Cheap commercial jeep...

colm_mcm

Thinking of something in a SWB commercial. spending as little as possible (sub 1k) for occasional towing (1500kg max)

Is it a false economy buying a jeep that cheap?

I'm thinking of something like a Pajero 2.8 SWB from the 90's.

Slidey

I would be of the opinion that it is another mans trouble you are buying.

Saying that I tested an early 90's fourtrak today and it looked fierce rough, was expecting to get writers cramp with it but it was grand.

I dont think you would even get one of those for that money and I'm not sure it would be fit to pull that load.

aravan

This took only seconds to find. Its more than a grand but it will tow forever.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Landcruiser/GX--SWB-/200929194648847/advert?channel=CARS

Slidey

That looks very very clean.

I am surprised how cheap it is.

Mr. Pseudonym

aravan wrote: »

This took only seconds to find. Its more than a grand but it will tow forever.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Landcruiser/GX--SWB-/200929194648847/advert?channel=CARS

Looks good alright, but the OP would be paying close to €1k pa in road tax. And fwiw, mywheels said that the road tax on this vehicle is out since Aug 05.

How about something like this ... it a commercial Pajero

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Pajero/2.5-SWB,/200936195111488/advert?channel=CARS

I reckon for the sub €1k though you might be better off getting a copy of the buy and sell!!

Slidey

In fairness it wouldnt take long to convert it to commercial.

You are probably right about checking out the buy and sell or the dealer

dbar

I bought a car off the same man only a couple of weeks ago - had a problem with the gearbox and he sorted it out on the spot, I found him very good to deal with. I can call and have a look at it if you want no bother.

colm_mcm

I like the look of that Cruiser alright. would be converted to a commercial in a few hours.

Not moving on it for a few weeks but will keep ye posted. thanks for the opinions so far.

colm_mcm

the tax on that yoke is out since Aug 2005!

not surprising at €900 a year

colm_mcm

What do ye think of this one:

95 Toyota 4runner (Hilux Surf) 3.0 manual. UK spec, 98k €1475 from a dealer.
Should have it home, commercialised and DOE'd for €2k?





http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200938342131308/sort/priceasc/search-target/usedcars/make/toyota/model/4-runner/postcode/ln12na/quicksearch/true/page/1?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedcars%2Fpostcode%2Fln12na%2Fmake%2Ftoyota%2Fmodel%2F4-runner%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc%2Fquicksearch%2Ftrue%2Fpage%2F1&anchor=advert200938342131308&logcode=p#

CJhaughey

colm_mcm wrote: »

What do ye think of this one:

95 Toyota 4runner (Hilux Surf) 3.0 manual. UK spec, 98k €1475 from a dealer.
Should have it home, commercialised and DOE'd for €2k?

What engine is it? 1 KZT Or the 1KZ-TE?
Nice wagons lots more grunt than the 2.4 as well.

colm_mcm

yep, I have reservations about the 2.4 models - cooling problems. also I'd rather have the familiarity of the 3.0 engine.

as for the engine type, no idea - could be either one. only 5bhp or so in the difference but I reckon the newer version (which is still on sale in some countries) could be tweaked for more bhp (I'm used to a 173bhp Cruiser)

macshadow

That hilux surf looks clean from the outside anyway. Do ye know how many speeds the auto ones have and the mpg, so many of them are auto in the uk. Colm would you be able to convert it to commercial yourself? if you go ahead with it you might document the process in photo?

CJhaughey

colm_mcm wrote: »

yep, I have reservations about the 2.4 models - cooling problems. also I'd rather have the familiarity of the 3.0 engine.

as for the engine type, no idea - could be either one. only 5bhp or so in the difference but I reckon the newer version (which is still on sale in some countries) could be tweaked for more bhp (I'm used to a 173bhp Cruiser)

To be fair some of the 1KZ-TE also had head problems, but careful maintenance usually prevents it.
You can make the E version up to 140-160hp no probs
One plus with the 1 KZ engines is that they are very easy to maintain, Timing belt takes only 20mins and even if it fails the cam is gear driven so it's non-interference engine.
Manuals also put less load on the coolant system than the Auto versions and avoid the problem of coolant getting into the Auto-box.

colm_mcm

This one just popped up on autotrader. it's an auto. but for £999 who cares too much.

