- Messages
- 779
- Reaction score
- 3,436
- Points
- 223
- Location
- Russia, Siberia,
- First Name
- Boris
- Elgrand
- E50
- Region
- Rest Of World
Autumn greetings!
As I mentioned earlier, I had planned to buy a second family car—something big and diesel-powered. But instead, I decided to buy a small, cheap car.
I spent two weeks looking at options: a 2000 Nissan Bluebird (1.8L, 4WD), a 1992 Toyota Carib (4WD), a 1998 Toyota Carib (4WD), a 2001 Toyota Cami (4WD), a 1999 Subaru Lancaster (JDM) or Outback (Euro-spec), and a first-generation Subaru Forester.
The verdict? The Subarus were all "dead" yet expensive for the condition they were in (both the bodywork and those quirky boxer engines needed a complete overhaul).
As for the Caribs and Bluebirds—I refuse to sit with my backside practically on the asphalt; that’s just not for me.
The Cami? The cabin was barely wider than two stools—how does that even work? What’s the point?
So, I made an unconventional—and perhaps rather irrational—decision...
Meet the 1996 Suzuki Escudo:
1.6L petrol engine, 3-door, with proper part-time 4WD.
It even has A/C, and it actually works (though it needs a Freon top-up).
All in all, it’s wounded but not dead. I’m waiting a week to get it registered in my name. After that, I need to get the mechanicals and the interior sorted out before winter. Then, in the winter (February or March), I’ll strip down my Elgrand and fully restore it by spring. Come summer, I’ll do a complete teardown and restoration of the Escudo. I plan to keep it stock—no big tires, just factory specs.
You wouldn't mind if I posted some work on the Escudo here, would you? Even though it’s not really relevant to the forum's topic...
As I mentioned earlier, I had planned to buy a second family car—something big and diesel-powered. But instead, I decided to buy a small, cheap car.
I spent two weeks looking at options: a 2000 Nissan Bluebird (1.8L, 4WD), a 1992 Toyota Carib (4WD), a 1998 Toyota Carib (4WD), a 2001 Toyota Cami (4WD), a 1999 Subaru Lancaster (JDM) or Outback (Euro-spec), and a first-generation Subaru Forester.
The verdict? The Subarus were all "dead" yet expensive for the condition they were in (both the bodywork and those quirky boxer engines needed a complete overhaul).
As for the Caribs and Bluebirds—I refuse to sit with my backside practically on the asphalt; that’s just not for me.
The Cami? The cabin was barely wider than two stools—how does that even work? What’s the point?
So, I made an unconventional—and perhaps rather irrational—decision...
Meet the 1996 Suzuki Escudo:
It even has A/C, and it actually works (though it needs a Freon top-up).
All in all, it’s wounded but not dead. I’m waiting a week to get it registered in my name. After that, I need to get the mechanicals and the interior sorted out before winter. Then, in the winter (February or March), I’ll strip down my Elgrand and fully restore it by spring. Come summer, I’ll do a complete teardown and restoration of the Escudo. I plan to keep it stock—no big tires, just factory specs.
You wouldn't mind if I posted some work on the Escudo here, would you? Even though it’s not really relevant to the forum's topic...
