Thread: Fresh Imports - Utes

I have a 1996 Surf, 3.0 litre diesel auto with the 1KZ engine (turbo). Overall it's been an outstanding vehicle. It has sufficient power to do everything I ask of it and generally speaking it's solid and infinitely reliable. It's getting up in kms now but the good thing is I can pretty much repair most things myself and getting parts never really seems to be an issue.

I've heard stories about their poor accident ratings and I don't doubt it to be true. These vehicles are 4WD's and are set up for that awkward combination of off-road use while still being able to handle sealed roads. Just as you don't take your Lamborghini out to spotlight rabbits around the back blocks around Alexandra, so too you shouldn't expect your Surf to take a hair-pin corner at 100 km/hr. I've found that you need to watch the corners. I certainly don't drive like a Nana, but I do respect the limitations of the cornering ability and I've been drumming it into my 16 year old son that these vehicles will bite you if you enter a corner too fast. All of that said, they're just like any vehicle - as safe as the driver.

Would I have another one? Damn right I would. They're everything I want in a 4WD.