Hey mate,
My advice, go for the SF Foz, I can't complain about mine, it is a 01 SF, 145,000 on the clock with only a CV boot and some wheel bearings requiring time in the shop. The roof clock has died, and the AC light in the dash, but that hasn't affected the main purpose of the car, to get me from A to B, while adventuring to C occasionally...
Good points - Comfortable to drive, fairly economical, handles well, and ;lots of mods out there for them (in comparison to the newer models), performance or off road modifications available
Bad points - bit squishy in the back for full size passengers/big families, spare wheel in sunken recess in the rear, that if you have back problems like me, can be annoying to unpack the entire cargo to get to the tyre and throw your back out.
This is going to sound stupid on this website, but avoid ones that have been flogged off road, only because you don't know the extent of the previous owners damages. Its different when its you own, you know how you've flogged it then.
8K should get you a half decent foz, but probably an earlier 97-99 model, but check out that redbook.com.au for best pricing information.
Feel free to PM me if youy have any other questions mate, or post them up on the thread.
Cheers,
Aitcho
