Thinking of a Pinz

[berger]

Hello.

I have been checking out this forum and the Yahoo Pinzgauer forum for a little while now, and I am REALLY interested in a Pinz, either a 710M/K. A year ago I purchased a restored 1985 Bombardier Iltis (former Canadian Military vehicle), but I am not so sure I would have....if I saw the Pinz . Don't get me wrong, I love the Iltis and its history, but there is something about a Pinz that is pulling at me. Unfortunately, if I decide to take the plunge the Iltis would have to go, but only for the right price. If I could pull off a trade or something, that would be preferable. I also own a 2007 Ural Patrol, but that isn't going anywhere! The Ural has also prepared me for Pinzgauer speeds!

My Iltis...

iltis1.jpg (84.47 KiB) Viewed 6968 times

My Ural in the Redwoods...

URAL.jpg (78.76 KiB) Viewed 6968 times

Are there a few important things to look for when looking at a used Pinz, and I was wondering if any Canadians have had issues getting a saftety inspection when licensing their Pinz?

Cheers!

Berger

[CentAr712]

I would recommend trying to find insurance immediately, that's what was my biggest headache and took the longest. I was insulted when my own insurance company rep. actually laughed and said, "obviously we can't insure that, it's not even a private passenger vehicle", but I followed up with "wait a minute, I'm a private citizen and if I own it and it has seats to accommodate passengers.... he didn't want to hear it. I ended up going with State Farm, the only place I found that didn't have any trouble at all, but I don't know if you have them there in Canada. Anyhow, I've got a 2000 Ural solo, it's a love hate relationship I have with it. The quality control has come way up since mine was made, I really want to just take it apart, repaint it all and re-assemble it myself to make it right. Before 2000 or so the QC was just bad; great design, but bad execution. I was really impressed when I saw a newer one a few years ago.

[berger]

I would recommend trying to find insurance immediately, that's what was my biggest headache and took the longest. I was insulted when my own insurance company rep. actually laughed and said, "obviously we can't insure that, it's not even a private passenger vehicle", but I followed up with "wait a minute, I'm a private citizen and if I own it and it has seats to accommodate passengers.... he didn't want to hear it. I ended up going with State Farm, the only place I found that didn't have any trouble at all, but I don't know if you have them there in Canada. Anyhow, I've got a 2000 Ural solo, it's a love hate relationship I have with it. The quality control has come way up since mine was made, I really want to just take it apart, repaint it all and re-assemble it myself to make it right. Before 2000 or so the QC was just bad; great design, but bad execution. I was really impressed when I saw a newer one a few years ago.

Thanks! You wouldn't believe the headache I went through registering the Iltis. My insurance company, which is State Farm, covered it, but the issue was the 13 digit VIN. If it isn't 17 digits, it has to go into a special Insurance/Provinical database. I am glad to hear that State Farm covers the Pinz...I will check to be sure though.

Ya, Ural made dramatic changes to their bikes starting 07. Reliability is 200% better than your model year. I have taken my bike down the Trans Labrador Trail, with my wife, and more recently, across the US, up the PCH, and back through Canada. Roughly 12000KM without only a couple issues...mainly my doing.

[edzz]

Are there a few important things to look for when looking at a used Pinz, and I was wondering if any Canadians have had issues getting a saftety inspection when licensing their Pinz?

Cheers!

Berger

This check list may help

http://www.sdp-pinzgauer.org/html/pre-p ... klist.html

[berger]

This check list may help

http://www.sdp-pinzgauer.org/html/pre-p ... klist.html

That is excellent! Thanks!

[stiffler4444]

Hi,

Welcome fellow Ontarian. You should check in with Karl Portman at Pinzgauer Canada, he's out of Montreal. Good units, maybe not the cheapest, but fully functional and in nice shape.

