How much better is a 3rd Gen

[Pete The Tart]

twopence worth.......

Well after driving around in my 2.4 SSR Ltd 1st generation for just over a year, I've just bought myself a beautiful 3rd gen 3.0 SSR-G, it cost 5 times the price of my 2.4 but having said that I've spent over $7000 on my 2.4!!!!

Probably the biggest differences I've noticed are:
Loads more performance on the 3, plus a massive improvement on fuel, my 2.4 gave about 430-460k's on a tank where my 3.0 is consistently returning over 500k's to a tank.

The 3.0 has more refinements but I'd agree that the seats are not as comfortable, although the cockpit is more user friendly and has an improved layout.

The 2.4 definitely looks harder but it also has a harder edge to it when driving, the 3.0 is much better on the road (off road has yet to be tested on the 3.0)

The digital compass is a plus as is the sunroof, it's nice to have all the other buttons to play with including that 'reversing mirror' but the biggest draw for me was the extra power!! Having said that, climate control is nice to have and saves endless fiddling with the heater on those cold days.

As for the tailgate, I actually prefer the top hinged variety on the 3.0 as it stops rain getting into the cargo bay when I'm out working on my buildings(currently building a stable/tack room) and gives me something to hide under at the same time, as far as loading goes, I've carried exactly the same in both trucks, just the 3.0 requires a couple of bits of string extra if I don't fancy poking things out the rear window(one to tie down tailgate, the other to secure spare wheel carrier) I do like the wheel carrier on the back as it provides a great advertinsing space courtesy of a sign-written tyre cover.

Yes the 3.0 is softer looking with a more modern urban 4x4 look to it but hen so are all late 90's on 4x4's unless your talking about the ute type 4x4's.

[Pete The Tart]

Hi

I just want to know, (especially for those who owned 2nd and 3rd generation Surf) if the newer surf 3 generation. provides better driver's legroom compared to the 2nd generation.

Thanks in advance,

Benny

I'd say I've noticed a marginal improvement in leg space and having 34" legs, I DO NPTICE!!

Interestingly the front seats appear to be slightly further apart even though the internal dimensions are the same, this cunning bit of trickery is managed by having wider seats slightly biased towards the doors(the edge of the seat touches the inner door trim) this places the centres of the front seats further apart so you end up sitting about 70mm further away from your front seat passenger (much to my gf's distress, she now needs longer arms for those long distance trip cuddles!! ) than in the 1st gen

[bell end billy]

Hi

I just want to know, (especially for those who owned 2nd and 3rd generation Surf) if the newer surf 3 generation. provides better driver's legroom compared to the 2nd generation.

Thanks in advance,

Benny

I am six feet tall and have to move the seat forward to sit comfortably at the pedals.

p.s. the factory recaros in mine are one of the most comfortable seats i have driven in but as rare as rocking horse doo doo !!

[TJG]

I've got a 3rd gen and the one big bonus is I couldn't find anything else that was 1 a manual and 2 had 16,000 miles on the clock. I dont think it looks any less tough, mine has a body kit and looks very tonky. These is zero chance of me taking it off road though, far too pretty. I must say I find the seats too small and thin though.

[zedman280]

Having owned both a 2nd Gen and a 3rd Gen in the last 12 months I can honestly say the biggest difference is the room inside! Most of the other toys have already been mentioned in the post such as the 4x4 system. I have 2 kids (aged 2+3) and in the 2nd Gen their feet touched the rear of the front seats when they where in their Car seats wheras in my newer 3rd Gen there is loads more room!! Same goes for the front seats also. I assume this is at the expense of the rear luggage area but I must admit I havent noticed it that much. 3rd Gen also tows the horse and box more smoothly than the 2nd Gen and seems to brake better!

[Nick V]

With regards to seat comfort, I recently saw a 3rd Gen - maybe a member here - with a set of aftermarket Recaro seats in the front, and what looked like the standard rears recovered to match (very dark windows). I know you probably would not what the expense or trouble of changing, but just a solution to the uncomfortable seat problem,

Cheers, Nick

[Morr]

..... I assume this is at the expense of the rear luggage area but I must admit I havent noticed it that much. .....

As already discussed earlier in this thread, the increased legroom in the 3rd Gen is not at the expense of the cargo area which is in fact in inch or so longer than that of the 2nd Gen.

[Linda]

I would also say that comparing a 2.4 2nd gen and a 3.0 3rd gen and stating the 3rd gen has much more power and ooomph is not a fair comparison of 2nd to 3rd gen. Try driving a 2.4 and a 3.0 2nd gen and you'll find the same.

Personally the only thing that would tempt me to change is the tailgate. But then I just love the look of the 2nd gen so I'm Biased!

[Newboy]

Headroom

I must stress, headroom and legroom in a car is NOT necessarily relating to the height of a person.

I am only 5'8", but because I'm fairly long body (in another word short legged ) my spiked hair (3") touches ceiling of most cars I'd driven.