Is this a THIRD GEN ? Plus other advice requested

[jonathan blane]

I am currently checking out various Japanese Car exporters' websites to try to source a 3rd Gen , pref powder blue in colour ( quite rare ) and with sunroof ( apparently becoming very rare after 1997).

Anyway I have come across this one

http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car...+surf/7628151/

which is a March 1996 first reg..

As I understand it it was some time during 1996 that Toyota changed the Surf from 2nd to 3rd Gen..

My questions are : 1] Is this one 3rd Gen ?

2] It is described by the sellers as 'not very rusty underneath' in answer to my question about that. They will send pix in due course of the chassis but advise that they have already had quite a few inquiries re this car - ie it may go v soon.

How concerned should I be about the rust issue ?

3] Any other advice / issues I should bear in mind ?

Many thanks.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Thats a 3rd gen.
3rd gens have a hatch back, 2nd gens have a drop down tailgate. Both models have the electric rear window.

Corrosion isn't an issue really, but it's a good idea to spray/paint some sort of rust proofing to the underside as soon as possible, whether it be chassis paint or underseal, to protect it from our wet damp salty roads.

[Pete The Tart]

We see quite a few "Baby Blue" ones here in NZ, in manual even, maybe you should keep an eye on www.trademe.co.nz, NZ's much better answer to eblag!

[flounderbout]

If you are looking at importers generally then look at the Algy's Autos thread on here. Beware.

[jonathan blane]

Thanks for advice so far.

I am a bit hesitant because of not seeing pics of the rust which is admitted to exist [ on a 'not very rusty' basis ]. Is it much of a job to remove rust before the coating business ?

As a matter of fact I prefer the drop down tailgate as a system for accessing the boot - less chance of poking your eye out on the corner of the back door. But still.

Which reminds me : what are the benefits of Third Gen over 2nd ? Is one of them that the threat of bad stuff with the 'heads' is absent ?

And 'G' over SSRX ?

[Kwakka666]

Thanks for advice so far.

I am a bit hesitant because of not seeing pics of the rust which is admitted to exist [ on a 'not very rusty' basis ]. Is it much of a job to remove rust before the coating business ?
You can get 'Rust Converters' for that just put a few coats over the offending area, Hammerite does a pretty good one. Once that's done then paint the underside with some rust proofing.

As a matter of fact I prefer the drop down tailgate as a system for accessing the boot - less chance of poking your eye out on the corner of the back door. But still. Prefer the second Gen rear as well but it does occasionally drag when you need to wait for the back window and it's pouring with rain

Which reminds me : what are the benefits of Third Gen over 2nd ? Is one of them that the threat of bad stuff with the 'heads' is absent ? I think the 'Head' issue has kept to a few of the second gen models only (could be wrong). Third Gens have a centre diff and rear locker which are big advantages over the second gen. I'm sure there are more differences as the third gen is closer to a landcruiser than the second gen.

And 'G' over SSRX ?
The SSR'G' is the top of the range. It goes SSRX - SSRX Limited - SSRG don't know the differences between them though, reading up it seems to vary greatly due to most things being optional extra's.

Sorry can't be more help.
Use the search function on the site, should be able to find posts that discuss this in more detail.

[markp2]

The truck in the ad appears to be exactly what it should be. Take care though, I have seen some Japanese ads for Gen 3 Surfs (usually white) which don't appear to be 4WD although they look the same. Some don't seem to have a second gear lever beside the main one.
Can't find an example at the moment to show, but someone else here may have a pic.
Cheers,
Mark

[jonathan blane]

Thanks for comments.

Any thoughts on the rust dilemma ?

There seems to be a total dearth of diesel 3rd gen models on sale in Japan at mo : there are a couple but about twice the price of similar age / spec petrol versions.

Wonder why that is ?

Is it an indication of greater likely longevity / reliability for the diesels ?
And none of the ones later than 1998 seem to have sunroof.

[Ploddit]

The Sport model is a 2WD

[Koi]

For another £1000 this one looks good

http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car...+surf/8718517/

[jonathan blane]

It does - but as with all the post 1998 models I see....... no sunroof .

Also I really hanker for the light blue colour , albeit I could compromise on that if all else was good.

I currently have an old J Reg 2.4 diesel [ with sunroof ] so I am not in a desperate hurry, but I can imagine the one I first asked about selling and then not seeing a similar one for ages.......

[BUSHWHACKER]

Thanks for comments.

Any thoughts on the rust dilemma ?

There seems to be a total dearth of diesel 3rd gen models on sale in Japan at mo : there are a couple but about twice the price of similar age / spec petrol versions.

Wonder why that is ?

Is it an indication of greater likely longevity / reliability for the diesels ?
And none of the ones later than 1998 seem to have sunroof.

Have a search and see if you can find any problems with the petrol versions.

[Pete The Tart]

Just to add to the info in this thread, we have a LOT of Surfs here in NZ, all are imported from Japan as "used" vehicles. Rust is rarely an issue on Jap imports, seems to only be an issue when they get here and are driven on the beach (which we get to do a lot of ) I can understand your caution in buying a used vehicle from almost the other side of the world, unseen. I'd suggest you ask for pictures of this "rust" and see what turns up??

You'll always pay a premium for diesel surfs for a number of reasons:
1: Diesels rock!
2: Petrol is equivalent to two quid a litre over here, Diesel is quid fifty, do the math
3iesels Rock!
4: Petrol engines and off-roading in deep water? You got any idea how difficult and expensive it is to make petrol electrics water-proof?
5: Diesels Rock!

I think thats addressed the more salient points

Oh yeah.......
Diesels Rock!

[Sir Plug]

2: Petrol is equivalent to two quid a litre over here, Diesel is quid fifty, do the math

Got your maths wrong! Petrol is $2 a litre (1GBP), diesel is $1.55 a litre (80p a litre)!!!!! The extra diesel tax is $460 per 10,000km or 230GBP per 6,000 miles

Just another reason to love NZ!

[Pete The Tart]

not really, i earn and spend dollars, in my world a dollar is the same as a pound. The exchange rate is only relevant if your earning pounds and spending dollars, which I'm not. Took me a few years to stop comparing, you'll get there lol