How frustrating is ebay??

[Martin4639]

I want a Surf, have read lots on here (thanks everyone), I am a complete novice, simply looking for a truck to tow my boat which won't get stuck in the sand like my 5 series.
Looked at Landcruisers, Jeeps, Discos, Range Rovers, L200s, Prados, Pajeros, Terracans but keep coming back to these things!
Found a great looking truck on ebay, a few bids on it, close enough to home to view, rang to arrange a viewing and the guy had sold outside of the auction.....
So now start again.
Question - even at circ a 20 years old are these things really as reliable as all the posts suggest? If I buy another money pit (the last one was an e class estate - 3 new injectors and a radiator later.....) her indoors will go mental!
Unfortunately non for sale on here, any recommended specialist sellers?
Cheers

[shokenore]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-HIL...item3f36eb2a46



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-HIL...item4181b66402



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-HIL...item4181b66402


Happy hunting

[yoshie]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-HIL...item3f36eb2a46

You would be better pulling the boat with a bicycle as a 2.4

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-HIL...item4181b66402



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-HIL...item4181b66402



Happy hunting

The last two are the same truck

[BUSHWHACKER]

What about a Patrol?

[shokenore]

oops
I'm sure the last one I meant to link to was from the wirral, never mind.


Anyway with all the 3L pressure cookers around at the mo you might be better off sticking with the mighty 2.4

[shokenore]

Here is another one from OOP North

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-TOYOT...item232f4df458

[pasty]

yes to the reliability.

Mines nearly 20, had it nearly 2 years and nothing has gone wrong, passed its MOT's without even an advisory. except the the bits I've swapped out as far as I can tell its all original.

Unless they brew up of cause :/

[J i m s t e r]

There is a dealer in Bolton, Ken Adam who always has Surfs in.

He's got a decent reputation amongst the folk on here who have dealt with him (as buyers).

If you search ebay for item 281348877366 you can see his details.

[tashtego]

I want a Surf, have read lots on here (thanks everyone), I am a complete novice, simply looking for a truck to tow my boat which won't get stuck in the sand like my 5 series.
Looked at Landcruisers, Jeeps, Discos, Range Rovers, L200s, Prados, Pajeros, Terracans but keep coming back to these things!
Found a great looking truck on ebay, a few bids on it, close enough to home to view, rang to arrange a viewing and the guy had sold outside of the auction.....
So now start again.
Question - even at circ a 20 years old are these things really as reliable as all the posts suggest? If I buy another money pit (the last one was an e class estate - 3 new injectors and a radiator later.....) her indoors will go mental!
Unfortunately non for sale on here, any recommended specialist sellers?
Cheers

Hi,
I know plenty people use their surf for towing but if I was you I would go for a LC (4.2). Already surfs don't like too much heat...sticking a boat behind is asking for trouble IMHO.
Good luck

[Martin4639]

It's good to talk

Thanks for the advice guys, interesting comment about not towing hmmmm, not sure now, maybe (dare I say it)a Pajero or a Terracan...........
Patrols look great but a bit pricey........

[BUSHWHACKER]

How about a 2.7 petrol 3rd gen?
Same, if not slightly better economy than the 3.0 diesel, more horse power, petrol is cheaper and they don't run out of puff @70mph (when not towing obviously!)
Sure it doesn't have the low down torque of the diesel as it's a 16 valve higher revving engine, but it's much smoother and quieter. No timing belt to worry about either.
I've been towing a four berth caravan with mine for the past five years with no overheating problems, even on hills.

p.s. If you get a Pajero, you'll be banned from here!

[Bogus]

Not going to deny that a 4.2 LC will make a fine vehicle for towing your boat but no reason to dismiss a Surf. Lots of people including myself have dragged tin snails around without issue.

[shokenore]

Did the OP mention the size of the boat ?
Single or double axle trailer?
There are one or two different size boats from say a mirror class to the Mauritania.
If you were concerned why not import one of the 6litre plus American double cap pickups then you could fill the back up with water and float your boat there

A Surf with decent tyres and sensibly driven shouldn't get stuck in the sand.

[Martin4639]

Smallish boat...

The boat is a rib on a single axle trailer, no brakes or owt fancy due to weight and dipping it into the sea......

[Bogus]

The boat is a rib on a single axle trailer, no brakes or owt fancy due to weight and dipping it into the sea......

You could tow that with an Astra ( well not all Astras obviously ) but any operational one.