Surf thoughts

Hey team.

I was flicking through marketplace and came accross this:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/3M2Xz...ibextid=79PoIi

For those that don’t have Facebook it’s an ‘05 Surf 2.8(auto)petrol jap import with 272km on the clock. Its normally 2nd with selectable 4H and 4L via a knob.

Does anyone have experience with this particular variant? Anything to look out for? It looks like a tidy truck. He has offered it to me for $11k

I’m generally pretty happy with my escudo, but getting it stuck in the sand, and having the motor and transmission replaced has left me with some niggling doubts about its capability and longevity. I’m also pretty disappointed with how thirsty it is. I am at a point where I want to put some time and effort into some basic mods to make it more reliable off-road. I couldn’t help but think this might be a better option as I feel it would be better off-road in its stock form.

Or am I just being stupid and looking at the greener grass? My escudo has done 145k on the body, and only 70k on the new motor. If I keep it I will be looking at putting a lift kit in, as well as a snorkel and diff breathers.

I would appreciate your thoughts.


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Yep grass is about as green as the stuff it’s parked on

after about 4-5 years of looking for a manual gearbox for my 98 grand vitara (still driving it even after a piece of bearing had fallen out with oil when i changed it ) i had all but given up a couple of months ago and decided to replace it with a ute was prepared to pay $6-7k and then a gearbox finally popped up. i threw new rubber at it as well and can still afford to tidy up the paint for all up about $3k so i look at that as a win . ive had it for 20 years and 360000km now it has no frilly add ons or thousands of computers no airbags and the gearbox has to be manhandled into 4wd ......
better the devil you know

That surf will be hungry on the gas. Generally cant go wrong with a toyota tho.

The Surf has a claimed fuel consumption of 11.4 L/100km, which isn't the worst for a bigger petrol vehicle (approx. 2T), The motors are good but online claims of them being less suited to the bigger vehicles.

A bigger wagon will get stuck quicker than your Suzuki.
Unless you want more space or are towing I'd suggest keeping the Suzuki. The narrower wheelbase can be a benefit in off road scenarios, they are easy to modify a bit if you want to make them more offroadable. THey are quite a capable as a standard 4wd.
You now have a good known condition motor and significantly lower overall Kms than the Surf.

What motor in your Vitara @scotty?

If its the V6 Suzuki they were OK but thirsty (as all V6's are for some reason). They suffer from timing and electronic/electrical issues from my experience of them. If you can fix those they are ok.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trooper90

What motor in your Vitara @scotty?

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I have the 2.0l 4cyl dohc
Been reliable as in 20 years have only replaced the rear shocks and turfed the AC compressor, till now . Did the clutch when I swapped out the gearbox a couple of weeks ago

I have the 2.4 petrol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blip

That surf will be hungry on the gas. Generally cant go wrong with a toyota tho.

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If its reliable for 10yrs,thirsty on petrol is cheap.

I have a 2008 Surf with a 4.2L petrol - I am getting similar consumption of around 11L per 100km. Had it since 2015, done about 50000km and the only thing that I have had to do is replace one indicator bulb. Only thing that I would have liked is cruise control.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by steveg

I have a 2008 Surf with a 4.2L petrol - I am getting similar consumption of around 11L per 100km. Had it since 2015, done about 50000km and the only thing that I have had to do is replace one indicator bulb. Only thing that I would have liked is cruise control.

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Pretty hard to kill a big 6,just look after the fan belts,radiator and oil.

Just a thought...how lucky do you feel?
Maybe risk a few $$ and buy a ticket. If you're not in you can't win!
https://schunt.org.nz/shop/hilux-prize-draw/

Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with the raffle or the organisers. Just figured it might (hopefully) work for one of you good buggas!

Edit: OK...I convinced myself too...just bought a ticket. Would prefer a Jimny...but a poxy old Hilux would do.

I run a 06' Surf with the 4.0l v6 motor, 2" lift with 32" rubber. It's been very reliable with zero issues over the last 4 years. The on board computer recons 8km/l for the fuel around town and goes up to 8.3km/l (12l/100km). It's super comphy and goes good offroad to.

Had the same 06 surf from new when working in the US. Similar outcomes. Good vehicles from the vvti motor.


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had hi lux for over 30 years in DOC - best was the last of the 2.8 diesel with beam front axle - next one after that was the first of the 3.0 diesel with wishbone front end - not as good off the road that's for sure - best 4wd I was ever issued - short wheel base land cruiser with 4 cyl 3.4 diesel - had two V8 landrovers in a row Waioeka days great off road just damn high maintenance - worst Mahindra Mahindra 4x4 Forest Service in 1976- highly likely one of the worst vehicles to ever hit NZ roads bloody shockers - 4 cyl 110 landrover at Waikaremoana not far behind ( even the old series 2 were better ) we did wind screen wipers motors fuel pump clutch numerous door locks all before 50,000 manged to convince Boss In Gisborne to dump it as just to unreliable and got a 2.4 diesel hilux - never looked back - hi lux well in 30 years never had one break down - odd light bulb and the early 3.0 diesel had habit of snapping wheel studs for some reason just damn reliable - its a pity the landrovers had reliability issues as they were good off road