The "I dont have enuf $ yet but I want a nice Toyota" thread

[ClanFever]

Hey guys

After having to sell my LWB '94 manual TD pajero due to excessive rust, I'm on the hunt again for a nice 4x4. I'm a Toyota fanboy truely and it's going to be hard to steer me off getting one. I also want a manual, for my own reasons and you won't steer me off that one.

$$$ is an issue right this moment, saving slowly but that just means I can take my time and figure out exactly what I want and wait for the right one to come along. It will have to last me 5-10 years and I want it to.

I won't be using it for much hardcore off roading, a little bit of red rocks and beach driving, maybe some rallywoods, it'll mostly be my daily driver on the road stuck in traffic.

I'm really liking late 90s land cruiser prados. Any problems with these? I'd probably prefer a petrol as I don't do any towing and I like a bit of power, but I do want to stay away from troublesome engines.

I'm expecting to spend up to 10K but if I can get something reasonable for less, I'm happy with that. Let me know what you guys think!

[BlakeNZ]

the petrol 90 series prados have a 3.4 litre v6, which is relatively reliable, but when stuff goes wrong, very expensive to fix and to work on. not much room in engine bay to swing a spanner. they crack manifold studs etc. thirsty too. The unlocking/locking centre diff is an area of weakness if you do much off roading. Consider a diesel , with a bit more boost and a decent size exhaust- it transforms them, plenty of torque.

[ClanFever]

Yeah that's an idea, they aren't no rocket ships it's not like I'm going for any speed records but at the same time I like to be able to overtake easily.

What's doing a manual conversion like on a 4x4? With the low range box etc? If I did find one I really liked but it was auto, it'd be a shame to let it go just for that. I just like being able to crash start if battery/starter is dead, and having more power as auto robs power.

[BlakeNZ]

the knzn185 manual conversion available on trade me is likely to bolt straight in.
if you can live with a SWB petrol manual, this one has a STACK of good bits on(lift kit/bull bar/winch/muds/snorkel/dual batteries/roof rack etc etc) but has never been thrashed off road. Great value here. at $7600, you couldn't go wrong.
Alternatively RZN185 manuals pop up on trade me(2.7 litre petrol 4 cylinder), but you'd need to test drive one too see if it had enough grunt for you, as they have less torque than a tweaked diesel. $4500 for this one
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 473366.htm

[ClanFever]

the knzn185 manual conversion available on trade me is likely to bolt straight in.
if you can live with a SWB petrol manual, this one has a STACK of good bits on(lift kit/bull bar/winch/muds/snorkel/dual batteries/roof rack etc etc) but has never been thrashed off road. Great value here. at $7600, you couldn't go wrong.
Alternatively RZN185 manuals pop up on trade me(2.7 litre petrol 4 cylinder), but you'd need to test drive one too see if it had enough grunt for you, as they have less torque than a tweaked diesel. $4500 for this one
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 473366.htm

No link for the $7600 I'm guessing you meant this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 367692.htm

Not bad buys at all... hard to test drive stuff so far away however. Considering what I will actually use the cars for, what else could I consider in the Toyota family? Am I going to get bogged down in a Rav 4 or similar AWD? I've seen one on the far side of devils gate so it is possible to get one over that...

[Big]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=43951

[ClanFever]

http://www.offroadexpress.kiwi/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=43951

Basically perfect. I'm a fair bit short and don't want to make an embarrassing offer, really hope I get something like that, a bit of 4x4 work and servicing done so it's ready for a few troubleless years