surf vs terrano vs challenger vs wizard

[keithal]

price range may also help?

[juz]

Any of the above will do what your after, with a set of All Terrain Tyres (ATs) and some recovery hooks mounted front and rear (just incase the sands a bit soft and you need a tow). Surfs and Terranos are good and parts are plentiful. I wouldnt rule out Bighorns or Pajeros either though. Bighorns (and pajeros
?) have more of a captains chair in the front so you sit higher than Terranos/Surfs and you may want to test drive each to see which you like best. Engines Terrano TD27 good bulletproof engine, Toyota 2Lte,1Kz are prone to cracking heads. Cant really comment on Isuzu or Mitsi engines as havent owned one.
Justin

[mike77]

Hey dude,

I did the same as you, pretty much the same requirements.
Don't know much about the others, but we brought a 3.0 V6 Challenger. stock at the mo, just new AT tyres, hooks, and slowing removing more and more dangly bits before they brake off! and basic gear to go on club runs. My mate also in the same vein brought a '96 2.7surf.

What I've found is:

Petrol - for your reason above. It is only very slightly more expensive than diesel (compared to a diesel pajero we owned in normal driving - only saving is if your speedo broke . I do have to drive bloody slow TBH, and get 12 ish L/100kms getting to work. But just under 11 on long trip. That is the exception. BUT you could get 14L or more very easily.

Heaps of usable power off road, good up the sand dunes. Just need more traction in the mud.

Noticalbly less room inside than ya Bighorns, Pajero's and our falcon, and slightly less than the surf. But heaps of storage spots for all the bits and pieces, straps shackles etc etc.

We have 3 kids, and is a great car for a day out and having fun. I since find I'm carrying alot more 'stuff' camping gear, food, recovery gear, (even helmets this weekend!) etc etc, this is just for the day trips. So I am considering going back to a Pajero for sale up the road. We can pack it up even further for longer trips.

To me the bigger trucks, like the Pajero's and others mean your pushing around 2.2t plus gear (opposed to 1.8ish) so I would be definately looking a diesel.

Best thing is there's heaps of petrol chalengers to choose from, ours had never been off road or abused (til now), and they're cheap and in good condition.

[mike77]

Hey, just read your price range after I wrote the above.

You'll get a bloody nice what ever you buy for that money. I only paid 6k for mine, so if I had your cash, I'ld get a diesel landcruiser or safari!

The smaller wagons (with a family) are just a compromise, especially when you go away camping!

[Smurf]

I recently picked up a 1996 grand cherokee and have found it is too small inside to fit our famly of 5+ and all the necessary camping gear for a 5 day camping excursion.
I am looking to replace it with either a LWB 3 Litre V6 Pajero or a 1KZ powered LWB Prado/Landcruiser, which also gives the option of 7 seats. and a bigger boot space. I am also considering a 1KZ Surf, not a lot bigger than te Jeep we have but the boot is still a fair bit bigger and I am also familiar with the vehicles.
My budget is smaller than yours, under 10K.

[pruggerdore]

how long are you expecting too own this vehicle. you do realize that once you have had it in the salt water even just a little bit it will be a death sentence for it. the rust will explode out of it within a few years. your spending a lot of money and maybe your expectations from a vehicle you intend to use as a fishing wagon is going to leave you disappointed. perhaps a cheap second vehicle for the beach would be a better option.

[pouw]

Hiya, well I have owned almost all the vehicles you have listed at one point or another, except the Challenger, though the V6 Pajero I had might compare when it comes to fuel economy.

For $15k you should be able to get a pretty decent truck in any of those variants but here are my comments specifically based on what you mentioned i.e not looking at them as hard offroaders:

Surf
-----
1994 - 3.OL Diesel - Good Truck, reliable engine if serviced and looked after, getting a bit old most of them though, and higher K's. Should be able to get a pretty good one for less than 10k.
1996 + 3.0 diesel - even better truck, more modern inside, bigger longer wheel base for more room for the back passenger, lower k's, should be able to get a pretty good one for around the 12k mark
3.0 Petrol - Thirsty but comfortable, pretty cheap at the moment simply because of the cost to run.

Terrano
--------
1994 and before (I think) - 2.7 Diesel, good basic truck, reliable, but getting old, and high k's. Should be able to get a good one for at most 7k
1994 and before 3.0 Petrol - thirsty, very very thirsty. Other than that, same as the diesel.
1995 + 3.0 or 2.7 Diesel - nice shape, comfy ride, very similar to the Surf of 1996 and beyond. I liked driving it.

Challenger
-----------
Good comfortable wagon when I have ridden in them, only negative things I have heard is that they are a bit thirsty in the petrol form, but the 2.8 Diesel is not too bad (same engine as Pajero I think). A good one shouldnt set you back more than 8 - 10k would be my guess.

Wizard
--------
3.1 Diesel - great engine, I havent heard anything bad about them, I owned the older model bighorn and it just kept going.

The truth is, no matter what you choose, get an inspection done before you buy. None of the vehicles you have mentioned will cost you anywhere near $15k (unless you get a really late model, immaculate Surf that never went more than to the local shops) and all will suit your purpose.

