4wd choices

KiwiMR2 · Post by **KiwiMR2** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:05 pm

Were currently looking for a 4wd for my lil bro. Just been to see a 1993 Mu, 2.8 DT. Done 136,000 km's, drives well but rattles & squeeks a hell of a lot at the back. Disc brakes & cv boots need replaceing, t-belt has been done & regular servicing but I have a feeling the bump stops (??) for the leaf springs are worn as it sags at the back a bit. Asking $5500 ONO but could get to 5K possibly but as mentioned those would bump the $ up.

As another option we have found a 1990 4 door Surf (2.4 DT), done higher km's (180,000) but sounds like it has had a good freshen up recently. I know the 2.4's have a bit of a reputation as being a possible grenade but at $4500 (maybe a tad cheaper) it might be a better option? What is the cambelt like to do on them? it would be due soon yeah?

Any opinions on our above choices??

On a side not the new blue Mu ya got looks mint!! he would LOVE something like that

My lil bro doesn't want to spend much more than 5K.

Cheers
KiwiMR2

turoa · Post by **turoa** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:20 pm

what would it be used for?

no_8wire · Post by **no_8wire** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:22 pm

well I pick up mine for 2900 which I thought was good...
The clutch has been done with flywheel and pressure plate etc..
Plus all the brakes have been replaced...

turoa · Post by **turoa** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:32 pm

this one looks good. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... key=118097

KiwiMR2 · Post by **KiwiMR2** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:56 pm

turoa wrote:what would it be used for?

He'd use it mainly for normal running around etc. with the occasional trip to red rocks, or in the hunt for some places to go and test the 4wd. Definitly not hard offroading, 80% normal, 20% light offroad. It will be his 1st vehicle so something resonably cheap to run & maintain.....I know with diesel's there probably isn't any such thing as low maintanance but if he does regular servicing I'd like to think it would be fine

Cheers
KiwiMR2

KiwiMR2 · Post by **KiwiMR2** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:59 pm

turoa wrote:this one looks good. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... key=118097

Yeah I saw that.....just worried that the km's are a bit high, worry it's more likley to cost him if something goes wrong, he is a bit limited for $ so what ever he gets needs to last

Cheers
KiwiMR2

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 2:08 pm

I personally would not buy another 2.4 surf. If you are seriously looking at one, make sure it has regular servicing, has a bigger exhaust, and hasn't been used for heavy towing.
Find out what engine work has been done recently and go from there.

Mu's are a good wee wagon, but again, make sure servicing is up to scratch.
Sounds overpriced, considering the work it needs, and the saggy rear end will be the springs.

Keep an eye on Trade Me

SupraLux · Post by **SupraLux** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:27 pm

That MU is overpriced. Don't worry about the back end, they ALL sag... the rear leafs are not that great in them, but aftermarket replacements are available... just factor in $400 or so for new springs and bushes when you buy one, and possibly another $200 or so for new shocks in the rear.

Oh, and the rattle and squeak could just be the rear door and glass... the glass door can be quietened by spraying silicone spray on the rubber seal (also has the side effect of helping keep the rain out

) plus also the shagged rear suspension won't help.

Avoid the 2.4TD surf if you can't afford to fix it. You would be better off with the MU for reliability... the 2.8TD motor in the MU will go forever if properly maintained, and has WAAAY more power than the Surf will ever dream of. The cambelts are easy, but those motors do tend to start going bang around 180k onwards... which will be much harder to fix

I would expect to pay about $2500-3500 for that MU based on what you described.

ramon · Post by **ramon** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 5:13 pm

4k is way to much for a 2.4 surf, i just got rid of mine didnt have it long, i did not like it much it was way to slow

. A mate of mine just got a 2.8 mu for 2k, its a bit ruff but it had a new wof and goes well. they seem to have heaps of protection under to stop damage and stuff, seems to go well of road too.

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 4:23 pm

Not sure where in Wellington you are but a good place to watch is on the side of the road on Kenepuru Rd. I saw a 2.4 Hi Lux for 2.5K the other day, a little rough but still good looking. There was a Suk, straight factory for about the same price as well an my mate picked up a nice Vitara for $3.5K as it floats over the sand around the rocks.

Look at buying something cheaper and then spending the left over money on mods. A $2.5k suk with a couple of $K spent on it will look just as cool as a $5K vechile and be more capable. Just an idea

KiwiMR2 · Post by **KiwiMR2** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:39 pm

SupraLux wrote:That MU is overpriced. Don't worry about the back end, they ALL sag... the rear leafs are not that great in them, but aftermarket replacements are available... just factor in $400 or so for new springs and bushes when you buy one, and possibly another $200 or so for new shocks in the rear.

Avoid the 2.4TD surf if you can't afford to fix it. You would be better off with the MU for reliability... the 2.8TD motor in the MU will go forever if properly maintained, and has WAAAY more power than the Surf will ever dream of. The cambelts are easy, but those motors do tend to start going bang around 180k onwards... which will be much harder to fix

I would expect to pay about $2500-3500 for that MU based on what you described.

Yeah he isn't keen on the Surf as one of his mates has one, now he has seen & driven a Mu he is pretty set on one of those. I think we will talk to the seller & see what we can get him down to. Some pics of it:

A mate of mine just got a 2.8 mu for 2k, its a bit ruff but it had a new wof and goes well. they seem to have heaps of protection under to stop damage and stuff, seems to go well of road too.

That's a good price, maual or auto? haw many km's?? They seem to be quite hard to find in manual

Not sure where in Wellington you are but a good place to watch is on the side of the road on Kenepuru Rd. I saw a 2.4 Hi Lux for 2.5K the other day, a little rough but still good looking. There was a Suk, straight factory for about the same price as well an my mate picked up a nice Vitara for $3.5K as it floats over the sand around the rocks.

Look at buying something cheaper and then spending the left over money on mods. A $2.5k suk with a couple of $K spent on it will look just as cool as a $5K vechile and be more capable. Just an idea

Yeah Im in Porirua....sold a few vehicles down there myself before

My FIL mentioned the little Samurai down there a month or so ago, would have been keen for a look at that. He is sorta open to them but only if the have the big tyres & wheels etc.

Cheers
KiwiMR2

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:42 pm

Sorry I haven't seen it for a few weeks now.

There was a nice looking SWB Pajero parked just past the turnoff to Linden, $4.5K I only drove past, but it could be worth the trip to have a look.

There's also a very nice Pajero in that yard by the Panel Beaters but thats 7.5K. At least worth a look