I have a chance to buy a Burgundy '92 Verada wagon V6ei (133,500kms) with aftermarket alloys/Dunlops and what seems to be a pretty nice Kenwood stereo system. They guy selling it tells me it's in great condition except that the engine needs a bit of work. He says he had it checked out and the pistons need to be shaved due to pitting, and, I think he said valve guide seals or something like that. I've never heard of shaving the pistons, and if anyone did that, or knew that it needed to be done, they would have to had the heads off to determine that, right? Anyway, the car seems to be in really clean condition and, other than the engine issues he mentions (I haven't actually heard it run, or anything - just saw it parked with 4sale sign and talked to him on the phone), it looks to be in great shape. Usually you can sort of tell if someone has abused a car or if they tend to really take care of it. He's asking $3,500 ONO and says he'll take a reasonable offer if I really want it. He has 2 other cars and doesn't need number 3. He also says the mechanic says about $1,500 should get it back up to proper running order (it runs now, I just don't know exactly how well).
My question (sorry for the long intro...) is, Is this a decent price and is it a decent car? Does his "engine problem" sound believable, or does this sound like a total fabrication? I've been working around cars for going on 30 years and I've never heard of anyone shaving the pistons. Heads, yes, but not pistons. I dunno, maybe he doesn't have a clue about cars and mis-heard what the mechanic told him. Should I steer clear of this one, or is it worth having a qualified mechanic check it out before making an offer? Does the price seem like a good deal, or just the going rate? I've attempted to attach a photo...
Thanks for any help you guys can give me!
George

hey dood welcome to AMC

valve stem seals are costly, around $400-$600 depending where, you CAN get them cheaper but i have NFI how.
the price is pretty good, BUT ALWAYS get your local motor....thingy...(RACV in VIC) to thougholy check the car out before you buy it, best $160 you can spend IMO

i have NFI about the piston stuff mate, not me field...but that does sound costly indeed. then there would be the problem of WHY they pitted in the frst place and if there are any other problems.

best thing would to take her for a test drive first and give her a real good work out.
but 3.5 is a good price for that car, but if engine work is going to set you back more then 1K i dunno....

Surely you could get a completely reco'd engine for that sort of price ($1500)?

Don't know anything about the pitting, but valve stem seals will depend on whether it's a 4 or 6 cylinder. 4's would be a hell of a lot "easier" to replace than on 6s', the seals themselves are only maybe $40 for the lot, it's the labour involved.

But from that shot the car looks pretty tidy. Guess it depends on which engine it has, how many k's, and how much getting it "fixed" will cost. Take it for a run and get it checked out.

yeah he's right. $3500 is a great price for a verada, but if it comes with engine problems, i'd get the mechanic to take a look. I'm guessing this is a private sale, otherwise it might be considered part of a warranty. But anyway i think the head would need to be shaved and straightened, the timing might need to be checked and u should get a pressure test.

I got my car for around $3000, its a magna and has a 4 cyl engine it came with nothing in it. I got ripped off a bit but i dont care (this was about 6-8 months ago). A verada is worth a good $1000-2000 more than a magna and thats if the magna and verada are in a similar condition. But yeah get it looked at first, or u could be sorry.

O and get these things checked to:
timing chain/belt (this could be costly)
cv joints
rotors
cooling systems
oil leaks

Some of these small problems can grow to become some really big problems down the line.

I have a chance to buy a Burgundy '92 Verada wagon V6ei (133,500kms) with aftermarket alloys/Dunlops and what seems to be a pretty nice Kenwood stereo system. They guy selling it tells me it's in great condition except that the engine needs a bit of work. He says he had it checked out and the pistons need to be shaved due to pitting, and, I think he said valve guide seals or something like that. I've never heard of shaving the pistons, and if anyone did that, or knew that it needed to be done, they would have to had the heads off to determine that, right? Anyway, the car seems to be in really clean condition and, other than the engine issues he mentions (I haven't actually heard it run, or anything - just saw it parked with 4sale sign and talked to him on the phone), it looks to be in great shape. Usually you can sort of tell if someone has abused a car or if they tend to really take care of it. He's asking $3,500 ONO and says he'll take a reasonable offer if I really want it. He has 2 other cars and doesn't need number 3. He also says the mechanic says about $1,500 should get it back up to proper running order (it runs now, I just don't know exactly how well).
My question (sorry for the long intro...) is, Is this a decent price and is it a decent car? Does his "engine problem" sound believable, or does this sound like a total fabrication? I've been working around cars for going on 30 years and I've never heard of anyone shaving the pistons. Heads, yes, but not pistons. I dunno, maybe he doesn't have a clue about cars and mis-heard what the mechanic told him. Should I steer clear of this one, or is it worth having a qualified mechanic check it out before making an offer? Does the price seem like a good deal, or just the going rate? I've attempted to attach a photo...
Thanks for any help you guys can give me!
George
Go to www.carsales.com.au klik on -private sellers cars.- Mitsubishi,-all states,- then Verada. theres a 1995 KS EI 6 cyl Wagon they want $5500 you might be lucky and get it for $5000 its only done 118250 Kms and appears to be in very good running order theres 4 pages this one is on page 2 its in N.S.W LETS KNOW HOW YOU GET ON good luck.P.S theres more Veradas from other states but this one looks the goods. Take your time its a buyers market. Only Fools Rush in. Cheers R456

Please note all *
All veradas of any generation have the better motor of the 2, ie. all 2nd gen radas have the 12 valve V6(yes even KR) and all 3rd gen radas have the 3.5L (yes even KE).