Don't discount diesel as a false economy, If you put the same model vehicle in petrol and diesel next to each other, I still think diesel will be quite a bit cheaper to run, even when you include RUC and Rego.

Good luck
If you are looking

[gimmemud]

Why do you say wizard is ruled out? Just having a quick look at trademe and that seems to be one of the only ones that fit in your criteria.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 970769.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 296131.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 216256.htm
Just to show a few. I personally would be opting for a 3.4V6 surf, but I'm a toyota guy, and as you say they are more expensive and slightly higher kms. Used a wizard for a few months and it was very comfortable, especially on long trips which happened frequently and plenty of grunt. Couldn't tell you much about fuel consumption as is the beauty of company fuel cards i just didn't care.
For rust proofing there are electronic rust protection kits you can get or good old fashioned Fish oil. Had a work mate who always got his cars coated with fish oil twice a year and regularly drove on the dunes, rocks etc looking for good fishing spots and dunked the ass in whenever he launched the boat and never seemed to have any problems with rust.

[kiwipete]

How do vehicles in CHCH (Salt on roads)

We do not have salt on our roads.

[NJV6]

We use a non corrosive salt, much dearer than salt but it is calcium magnesium acetate and seems to work pretty well.

[Cameron]

Wizard is likely out of the running due to being out of prod 2003 iirc

why does this matter to you?

[Cameron]

fair enough. parts for vehicles even back into the 70s and 80s aren't really a big deal. even oddball stuff can be sorted outwithout toooooo much drama.

I've owned a pajero, and that's it, for 4x4s. I do rather like it though. In my opinion a vehicle that's reasonably capable, whilst still having good road manners and being reliable (and not fragile). I'd buy another for sure.
in isuzus, avoid the 3.0 diesel. the 3.1 is fine. the v6s seem ok? I used to strop round in an '02 wizard v6 in a previous job, and it went awesomely. Never had it off road though.

[SMOKEY]

jaypeegee , there are to many flaws in all your questions and answers , in no particular order, you want to be able to take your go any where , but got to be latish model good looking 4X4 any where, at night in any situation with no back up vehicle and have your wife and family feel safe , and you with NO , off road experience. Love the DREAM, but that is what it is a DREAM. Sure you need to start some where and I think you need to start at the beginning, you need to go out with fisher people that have been living the dream, what sort of vehicles are they using, get some 4WDing experience, beach driving is not for the inexperienced. If you are looking at just getting past the car park to your fishing spot or camping area any 4WD you are looking at will be fine but to me that isn't the picture you are painting.

MEMORIES LAST LONGER THAN DREAMS,

FITZY.

[mike77]

I reckon just go get something,
Don't worry if it's pre 2003 or whatever, don't worry too much about kms, as long as it's in good condition
And most importantly don't worry too much about what wife thinks, just get something that suits the purpose for what you want to do. She'll feel safe as soon as ya show her the capabilities of your wagon and ya driving.
I only say this, as my wife used to freak just heading down a boat ramp - I kid you not. Now she gets behind the wheel and has a good time.

I reckon any of the cars you mentioned will do it.

Your budget will get exactly what ya need, but not nessesarily everything you want.

My budget was alot smaller, but found an absolutely mint challenger (as per my post - and slowing getting more and more less mint) now I'm always concerned about damage. I need to just stove it into a bank now and be done with it!

[Lynx]

Dude, for that amount of money you can get a Landcruiser with all lockable diffs and some big AS tyres for that deep sand out the end of Red Rocks. The sand and salt can't be good for them though

For rust, my crazy science teacher back in the day tried to tell me this! "bare some chassis, and bolt some big lumps of zinc to it"


HE was an idiot.

That does work to a degree, ever heard on an aneroid?

[MikeL200]

Dude, for that amount of money you can get a Landcruiser with all lockable diffs and some big AS tyres for that deep sand out the end of Red Rocks. The sand and salt can't be good for them though

For rust, my crazy science teacher back in the day tried to tell me this! "bare some chassis, and bolt some big lumps of zinc to it"


HE was an idiot.

That does work to a degree, ever heard on an aneroid?

Methinks the word you are looking for is "Anode" and you can buy them from boating shops.

[Lynx]

Dude, for that amount of money you can get a Landcruiser with all lockable diffs and some big AS tyres for that deep sand out the end of Red Rocks. The sand and salt can't be good for them though

For rust, my crazy science teacher back in the day tried to tell me this! "bare some chassis, and bolt some big lumps of zinc to it"


HE was an idiot.

That does work to a degree, ever heard on an aneroid?

Methinks the word you are looking for is "Anode" and you can buy them from boating shops.

Yeah thats the one, couldnt think of it at the time, been years since i pissed around with them.

[crazyclark31]

I think you'd be okay with the challenger. I think they have the same running gear as the pajeros so ar nice and strong. Keeping regular services with good quality oil is most important though.
Maybe if your considering going out by yourself esp in sand, you could look at getting a electric winch fitted. May never need it but is a piece of mind if driving home on the sand at night.just thought

[Cameron]

aussies are into 'electronic rust protection' things at the moment. might be black magic but still worth a look.
surfs are very carlike IMO, so don't discount them.