Problem is, something seems dodgy about the garage,

The sellers email address doesn't have the garages name on it, maybe i'm too fussy. will call on Monday either way.
It's also a Hilux Surf and not a 4 Runner as advertised.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200942344050861/sort/priceasc/search-target/usedcars/make/toyota/model/4-runner/page/1/quicksearch/true/postcode/bs324nf?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedcars%2Fpostcode%2Fbs324nf%2Fmake%2Ftoyota%2Fmodel%2F4-runner%2Fpage%2F1%2Fquicksearch%2Ftrue%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc&anchor=advert200942344050861&logcode=p

coolbeans

Daihatsu Fourtrak? Don't the Mitsubishis give gearbox bother? Most are OK I suppose but the Daihatsus are an unsung hero in my opinion adn there aint no city chic ****e about them either.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/977512

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/994540

colm_mcm

The Fourtrak is a bit too basic for me. I like the idea of them, but they're just not what I'm after. I'm settled on a Hilux Surf or a 4-runner at the minute. thanks for the suggestion

.17hmr

Mr. Pseudonym wrote: »

Looks good alright, but the OP would be paying close to €1k pa in road tax. And fwiw, mywheels said that the road tax on this vehicle is out since Aug 05.

How about something like this ... it a commercial Pajero

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Pajero/2.5-SWB,/200936195111488/advert?channel=CARS

I reckon for the sub €1k though you might be better off getting a copy of the buy and sell!!

sorry lads the mitsubishi pajero is gone i bought it today very tidy we jeep fair play to the man or woman who owned it last,just thought id let you know take care.:)

colm_mcm

Update: Been looking around, and upped the budget a bit.
Narrowed it down to a Pajero GLS 2.8 LWB manual, preferably with leather and the diamond option pack.
3 of these have come up on auto trader in the last 4 days but all were sold pretty much straight away. Found 2 possibles this evening.
Plan is to head to the UK regardless and stay there till I get one!

PaddyBloggit

What made you choose the pajero?

argosy2006

colm_mcm wrote: »

Update: Been looking around, and upped the budget a bit.
Narrowed it down to a Pajero GLS 2.8 LWB manual, preferably with leather and the diamond option pack.
3 of these have come up on auto trader in the last 4 days but all were sold pretty much straight away. Found 2 possibles this evening.
Plan is to head to the UK regardless and stay there till I get one!

well dont buy the 2.5 version! they over heat,head gasket trouble the lot of them,,
i take it your buying a commercial jeep, or you will pay huge vrt on 7 seater!

fonecrusher1

colm_mcm wrote: »

Update: Been looking around, and upped the budget a bit.
Narrowed it down to a Pajero GLS 2.8 LWB manual, preferably with leather and the diamond option pack.
3 of these have come up on auto trader in the last 4 days but all were sold pretty much straight away. Found 2 possibles this evening.
Plan is to head to the UK regardless and stay there till I get one!

I feel i should warn you that the 2.8td in the pajero is a diesel guzzler. My mechanic warned my about this when i nearly bought one a few years ago. There a very solid car but i went for a toyota surf instead. The 3ltr surf engine actually gets getter mpg than the Paj engine.
But hey its up to you.;)

btw; look out for the VRT when you get back over here!!!!!!$$$$$

colm_mcm

I've been looking for a decent 3.0 manual surf for months, and none have come up for reasonable money.

Re: VRT, it's a LWB so VRT should be €50.

Re choice to go Pajero: Think it'll be easier to sell on than other options for the money (Trooper, MU, 2.4 Surf, Terrano, Frontera etc)

PaddyBloggit

colm_mcm wrote: »

I've been looking for a decent 3.0 manual surf for months, and none have come up for reasonable money.

Re: VRT, it's a LWB so VRT should be €50.

Re choice to go Pajero: Think it'll be easier to sell on than other options for the money (Trooper, MU, 2.4 Surf, Terrano, Frontera etc)

Did you consider a landcruiser?

colm_mcm

Land Cruisers cost twice as much as the equivelant Pajero. I sold them for years, I know how good they are - but they're too expensive for what I want and any low mileage high spec ones are even dearer.

fonecrusher1

colm_mcm wrote: »

I've been looking for a decent 3.0 manual surf for months, and none have come up for reasonable money.