I am insured with Aviva through CAA. You'll probably never find a company that won't ask you a million questions and require some photos, but an appraisal will solve all those issues....

tx Dave

[audiocontr]

I was just doing a lil searching and found this video - http://youtu.be/W5b8jf4_ZSQ

Couldnt be a more perfect comparison of the two

[undysworld]

You might also pm Jerbearyukon on the forum, as I know he imported his from US into Canada a few years back.
Paul

[berger]

I was just doing a lil searching and found this video - http://youtu.be/W5b8jf4_ZSQ

Couldnt be a more perfect comparison of the two

That is awesome! I don't know how I missed that. You know, I co-hosted a Ural rally in the same area of Ontario this August (coincidentally there was a 4x4 rally there too), and I think I was on some of the same trails. Not the really rocky ones, but the mud bowls.

[oasis]

To be fair, the two guys I know who own a Pinz also own other off-roaders. One also owns an Iltis, although his is a '79 German one. I asked both why did you get (whatever) when you already have a Pinzgauer. Both said as much as they like their Pinz, they encounter off-road situations with trees and such where they need a smaller vehicle. Looking at some of your pics, that may be something to consider if you're in an either-or situation between your Iltis and getting a Pinzgauer.

[berger]

To be fair, the two guys I know who own a Pinz also own other off-roaders. One also owns an Iltis, although his is a '79 German one. I asked both why did you get (whatever) when you already have a Pinzgauer. Both said as much as they like their Pinz, they encounter off-road situations with trees and such where they need a smaller vehicle. Looking at some of your pics, that may be something to consider if you're in an either-or situation between your Iltis and getting a Pinzgauer.

Other than my motorcycle, I am only allowed one other toy!

[Dreadnought]

I read so many stories of you guys over that side of the big pond not being able to get insurance etc....I begin to wonder where all these fairy stories about 'the land of the free??' started. I wish the world were a better place where all of our vehicles could be insured/registered with no problem.(Kill all the bureaucrats?) I run a Pinz 710K a Unimog 1300L a Suzuki Jimny 1.5DDSI and a UAZ 469 (with an Andoria Diesel engine) In UK I would have had no problem insuring any of them.....here in Poland the insurance guy said I can,t insure the Pinzgauer.....we said OK we will cancel all of our other insurances including houses and barn etc....unless you can come up with a good deal....he moved heaven and earth...it is after all his livelihood, you need some kind of a 'lever' to make these people see sense.

[czarthirteen]

I agree with Dreadnought about the procurement of insurance for a Pinz.

Progressive was not at all helpful til I mentioned switching providers. I've been using Progresive for about 10 years for all of our motor vehicles; it seems like they only started bending over backwards for me when I reponded with a quote from another provider for all, 3 cars, a truck and 3 motorcycles......it got the ball rolling on my seven-digit VIN Steyr.

A word to the wise for the original poster.....get out and drive one. You won't be disappointed.

[berger]

A word to the wise for the original poster.....get out and drive one. You won't be disappointed.

I am pretty sure I won't be disapointed...even if I cannot get to drive one before I buy one... ...did that with my Iltis and I was happy. As far as insurance, getting the Iltis listed was a hassle too, mainly because the computer application used only accepts a certain number of digits and no letters. If you deviate from this, all hell breaks loose and you have to get a variance...PITA. As far as the "land of the free," well, Canada doesn't make that claim!

When I asked my agent what it would cost me to insure a Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer 710/712, she Googled it on her own and found http://www.staufferclassics.com/pinzgauer_instock.php. When the underwriter responded, they commented that they insured one "military vehicle" because I was a long time customer, but wouldn't do another. My commenting that it is also civilian was too late. Next time I will drop into a brokers office.

I haven't given up hope. I am still checking out Pinz's and I am in no rush. I will make sure I can get insurance before I buy.

[Jorgo]

"Military vehicle"?

I had no idea ; ) I just gave my insurance co. (frmers) what they asked for...make? Steyr. Model? pinzgauer. what is it? a utility vehicle. and I shut up. Thanks to reading the threads here with warnings NOT to mention military, as well as not calling it a truck in ca. if you ever want to be able to carry passengers..... great site.