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GU Ute to buy or not to buy ...

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 4:40 pm
by Dick
I am upgrading (I think!) and thinking of a GU Ute post 2003. We intend to set up a camper on the rear and do the Simpson and WA. Key items we like are the reliability, off road ability, fuel capacity and comfort of a ST coily. Would anyone like to comment on things to look out for when buying second hand please ? One issue i need answered is oil change intervals. Some say only get one if its had oil changed every 5k, some say its ok every 10K ???
Test drove a new leafy GX today, bit doughy and rough with no tray ! but I expected that ... Very quite inside and the wife liked seating etc..
Thanks

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 5:08 pm
by GU BUG
If you plan on setting up a camper on the rear I'd suggest leaf rear as there's obviously going to be a fair amount of weight on the back & leafs are the way to go with heavy loads though in saying this, I guess you could go poly air bags with coils that way you'd have the best of both worlds & it's a lot cheaper replacing coils when they sag than it is replacing leafs :?

Oil change every 5000k's & oil+oil filter every 10,000k.

Check things like the air filter (you may get bit of an idea as to when the last time it was changed & if it's as filthy inside the airbox as 1 GU I seen, you know it's highly possible that servicing hasn't been kept up to scratch :?) , under the carpets (kick panels come of piece o'piss) for mud etc, corrosion on bolts etc under the engine bay are tell tale signs of possible beach work & as they get a few years older things like injectors may need to be done which can be expensive to replace....

Fuel capacity....I'm pretty sure most GU utes come out with dual 90litre fuel tanks (mine has) so you'll get plenty of k's out of it between fuel ups.

Off road ability.....The most capable 4wd ute on the market (though some uneducated Toyota drivers may disagree :lol:) & best of all if you're going to buy a ute they only come with the reliable td42 (turbo intercooled's the way to go :cool: ).

Most of what I've said here will be written elsewhere so I guess your best bet is to hear what everyone has to say & make up your own mind ;)