my mate has a hilux surf and he does alot of offroading and says he loves it.

cant rly help ya much but though id let ya know

as well as fishing I get out and do a bit of shooting from time to time and we go in some sandy and really boggy paddocks. The farm we go to has both a Landcriser Trayback with low klm's and an early 90's Suzuki Vitara.

The Vitara goes places the Cruiser would only dream of due to the fact that it is so light. Most of the time when the Cruiser is nearly getting bodded the Vitara goes through in 2wd (not joking). They are about a 1.6ltr 4 cylinder engine so cheap as chips to run.

Prior to driving one I use to look at them and think to myself where the hell would that go off road? After driving one around in soft sand I might actually buy one myself as a weekend fishing 4wd.

just a thought that's all

scano

They are fantastic on the sand. The shock absorbers are pretty non-existent, but because they are so light you can take them on pretty soft sand with little cause for concern.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

G'day Blake

Stay away from cruisers which have been run on gas. I've just had to put a new motor in the Mrs's cruiser ( $3500 ) after redoing the head just 4years ago ( $4000 ). If you're looking for a Cruiser go a diesel. I drive a cruiser with a dual cab conversion with the 1hz motor and I'm upto about 525 000k. Still no smoke. And runs sweet as for a diesel. Its not gonna blow ya hair back but they are a very safe bet. Long distances cruising on 100km/h I average about 15-16 litres per 100km. In a head wind or pushing past 110km/h she jumps up to 18-20's. Vitara/s are good but dont know if I would like to drive from Perth to Exxie in one let alone hit a roo or worse. Hope this helps

Cheers Mick

http://fishwrecked.com/node/18208

Theres a good thread here too, worth a read. :)

for a personal vehicle. reliable and cheap to run/fix/maintain compared to cruisers. always used toyota for bush work and would recommend them as most 4WD are toyota so parts easy to get in remote locations.....

you don't set any landspeed records in a hilux but i want relaibility. my hilux has travelled right throughout the Pilbara, Central Desert and the Top End and Kimberley and I mean remote...... never had a problem just treat them well and change oil every 5000km.

blokes I used to work with in Alice Springs all had suzuki to do exploratory work and would always be scout car out bush.....but as others suggest slow on highway and most are petrol (for your price range)

mate have surf and good but softer than a hilux so I would opt for a hilux (could have sold you a surf a couple of weeks ago). also got insurance problems due to the fact that most were imports and thus expensive parts. generally motor same as hilux but different chassis/suspension. 

shop around and make sure it ain't ex mining.......

but under the circumstance I would vote hilux (IMO)

RECFISHWEST Member

some great advice in that old fishwrecked thread Adam has put up.

get a diesel if you are gonna get a 4wd and the budget allows. the additional torque while not needing the rev the ring out of it is very welcomed off-road. Plus the economy is much better.

a 4.2 diesel turbo will bring u just about anywhere with 32inch offroad tyres on. ofcoz a warn winch to the back and a PTO winch to the front with ARB bull bar for those just in case situation. oh yah... HIDs too... thats how i set up my patrol which has 380K+ on the kms.

Always Time For Fishing

thanks for the info guys keep it coming.

and yeah, i was probably leaning towards diesel, my uncles got a troopy thats diesel and its done 550 odd kms and its one of the most capable fourbys ive been in.

what sort of kms would you guys recomend to be the max? i know it depends on how well it has been looked after etc. but just an idea?

thanks

***********************************************************

The Tackle shack, for all your fishing needs.
Huge range of stock to suit any fisherperson.
PH:9248 3800, unit 3/11 Alexander Drive Malaga

that it takes about 250 - 300,000km for a deisel to "settle in". Might be a bit over the top, but you get the idea - a higher mileage deisel that has been looked after and serviced is less of a worry than an equivilent petrol engine.

Make sure you get the bodywork, gearbox and driveline well inspected. Spend $300 or whatever it costs to get a good thorough inspection performed by the RAC or any respected car inspection mob (others may chime in with a recommendation). Can save you a lot of heartache and money down the line. You'd be crazy not to have a 2nd hand car inspected IMO.

The advice I offer everyone for their first car is buy a cheap and reliable one for $750-1000 max.

Learn to drive one first.
Gets you dings and buckled rims etc over in a cheap car you can throw away when you have finished.

