[ms1991]

Hi all, Currently own a jeep tj which is up for sale to help fund house purchase.

So I need a daily driver and something i can still go offroad with, catch is i only have a budget of 5k.

What would you guys recommend for this budget? what should i steer clear of?

was thinking of a mid 90's vitara?

any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Microwire]

Can't go wrong there. Nice on road manners (compared to the sierra)

Maybe do a quick search, this topic comes up every few weeks and has been covered off pretty well in some other threads

[Gwagensteve]

Yep mid 90's vitara.

Look for an EFI auto. It's a very nice automatic teamed up to a nice motor.

Look for power steer.

There's no reason to buy one that's been off road. It will be easy to spot - the front crossmember will be bent.

Otherwise look for oil leaks, milky oil, and rust in the floor if it is a soft top, and smoke, especially on start up from cold.

Steve.

[SierraDan]

x2.

[xl76]

Hey Mate
Look for a 1994 JLX SWB vit Hard top, it should have air ,electric windows
.The motor is a treat and the manual has a very light clutch which is perfect for around town.

[ms1991]

What kilometers should i be looking for? most seem to have over 200, sounds a bit high.

also, id perfer manual, but if i cant get one, is the auto reliable?
if any of you guys come across any, feel free to post up a link.

[Gwagensteve]

A 1994 SWB could be carby or EFI - it was the changeover year.

I don't think the manual offers any meaningful advantage over the 4 speed auto.

PS ms1991, don't rule out a LWB vitara - these are all EFI, all AW-4 auto and all have power steering.

Steve.

[bohuler]

I paid $5200 for a 2001 5 door GV, 6 months rego and rwc. Wicked as a daily and with a few mods (little lift, steel diffs, 5.12 diff centers, auto lockers) make wicked as off road weapons
Just my 2c worth
Dave

[bohuler]

Or buy my 85 lwb for 2k. I used it for the last 3 1/2 years a daily, not really comfy but awsome car

[ms1991]

bohuler wrote:

I paid $5200 for a 2001 5 door GV, 6 months rego and rwc. Wicked as a daily and with a few mods (little lift, steel diffs, 5.12 diff centers, auto lockers) make wicked as off road weapons
Just my 2c worth
Dave

where did you find that bargain.. everywhere i look theryre all over 5k.

[Built4thrashing]

ms1991 wrote:

bohuler wrote:

I paid $5200 for a 2001 5 door GV, 6 months rego and rwc. Wicked as a daily and with a few mods (little lift, steel diffs, 5.12 diff centers, auto lockers) make wicked as off road weapons
Just my 2c worth
Dave

where did you find that bargain.. everywhere i look theryre all over 5k.

I found it for him.

I picked up my V6 GV for $5k as is. was regd and Rwc for just under $6k.

They do pop up from time to time. You just need to jump on it as soon as you find one. Keep checking carsales and just cars and be prepared to drive a bit to get one.

[ms1991]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... 2&__N=1216 1247 1252 1282 4294962891 4294962890 903&distance=25&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,7500~1|Mileage:Min,Max|Year:Min,Max|Seats:Min,Max|EngineSize:Min,Max&sort=default

Hi guys, just thought id ask if anyone recognises this car? Im going to look at it on saturday and thought the seller may be a member on here?

is it worth the money? could knock it down a bit.

also whats the locker that he has mentioned like? any good?

cheers, mark

[worldo]

AVM front locking hubs from ARB

are you refering to this ms1991??

[ms1991]

sorry mate just realised theyre front locking hubs, not a front locker. my bad.

any thoughts on the car in general?

[abclarke]

Looks good for the price to me!

Nice and straight to

[ms1991]

Im worried about breaking cv's, Im guessing the 31's will contirbut to this, just how capable are the vits with 31's and stock gearing?

also, whats the fuel economy like with the 31's? as fuel economy is the main reason im buying a vitara..daily drive but still wanna head bush for a camp and shoot.

[alien]

look in the "rigs of auszookers" section at shandy92's build for info on gearing 235s and 31s =)

[ms1991]

thanks mate i'll check it out.

[BAZZOOK]

ms1991 wrote:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/suzuki-vitara-1998-11580115?vertical=Car&cr=11&eapi=2&__N=1216 1247 1252 1282 4294962891 4294962890 903&distance=25&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,7500~1|Mileage:Min,Max|Year:Min,Max|Seats:Min,Max|EngineSize:Min,Max&sort=default

Hi guys, just thought id ask if anyone recognises this car? Im going to look at it on saturday and thought the seller may be a member on here?

is it worth the money? could knock it down a bit.

also whats the locker that he has mentioned like? any good?

cheers, mark

How does he prove he is the second owner?

