Newbie thinking Terrano auto is for me?

[1xNiva]

Hi all,

Have surfed site for few weeks. Decided to upgrade the Lada (heard most of the jokes! ). Kids (2x under 3yrs) love going for 'trips' in it, but need easier access and more space. Want to tow trailer and caravan. Daily driving around town. 'Trips' are the sort of thing outlined in 4WD South not bush bashing at all.
Have decided 93-95 2.7TD auto Terrano is the go. Looking for one for under $4k on TradeMe (fair price?)
What should I look for in test drive... Intend to add aftermarket auto cooler after much advice onsite suggests this, but how do I know the condition of auto at purchase time? Any other good/bad signs to look for?
Considered 93-95 Surf but seems to be little benefit in 2x the price for similar stats?

Any advice, guidance would be appreciated...

PS any one want a Lada (1990, 56km, 2 owners, loved from new!)

Thanks Blair

[pathfinder67]

check for rust especially where the floor pans join under the passenger seats. Keep an eye on the steering gear as this can waer out real fast if the torsion bars have been wound. Talk with Kiwipete as he owns a diesel terrano, he may be able to add more. I owned a 94 v6 and loved it heaps, rollled it though.

[kiwipete]

There is not a lot I can add to this but fire away with any questions though.
I have found my 95 to be a great truck just recently doing a body lift for future 33 inch tyres.
Yes the steering is a bit of a weak spot, but there are ways around this too. It realy depends on how hard you push the truck.

[muddy]

I can't help much with the truck - the only Terrano I've seen much of had a tendency to break CV's, but it was driven pretty hard on 33in Mongrel tyres. What I would recommend is that you look up your local Club, and see what sort of trips they do, I think there's a pretty active club in Sth Canty. You'll have much more fun and safety travelling with a group, you will have access to a wider range of trips, and will learn driving techniques to get you further, safer, without breaking your truck (the last bit's not a promise - but at least you'll get told what you did wrong to cause the breakage).

[1xNiva]

Thanks for you replies guys, will keep an eye on Trademe and will make contact with 4wd club one day soon.
Cheers

[GotFlex]

i had one, bent idler arms so like crazy, and alternator shat itself, gearboxes are weak, depends how you driva i guess

[kiwipete]

i had one, bent idler arms so like crazy, and alternator shat itself, gearboxes are weak, depends how you driva i guess

You must be driving it hard, I have yet to break or bend anything, touch wood.
The auto gearbox is just fine.

[GotFlex]

well i wasnt driving it hard,
my mate "had" a navara with a calmini brace and bent 1
another mate has a idler arm brace and as bent 2,

we must have some good track down here in the bay lol