I want to shift from Premio 2006 to Surf 1996

[majidshah21]

Hello Wheelers,

I have been driving a 2006 Toyota Premio - X - Base Trim (4x4 version) since last 2.5 years.
I live in Peshawar and make daily runs of almost 30 kms on heavily crowded roads 5 days a week. Some weekends call for motorway trips to Islamabad. It gives me 7.5 - 8 km/l with AC in city and 10~ish on long. (I am a lead foot, and drive quite enthusiastically above 125kph)

I have been contemplating a ride upgrade for sometime now, (I prefer JDMs), because mine has been giving me maintenance issues.

I have come across an offer that has gotten me in deep thoughts. A distant friend had imported a 1996 Toyota Surf (SSR-X 3.0D A/T) back in 2006 from Japan and has kept it for the past 12 years in pristine
condition; (seeing is believing). He drives a cultus for daily runs, and the surf is more like a showpiece at his home. He has offered my to buy it, should I be interested in doing so.

Now, this is a major paradigm shift for me, as I have never driven or kept an SUV before. Knowing that we can NOT compare a Premio with an Surf, I have some questions from the honorable experts here.

1. Can we call it an upgrade or a downgrade? As I will be moving 10 years in past (from 2006 premio to 1996 surf)

2. Is it bad or good to upgrade/shift from petrol to diesel?

3. Talking about the cabin of surf (in comparison to premio):
   a) How is the legroom (both driver and rear)?
   b) Is it noisy during drive or silent?
   c) Does surf have easy to replace cabin air filter like premio?
   d) Can a good sound system be installed without much alterations?

4. General advice from worthy seniors

He has asked me to inspect the car on this weekend i.e 5th of May, if I choose to say yes. Otherwise, he will sell it off to contending bidders

Now, I am both excited and scared at this moment. Therefore, seeking prudent and honest advise.

Regards

[fouadbakht]

@majidshah21 Downgrading or upgrading depends on how each person perceives depending upon a number of factors. They are entirely different categories. They handle differently. But before anyone could give you some insights would you please list down your preferences in a car specially dealbreakers if any?

[majidshah21]

Thank you sir for your kind enquiry which will elaborate my point further.

I want a ride which is:
1. Powerful (1.8 and above)
2. Doesn't need frequent suspension and parts replacements
3. Comfortable for family riding in back seats (Mom, Dad, Wife, and 2 kids)
4. Feels good in the cabin (As I am used to premio and am 6'1" in height
5. Not TOO outdated in terms of necessary in-cabin technology

So overall, I am wondering if this 1996 Surf would make me miss my premio OR otherwise.

[fouadbakht]

@majidshah21
That’s a tough one but I’ll try to be realistic here.
First off, you have a big family MashaAllah, so in a Surf, space will be an upgrade albeit by not a lot of margin even being a bigger car.
Then, as far is cabin ambience is concerned from Technological aspect, it’s a downgrade. No bells and whistles. Being a 1996 model, you WILL come across maintenance issues even if the car has remained a garage queen.
The Diesel engine will wreck your nerves keeping in view the sound and vibrations that are inherent in diesel.
1996 Surf is well built car but I think it’s time to move on, don’t you think? By the way, I live in Peshawar too.

[CrashD]

How about a Honda BRV brand new 7 seats with dual AC drive a brand new car it’s not a JDM but still way better then a 20 or 10yr old car.

Surf is really good but it will drink fuel ️ Plus that diesel is quite noisy.

Upgrade I would say to a newer model doo give BRV a try. U will end up liking it cause it serves family and daily driving well.

[majidshah21]

What I get from your insightful opinion is that the only upgrade I'll be getting is ITO space. Rest all is a downgrade in plain words.
I haven't driven any diesel ride ever. Though have traveled in diesel hiace and I can attest the noise and vibration part. But would the surf, being a SUV, also behave in the same manner? Would be great if you can relate through some personal experience.
Another thing you mentioned, upon which I would like you to shed some further light is, that I definitely will come across maintenance issues. I think JDM cars are fitted with more long lasting parts and are durable to withstand time. So what sort of maintenance are you referring to?

