hmmm what to do (Lexus celsior update)

[Snoozin]

One of those 3.0l turbo diesel Hiace Super Custom things, super practical etc. and grunty as hell.

Or just bite the bullet and get some Aussie iron. Can pick up a filthy EAII Falcon for nix these days Throw some wide Tridens or 12 slots at it, some kind of tyre with raised white lettering and you're sorted.

[Mr Revhead]

dont forget the metalica cd and mullet

[JT]

Seeing as the dina has almost everything you need except a really good towing vehicle you gotta weigh up if its worth getting rid of it. If you do, make sure you take a step forward in that direction and not sideways (mind the pun )

How much towing are you planning on doing and how far you planning on going?

Towed my corona on a tandem behind my old mans granvia (same but different super custom) for 150km and I would also recommend anything 1kzte powered. Just pick which chassis is going to fit the budget and suit what you want.

[Carpet Burn]

*Grrrrrr bout money pit comment*

But any hoo......A new hilux would rock! But the price is poos! As he does do a lot of driving i do understand the need to be able to hall arse and get round someone on the way to work etc. Just a matter of hunting round loads if the caldina towed alrite would be fine!

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

ok well so ive been offered a bog standard lexus celsior for $5000 from an old guy i know
hes the second nz owner, and he brought it off the rich guy that imported it

i think its done 220kms
airbag suspension
of course 1uz-fe, auto
non-leather seats
towbar
traction control etc etc

originally he said 4k, but did some trademe research and reckons its worth at least 5
i havent seen it in the flesh, but my old man has, and said it drives like a dream
its been serviced regularly, and had at least one of the airbags replaced in the last year or so.

now i figured do i splash out, buy this, sell the dina, then eventually do my surf conversion
or do i just hold off and save my dosh?!

some things that may shy me away is that its airbag suspension, no tint, no alarm, no mags etc!
its still complete with its 8 factory mufflers, so if i get it a bit of a removal session may have to happen i think!

*dilemma!*

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

and if anyone has any advice/tips etc when looking at it please let me know
like things that go wrong with them/things to look out for and so on

[Ae92typeX]

check all the electrics. Have seen several with issues in that dept & they have a heap of electrical accessories

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

what kind of issues?


and if anyone wants to buy my caldina let me know
(also what ya reckon it would be worth nowdays?)

[Ae92typeX]

mainly various electrical accessories inside the car breaking down. Nothing that affected the running of the car persay, just niggly little things. I have not really heard of them being known for it, so more just a thing to make sure you check. Some of the options (depending how many it has) may not even get used!

[Mr.Phreak]

The biggest thing I'd be worried about is the condition of the suspension (Both the bags n bushes but worst comes to worst, you can always swap in standard struts/springs)

May pay to check the Power steering pump isn't leaking all over the alternator. Overall theres not too many things that go wrong that aren't relatively easy/cheap to fix.

And I'm assuming it's a UCF11??

[Mr Revhead]

fyi its NOT a lexus!! its a toyota

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

not sure on model, going to check this weekend


apparently its got the lexus tool kit, badges etc
but yeah, a rebranded one i would imagine

[Leon]

Will air bag suspension cope with towing?

[Punter]

What about a patrol/safari?

My old man had an 89 4.2 diesel safari as a workhorse, and that thing was completely bullit proof. Had it for about 10 years and had to replace 1 alternator (they 24v), and a set of shocks. (got up to about 600,000km too)

Went good too, we also used to use it as recovery vehicle on rally sprints, once had 5 cars behind it and 11 people in/on it (5 co-drivers, +3 recovery + spectators that wanted a lift) it and it still wasn't phased.

Should be able to pick up a tidy one in your price range easy, maybe even a turbo diesel. (Don't get a petrol one, and don't get an auto one)

[gmacrae]

haha i think my mate just bought this celcior! Payed $2600... The suspension is aparently fine, and it does pretty good skids

Edit, maybe not, my mates has done 195kms, was from taupo.

Gives you an idea of what they sell for anyway - 5g sounds kinda steep. His is in pretty tidy nick - lotta car for the money aye.

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

took it for a drive, wasnt overly happy
didnt quite do it for me
i dont think im ready for a luxury cruiser yet lol
the surf looks like its still the best option

[TRD Man]

I had an 80 series VX Ltd Landcruiser for 5 years until upgrading. Did over 300,000 k in it.
Never missed a beat. Towed the rally car, the boat, work trailers, took the family up the mountain skiing, plotted rally courses, demolished buildings - you name it, this thing could do it.
Still a good looking wagon and a comfortable daily driver too.
My service crew were always appreciative as it was the best service vehicle they'd ever used and very practical.
Similar to a Patrol, as was suggested earlier, but a better driver. You'd pick up a used import with a few k's on it for around 12 or 15K

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

Ive spotted some nice Landcruisers and Prados, but they are pretty steep; essentially i want to sell the Caldina, and it would be nice to either get some change or get a trailer also! (Wishful thinking i know!)

[mjrstar]

i know it's not a toyota but i have had my manual v6 pajero for a couple of years now with no hassle. these are super dirt cheap , it tow's the car and trailer no worries and has plenty of grunt. the downside is that it is pretty thursty when towing stuff. I had a 4.4 tonne load of cement on my trailer and it was still going allright ( did take a while to stop). but with the 4x4 you have the advantage of being able to select low ratio for steep driveways etc..
just a thought now i'll get beaten up for suggesting something non-toyota.