Opinions/Advice on buying Toyoyta Surf - first time SUV buyer

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-11 14:55:17 +0500 #1

Salam Guys
Right! so I need your help in making a decision about which Jeep/SUV to buy...

My knowledge about SUVs is very limited....next to nothing infact...but since early childhood I wanted to buy a Jeep....but then....never got around buying one.....

been over two years I have been in Pak...and I have come to this conclusion that I have to get a jeep now...especially considering the roads/rain and traffic in Lahore (my office is in the middle of Lahore city)...

Now the part I need your help in making decision... I have sort of narrowed it down to Toyota Hilux Surf...
reasons...

Its a jeep
It looks economical to run (atleast the engine sizes when compared with over 4 litres of big jeeps).
I like the shape....its not serious looking ...it says...if there is mud...I am ready to get down and dirty ...

soooooooooooo....

I looked around for the last few days...
been to all the car showrooms on Jail Road, Peco Road ...and even some on multan road (Thokar)...
I have this honda civic vti oriel - 2005...very nice and clean...which I want to sell ...advert will be here on pakwheels this weekend...so I thought I would put money from this car in surf...thus, that limits my budget ...
Every showroom has different prices...

1992 Surf - ssrx - 2.4 diesel - 8.5 lac to 10 lac...
1994 surf - 11-13 lac...
1995 surf - 15-16 lac......

do you think thats about right???????? how much should be the price of a nice clean surf...

mind you ...that some of these surf's were from Custom's Auction ... so no history or anything with the jeep.... only have dealer's words to go by...
I thought!!! if i get a 1992 surf....spend 1-2 lac on it...paint,engine overhall etc. ...it would be better than buying an already expensive one...its nearly 20 years old car....dont think spraying it again will bring its market down.... and overhauling engine will means atleast i have peace of mind that its reliable...

I have two other cars as well...so this jeep will be sort of fun time ... traveling nothern areas sorta stuff........aaaaaaaaand if I have to sell it for any reason...since its cheap 8-9 lac...i wouldnt be loosing too much when reselling...and I am hoping it will sell easily as well.......

Do you guys have any suggestions for me ? am i thinking in the right direction ??what things to consider when checking the jeep?

anyone here selling SURF (wanting to exchange with honda civic 2005 - will upload details/pics of honda tomorrow) ?

Thanks in advance guys..

Ahmad

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-13 08:21:23 +0500 #2

Anyone out there!!!!!

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-13 13:31:26 +0500 #3

link of my civic which is up for sale (for swap with any SURF )

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/vehicles-bikes/172953-honda-civic-vti-oriel-2005-sale#post2944447

lvljojo (lvljojo) 2011-08-13 13:55:18 +0500 #4

good luck..

qwertypoiu (qwertypoiu) 2011-08-13 17:38:24 +0500 #5

No SUV will give you more then 6 to 8 Km/l about the Surf

91 92 will look like this

and 1995 +

What I would reccomend is get a good one in 16 to 17 range 96 model or +.
check Pakwheels used car section and Sunday Jung paper for add.

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-13 21:11:30 +0500 #6

Thanks for the input qwertypoiu (btw! nicely chosen nickname...one can never get the spellings wrong:) )

see my only concern is with the resale value of these SUVs... how easily do these SURF sell?? what about the Land Cruiser (91 to say 04) ... do they sell easily?

<waiting for news paper man anxiously now> ...

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-15 09:33:18 +0500 #7

well! Can someone atleast shed soem light on what and how to check SURF before buying?
I mean,
1: how to check the engine?
2: how to check the suspension?
3: how to check 4x4 for its working?

anything else i should check?
Thanks

haroon_1 (haroon_1) 2011-08-15 10:29:01 +0500 #8

you can check the engine by the blow from the mobil oil stick
you can check the suspension by driving on bumpy roads
you can check by engaging the 4*4 gear to 2l and 4l

haroon_1 (haroon_1) 2011-08-15 10:41:21 +0500 #9

Bro these are very very fuel thirsty engines especially 1 kz(3000cc). these vehicles are not wise for dialy usage! they are heavy on pockets to maintain these jeeps, infact surfs have no resale value. But if uve decided then go for it. dere are number of other thinks to check
1. Dun go for a custom auctioned vehicle, they are mostly abused. You will have bear a great loss when u sell it.
2. go for an imported vehicle from 2007 onwards imports
3. make sure the chasis and engine number, engine number is on engine bay but the chasis number is on the frame, you can check it by rotating the steering, its on frame behind the tyre
4. make sure that the suspension is gud and all electronics are working specially check the gear box
you can get the model in the prices given below
90-93
8 lacs-9lacs
94-95
9lacs-11 lacs
96-98
14lacs-16lacs
go for a surf 96 onwards the shape is decent having more features plus sexy looks!
i personally wanted to buy a surf but as i m student i cant afford it so i bought a civic!

qwertypoiu (qwertypoiu) 2011-08-15 11:11:00 +0500 #10

The do hold up price quite well as you can see, almost 20 year old vehicle.

About the Land cruiser 80 series. there are two versions both diesel
12 valve one
which is between 10 to 15 lacks
24 valve which is
18 to 25 lacks.

about 98 to 04 they are in between 30 to 45 something. and some 55+ too.

Well it Depends on your Budget. How much are you willing to spend?

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-15 12:57:45 +0500 #11

Rich Student!!!

Thanks for your useful input Haroon ...

ooookay...so now I have to find a way to take the jeep on some rough road...so far I have been to 4 dealers with surf's for sale....and they were so rude ...... i couldnt get myself to ask them for test drive ... dunno how people deal with them ...and why are they so rude..when i am a customer and if i buy anything from his garage, he will be getting money from me.......I was gonna give lecture to the last dealer on walton road ..but then i didnt want him to think of me as "pagal" .. plus I already had given lecture on customer services to post office guy, gourmet bakery guy aaaaaaaand petrol station man

i agree with you about the custom clearance vehicles being abused....only reason why i ever considered one of t hem was because of its low price ..... i mean.. i thought...if i get this....get engine overhaulled,transmission checked... paint it...get suspension checked/fixed/replaced... get some nice dubz with low profile tyres...i will still be spending less than already buying a newer edition...aaaaaaaand teh car will be reliable as i will have peace of mind about all the things i got fixed myself...

the jeep was unregistered...the guy said it will cost about 20-25,000 to register...was he right??

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-15 14:01:50 +0500 #12

Thanks qwertypoiu
well!! for this purchase my budget is till 15-16 lac..... but the reason why i was wanting a cheap one is purely so i have enough to customize it to my liking and make it sort of reliable.......

also...... i want a rough/tough suv....u know..the one i wouldnt feel bad banging with rikshaws and vans orrrrrr usingn it to give lessons to inconsiderate drivers that poke their nose in middle of road without bothering to check mirrors etc.

haroon and you both have recommended buying 96+ surf...there are two of them at garages on DHA main boulevard...one is selling for 16 lac and other for 1350..... only thing that bothers me is the rear wheel arch of 95+ model ... its not ROUND!!!!! sexy for sure....but sexy and delicate....same thing is with newer models of most of suvs ...its like you hire a chef to cook pakistani dishes and then give him armani dress to wear while cooking and expect him to keep onion smell out of it, as you want him to be presentable to your guests .....

hey! what about Mitsubishi's Pajero ? 90+ models...its pure paindo looking (no offense to anyone who has it) ...and looks sort of plasticy...is my assumption correct? what about its engine reliablity etc? is it as high as surf? shall i include it in my search ??

machine (machine) 2011-08-15 14:42:09 +0500 #13

No match of 80 series in this budget - Try to find a good LC80. You wont regret it.