Honestly, if he reckons it's only gonna cost $1500, tell him to fix it and you'll give him $5k for it. People will always under evaluate repairs to get a sale. Honestly i would stay away from a crook motor, and $3.5k isn't that great a deal for a KR with a stuffed engine anyway.

If you know someone in the RAA get them to check it out, failing that go to a mechanic.
If in doubt.................WALK AWAY.
Offer him 2grand, IMO that's all it's worth.
Mileage is awful low for it's year, and with those probs, makes you wonder, if it's genuine, or been thrashed.
According to the red book it's value is this...........
Trade in $1600/$2700, av price private sale $2400/$4300.

With the repairs at $1500 (aye right) you will be at 5grand.

It's a buyers market

kem is right, $3500 for a KR with a stuffed engine is too dear. $2000 would pull it up.

WIthout knowing exactly what is wrong with the donk it's hard to estimate how much repairs would be. Secondly, a sick car is never worth as much as one that is going well.

Basically the seller is saying alright the car is worth $5000 so I will sell it for $3500 as the engine needs $1500 on it. Now, would you buy a KR without an engine for $3500? (hell I wouldn't we got the KS at auction for $1000 with slight panel damage).

Oops, maybe if I had re-read the original post:fruitcake; V6 with 133.5K.

Trade in $1600/$2700, av price private sale $2400/$4300.

I didnt see that section, but could you see a dealer giving him $1600 for a car with a stuffed engine?

:stoopid:
I agree with most above - $3500 seems a bit expensive for a 2nd Gen with a suss engine.
If you want a 2nd gen Verada then my advise would be to shop around and find yourself a nice KS (not KR) Verada as you should be able to pick one up for around the $5K mark without problems and with other KS goodies lile Parabolic headlights etc.
...and if ya find a Verada with a 5spd Manual box - Buy it :badgrin: (assuming it's in ok cond.)

I still think I'll have a look, because like I said, I haven't driven it or heard the engine run. His mechanic may have been telling him a bit of a tale. Seems like low kms to be having ANY engine trouble, but I've always taken good care of my vehicles and historically haven't had much trouble. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, or make any bad assumptions and walk away from a good deal. He say's he'll take less, so if I can get it for, say $2750, and the engine isn't as bad he thinks (hey, it could happen!) then, I don't care too much what the blue book says, if it's a nice, trouble-free ride with lots of creature-comforts, then in my book, it's a good deal. Hey, it may be buggered, but we'll let our mechanic (whom we've dealt with for many years and has an excellent reputation) decide that.
I just wanted to get some input on what to look out for and whether they're good cars or not. They seem to be a higher end Mitsu for that time frame. I'm just not real familiar with them. We had a ('91, I think) Lancer for a couple of years and had no trouble whatsoever and it never failed to start and ran great until we used it as partial trade towards my wife's '98 Prado.
Anyway, thanks everyone for your helpful hints and thoughts.
Cheers,
George

...and if ya find a Verada with a 5spd Manual box - Buy it :badgrin: (assuming it's in ok cond.)
I didn't think you could get manuals in the veradas?

Be very careful mate, you never know how bad an engine could be :).

They are very good cars, I think the sec gen won family car of the year, and this one is the verada with extra creature comforts, but the problem is they are now getting old and troublesome.
As I said above $2g would be my price, in case you had repairs to do.
Also the mileage is low for the engine damage, either ir's not accurate or the cars been thrashed or neglected, if it's the latter the tranmission will be similarly thrashed, cv joints etc.
You don't seem like a starry eyed kid, so I think you will make the right decision based on facts

I didn't think you could get manuals in the veradas?

Be very careful mate, you never know how bad an engine could be :).
The KS Touring Wagon came in manual and automatic. It's the only model I know of.

Walk away mate. Plenty of good magnas and veradas out there for this price with no engine trouble. Go for the ks verada, more options like abs, woodgrain trim, airbag, parabolic headlights.

Mmmm... KS Verada... those parabolic headlights look oh so sweet!

I think my TR is feeling jealous outside on the driveway now :cool:

I agree with the above advice - if you live in or near a capital city, you should find a large range of 2nd-gen Magnas and Veradas for less than $5000 in good condition. Have a look on www.carsales.com, www.carsguide.com.au, www.carpoint.com.au for both private and dealer sales. Definately get an NRMA/RAA/RACQ etc. pre-purchase inspection done (about $150-200), look at and test drive as many cars as you can, and don't get attached to any particular cars - there are plenty out there and I am sure you will find the one you are after.

P.S. Speaking of KS Veradas, does anyone have any idea how much it is roughly to pick up a set of parabolic headlights + a KS Verada colour-coded grille from the wreckers? Are they hard to come by?

First off welcome to the site, hope we can help you.

The car

It certainly looks like a clean unit. :)

Shaved Pistons, I dont think so Tim. lol
How the hell would he know they're pitted if he hasnt had the heads off (assuming its a 6)

The price seems a bit too high for my liking too, check on ebay for comparisons.

If you like it and it sounds OK try to get the price down a ways to cover the mech costs and if you can, get it checked mechanically and REV's. :D

If in doubt, walk away, its a buyers market. :D

Mmmm... KS Verada... those parabolic headlights look oh so sweet!

.

P.S. Speaking of KS Veradas, does anyone have any idea how much it is roughly to pick up a set of parabolic headlights + a KS Verada colour-coded grille from the wreckers? Are they hard to come by?

Hi mate I bought mine on ebay for $230 there are some on there now with 2 days left for just over $150 as for the grille just buy a TS grille and paint it to look like a verada.I paid $30 for a TS grille.Cheers Greg. :)