Offroad-Express

anything to particularly watch out for when buying 1.6L escudo?

i've been wanting one and finally in the market to get one

what do you think about this one
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =404116395
it looks tidy and suprisingly low mileage??!??

also how about this one?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =403228313

The main thing I would do if not already done to the 1600's is fit a set of extractors as the factory manifolds are very average, and they can crack heads caused by this. Also I wouldn't be afraid of an auto one either we had one a few years ago and it was great id own another if I had the use for one! Great trucks in general though! Cheers

No expert but from what I hear the 16v is a better engine.

The mileage on that first one is unlikely to be genuine, if you read the text a bit closer they've only got a 5 digit speedo so it will have been round the clock once, twice,who knows! Ha ha yep check this out:
http://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=zd6307

Not bad prices.

I bought one recently that had already been modified enough to make it a decent little offroader - if you look at it on paper it was cheaper to do it that way than buy the bits myself. Of course then you're running the risk of not knowing how well it's been done etc, although in my case it was a truck from the club I'm in so that wasn't a concern.

Are you a member of any clubs? That might be a way to go.

Don't rush it, did that with the last truck I got and regretted it straight away.

If you've got any specific questions fire away, or you can have a look at mine depending on where you are.

I've only played with the 8v and 16v vitaras. Like already mentioned, aftermarket exhaust manifold is important. They can flog the keyway on the cam causing them to lose time (almost impossible to check) and I've seen a few that have whiny gearboxes and do front mainseals. The last two are easier to watch for.

Id go for the white one of those two as it looks tidier. Last tidy one I bought this year I paid $2050 with warrant and rego and there were a few to pick from.

Just go see how they drive.