Advice for a newbie

[smudger]

Hi Im a new to this site and Im looking for some advice.

We are looking to buy a hilux (at moment have a freelander and its giving us nothing but trouble) so hubby wants to px and a friend recommend a hilux. So can anyone give us advice as to what to look for, what is the best one we have been told go for a 3ltr. Is there any thing particular we should look out for when viewing the cars. (I only ask as the freelander looked really nice but has turned out to be terrible)
Would appreciate any advice/help you can
many thanks
Jo

[stormforce]

Hi Im a new to this site and Im looking for some advice.

We are looking to buy a hilux (at moment have a freelander and its giving us nothing but trouble) so hubby wants to px and a friend recommend a hilux. So can anyone give us advice as to what to look for, what is the best one we have been told go for a 3ltr. Is there any thing particular we should look out for when viewing the cars. (I only ask as the freelander looked really nice but has turned out to be terrible)
Would appreciate any advice/help you can
many thanks
Jo

depends on what you want a 2nd gen or 3rd gen and how much you want to spend.
Check everything that you would on any motor with the 2nd gen take onto a loose ground in order to try out the 4wd as you cant use it in 4wd on the road unless its snowing and icy roads.If they say the head has been done on the 2.4 make sure they got paper work to prove it.Go for the 3litre it's hell of alot better especially for towing.Take a look in the surfs for sale section there are some good ones in there normally,and Hilux has some for sale aswell

[joker??]

freelander lol ,!!! get yourself a 3 litre td surf !!!!!!!
check the 4wd is working
take it for a long test drive and make sure you like it.
you get a lot of car for your money in surfs ,
free smiles are given with every surf lol
take your time there are some real nice surfs out there ,
i see quite a few before i got mine , turned down a few pigs i looked at, good luck

[plumb bob]

freelander lol ,!!! get yourself a 3 litre td surf !!!!!!!
check the 4wd is working
take it for a long test drive and make sure you like it.
you get a lot of car for your money in surfs ,
free smiles are given with every surf lol
take your time there are some real nice surfs out there ,
i see quite a few before i got mine , turned down a few pigs i looked at, good luck

I think I bought one of those pigs you turned down, but its a love thing now.

[smudger]

depends on what you want a 2nd gen or 3rd gen and how much you want to spend.
Check everything that you would on any motor with the 2nd gen take onto a loose ground in order to try out the 4wd as you cant use it in 4wd on the road unless its snowing and icy roads.If they say the head has been done on the 2.4 make sure they got paper work to prove it.Go for the 3litre it's hell of alot better especially for towing.Take a look in the surfs for sale section there are some good ones in there normally,and Hilux has some for sale aswell

Hi thanks for this, we are going to look around cos we need to px the freelander. So what about general servicing is there anything specific that we need to check or would our local garage be able to do this?

[andrewlee31]

if you have a basic socket set and a big hammer you can do it yourself for absolute buttons mate, i do

[stormforce]

there will probably be someone from here that lives close to that could always assist you or run you thru it

[MattF]

Some 2.4's had a head design fault. Only some, not all. Whether
you go for a 2.4 or a 3.0, just check the usuals. Electrics, mechanics.
Some gaskets will probably need replacing. i.e: rocker cover gasket,
unless it has been well maintained. This is just part of general servicing,
however. One thing I would mention is that when you do get one, get it
serviced as soon as. Oils, (diff's/gearbox/engine), rad cap, thermostat,
any leaking gaskets and belts should be replaced as early as possible.
Especially the timing belt, even if it is supposedly new. You then know
that you have a machine in the best possible starting order. To put these
off initially is false economy. (I had mine for three weeks before I had a
proper drive in her, other than taking her to the garage). Also have the
cooling system flushed through.

This isn't meant to be a depressing list. BTW. It's just pointing out that
some of these vehicles are 10 years plus, so early preventative
maintenance pays dividends in the long run.

[smudger]

Hi thanks for the info - I have read that when you go to view one check the coolant - what colour should it be and where is it (sorry dont know a thing about cars but Im learning)
Im just asking all these questions because Im just really cauious about getting a used car, as we got stitched up with the freelander - very bad buy had problems with head gasket, clutch and chassis - so just want to make sure we aint buying another problem 4X4.

Is it advisable to get it checked by the AA or RAC prior to buying? we are going to get one from a garage and make sure it is serviced before and has a warranty although we did with the freelander, but it still went wrong (buts thats because it is made by Landrover - sore point avoid like the plague!!!!)

Thanks
Jo

[plumb bob]

My surf is 17 years old, and suffers from age related problems, and a previous owner who obviously didn't like to put his hand in his pocket.

But all things considered, its a whole lot better than a lot of vehicles of similar age.It still chuggs along at 85 top end and the engine is still good at 92,000 miles.

Toyota's (4x4's in particular) are tough as old boots, and built to last.
Check all the usuall stuff and if its got a service history that'll be a bonus..





.

[MattF]

Hi thanks for the info - I have read that when you go to view one check the coolant - what colour should it be and where is it (sorry dont know a thing about cars but Im learning)
Im just asking all these questions because Im just really cauious about getting a used car, as we got stitched up with the freelander - very bad buy had problems with head gasket, clutch and chassis - so just want to make sure we aint buying another problem 4X4.

Is it advisable to get it checked by the AA or RAC prior to buying? we are going to get one from a garage and make sure it is serviced before and has a warranty although we did with the freelander, but it still went wrong (buts thats because it is made by Landrover - sore point avoid like the plague!!!!)

Thanks
Jo

With regards to the coolant, if it's a 2.4, the rad cap is on the thermostat
housing at the front of the engine, not on the rad. Not sure where with the
3.0. Coolant should probably be either lightish blue or red.