Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I am looking to buy something in about 6 months time, and a short wheel base GQ would be great. I've noticed, though, that many of the diesels are imported - the local ones are a bit harder to come by. I did a search and didn't turn up much, but as I understand it there is very little difference between the two vehicles?

Any major disadvantages to purchasing such a vehicle?

im pretty sure that insurance for an import is pretty steep compared to a local one. i was quoted over $3000 for a standard surf. so i bought a swb diesel gq cause i found one

barnsey wrote:I saw a few on EBay a while ago (in Qld). They seem to come with a huge front bumper and a winch which looks just wrong.

More chrome on them too. I think they call them Safaris, not Patrols.

I agree, the exterior is a bit too 'busy'

If I had the option of local over imported, I'd go local every time. Hopefully when I come to buy a couple will pop up.

i think the safari's are 24v too

I have an import SWB gq, had it since feb this year and havent had any probs with it. My insurance was the same as a local model, it already came with a PTO winch which has been used quite often, the rear LSD is tight as all fark, my front air locker went in no worries and so did my spring lift, the inside is brown instead of grey, they are 24v but the only problem i had with that was that when i had my amp and sub in the car, the batteries would drain over a few weeks. To overcome that you have to put a voltage equaliser in (i think they are called that). Recommend that you check them out, plus the bonus that they have f*** all k's on them compared to aussie specs

Dont always believe the klms on imports. There are no regulations that stop you winding them back - before they hit aussie shores. Once landed you cant though

Bikeshop I worked at did jap imports before every man dog and ethnic person started to. it was a common practise.

Sir Rollsalot wrote: plus the bonus that they have f*** all k's on them compared to aussie specs

Yeh, but as a lot of people pointed out to me, they spend the majority of the time sitting in traffic, so could take hours to clock up like 10 ks.
Personally after all Ive heard and researched......i wouldnt touch one!!!

I would buy and accept that it is a $9000 car. Cos a $9000 aus import shorty is going to have heaps of k's on it to and they will be legit and some will be quite hard.

Plus they will atleast come with the good pistons, so you can run lots a boost. And auto's. I think I might get one now.

I am sure the SWB safaris are a 4 seater.

We get the Safari's over here,good thing to cos it bought down the ridiculus local pricing.Yes the kms can be suspect but that goes for any
vehicle,you buy the vehicle for it's condition not it's kms.
88 to about 91 came with an optional PTO winch,after that a 24v 8000lb
Warn.
There is a rear locker option as well.
As a rule they are a higher spec level then our home ones,trim,console,rear heater,leather seats etc.
The autos are usually the ones to avoid,they are expensive to repair,suck the guts out of the already sluggish diesel and seem a bit fragile,where as the manual's are almost bullet proof.
After about 96 they became 12volt but still 2 batteries.They then have a factory turbo option.The vaccum pump became gear driven like the 80 series instead of on the alternator arround then to.
J Top

New zealand. I think. For some reason when they import a car in, to sell it they have to import it out of New Zealand to avoid some sort off tax to the buyer in New Zealand.

I have seen a picture of a GU shorty in NZ, lucky bastards....

bogged wrote:Dont always believe the klms on imports. There are no regulations that stop you winding them back - before they hit aussie shores. Once landed you cant though

Too true bogged, I was sceptical of the k's but the whole car looks the part...sorry looked the part of having not many k's on it. It dont look as shiny now its been 4wding. Its only a cut and polish away from looking shiny and mostly scratch free again.

I am sure the SWB safaris are a 4 seater.

Yeah the shortys are only 4 seaters, but there really isnt enough room in them to fit 5 anyway. They are 4 seaters because unlike the local gq's the safari SWB has little glove boxy thingiemebobs over the wheel arches wich are suprisingly very handy

It seems if you stick to buying a new second hand car as normal (inspections etc) these would be a good buy. Hopefully I'll be able to start looking closely soon

I forgot,the Safari's went to 5 seats arround 94
J Top

ask robbie he has one