[Jezzza]

Hi guys,

Im new to zooks, so looking for some opinions on cars below im interested in buying
MY budget is around $5k for the car, and slowly build it up over time
Im fine with usual mechanical/suspension work/welding etc.
Feel free to correct me if I provide/assume any wrong info

What the car will be used for:
- Daily driving to work ~30kms one way, about 15kms of freeway and the rest is suburban
- Light 4wd'ing - beach, some tracks/trails (no rocks at this point)

What I plan to do with the car:
- Lift kit + supporting mods
- 31's
- Other items like light bar, bullbar, basket etc.

What Im looking for in the car:
- Reliability
- Sufficient power/ability to do above said 4wd'ing

Car 1 - 2000 Jimny
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/innaloo/ ... 1130415046
Good: Newer, air con
Bad: High kms on G13

Car 2 - 1998 Vitara
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/margaret ... 1132345320
Good: Air con, unmolested
Bad: G16 carby (prefer EFI as a daily)

Car 3 - 1995 Vitara EFI
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/tapping/ ... 1131107690
Good: Full service log books, air con
Bad: High kms

[Kor3y101]

Car 1; That jimmy is WAYYYY overpriced. For reference, I purchased my 98' Jimmy with 215 AT's and other minor things for $4,000 with 11 months rego with 180xxxKM. The xrox bar adds no value, and it would be a pig to drive without gearing, my guess would be the clutch is beaten within 2 inches of its life and the driveline has had a hard one too.

Car 2; Looks like a great candidate, if what they are saying about the motor home is true. Carby vs EFI isn't really important on something like this, it's a (nearly) 20 year old 4x4, drive it like one and it won't have issues. If any issues do pop up, it's far easier to fix it on a Carby then an EFI system.

Car 3; far too many KM to warrant that price tag. I would only pursue it if you had a cheap donor engine replacement ready.

If your planning on light 4x4 and beach, there's no need for 31's, it is WAYYY too much work, there will need to be some heavy bump stopping/body lift/guard chopping involved, then you also need to address gearing as those tyres will be very heavy and hard to push without it, lowrange will be useless.

The best beach cars are usually those that stick to basic mods/ stay stock.

EDIT: Popped in KM's and spelling issues

[Jezzza]

Thanks..

This is what sucks about being in Perth!
Was tossing up whether I should get one from east, but with transport cost its not affordable

Car 2: IS the price fairly good for it?
Car 3: Can just drive it till it dies right? And then replace? xD

[Kor3y101]

Yeah transport costs do suck!

Car 2; The price seems okay.. a bit too high for my area, but if it truly is mint and been babied it's life, it may be worth it.

Car 3; you can do that, but it won't just be the engine, you need to consider all the bearings, driveline, t/case, gear box, and rust. But if it's been serviced regularly and has proof, the engine may still be a goer. But I just wonder about the rest of the car. That's a lot of money to throw away on a car that your just going to drive til it dies.

[krat]

Not totally sure, but I think a 1998 Vit will be a G16B (fuel injected), not a G16A (carb).
Others here with more knowledge may confirm/correct me.
I have a 1996 swb vit with a stock G16B, 29" tyres and it goes great in the sand.

[Jezzza]

True true.

I have photos of engine bay for 98 vitara.
Ill have to upload later

I noticed that the efi models are more plenum style with a hard pipe to air box?
This one is like a big carby sitting higher than the block, and has a plastic inlet.

Maybe I'll get the carby and side draught Weber's!!

Edit: answered own question

[vet 180]

From that List car C all day every day.

You really do want EFI. I know people say carby is easier to fix, although that is true, you have to constantly fiddle, rebuild and tune the pigs. How often do you hear of EFI systems failing? that is before mentioning the better part throttle, and on steep hills etc. Carby can work, but if you are looking at a car that has an efi option efi all day. The wheels look great and the vitara will take 31's easier and the extra power from the 1.6 will come in handy. That particular car has full log book history (more than makes up for higher kms) and is a lot cheaper that the other options. Clear winner

The other vitara I don't like much, sure it has lower kms, but its a beach car. So high load on the engine and rust on the body.

If you do go a Jim go a manual and M13.

[30ONA]

Save another 1- 2k and you get into the second gen gv's. I think the gv's are a More versatile daily. Jim's have more after market support though.

[Jezzza]

Thanks for the input!
I'm going to see the car tomorrow.. is it a fair asking price for WA....?
I'm not a fan of the GVs.. I prefer the older zoo shapes!

[Jezzza]

1998 Vitara

[vet 180]

^^^^ That is EFI.

[Kor3y101]

Car 2 is still the winner

[vet 180]

Kor3y101 wrote:

Car 2 is still the winner

For me it's still car 3. 2 is a little over priced

[Kor3y101]

It's definitely over priced. But I'm sure with a bit of persuading, you'd get it at a reasonable price. And Perth is very overpriced with cars anyways haha.

[Jezzza]

Wow.. I have only just seen an injector poking out from under the plenum (Car 2)
Derrrrr....

Well, going to see car 3 tonight.
Unfortunately car 2 is a good 4 hours away from me so unable to go down and have a good look!

[bumstein]

Throwing an option 4 your way.

Buy one from the eastern states or Adelaide and get set for a road trip!! win win!!!

[Jezzza]

They dont look much cheaper in adelaide :\

[bumstein]

Oh!! That's unusual!! Melb or Sydney? Good to have some bonding time with your jalopy on the way back

[Jezzza]

Ive thought about it, and had a look at options
Will cost around $250 one way (x2 for wife.. she would want to come!)
then about $400 worth of fuel? So will still be about $800-1000 for the trip? I guess its a "holiday" too, but I dont have time at the moment to fly over then drive back (need about a week?)

[Chris.L]

Jezzza wrote:

Ive thought about it, and had a look at options
Will cost around $250 one way (x2 for wife.. she would want to come!)
then about $400 worth of fuel? So will still be about $800-1000 for the trip? I guess its a "holiday" too, but I dont have time at the moment to fly over then drive back (need about a week?)

My friend bought a ford ranger in perth a year or so ago, and had it transported to Vic. Cost around $400 from what I remember, and 1 week ago he had a skyline brought over from SA to vic for $250.

Something to ponder on!

[Jezzza]

Chris.L wrote:

Jezzza wrote:

Ive thought about it, and had a look at options
Will cost around $250 one way (x2 for wife.. she would want to come!)
then about $400 worth of fuel? So will still be about $800-1000 for the trip? I guess its a "holiday" too, but I dont have time at the moment to fly over then drive back (need about a week?)

My friend bought a ford ranger in perth a year or so ago, and had it transported to Vic. Cost around $400 from what I remember

If you have the transport company that would be great!