hi, i have owned two surfs, if you can get a good one they are good but they are prone to cracking heads.($1500 plus labour)
check out the australian surf forums and you will see the problems owners come accross.

cheers

Go a 4runner bud, Australian made...

Surf's are Jap imports and as Davey said, the heads are prone to cracking 

Cheers,
Sam

be carefull about the surfs and 4runners,i have heard bad reports on both of them from owners and ex owners , they tend to get a bit pricey to run

imo they are a poor excuse for a toyota 4x4

do your research and if possible check on the mechanical history of them

RUSS & SANDY

"A family that fishes together stays together"

V6. Blew the head (apparantly they had a recall on them also so check if it had been taken in.I didnt do mine as thought if it isnt broken dont fix it and wouldnt you know it went a few months after recall period finished). Cost me $2k odd to fix . Used heaps of fuel and also not that great power wise. Apart from that was a great vehicle body and capability wise.Was basically a Hilux station wagon.   

Would steer away from a Surf. Its a jap import and they have had their fair share of problems I think(I am no expert).Basing my opnion on both from info gained from neighbour who is service manager at toyota dealership. 

If you are looking at a 4wd suggest you get something designed and built for Aust conditions as they get hot and punished when driving on the beach.  

I love my 100 series T/D though !!!! 

young Fishwrecked members wanting you to take them fishing (Lol).
Make sure you check it out
http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/

i had a surf gave it an absolut flogging and it still went hard never had a problem highly recomend them cheep to run and tow real well

proud user of xzoga rods

I bought an 88 surf as my first car with 180,000kms in 99, still have it now 10 years later she still goes great with 350,000kms. Although i dont drive it often now as have an 08 Hilux. Will never sell it, great car to jump in every now and again. Replaced the g/box and clutch and thats about as major as it has got. Blew a heap of CV joint boots though, they are a pain.

i have been going through th same thing as you, lookin for a first car.

i have a few mates with the surfs and two of them a have rolled it and i have also heard that they are prone to rolling??? my friends brother has a surf and he has spent probably 5k in repairs cos it always seems to be having problems. But i have also heard from people who love theres and have had no problemo with them, so its a bit of a two way street.

Dunno what you want to spend but maybe have a look at an early 90's model 80series cruiser, thats what has caught my eye and there are a few around for a good price. seem to be a good unit.

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

The Tackle shack, for all your fishing needs.
Huge range of stock to suit any fisherperson.
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lol... and here is me chasing a small 5 speed manual lol. 

_________________________________________________________ 

You couln't wipe that grin fom my face even with a hammer.

by the feedback im getting im not too keen on the surfs any more...

haha colin! i think the bus wud be a good idea.....ill be carting liam and everyone around anyway haha

anyone had a 2wd dual cab hilux? i love those

and i dont plan on doing too much beach bashing anyway so 4wd isnt a necessity

formerly fishoreub

Get a 4x4 van. Express, starwagon or delica. If u not bashing much but want the ability to if u wanted, and want the space, then this is practical. Fuel consumption is better too. Not to mention since u often pull allnighters, mattress in the back isnt out of the question. Price is decent and affordable. Just 2 days ago, spotted 4x4 delica for 6k.

How to balance the love of my car with my love of fishing...
Fish-wrxed?

weren't nicknamed rolluxes for no reason. I wouldn't get one to learn to drive in.

First car get something cheap to run, cheap to fix, easy to insure and reliable. Learn your trade so to speak in a somewhat slower car, then get something more powerful, bigger etc etc with your second car.

I recommend get the toyota hilux because of there low sevice cost (If your gonna take it to them).my family has a long history with toyota from 60, 80 or 76 series right through to the echo and yaris. If you want you could get the 2wd dual cab but thats for tradies unless you want to "pimp it out" which is a gay feature to me i recommend a 79 series or a single/space cab hilux 4x4.

Go with huggyB's advice mate. Get something cheap to run easy to fix and not too powerful. I went from a VW beetle to a hilux to a jeep. You should learn how to drive on a road before you plan to take anything off road.