G'day from Northern nsw

Hi,I'm Peter, out back of kyogle NSW,had my io 1.8 L 99 model ,for about 3 years-my first 4wd and love it.

Hasn't been free of probs though,after 1 year owning was driving '@100ks between casino and Kyogle, when had complete loss of power?

Timing belt had snapped !so the engine was cooked.$2400 later had a new engine.(check your timing belts)

other than that just had the exhaust muffler and pipe done again. rear sway bar snapped 6 months ago. And rear left light replaced.

It was emaculate when I purchased it,like new,(Doubt it had seen dirt) I had never seen a second hand car so well presented. He wanted $7500 but I got it for $7000.

Had done so much research, as I live on 12 ks of dirt road that can turn to mud and one creek crossing that will  rise quickly then flood,also something economical not a big 4wd or a pretend one.(almost got a terios)

My first trip was 2 weeks after I got it- up to inskip (rainbow beach QLD) always wanted to drive through sand and on a beach. so it was perfect, took me a few days to get up the guts try the sand LOL. Also while camped in a sandy spot I towed out 3 x 2wd cars, much to my amazement and the gratitude of the young people bogged.

It was great on the beach,although real soft sand it did start to sink a little (maybe even less air in the tyres?) managed not to be bogged in front of all the bigger 4wds heading for the Fraser island ferry:)

Since then its mainly been here on the farm,  been through quite a few raised creek crossings, driving through  real muddy paddocks,. a couple of knocks by a neighbours gone feral razorback pigs on the  front +rear bumper bar and back and forth along the 12 ks of dirt.

Dirt  and mud roads and the io goes well, but its impossible to keep it free of dust and as imaculately clean inside and out- as it was years ago. I can spend a weekend vacumming and cleaning and 2 days later you wouldn't know :( Only a high pressure hose will remove the road dust) only to return very quickly.

I  am planning another trip to Inskip in mid May 2013.

  -6 months ago I noticed 4 x ios parked in town,and wondered if locals? or some convention, haven't seen them since?

here is some tame pics on  rainbow beach and camping.

Cheer io.