Wake up call - Skeeter 170.

[Ado]

So a few spaces down on this part of the forum I have thread in regards to smaller bream boats and why I chose NOT to go for a skeeter, last night I was having a chat with my missus about the cicumstances of what I really wanted in a boat and she continuely argued with me on what boat I should buy, My argument being that I wanted to upgrade my car to a 4WD and do some offroading, then she came back with something that totally opened my eyes

"Why spend that much on a 4WD, how often are you going to do it? pretty sure every weekend your going to be fishing not climbing over rocks, why not spend the cash you were going to on a 4WD on a boat and the boat money on a car, just get your bloody Skeeter..."



Opinions? I still need some convincing as why I should go for a skeeter over upgrading my current car... Can I add, NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR, she is a little go-er, just unable to tow a boat lol

Big boys toys, hard work eh?

[Breamobsession]

Bloody hell, really feel for you mate wish i had problems like that Get the Skeeter, Why? cause you can

[DaiwaFreak]

Get the skeeter! But whats the point of having a skeeter if you can't tow it? What is your current car?

[Ado]

Originally Posted by DaiwaFreak

Get the skeeter! But whats the point of having a skeeter if you can't tow it? What is your current car?

Suspension + mods won't handle the weight. Will be replaced with an XR6 or another later model Stock Foz

[DaiwaFreak]

Originally Posted by Ado

Suspension + mods won't handle the weight. Will be replaced with an XR6 or another later model Stock Foz

Nice. Yeh a Forester would be alright for towing a skeeter. Consider diesel cars, they are far better than petrol cars when it comes to towing.

I have to ask, instead of a later model Forester or XR6, why not get a 4x4? Doesn't have to be massive like a Landcruiser or Patrol, some of the urban orientated SUV's can do the job too.

[Ado]

Originally Posted by DaiwaFreak

Nice. Yeh a Forester would be alright for towing a skeeter. Consider diesel cars, they are far better than petrol cars when it comes to towing.

I have to ask, instead of a later model Forester or XR6, why not get a 4x4?

Price and the fact I would hardly even use it for 4x4'n. If I go down that path that means No skeeter, 4x4 diesel's are not in my budget anymore if I did that.

If I did I would go a toyota hilux surf, got my eye on one currently... fairly modified for going off road, not to sure of it's towing limits tho... being a Turbo diesel im sure it's up there...

At the end of the day too this will be my daily driver, need something comfy to get to and from work.

[DaiwaFreak]

Hilux Surfs are a good option, but make sure its the 3.0d not the 2.4d. Adding an intercooler also improves things, that is unless you get one of the 1996-1997 update models with a stock intercooler. The Hilux Surf will have no problem towing a Skeeter SX170, possibly a tiny bit underpowered but it will do the job. The only thing I don't like about the car is the soft suspension set up and the driving position, it feels like you are sitting in a low sedan rather than a high riding 4x4. If you happen to be a mechanic, or you are a little handy with your cars, you could go for a Land Rover Discovery II TD5.

[ruski]

Perhaps investigate a Petrol Prado. I had a '99 that I picked up for 12,250 with 150,000km and sold it for 11.5k with 175k km on it 2.5yrs later. Towed my ZX190 without a drama.

[Ado]

Originally Posted by DaiwaFreak

Hilux Surfs are a good option, but make sure its the 3.0d not the 2.4d. Adding an intercooler also improves things, that is unless you get one of the 1996-1997 update models with a stock intercooler. The only thing I don't like about the car is the soft suspension set up and the driving position, it feels like you are sitting in a low sedan rather than a high riding 4x4. If you happen to be a mechanic, or you are a little handy with your cars, you could go for a Land Rover Discovery II TD5.

I've been told by a few mates who are pretty keen on their 4x4ing and have told me to stay well away from the Disco's, is there something I should know? lol..

Yep this Surf is the 3.0L, so should be good... at the end of the day If I can find an 05+ Foz in good nic ill jump on it, plenty of room for tackle, AWD to get up those crappy ramps and not to bad on fuel.

[DaiwaFreak]

Discos are great to drive when the are actually working. We had a 4.0 V8 for 4 years until we sold it. We did have a few problems here and there, but nothing major or hard to fix. If you have the ability to maintain and repair them, then they are a fun car to own. Much more comfortable to drive than Toyota Landcruisers or Prados, and the handling is outstanding for a 4x4, hardly any body roll with the ACE system. I really miss driving that thing, awesome fun to drive.

90 Series Prados are also a good option. A mate has a petrol model and its nearly at 400,000km and still going! He has never had any issues with it. As for towing, the petrol model will do the job, but a diesel model would be awesome.

[Ado]

Originally Posted by ruski

Perhaps investigate a Petrol Prado. I had a '99 that I picked up for 12,250 with 150,000km and sold it for 11.5k with 175k km on it 2.5yrs later. Towed my ZX190 without a drama.

Yea, seen a few around for decent prices.

Petrol version is pretty thirsty tho? Any dramas?

[gtxrally]

Originally Posted by Ado

Suspension + mods won't handle the weight. Will be replaced with an XR6 or another later model Stock Foz

What have you done to the GT??
Why can't you change the suspension back to something that is capable?
They can handle towing 1600-1800kg braked? and if you get a dual axle trailer it will sh!t it in.

Whats the budget for getting a car if you get the skeeter? As with what paul said the option of a Prado pet, his car went great and could go 4wd if he needed to, best of both worlds?

You only live once and if you are going fishing more than 4wding the buy the Skeeter.
Dale.if you want any more info on the subie let me know.

[Ado]

Originally Posted by gtxrally

What have you done to the GT??
Why can't you change the suspension back to something that is capable?
They can handle towing 1600-1800kg braked? and if you get a dual axle trailer it will sh!t it in.

Whats the budget for getting a car if you get the skeeter? As with what paul said the option of a Prado pet, his car went great and could go 4wd if he needed to, best of both worlds?

You only live once and if you are going fishing more than 4wding the buy the Skeeter.
Dale.if you want any more info on the subie let me know.

I'd rather not muck around ripping the coil overs outs, putting the original rims back on... it is an option yes.. I will be looking at doing all that as its completly viable, but if I find a shimck newer model in good nic ill jump on it... Just missed an 05 XS luxuary for 11 G'z

Flogging off all the mods I could probably set the skeeter up with networked HDS's

Budget would be 12.5

[Tri]

If you ever consider letting the forester go to a good home
(abit about myself; a hardcore fishing gear enthusiast, just have no time to use it anymore, too busy running a business yet im still buying gear. Im into my cars aswell, chasing a datsun 1200 and dropping in a little 13b rotor engine in it, aww man its gonna fly. Women!...)
Give us a pm

[seamonkey]

Just remember a vehicles towing capacity has little to do with the specs. The majority of time they are a max ratings for occasional use and even a 170 will be at the upper limit of a Forester. Fine if all you do is short trips to the ramp but consider your local terrain, how far you might want to go etc.

End of the day go diesel but I appreciate that's often a costly option.

Disco TDi is a great vehicle but you need to find an immaculate one with full service history and if something goes wrong it will be a $2.50 part that needs $2000 of labour to fit. They are not a vehicle to take a gamble on a so-so one and hope to keep on top of any issues.