July 2004
Hi,
Have the following:
* 4 large growing kids
* Need to do long journeys, not short ones, in comfort with more luggage than a Sharan/Alhambra etc can cope with
Budget £6000 - £7000
Seriously considering the following:
* Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 TD 2.8 diesel
* Toyota Lucida 2.2 TD Estima
Does anyone out there own one/ have any experience of the running costs, maintenance and what to look out for when buying? Is buying from an import auction to dodgy (am happy with auction buying), or is it best to buy from an importer? Is the Delica really as thirsty on a run as I think it might be?!
Want a 96 P with 30k if poss. Any suggestions?
Cheers,
Freewheel
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In an attempt to ascertain relative reliabilities of motor cars, I thought it might be interesting if people were to post what cars they had seen broken down by the side of the road. (Lets say either on the motorway hard shoulder (unless the stop is for an obvious (illegal) comfort break) or with a mechanic in attendance.)
Yesterday: V-reg Pug 206; T-reg Pug 406; L reg Jag.
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Funnily enough, 3 weeks ago on the M1 J23 I saw a recovery truck being recovered. Brought a smile to my face.
Check out what this bloke is trying to sell:
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=...1
He admits it has "no brakes" but reckons that's ok cause "he drive's home very early in the morning when there are no cars on the road" you can even see a child seat visable on the front seat...
does'nt bear thinking about.
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Be thankful they didn't pick Rantzen for the job.....
If my TV guide is correct, tonights Top Gear has another Toyota Prius road test.
Should be well worth watching. Read more
Has anyone come across both the headlamp levelling motors whirring away continuously, they shut off on the max adjustment but don't stop when put back to level.
Tried the obvious connectors on the back of lights but nothing happens. A good thump near the lights stops it temporarily so I guess there is a loose connection somewhere.
Before I pull it all apart too have a look, I would appreciate if anyone has any experience first
Ta
Davee Read more
That was an easy job, took the headlamps out cleaned up all the connectors - made no difference at all though. Loosend off the motors, did not remove as this looked tricky, gave a squirt of 3in1 around the motor shaft & stuck back together.
Now all is perfect & Ford didn't get a penny from me.
Hope this of use to others
Ta.
I\'m considering buying one of these vehicles, either the Hilux pickup or the Hilux surf. I\'ve got around £6500 to spend which will limit my choice a bit, but I\'d be grateful if you could let me know common problems, things to look out for etc.
Many thanks
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£6500 budget should get you 1994/1995 II generation Toyota Hilux Surf with 3 litre engine, mileage below 60,000 miles or 100,000 km immaculate inside and out.
Unlike suggested Hilux Surfs don't have rust problems and despite age they are very well equipped and are very resistant to wear and tear. The weakest point in the range was early design and cooling of 2.4 litre engine cylinder head. Cylinder was known to warp under load and temperature. Economy of 3 litre engine is very similar, but provided cooling system was checked and maintained they literally run forever.
Typical Hilux Surf of the era should have air conditioning, adjustable suspension (hard and soft), automatic gearbox with overdrive and ECT power boost, all 5 windows operated electrically as well as mirrors and sunroof. Sites to visit, people to ask:
www.yotasurf.co.uk/forums/
www.showmesome.info/hilux/
www.toyotasurf.asn.au/
I actually have Hilux Surf on my driveway right now, so if you live around London and want me to "show you around" you are welcome to contact me...
My friend has a 2001 Almera Tino with the 2.2 turbo diesel engine. I have driven it and there is no acceleration at all in first gear from standstill. There is approx four second delay before the engine picks up, even with the accelerator to the floor. Is this normal for this engine? It makes it very dangerous pulling out of junctions, when climbing hills it slows to a walking pace.
Does anyone think there is a fault with the induction side, split hose etc or a sensor problem similar to Vectra DI engines?
Thanks. Read more
Sounds similar to the problem i had with my Rover75 diesel, turned out to be the MAF sensor...not cheap but more wallet friendly than a new turbo!!
Hi all,
I have a 1997 Mazda Xedos (V6 Auto), properly serviced since new and low mileage. When stationary with the aircon switched on there is a noticeable vibration throughout the car each time the aircon fan/motor cuts in. Any ideas on what might be causing this?
Many thanks,
ianmac Read more
Mark,
The revs increase from roughly 750 to 1000 as the aircon kicks in, I usually have it on 'auto' fan setting but vibration occurs in any mode...
Ian
I have recently been having problems with my Mercedes C220CDI. After getting opinions from 3 different garages I am informed that all 4 of the fuel injectors need replacement. This seems amazing to me and the thought appears to be that it has been caused by contaminated fuel. If this is so I wondered how common a problem this is and what can be done to prevent it happening again.
Alternatively the garage could be taking me for a ride, I suppose.]
Has anyone else had problems with bad fuel and do I possibly have any recourse against the filling station I bought the fuel from before the problem became apparent?
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Before spending that kind of money why don't you use a good trade supply injection cleaner first?
I had a chap tell me that the injectors in a Merc 307 d needed changing to get the emissions within the MOT acceptable limits but I paid him a tenner and he poured this stuff in (don't know what it was). I drove it up and down the A38 for about 10 miles and - problem cured!
It helps if you haven't got much diesel left in the tank so you get a rich mixture.
In the face of a grand, a tenner may seem like a good flutter to me.
Hugo
It's me again, just 2 questions this time.
1 - where can I buy decent tyres for less than £30 a piece. I need 3 for my motor and I haven't got £50 to spend on each one plus fitting costs. Anyone know of a website or service?
2 - I have been told that my clutch will need replacing soon as when my car is driven for a long period of time the biting point gets higher (can't say I've noticed). Is there any way an average joe such as myself with litle mech knowledge actually test this blokes theory without having to remember how high the damn biting point is
Should have stuck to my push-bike
Many thanks in advance Read more
Browse
We have a Delica although ours is on a J 92 plate, it has made regular runs to London from cornwall and back, and is very economical, the parts are easy to get Mitsubishi can get any part just need the info from the V5 which you should get with the motor, The handbooks have all been converted to english oh and the 4x4 is great in the snow.
The other useful feature is that it's height means on narrow roads you can see above the hedges.