2.4TD; Should I?

[GrahamJayzee]

Greetings all!

Newbie member, what a fine and chatty lot you guys are; mind if I join in?

OK, short version of a long story:

I decided a couple of years ago that it was actually cost effective to run an oldish 4be4 for the purposes of dogs/ fishing/ muddy kids etc rather than fill my main car with mud. Lucky old me. It started with a Maverick (which we all liked, but had a few problems) and now is settled on a Landrover 90. Problem with a Landy 90 is that it's a Landrover. Great at what it does, but a truly unpleasant vehicle to own! Wife put her foot down and declared that it was her or the 90*

*Insert punchline of your choice here...

The landy should be gone in a week or so, so it's time to start shopping. I'd gladly buy another Maverick/ Terrano, but did look at a Surf when I was shopping for a main car a year or so back. Toyota build quality oozed from every panel, so it seems silly not to reconsider it now.

OK, to the chase:
I can't justify big£ on an occasional use vehicle. £3k tops. I don't think a 3L is in this range. Am I foolish to buy a Surf 2.4TD at this price point? It sounds from where I'm sat that if an imported 2.4 hasn't had the head replaced, it's a matter of time before it will. Is this a fair comment?

If it is a sensible move, what should I ask of the seller, and what should I be looking at?

Thanks very much everyone

Graham

[laser_jock@work]

It sounds from where I'm sat that if an imported 2.4 hasn't had the head replaced, it's a matter of time before it will. Is this a fair comment?

Graham

There is some risk involved!

With 3K to spend you might pick a car that's been in the UK a while (private buy or even E-bay)- you'll just need to inspect it carefully for signs of bodged repair (instant cracked head repair gunk etc.) or signs of immpending failure. You might get lucky and find one with head already replaced.

Another possibility is to find one with cracked head- offer the owner a suitably knocked down price (maybe minus £1500 which is a typical garage quote) and get it fixed yourself (the repair should be sub £1000- there are contacts on this forum who can supply & fit them). I've seen Surfs with 'head gone' go for very little money (£1500 or less) since the owners were quoted silly money by some garages for a new head they're just glad to get rid.

On this forum I think about 30% of 2.4L owners have experienced head/overeating problems of one kind or another- though once sorted they're great vehicles

Nevillef

[dirtydog]

i picked mine up quite cheap ish but then had to fork out for cat1/towbar/mot/service etc so see what it comes with. My head has been changed about a year ago but was'nt a new one i dont think I have mixed opinions on reciepts. cost them £1500 to sort whoever it was who paid.

[GrahamJayzee]

Thanks Guys,

I think I have made up my mind to either get a car that I can verify the work has already been done, or steer clear. I accept they are great cars (and they must be to have such a strong following despite a fault that affects 1 in 5 2.4s, and cost 15-25% of the purchase price to fix!!!), but reading the threads on this site has convinced me that it's too big a risk.

The problem is perception; if you have the car 3 years and fall in love with it; a £1k bill is tolerable. If it needs it immediately after purchase it APPEARS to those that matter (erm, the wife) that it was a poorly researched or ill-advised choice!

After buying a Pajero last year that lunched it's engine 4 months after I bought it; I don't have any leeway!

Thanks for your input chaps

Graham

[Linda]

Keep an eye on this site though - the for sale section often has trucks at a reasonable price which have had the head done (and you can follow the details through dozens of posts) that would be a good buy. The room in them and the off road ability make them a great choice for dogs, horses, hawking, and various other offroad pursuits, not to mention hoards of muddy people!!

[GrahamJayzee]

Thanks Linda,

Don't get me wrong, I'm not ruling out a Surf, just ruling out a 2.4 'ticking cash bomb'!

I'm going to make sure there is receipted work, or I don't think it's worth the risk. After all, if I pay £3k and then another £k to have the work done, I could have bought the best Terrano/Mav in the world! The might be inferior, but they're good enough and the fact that it didn't blow up would save my marriage!

BTW, if anyone has a Surf for <£3k that has had the head replaced, I'm yer man!!!

Graham

[Linda]

Thanks Linda,

Don't get me wrong, I'm not ruling out a Surf, just ruling out a 2.4 'ticking cash bomb'!

Graham

Never thought you were!! But I have seen trucks sell on here for less than £3k and I'm sure someone posted last week about buying a 3.o for £3.5k

Just worth a look...

[Koi]

Bought my Surf for exactly the same reasons to chuck my fishing gear in, well me and two mates and all the gear. Perfect for the job and those hard to reach stretches of river.
My head went a year after buying it, would I buy another 2.4 damn right i would, pick up a Surf with a duff head get it replaced and you got a cheap as chips top motor. Even finding one with a new head fitted isn't hard theres a few for sale on here.

[GrahamJayzee]

I guess it's testiment to the concept that the following is so strong depite the head issue. I alway used to think it odd that Discos had such a huge following despite the various issues (let's not go there!). Forums are full of people who must have walked further than their disco had driven, but they still love 'em. Might I venture a 'good car poorly executed'?



I'll keep me eyes peeled folks; it would be my ideal choice if, well, you know...

G