1985 Toyota MasterAce Surf (4WD) review from Australia and New Zealand
"Practical, reliable, economical - a road mate!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
- Glow plugs gone around 180.000.
- Diesel pump needed replacement at around 200.000km.
- Radiator 75% blockage around 220.000km.
- Fuel gage works funny: Full tank shows as empty and then from half tank down shows correctly.
- Rust built up a bit (OZ lifestyle to blame I guess)
- Increasing oil leak since a while now, have to check that soon...
General comments?
Well, I did 270.000 km in 6 years on this van and it never - not once! - let down.
Very economic engine, between 9 and 10lt per 100km.
Not the fastest thing out there but suits well the Australian speed limits - max speeds here are 110km/h.
7 seats: all seats fold creating a huge horizontal area. Seats come off very easy too. Plenty of room for a small van.
High and Low 4wd ranges. Not a "real" 4wd because it lacks the clearance but otherwise very good on sandy patches where a 2wd van just gets stuck.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1987 |
| Year of manufacture | 1985 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 turbo diesel Don't Know |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 100000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 270000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Golf |
| Date of Entry | 16th November, 2008 |