Well i'm torn up about what car to buy next.
I have been offered a 2003 TJ series 2, saphire blue, with 120k kms for $11,500.
Problem is that doesn't include RWC and all i got from the owner was that "We have been told the timing belt service was done and its had regular servicing by the previous owner, but our log book is new"
This doesn't sound right does it?

I've seen a TH sports at a dealer for $10k, 150k kms, silver.
Now both cars have tiptronic (what i want), the TJ obviously looks newer than the TH, but then it doesn't have some of the features the sports has.

What do people think?

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.private_vehicle?vehicle_id=2902043

I also just found this one that COMES with RWC.

Glad I live in a state that doesn't require a RWC :P

Although there are a lot of cars that REALLY shouldn't be on the roads here...........

RWC's are a damn pain in the butt :(

A TJII for $11,500??? thats good i got mine for $14,900 at a dealer..

Just wait and find one with a history - there are plenty of them out there.

Well i'm torn up about what car to buy next.
I have been offered a 2003 TJ series 2, saphire blue, with 120k kms for $11,500.
Problem is that doesn't include RWC and all i got from the owner was that "We have been told the timing belt service was done and its had regular servicing by the previous owner, but our log book is new"
This doesn't sound right does it?

I've seen a TH sports at a dealer for $10k, 150k kms, silver.
Now both cars have tiptronic (what i want), the TJ obviously looks newer than the TH, but then it doesn't have some of the features the sports has.

What do people think?
In regards to that TJ Series 2 with 120k kms, I have a bit of advice for you. First of all they are selling it and they are the second owner (did they buy it as an ex-company car? Probably considering it's high km's in a low time) Now this is fine, mines a 02 model with 146,000 kms and it runs like a dream.

However, I would find out first if they have knowledge of where the services were done. I know if it was a company car it would have just be done at a Mits dealer. Thus you could ring up, provide the rego and know if the timing belts been done. If they don't know which one, maybe even ringing a few in the area that they got the car or where the car came from. If it hasn't been done though, you really need to get it done again. Apparently for TJs they break at about 140,000 and do alot of damage to the engine if they do break.

Also, if they are wanting to sell badly then this maybe a way to get the price down further. Considering that at auctions (you can't drive the car, it'll be ex company car etc) a 03 TJII goes for about 9,000 at the most, but more often then not has a bit of damage like scratches etc. Because of this if the car looks good, maybe you could get it down to about 10,000 or 10,500 and use the extra 1,000 saved to get the belt done as well as any other problems fixed.

Personally, with the amount of cars out there. Don't bother unless you can verify with a Mits dealer the timing belt was done by them. I'll post in a few minutes some examples of cars sold and the price - from the place I got my car (since your in melb now?)

Ok.

Fowles Auction Group.
www.fowles.com.au

Every tuesday you can view the cars, every thursday is the auction.
The basic guide is look at the high end of the red book "trade in" price of the car. Or possibly if it's a desirable car then the lowest part of the private sale. Though often cars can go in the mid range of the trade in price but these are the ones which dealers don't think will be sellable without a bit of work.

Anyway, this wednesday the auctions include these cars of interest. (Melbourne auction only but on the site is more Auctions around Aus)

05/2003, MITSUBISHI, MAGNA TJII VR-X, SEDAN, 3.5L EI PETROL, 5SPD TIPTRONIC, PEWTER, 101259KM, REGO: SIX662, UNREG, FEATURES BKS, C, D, E, F, G, H2, I, K, N, R, S2, SVH, U, Z, Z1, COMP DATE: 05/2003

This VR-X will go for about $15,000 to $16,000 depending on condition.

11/2002, MITSUBISHI, MAGNA TJII EXECUTIVE, S/WAGON, 3.5L EI PETROL, 4SPD TIPTRONIC, KASHMIR, 93833KM, REGO: SBS940, UNREG, FEATURES BKS, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, Q, R, SVH, U, COMP DATE: 11/2002

I know it's a station wagon, but just depends week to week whats up for auction.
Probably would go for about $9,500 to $10,500

11/2002, MITSUBISHI, MAGNA TJII EXECUTIVE, S/WAGON, 3.5L EI PETROL, 4SPD TIPTRONIC, PEWTER, 135448KM, REGO: RXR993, UNREG, FEATURES BKS, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, N, Q, R, SVH, U, COMP DATE: 11/2002

Same as above but more km's done.
Probably go for about $9,500 to $10,000


My car was a 02 3.0L MAGNA TJ MY02. I got it for $8,200 with 137,000kms done.

Those dont come with RWC though yeh?

Anyway i've been in contact with the 2003 TJ, and they have said they bought it from <insert mits dealer> and are selling due to financial reasons. Also saying RWC will cost $100, so i'll just offer them $11,600 with RWC and if the car checks out, would i be better off spending $2k for the 2003 TJ or spending a little less and getting the TH sports, newer model vs a few more features. Both have 3.5 litre and both have tippy, not sure on cruise and all that though, do TJ series 2's have cruise standard?
what would you do:
$11,600 for TJ 2003 series 2
$10,000 for TH 1999 sports

Make sure you checkup with the Mits dealer on what was done and make sure the RWC is done before you buy it. Just seriously ring up the Mits dealer and give them the rego number and they can tell you how many services it's had, was timing belt done etc etc.

Also, I'd try to get it a bit lower personally. With such high km's for it's age and no log book - not to many other people would be interested in it. Even if they say nah piss off, there is tons of Magna's around.

Btw, no they don't come with road worthy at the auctions. But for the price you get it at, providing you give it a good look over and listen to it when it starts up. You should be ok. Also, each car has been taken for a short test drive and it tells you anything not normal, such as bad breaks, noises etc.