Re: VRT, it's a LWB so VRT should be €50.

Re choice to go Pajero: Think it'll be easier to sell on than other options for the money (Trooper, MU, 2.4 Surf, Terrano, Frontera etc)

If you are importing a 4x4 thats not a commercial into the country you will be hit for regular VRT.
If its commercial ie; has no back seats/seat belts & darkened or covered rear windows or its a pick-up you pay only 50 euro. Otherwise you will be hit for a percentage of the price of the vehicle.

Cant see how a Pajero would be easier to sell than a surf to be honest. There are dozens of pajeros for sale in this country, theres only a handful of surfs available.

Have you seen this? http://www.adoos.ie/post/7876716/toyota_surf_hilux_80500_miles

Slidey

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

If you are importing a 4x4 thats not a commercial into the country you will be hit for regular VRT.

Not if you commercialise it before you present it to customs

fonecrusher1

Slidey wrote: »

Not if you commercialise it before you present it to customs

This is true but how much would it cost to commercialize the vehicle?

colm_mcm

Not a lot. around €100-€150

I'll hopefully do a step-by-step if/when I get the jeep.

fonecrusher1

colm_mcm wrote: »

Not a lot. around €100-€150

I'll hopefully do a step-by-step if/when I get the jeep.

^
Did you look at that link on the other post? The surf for sale.

colm_mcm

Never saw it.
TBH I'm looking for a manual - will be doing a fair bit of towing, also have mpg concerns.

plenty autos in the UK too. Won't completely rule it out though.

Thanks for the link.

fonecrusher1

colm_mcm wrote: »

Never saw it.
TBH I'm looking for a manual - will be doing a fair bit of towing, also have mpg concerns.

plenty autos in the UK too. Won't completely rule it out though.

Thanks for the link.

Would you not be tempted to get yourself a cheap commercial Isuzu Trooper here. There meant to be excellent for towing & bulletproof. I mean the earlier 3.1td (92-99) Not the later 3.0 td its meant to be problematic.
Its going to cost you a few euros to go accross to the UK.

As for mpg, the 3.0 ltr td surf has better mpg than the Paj.
As for towing, the pajero/trooper are better for this purpose. The surf has a lower tow limit; 2200kg i think. Paj has a 2600kg limit i think.

colm_mcm

A few reasons:

I'm planning on keeping it for about a year and selling it, the Paj will be easier to sell. I know a few people who'd buy it off me straight away.

I'm hugely fussy about the condition of it so importing form the UK is about the only way I'll get a clean one. that's why I'm getting a passenger one and converting it. A lot of the Troopers in the UK are automatic, and the diesels tend to be bought by farmers over there.

My neighbour has a few Pajeros and has a lot of knowledge (and parts)

I prefer the look of the Pajero too (shouldn't be a huge consideration I know)

I really dislike the interior of the Trooper and find the driving position uncomfortable.

If the trip to the UK proves fruitless I may chase that Surf up, but a manual would be preferable TBH. Are you selling it yourself?

fonecrusher1

colm_mcm wrote: »

A few reasons:

I'm planning on keeping it for about a year and selling it, the Paj will be easier to sell. I know a few people who'd buy it off me straight away.

I'm hugely fussy about the condition of it so importing form the UK is about the only way I'll get a clean one. that's why I'm getting a passenger one and converting it. A lot of the Troopers in the UK are automatic, and the diesels tend to be bought by farmers over there.

My neighbour has a few Pajeros and has a lot of knowledge (and parts)

I prefer the look of the Pajero too (shouldn't be a huge consideration I know)

I really dislike the interior of the Trooper and find the driving position uncomfortable.

If the trip to the UK proves fruitless I may chase that Surf up, but a manual would be preferable TBH. Are you selling it yourself?

No im not selling it but if i had the cash i would buy it in a heartbeat but not at that price, i would insist on getting a few hundred off. Looks like a clean low mileage surf? Very rare & i'd be surprised if its still for sale.

I have a 3rd gen surf 3.0td (96 to 2002) & all i can say is its a very good car, ive been off road a few times & its been amazing, it gets good mpg 25 to 32, its comfortable & it looks nice. I would not sell it.
Ive had a couple of cars in the last few years (including a pajero) but ive never held on to anything for more that a 9/10 months except the surf.

