350k Suv

[boopis]

Guys, I have 350k and I need to buy a SUV for my dad's birthday.

I can stretch up to 400k if ride is mint condition (minimal repair work).

Must be diesel with automatic transmission (he's knees are no longer suited for manual clutch work).

Here are some suggested options:

1.) Bighorn 3.1
2.) LC70 Prado
3.) Pajero 2.8
4.) Patrol (medyo masikip for it's size)
5.) Hilux Surf
6.) LC80 Land Cruiser (should be top choice if pasok sa budget)

Input from current owners of the following is very much appreciated. What do you guys think?

[Josh0027]

my opinion... baka mahirapan ka makahana na good condition at that range. That's the value range of the subic-converted SUVs. My friend bought his 4Runner at 300K and almost spent 100K repairing it.

well it still a hit or miss thing.

[boopis]

Thanks for the reply, 400k for a 4runner is good enough for me as long as it fits the bill.

Is the 4runner same as Hilux Surf? Does it have diesel engine option?

How bout the maintenance, power delivery, reliability, consumption, handling, replacement parts.. something like that compared to the others on the list?

[Josh0027]

afaik the 4runner is the suv version of the hilux. the hilux is generally the 4x4 pickup. my friend's ride has the 2.0 turbo diesel. the only thing i've observed is the steering radius since it's right hand, the left has a greater radius compare to the right.

follow the advice in the other thread. look for a well reputed seller and have a good mechanic to check for you. happy hunting

[Josh0027]

btw if youre looking for the bighorn, then my say is you wont have problems with its conversion. afaik the steering assembly can be bolt on to either left or right hand, unlike the rest where they have to do cut and weld for conversion.

[boopis]

Thanks for that info, another point for the Bighorn. That is why it is on top of my list.

[drey]

Dont buy subic...

Get a classic Pajero Gen 1 for around 200K. Maintain the car's engine and suspension, make it look good like something your dad has a character into it. Make it look good like you have an hacienda or a farm

Put leather/leatherette (seats, steering wheel, shift knob, bring in good audio system with 6 speakers), or find a power drivers side seat.

[boopis]

narrowed down my choices:

Isuzu (Trooper) Bighorn vs Toyota (4runner) Hilux Surf

[OTEP]

Get a classic Pajero Gen 1 for around 200K

Only problem with this one is the unavailability of an automatic transmission.

I guess if you're adventurous enough to convert the steering wheel from left to right, converting the transmission from M/T to A/T is a lesser evil.

[boopis]

We do have a very good mechanic for 17yrs already that will certainly not approve for a junk converted vehicle that he will eventually maintain.

I can still remember the countless times where our trusty land cruiser saved our sorry *ss when we were caught in the middle of heavy rains, flash floods, NPAs lurking in the southern provinces, unplanned heavy/oversized cargo. When the going gets tough, only the tough gets going.

We need the vehicle before the end of the month, either a Bighorn (Trooper) or Hilux Surf (4runner). I believe either of the two will serve us well.

Any comments about the two? Where can I buy a good unit?

[snowbound]

IMO, bighorn is better in terms of FC and power. go for it.

[boopis]

Any idea for the consumption of Bighorn 3.1L? I also find it hard to look for 3.0L 1kz engined Hilux Surf