Good luck

devilz_apprentice (Faizy) 2011-08-15 15:04:57 +0500 #14

+1! But it will be a slightly bigger gas guzzler as compared to a 2.4L Surf.
If u can afford 6-7km/L then opt for the 2.4L Surf. I have kept one for a short while but i couldn't afford it's daily running and being stopped at every check post because it was AJK registered. These can sell quick but only if they are in pristine condition. A repainted and refurbished will take forever to sell.
IMHO, opt for a clean 1992-1994 Surf which will cost u around 1.15 Million. Go for LHR or ISB registered one.

machine (machine) 2011-08-15 15:21:41 +0500 #15

True - But the poster wont use it as a daily driver - @poster , if i am not mistaken you have two more cars in your porch so if you wana use it as Recreational vehicle go for active vacation 80 series or even 12valve. You gonna love it bro - on recent passed friday i was riding one in lahore and it was sort of go anywhere fun - drove it in almost 3 feet rain water. And towed a 1996 Surf

happy buying

devilz_apprentice (Faizy) 2011-08-15 15:35:46 +0500 #16

^^ An 80 series Multivalve with an Active Vacation package is a dream come true!

haroon_1 (haroon_1) 2011-08-15 15:38:49 +0500 #17

bro pajeros have no value, they are not worth to buy! the 2.8 turbo intercooler is much under powered and spares parts are also expensive and pain to find.
the other option is of landcruiser91-95 but they are not wise because of the diesel consumption and maintinence costs. in punjabi its( wada goosht)....
and surfs 96 onwards are powerful as well as not looking odd in the current era, they are equipped with a powerful diesel engine(3000cc 1 kz) plus having all necessary functions(sunroof etc) they are easy to maintain, spares are easily available and not much expensive and they are able to do all the rough and tough jobs..
i personally likee the shape of 96 onwards surf and you can also easily upgrade it to 2000 model by changing lights to crystal ones.

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-15 15:53:15 +0500 #18

Thanks machine and devilz_apprentice ....

well! it wont be used as everyday motor...however!! Landcruiser looks waaaay too big and serious ......... maybe if I was over 45 yrs of age... o and had waist over 40....

I still consider myself young and I have this young image at work to keep as well you see ......

"machine" I second your comment about friday rain..........I soooooo wished I had an SUV ...everywhere was flooded ..... I am just shocked why we dont slap our elected members .....

even today I went to a littel village called "BARKI" to get tax thingy for one of my car that I bought from this guy who was paying its token in Barki post office............ I parked car on the main road and decided to walk to the post office in a small street.......the street was sooooo muddy its unbelievable..... soo much inconvinience for people living there.........although I felt sad that i am totally unaware of people living in such conditions just few kms from my house .... and that I am not doing anything about it ...when my reason for coming here was to do something positive for my country ... <sorry about my rant!! wrong forum>

yeah! so SUV is it whenever it rains....Land cruiser sorta too big .. not engine wise..but big "butt" wise!! ........... in other words.... i like looking at plastic surgeried "things" on chicks....but I wouldnt get one of them home to keep for life (writing it in as much sensored words as i can!)

so my choice limited to surf...or maybe pajero ... since i saw one this morning cruising through mud and stuff....when i was literally walking in my car on that bumpy road ...

Balance (Balance) 2011-08-15 16:03:09 +0500 #19

"wada goosht"

ooooookay...so pajero is off the list ........

only surf left ....... and yes!! including the 96 model ..... let the search resume with prior criteria again.......

do you think the dealers will let me test drive just to compare the ride quality of different models?!?!?

imtishal (imtishal) 2011-08-16 05:16:03 +0500 #20

Why not a pejaro 3 door 94-98 model??I guess there was one for sale here on PW's with 3L engine with all the guddies for 2M.it's Isb registered i think..
and what about Suzuki Jimny..It's a gud small jeep.with reasonable offroading capabilities and gud fuel consumption.