It's good to get such knowledgeable opinions from a fellow Peshawarite dera manana rora

[majidshah21]

Thank you for a very practical and downright honest opinion.
I've seen quite a few BRV's roaming around here..but call it my bad taste, I am not quite fond of the newer toy shaped PDM vehicles..although, as you mentioned, it serves the purpose quite well as a family commuter.
On the same lines, I also got advise of going for Honda Freed...it being a JDM, what's your opinion of it?

[fouadbakht]

@majidshah21
I’ve driven this particular model Surf in two/ three versions. They are a pain to maintain. Sure JDM vehicles if maintained with genuine OEM parts will give you a lot of service life BUT parts are interlinked with others/ assemblies and in your case as an overall package I don’t find the vehicle suitable as a daily driver unless you have a thing for a compact SUV. Trust me, the novelty will wear off after a month. However it’s a no brainer if you consider it for family long trips or 4x4 challenges.

[majidshah21]

That's the kind of guidance I'm seeking.
Thank you kind sir, I sure have gotten the crux of the matter now.
Stay blessed

[fouadbakht]

@majidshah21
Having owned and driven 2003 and 2008 Premio and developed a taste for JDMs, candidly, I don’t think you’ll appreciate anything else than:
(1) JDM only
(2) A well built JDM (Premio)
Personally, minus the exterior design, I love the cabin quietness, smooth drive, minimum interior rattling and robust build quality.

[majidshah21]

My point exactly, once you get used to the JDM build quality, nothing else can bring a smile on your face.
So, in this case, I would rather shift my focus towards a 2007 onwards shape of premio. Only, this way I can be sure of a proper upgrade.
Do you still have the 2008 premio? What's your experience of it's CVT as compared to the Super-ECT of 2006 and older ones?

[fouadbakht]

It was an office vehicle (2008 Premio) with high mileage and pretty abused. Even then it was much better than 2013 Corollas. Some People despise the CVT which I feel is a must have. The Super ECT is a “meh”

[majidshah21]

True that, the opinions shrouding CVT are everywhere..Guess it draws its notoriety from our shove-CNG-kit-into-everything-on-wheels mindset which made it incompatible to shift continuously with the CNG..thus ended up being earning a bad name due to our bad deeds

[fouadbakht]

Absolutely correct. We claim to be “Toram Khans” of auto world and worse even try to defend something just because we own it. One must come out with pros and cons openly.

[ahsann]

Had this been a petrol version of 3.4 with beige interior. It would ring the whistles !
Though maintenance is not an hassle if done with OEM parts. It lasts long.
Go take a test drive and make the decision.

[majidshah21]

Does the 3.4 petrol version have the same suspension and ride feel of the 3.0D? As the option present for me is the diesel version now, I would like to base my decision on the comparison between these two.
Can you kindly share any personal experience of the two versions?
And yes, test driving it personally will definitely answer many of my questions at hand.

[AffaanAlAziz1]

Please share surf's snaps. If it's clean 3.0D surf is lovely. You won't regret.

[CrashD]

Thanks for appreciating!

Honda freed at the first looked clumsy mini mpv 6 seater quite low to the ground thus less ground clearance but it’s a jdm so built quality superb it’s newish not that old in the market loads of clean hybrids around same 1.5 earth dream engine found in Honda vezel. Bad bit would be parts availability and longer run would deprecate in value a lot.

As for Honda brv I thought same hated it looks didn’t like it one bit initially but once had a go in one it grew on me quite nippy and good ground clearance with full packed decently economical in city m long run plus main thing family user friendly. This is coming from a guy who owns a Toyota Hilux 2013 invincibile auto and a Lexus RX 450h also.

As for surf I owned one it’s a lovely car if ur traveling GT road a lot but demands a lot of care and maintenance being diesel and old.

[CrashD]

3.4 V6 is a beast sound and would bring a smile to ur face but be warned 6-7km a ltr in city.

Toyota surf is a gr8 suv I have had a 1996 diesel n 2003 3.4 Petrol also both were extreme fun rides and head turners but was heavy on fuel and once they got old were replaced.

I would advice get a a brv brand new tension free plum or a jdm hybrid Honda freed hybrid or even look into Honda CR-V.

[majidshah21]

I already do, because its sold off for 21 today..