Then after 6 months exp buy your 4x4.

It will save you have to get dings etc repair in a more expensive car.

nah, i can drive no worries at all (not trying to sound cockie haha, i wont be learning in it, thatswhat mums car is for lol.

opinions on a pajero anyone??

***********************************************************

The Tackle shack, for all your fishing needs.
Huge range of stock to suit any fisherperson.
PH:9248 3800, unit 3/11 Alexander Drive Malaga

Them pajero r on the heavy side n expensive to run. ave about 8km per liter w/o the air con on...

Always Time For Fishing

Had a Hilux 84 with 2ltr diesel. Loved it. Used to tow a 17ft haines with it. They arent quick, but are fairly light and reliable as damo suggests regular servicing, oil and filter(used to take about 20 minutes). Family comitments made me sell it but would buy another one 2morra.

Got a mate who had a surf 3ltr turbo diesel and reckoned it drank like a fish. Thats thirsty man

ive got a ninetees 2.6 four cylinder jackaroo with extractors and 2inch strait through exaust..four kids a dog and lots of fishin and campin gear,it does the job on sand and goes well on bitchumin,very economical but very basic inside.havent got a bad word to say about it and has been all the places me mates paj's and cruisers have been.Just got myself an 85 sahara cruisere with over 300 on the clock been the same places to fish as ive allways done the cruisere uses more fuel is a bit more roomy and the parts are more expensive...kids will just have to squeeze up a bit and the dog will have to sit on someones lap....good advise from neander look for somethin under a grand for your first car..
Sid

be carefull on the smaller 4x4s with small motors as they have a tendancy to over rev in the vsoft stuff as sherbs son andrew found out . def go diesel ,lower speeds in general but better torque, we have a nanara 2004 model 3ltr turbo diesel but they might be a bit pricey for you.  dont be in a hurry to get one ,make sure you get the right one, dont forget to check the under carriage for signs of rust as a lot of the 4x4s go in water and dont get washed down after ,as another said get the inspection when you find one you like

RUSS & SANDY

"A family that fishes together stays together"

Has monocube body so ive been told if you get bogged you need to snatch form straight in front with a strap between both tow points so you dont twist them out of shape.If i had my time again i would get a hzj 75 ute and make my mates drive them selves they are awesome 4x4s ask any roo shooter,farmer,miner or anyone who has had one and they will say the same if i was shorter and had no kids it is what i would be driving.Followed by the 80 series then the 100 series that i own now 350000km and not a thing to complain about. More than i can say for my mates one has the top of the range patrol and he is about to spend $4500 to get his turbo up to what he considers standard.Another had a pajero for 2 months hated it and traded it for a 100 series after i towed im out half a dozen times from places he took his 60 series for ten years before .Another had to get his landrover disco towed back from steep point sold it and bought another one two years later on the way back from up north had to get towed back from s bend.Alot comes down to the driver though.

One thing to watch on the Surf's is that some insurance companys will not insure them. They are Jap imports and are not the same as our Hilux. I know or one that was written off due to the expense of a replacement wiring loom. There are lots of parts that are not interchangeable.

Agree about a well looked after diesel with a few K's on it being a good option as well as a check by a decent mechanic for whatever car you choose.

** Rockingham Offshore Fishing Club **

Ive got a 98 3.0 ltr hilux dual cab, bloody good really especially for your first car mate, its a very versatile 4x4, light enough to go along beaches, strong enough to do the mud runs like the powerlines track etc. Definately a winner for a first car, If I was buying one again I would definately fork out for the turbo diesel instead though but in your price range thats prob not an option and really its only in extreme conditions the turbo version helps for a little extra quick pickup.

Having said that due to alot of towing Im looking at getting a landcruiser down the track but thats just me being a little fussy, the hilux tows fine really, I just want the new 4.5 ltr turbo V8 diesel in the 79 series land cruisers.

Goooooone Fishin!

Hi Ya,

Probably a bit late now but my advice is DON'T.  Two (well, maybe three) things will make a very, very large hole in your pocket.  They are (and I am uncertain as to what order they should be placed in) are Cars, Girlfriends and Boats.

In all three cases, borrow if you can. 

Cheers.


RECFISHWEST member

Rust is a huge problem, look out for patch up jobs - take a magnet with you when looking at cars.

If we can hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate.