Looking for a 4WD 7 seater

**White trash** · 23rd January 2011, 08:13

Looking for a 7 seater 4WD, ideally a diesel Big Horn. Prefer with a towbar to drag the dirt bikes around the place although that's easily sourced.

Would even look at one with a blown motor or cracked head and rego on hold.

Nothing that's been drowned in the surf please.

If anyone knows of something going cheap please let me know.

**JimO** · 23rd January 2011, 08:39

you would be better with a prado and make sure its intercooled some of the nz new ones arnt

**JimO** · 23rd January 2011, 08:40

probably cost more but will be worth more

**paturoa** · 23rd January 2011, 12:41

I've got one you can have for free.

3.1 diesel auto big horn.

Its de-registerred, low compression in one pot, diesel gaskets leak, tyres OK, 7 seater, no rust. It requires a lot of work to get it back on the road, which is why its currently a lawn orniment.

It's in Auckland. PM me if your interested.

**Crisis management** · 23rd January 2011, 13:33

Be a bit careful with buying one with a head gasket or cracked head (not a dig at you, Patoura) as I know a few mechanics that have been unable to repair them successfully, new engine was a better result......
Talk to a few diesel mechanics before you buy anything.

Just as an aside, I sold my Isuzu (after 10 years and 300kms) recently and replaced it with an 02 Commodore for $7500 and it's a lot better vehicle than the Isuzu was, tows boat & dirt bikes everywhere in a lot more comfort and economy. If you don't need 4 wheel drive (and how many of us actually do?) have a think about the alternatives.

**Motu** · 23rd January 2011, 14:06

Cracked heads can't be repaired anymore (not cost effectively anyway) and new heads are fitted.But the cheap replacement heads are far worse than the original.Now you can get another engine cheaper than a head job.Be careful of an Isuzu diesel with problems,as they are far more expensive to repair than any other Japanese small diesel.

I have the head off an indestructible TD27 in a Mistral...it's cracked...and there are marks in the bore.So it's a replacement engine,not worth the price of the vehicle to repair.Not looking forward to monday,as they are a prick to get out.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 23rd January 2011, 14:34

Originally Posted by White trash

Looking for a 7 seater 4WD, ideally a diesel Big Horn. Prefer with a towbar to drag the dirt bikes around the place although that's easily sourced.

Would even look at one with a blown motor or cracked head and rego on hold.

Nothing that's been drowned in the surf please.

If anyone knows of something going cheap please let me know.

How much you looking to spend mate? I have a customer wanting to trade a 4wd right now...

**riffer** · 23rd January 2011, 17:32

Hmmm. My Odyssey fits the bill perfectly. Maybe we could swap it for the Holden?

**Motu** · 23rd January 2011, 18:40

Repairs to Odyssey's is a cream job - always a WINZ quote,and paid before you start the job.Are you unemployed too?

**riffer** · 23rd January 2011, 18:56

Originally Posted by Motu

Repairs to Odyssey's is a cream job - always a WINZ quote,and paid before you start the job.Are you unemployed too?

Nah mate. I've had the car for a while now. Bought it when they were still expensive. I'm 44 in a week and a bit, been working since I was 17, and in those 27 years I've been unemployed less than a month in total.

What's your most common Odyssey repair? That stupid frost plug under the cam belt that comes out, throwing oil everywhere? Necessitating a new $0.50 frost plug and a new cambelt and for some weird reason the water pump too? Meaning a $750 repair job...

Or the ignition switch shitting itself because of too many keys on the key ring wearing it out due to the weight?

Truth be known, apart from those two incidents, it's been disgustingly reliable in the last 7 years we've had it.

**Motu** · 23rd January 2011, 19:31

We did 3 Odyssey steering racks last year,a couple with leaking pinion seals,which can be repaired with the rack out,and one was just a worn out rack.Rear suspension wears more than the front (beneficiaries have lots of kids),so we do lots of rear bushes and shocks,rear wheel bearings too,which are hard to do.Apparently the trans is a problem waiting to happen,but I've never seen one go yet.The AWD has problems with the rear diff,or at least the viscous coupling.Much as I dislike Estima's,they appear to be a more reliable people mover than the Odyssey.

**White trash** · 24th January 2011, 06:39

Cheers for the replys guys.

Pete, wanting something cheap cheap as it's not going to get a whole lotta use day to day. I've got access to a really good supply of Isuzu 3.1 motors and turbos so I'm not too fussed about motor condition.

Thanks for all the advice.