Hey guys

I'm in the market for a new daily, I have my eyes on a 2007 380 vrx with 52000 ks, any thing I should look for when looking at the car? Haven't bought a car in ages except brand new and don't know what to look for and don't want to get stung

I know I need to look at the books to see a good service history but other then that anything I should look at on the car itself?

Like you said, read the books and check for the usual services.

Also check the power windows, especially the rear ones as I have heard they are a weak spot. Listen closely for any clicking or delay at all.

Also check the boot carpet. Even though it has low kms, it may still have been used to carry heavy, dirty things in the boot which can cause the carpet to deteriorate quickly.

Sunroof? Check the make sure it opens and closes without hesitate. Also take it onto the freeway or up to about 80kms somewhere to listen for any exaggerated whistling noises stemming from the sunroof. This can mean poor seals from over exposure to the sun and the elements in general. Likewise listen for the sunroof for clicking noises.

If you're buying from a dealer, check the brand of tyres and make sure they are the same brand on the first time you look at the car, to the time you look at it just before you pay for it. Funny story, when mum was buying her Calais V sportswagon used from a dealer a few years ago, when we all looked at the car originally it had Bridgestone Potenza tyres on all four wheels even the spare. But once we got it home and was showing it off to some degree, we noticed the dealer had fitted linglong Brand tyres on all four wheels except the spare. Because it didn't say on any documents or the carsales listing that it came with Bridgestone tyres, we had no proof that they had been swapped, apart from our words against the dealers.

Technically speaking, this 380 is overdue for a cam belt change, I'd check the service records carefully and it it hasn't been done (it won't) use that as a negotiating factor when you discuss money.

Check condition of the gearbox fluid too, and test drive for engine and transmission smoothness.
A quick look at the brake pads would't hurt either, and tyre condition, boot spare and tools, etc.

Front bumper bar, underneath for parking scrapes, missing splash guard, condition of driveshaft, steering rack, ball joint boots.

As above post, note alloys/tyres, too easy for a dealer's mechanic to end up with a good set while you "inherit" something second rate. Take a camera, perhaps?

Didn't have my eyes in focus, bought a TL from a dealer and only realised a couple of days later the covers on the steel wheels didn't match side to side! Dealers! Meh!

Another thing to look at is the price. Competitive with other dealers or private sales?

A 380 with only 52000k's?

seriously?

Just grab it mate.

Unless it's been hit or an ex rental car It sounds like a fantastic find.

Will last you forever.

A 380 with only 52000k's?

seriously?

Just grab it mate.

Unless it's been hit or an ex rental car It sounds like a fantastic find.

Will last you forever.

I agree - just get the usual mechanical checks done. They are an underrated car, reliable and really cheap for what they are.

Apart from usual mechanical checks, be aware of a few electrical gremlins that can't be predicted.

Power window regulators fail regularly but cheap and easy to replace. Replacements more durable.

Indicator stalk can fail but Mitsubishi will replace under recall

Fan speed controller under passenger side dash which is difficult to replace.

I've had all of the above but the car is rock solid mechanically and should be right for years now.

Haven't needed a wheel alignment in 40000km and the car still tracks perfectly with no uneven tyre wear. Very impressed in this regard.

It wasn't a nice car when I went to have a look at it, it had obviously been in an accident and badly repaired, didn't come with rwc, no Rego, who knows how much it might of cost me to get it on the road.

Ended up buying a 2005 xr6 falcon with 85000 ks, drives like new, powerful comfortable, very happy camper