If you get the chance to test drive a 3rd gen surf i guarantee you will like it.

colm_mcm

One of the lads has 2 surfs. one manual and one auto. No doubt they're a good machine, but I'm holding out for a manual in whatever I buy.

mossfort

colm_mcm wrote: »

I've been looking for a decent 3.0 manual surf for months, and none have come up for reasonable money.

Re: VRT, it's a LWB so VRT should be €50.

Re choice to go Pajero: Think it'll be easier to sell on than other options for the money (Trooper, MU, 2.4 Surf, Terrano, Frontera etc)

i was looking at importing a surf 2.4 last year but decided not to because of engine reputation .
when i enquired about the vrt they told me it would be classed as a short wheel base because of the size of the load area so the vrt would be around 15% of the open market selling price which according to them was 4500 euros for a 1991 surf so about 700 euros vrt.
it would be difficult to commercialise one of these because of the shape of the side windows and you would have to weld in a floor etc.
plenty of good clean pajeros for sale in the uk.

fonecrusher1

mossfort wrote: »

i was looking at importing a surf 2.4 last year but decided not to because of engine reputation .
when i enquired about the vrt they told me it would be classed as a short wheel base because of the size of the load area so the vrt would be around 15% of the open market selling price which according to them was 4500 euros for a 1991 surf so about 700 euros vrt.
it would be difficult to commercialise one of these because of the shape of the side windows and you would have to weld in a floor etc.
plenty of good clean pajeros for sale in the uk.

I wouldnt go near a 2.4 surf, there a bit underpowered & they are well known for the cylinder head cracking when they're pushed too hard. Rad problems can also lead to insufficient cooling of the engine & bang up she goes.

Theres a lot of mystery associated with commercializing a vehicle so if i was going to bring a 4x4 over here from the UK i would be damn sure i knew all the facts.
VRT annoys the sh1t out of me, its designed to make things as awkward as possible for people importing. Ive looked into importing before but i eventually gave up due to the various expenses that were going to be imposed upon me.:mad:

colm_mcm

I picked up a mint condition Shogun 2.8 LWB 7 seater yesterday evening. Drove it back from the East Coast of England to the west coast of Ireland - Averaged 26mpg with a bit of town driving in there too.
There's good spec on it; cruise control, large sunroof, wood trim, alarm, CD changer etc.
It's all the same colour on the outside (not 2 tone like most Pajeros are) and has an A bar. Bodywork is very tidy.
Overall delighted with the purchase - will post pics if anyone's interested in what you can get in the UK for relatively small money.

PaddyBloggit

colm_mcm wrote: »

I picked up a mint condition Shogun 2.8 LWB 7 seater yesterday evening. Drove it back from the East Coast of England to the west coast of Ireland - Averaged 26mpg with a bit of town driving in there too.
There's good spec on it; cruise control, large sunroof, wood trim, alarm, CD changer etc.
It's all the same colour on the outside (not 2 tone like most Pajeros are) and has an A bar. Bodywork is very tidy.
Overall delighted with the purchase - will post pics if anyone's interested in what you can get in the UK for relatively small money.

Post pics ... be great to see what you got!

Well done with the purchase ... safe driving.

fonecrusher1

colm_mcm wrote: »

I picked up a mint condition Shogun 2.8 LWB 7 seater yesterday evening. Drove it back from the East Coast of England to the west coast of Ireland - Averaged 26mpg with a bit of town driving in there too.
There's good spec on it; cruise control, large sunroof, wood trim, alarm, CD changer etc.
It's all the same colour on the outside (not 2 tone like most Pajeros are) and has an A bar. Bodywork is very tidy.
Overall delighted with the purchase - will post pics if anyone's interested in what you can get in the UK for relatively small money.

Good on you & yes post some pics, im interested. 26mpg? Not bad at all. There a good truck & i admit they definitely have a nicer interior than the surf.
I have air con but aint got no sunroof or cruise control.:mad:
Best of luck with the new purchase.:)

Slidey

Best of luck with the purchase.

Do put up a few pics if you get the chance

colm_mcm

Pics as promised. Got to put it through its paces today, tried out the central diff lock, the rear axle diff lock and the low ratio box. Everything is working great!

Slidey

That is a tasty job on the back.

Nice work

fonecrusher1

She's a fine looking beast.

Heres my own truck.