various Surf models? I am also unclear about when the models changed; I thought the third generation came out in 96? I noticed today on EBay a manual for the 93 to 2001 model? Can anyone clear this up?

As for buying I think I am looking at a 2nd generation model 3rd if my budget can handle it. I would like to keep my budget down to below £5k and am keen to get all the mod cons. My main buying criteria are to get a reliable workhorse with the creature comforts. Can I do it and if so what would you recommend. I appreciate cost is relative but would appreciate some rough estimates.


And finally I understand there are auctions down at the Southampton docks for new imports has anyone any experience of them, Good or bad?

Thanks in advance for your help, Paul

Paul

You have a PM.

[TAF]

I know someone who can supply you with a surf at a good price if you can travel to south Wales I was offered a 95 model ssrx 3ltr in black I think it was going on to a m registration fore £5500 witch I think is a good price as around this neck of the woods they fetch around £7000 to £7500 it was no good to me as I wanted a ssrg 96 onwards/ that was only about a week ago and it hadn't been registered then so it might still be available any good to you ???

[maggs]

i was at southampton on tuesday and saw lots of nice clean surfs. the prices were good that day a 95 ssrg made £3700 nice car clean with 130000kms.people say stay clear but where do the traders buy cars. at auctions

[andy]

i was at southampton on tuesday and saw lots of nice clean surfs. the prices were good that day a 95 ssrg made £3700 nice car clean with 130000kms.people say stay clear but where do the traders buy cars. at auctions

Any good dealer will buy his stock at auction in Japan, and anything sold at dock auction will more than likely end up on some forcourt at over twice the price and very few miles on the clock.

I would always recommend getting a BIMTA check on any import, unless the dealer can show you a copy of the Japanese auction sheet.

[maggs]

point taken andy but a trader buying in japan is no different to a trader buying out of a auction in the uk .they all work on a profit margin.i went to the auction to look for a car for myself not to make money. if any one is looking for a jap car go to a auction and see what prices cars are making u never know u might get a bargain.

[TAZMAN]

Unless youre lucky, IMO, the Surfs being auctioned at the docks are the slightly not so nice Surfs that have got through maybe in a job lot. The good ones tend to be bought before leaving Japan and have already been sold over the internet etc by well established dealers. If you buy at the docks, you really need to know what youre looking at, so make a concise list of what to look for and a rough guide of the price it's worth, but keeping looking on here for more info.

[andy]

point taken andy but a trader buying in japan is no different to a trader buying out of a auction in the uk .they all work on a profit margin.i went to the auction to look for a car for myself not to make money. if any one is looking for a jap car go to a auction and see what prices cars are making u never know u might get a bargain.

A good dealer buying stock from auction in Japan will have a sheet with a verified mileage, the ones that turn up at port auction in Japan and the Uk can be tampered at either end so you could be buying a vehicle that has very high mileage, that's why they have all had the service stickers removed.

[Paul R]

Thanks to all who have replied.

I must admit I am tempted with a trip to 'Motorway', but at the same time I am concerned about the reasons these vechicles come all the way from Japan only to be auctioned off at the dock side......Yes, I think I will get the best price, but it nags me that I am just buying something no-one else wants.

Then again I am not a mechanic or very hands on so I wouldn't know what I was getting from the auction, dealer (which I would prefer to avoid!) or anyone else for that matter...............a bit of a catch 22 for someone who wants to pay the least and still get the best Surf???

[Paul R]

Has anyone any experience's of the web dealers who offer to source you what you want from Japan? I have found a couple online but not sure what to make of them, can they be trusted can any make a recommendation.

I guess you would hope to get what you ask for at least in terms of looks, trim etc however, mechanically who know?

[Burslem]

i used autoadvan and i was happy with the price and service www.autoadvan.co.uk