Looking at a new puddle jumper for the mrs . Swinging towards a crv as they seem to drive nicer . We only can afford older models 96 Ish . Any one no what to look out for in the models ie rust , cracked heads etc
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Looking at a new puddle jumper for the mrs . Swinging towards a crv as they seem to drive nicer . We only can afford older models 96 Ish . Any one no what to look out for in the models ie rust , cracked heads etc
RAV over CRV if its going to see any off-road use, they seem to be built a fair bit tougher. Always see vulnerable exposed bits hanging downlow underneath CRVs and think I wouldn't want to take one offroad. But I'd probably go for a Forester instead really!
I cant offer any tech advice Munsey, but I did have a Honda CRV on hire for a month or so, and swore then that I would never buy one. It was like driving a boat.
Of course it is possible I just got a lemon.
Susuki
We have a crv I like driving it. It's like an arm chair
Id have a look at a few of these too. Kind of like the rem 700 of small 4wds i reckon. Fairly cheap and a heap of baxkground in aftermarket parts etc. That may however be of no interest if it os stricktly for mrsQuote:
Originally Posted by veitnamcam
If you just want bulletproof (but ugly), try and find a Lada cossack.
My Mrs looked at a Rav and ended up buying a CRV and I give my 2 cents to the CRV, the RAV was smaller inside and really tinny, the CRV is much bigger and comfier, also having the V-Tech model its more powerful. We've had it down some pretty rough back country farm roads (being from chch have you driven the track to loch katrine? It got through that) as she works in rural areas mainly and clearance hasn't been an issue.. Only big issue with it so far is it's thirsty
yip I went Suzuki escudo. the ability to be in two wheel drive was what I liked, I don't like full time 4x4. it was very much sought after when selling too. the motorhomes like towing them in neutral I hear, and cockies like them too.
The era of CRV you are looking at are getting long in the tooth now and will be a big money pit. Severe oil leaks and oil burning issues are common to name a couple of things.
The Rav of the same era would be a slightly better option. But working on them at the dealership every day I know the ins and outs of the Rav's a bit more.
The better option, though, would be a Suzuki Vitara/Escudo.
Don't look at the v6's though -they have a serious drinking problem.
The 1600's are far better. But better still if you can find a 2.0 4cyl - grab it!
Ive not long had my 1600 94 escudo, I bought it knowing I had to do a little bit of work as it had been a bit neglected but the internet is a wealth of knowledge and Im able to do most of the work myself as they are pretty simple but effective little machines. Ive found its got awesome economy and drives as nice as you'd expect.
Also looked at rav's and crv's but I really didnt like the idea of the crv's automatic 4wd when the front wheels slip and theyre interior setup is f*ckin gay. Rav would have been my second choice if I didnt find a suzuki but yea still didnt like the full time 4wd and they just didnt look as simple or easy for a diy bloke like myself.
We (the Missus) had a Pajero 2.8TDi SWB (1995), Damn fine 4WD and great shopping cart to boot. She loved it. Only thing went wrong was the front seal in the mech diesel pump. Local Mitsi garage wanted arms and legs to replace the seal only (from memory quote was day to get it off, 600 to replace from seal in pump and only that and day to put it back on. $2500 roughly. I got it pulled off by local mechanic, took it to a local firm services pumps and got the while thing reon'd for the very same $600 and total labor was 10 hours. Ran like a top after that and although I wanted to keep it when we briught the new 4X4 was not allowed cause I would just wreck it :)
quite cheap to buy and underrated
We just sold our 1994 Rav4. Was a awesome little runner, reliable, OK on gas, OK to drive. Would hate to be in a crash in one though.
We sold ours for $1800 and had 180K and new tyres. pity this thread wasn't up a week earlier.
As its only for the missus and not for anuything special like hunting
Lada Niva 1990 | Trade Me
:D
Is the one in Whites clearing still there or is just a wee red pile?
Give her the new Hilux and get a real ute :P
Still there three weeks ago. Home to a few possums probably.
It's growing on me but it's a little over priced !Quote:
Originally Posted by Pengy
Shit, its been there about 8-9 years now:D Must catch up with Richard again shortlyQuote:
Originally Posted by Pengy
Had been looking for a Suzuki 2 ltr 4 cilinder but more chance finding rocking horse shit . I don't want v6 and that's all that's around . By all means post a link to non v6 I missed . Thanks for input guys , gereat advice so far
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chop3r
Richard drove us in in little Suzy a few weeks ago. I thought she would have died by now, but far from it.
I'm pretty excited mines in getting extractors put in and cat converter chopped out, after setting the valve lash which some were miles out and giving the tranny a full flush shes gunna be a new truck from a couple of weeks back.
When I was looking there were a few that weren't on trade me, if you haven't already try Turners and Auto Trader or just google search an theres the odd ones that yards list on their own websites.
I did pre-purchase inspections on three wagons before buying one costing a grand total of $450:sick: but worth it as the first was damn near shot an needed around $1500-2000 spent to be road worthy an it was major shit you tube couldn't help me with and the second(2l v6) needed the chain tensioner done which was quoted at $1800-2000.
The third which I bought needed cv boots, couple of oil leaks, tappets set. Turns out the testing officer missed checking the coolant which was brown an sludgy, the shifts were horribly jerky due to dark brown trans fluid and a big crack in exhaust at the back of the muffler:wtfsmilie:. Mrs/pitbull gunna ring AA tomorrow an let the muppets have it out of both barrels:thumbsup:
Rav4s rear seats are a shitload more comfortable, engines well known to goto 500,000 before anything serious goes wrong. also surprisingly good on back country trails.
i had a 97 once upon a time :P
The Suzuki's are great offroad but have a look how many cheap ones are on trademe with blown head gaskets and cracked heads. CRV's shit offroad and does handle like a boat but never break down.
I bought the mrs a Mitsi Airtrek 2L turbo and I still love the car, it's lowered on Tein suspension but still very capable offroad