[ms1991]

who knows, log books?

[want33s]

For 5K I'd be thinking a bit outside the box and looking at stuff like XJ Cherokee's.
They are dirt cheap, tuff as nails, big enough for the family and luggage(unlike a Zook).
There is a myriad of aftermarket parts for them too.



Here is one in Canberra for $700

[ms1991]

yeah mate know all about the xj's, my TJ runs the same 4 litre inline 6 petrol guzzling engine..so no thanks.

zook will suit me well, chuck the stockies on for around town and put the muddies on when i go out for a shoot and camp. just gotta stay away from some some bigger obstacles and see if my driving styles suits the ifs and cvs!lol

for those that are curious, this is my jeep.

[Abraxix]

Buy my car sounds like exactly what u want. Cheap run around and easy off road. Comes with mods too.. Has air cons: power everything and under 200000ks

[ms1991]

Abraxix wrote:

Buy my car sounds like exactly what u want. Cheap run around and easy off road. Comes with mods too.. Has air cons: power everything and under 200000ks

Lol, Sorry mate.. Sure its a good little car and all but its just not my taste

[ZookFan]

Man your TJ looks tough as! What a shame you have to sell it... looks a beast!

Because TJ's are comfy as with those beautiful coils.. not to mention a tad better off road than a IFS vit .. live axles all the way!

[shandy92]

mate as Alien said above, ive had my swb vit on both 235 (29") and 31's. the gearing on 31's is not to bad as everyone says but it is definitely noticable.

fuel economy....i get on average 370km to a tank that is about 35-38L. i dont know the exact size as its dented, started as a 42L tank. i have slightly advanced the ignition timing which has given me a slight increase in torque and an addition 30km to a tank on 95oct fuel.

i have 2" sus and 2" body lift, they are a easy and cheap car to mod for big gains. suspension lift cost me about $600 in springs and struts and shocks, currently running nissan 180sx rear springs and commodore shock and the front is dobinson springs/struts.

dont worry about cvs untill you break one, i have been driving vits for 3yrs and havnt had one go pop. but a locker helps. i daily drive mine and do a lot of km's and cant complain.

oh and dont let the IFS stop you from buying one, if set up correctly it wont limit you at all!

[ZookFan]

want33s wrote:

For 5K I'd be thinking a bit outside the box and looking at stuff like XJ Cherokee's.
They are dirt cheap, tuff as nails, big enough for the family and luggage(unlike a Zook).
There is a myriad of aftermarket parts for them too.



Here is one in Canberra for $700

X2.. a Tad cheaper than a Prado.. and better off road too!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1996-Jeep-Ch ... _500wt_949

[atari4x4]

ZookFan wrote:

Because TJ's are comfy as with those beautiful coils.. not to mention a tad better off road than a IFS vit .. live axles all the way!

Hey Indy, heard of the 4x4 Race in the US call King of the Hammers? It's probably the tuffest 4x4 even in the world.

Guess what... the winning car ran IFS & a heap more off the Ultra4 class are going that way.

Your blind narrow mindedness towards IFS cars on a whole is quite comical.

They can be made to work & work quite well, just because your IFS 4runner couldn't handle your driving style doesn't make all IFS junk.

[ms1991]

shandy92 wrote:

mate as Alien said above, ive had my swb vit on both 235 (29") and 31's. the gearing on 31's is not to bad as everyone says but it is definitely noticable.

fuel economy....i get on average 370km to a tank that is about 35-38L. i dont know the exact size as its dented, started as a 42L tank. i have slightly advanced the ignition timing which has given me a slight increase in torque and an addition 30km to a tank on 95oct fuel.

i have 2" sus and 2" body lift, they are a easy and cheap car to mod for big gains. suspension lift cost me about $600 in springs and struts and shocks, currently running nissan 180sx rear springs and commodore shock and the front is dobinson springs/struts.

dont worry about cvs untill you break one, i have been driving vits for 3yrs and havnt had one go pop. but a locker helps. i daily drive mine and do a lot of km's and cant complain.

oh and dont let the IFS stop you from buying one, if set up correctly it wont limit you at all!

Shandy, thanks for the insight mate.
Sounds good, If i buy the car I'll see how it goes with the 31's on and offroad before i make the decision to sell the 31's and go down to 235/75s (roughly 29" ??)... or is that small difference not worth it?

the car already has 2" suspension lift, from pedders...not sure if its any good however? I wouldnt mind putting in a 2" body lift aswell.

[bailey08]

Also look fora cracked engine block under the EFI intake manifold. not sure what years it effected.