Oh, and I'd go the TJII. Such a sexier car then the TH. Also, both have tip tronic so your only real advantage by the sports would be power windows, cruise control (if you even use it).

Oh my god a VRX for $14,000 why did i buy an Executive :(

Then again auctions are dodgy and i wanted a 3 year warranty :)

well i've given them an offer of $11,600 with RWC. But i'll have to see how i go at the dealers. Going to check the car in the morning before i go to the dealers hopefully and i'll see what dealers have afterwards compared.

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.private_vehicle?vehicle_id=2920080&current_rec=6&used_rec=132&total_rec=34&sort_type=2&total_rec=34&sort_type=2&price_min=10000&price_max=15000&make_id=3&model_id=57&state_id=7&search_distance=25

Is it just me or does this colour look lighter than sapphire blue? Is this maybe electric blue? i thought it only came out in the TLs? Or is it sapphire blue just with really bright light?
I know it's an older model but thats some damn nice paint, might offer them abit less. Bit has very little kms.
What should i offer him?

Oh my god a VRX for $14,000 why did i buy an Executive :(

Then again auctions are dodgy and i wanted a 3 year warranty :)
They aren't dodgy.

Well actually, the private sale cars in Auction maybe dodgy as you can't test drive and they don't need a RWC to be submitted to auction. But that's why you get the car so cheap.

Where do you think dealers like carpoint etc buy from?

I guess I'd wanna take a mechanic with me before I brought a private sale car from Auctions. But for 3 year old ex-government/lease/company cars I don't see a problem. All of these cars would have used to warrenty to replace parts and probably even been serviced by the dealer specially if they were company cars as it's the work not the driver that pays.

Having said that, company cars can be thrashed a bit more though what car hasn't? Sure some haven't, but how do you know which ones they are.

Buying a car from anywhere but a dealer like Mits is a risk. I guess it's just at auction you get it for a cheaper price to cover repairs if there is a problem or to save you if there isn't. Further more, have you ever tried claiming your 6 month guarentee or whatever from a car yard? Even if they honored it and didn't say "it's your fault, we wont fix it" they'd just get it done as cheap as possible.

</end rant>

:D

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.private_vehicle?vehicle_id=2920080&current_rec=6&used_rec=132&total_rec=34&sort_type=2&total_rec=34&sort_type=2&price_min=10000&price_max=15000&make_id=3&model_id=57&state_id=7&search_distance=25

Is it just me or does this colour look lighter than sapphire blue? Is this maybe electric blue? i thought it only came out in the TLs? Or is it sapphire blue just with really bright light?
I know it's an older model but thats some damn nice paint, might offer them abit less. Bit has very little kms.
What should i offer him?
I'd get that car looked over by a mechanic. $11,500 for a car with only 48,000 km done? That would be an incredible buy. Looks clean too. Not to mention people post on carsales with $500 to $1,000 leeway for people to bargain.

Fowles Auction Group.
www.fowles.com.au
[...]
11/2002, MITSUBISHI, MAGNA TJII EXECUTIVE, S/WAGON, 3.5L EI PETROL, 4SPD TIPTRONIC, PEWTER, 135448KM, REGO: RXR993, UNREG, FEATURES BKS, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, N, Q, R, SVH, U, COMP DATE: 11/2002

Same as above but more km's done.
Probably go for about $9,500 to $10,000

My car was a 02 3.0L MAGNA TJ MY02. I got it for $8,200 with 137,000kms done.

Just echo'ing an agreeance with freddy

Also, www.autogroup.com.au for Monday night and Wednesday day auctions.

I brought my Magna there just Monday last week. Nov/2000 TJ Solara (ABS, dual airbag, in-dash cd stacker, tint windows, alarm, cruise, etc.) with 73,000 km for $9000. I am the 2nd owner, came with all books and complete service history (even the oil changes between services). All it needed for a RWC was a front CV boot. Total cost (auction fee's, RWC, 12 mths rego, vicroads inspection+plates) was $10,500 :cool:

I'd get that car looked over by a mechanic. $11,500 for a car with only 48,000 km done? That would be an incredible buy. Looks clean too. Not to mention people post on carsales with $500 to $1,000 leeway for people to bargain.

:shock: clean? :shock: Am I the only one noticing the looong scratch down the left-hand side, and the marks on the left rear bumper .. the photographers specifically showing them to us.

I didn't look in that much detail :bowrofl:
Either way it seems like so many of the fleet cars are coming out atm. (Buying 380s?)
I wouldn't rush into any purchase of a Magna atm unless it's perfect and for a good price.

Scratches etc will really bug you in the long run and to get a panel resprayed properly will cost you a few hundred.

ok guys i've found an absolute ripper of a car, but not sure if its worth the price tag.
2000 TH Altera, forest green (dark metallic green) with noice slim spoiler (my fav spoiler for the TE-H) and all the usual altera stuff. Looks like lows all round, no idea what brand of springs though.
Only 84,000 kms, body is perfectly straight and the engine is VERY quiet. Its a 3.5L auto, no tippy but with all the other features the car has, i cant complain.
He has told me $12,500 drive away, but my budget is $12k drive away. I was thinking of asking him to drop it to 12k, is this a good price?
Keep in mind the car is VERY tidy, straight etc.
Also whats better, advance or altera? and whats better and costs more out of altera and sports.

Thanks

ok guys i've found an absolute ripper of a car, but not sure if its worth the price tag.
2000 TH Altera, forest green (dark metallic green) with noice slim spoiler (my fav spoiler for the TE-H) and all the usual altera stuff. Looks like lows all round, no idea what brand of springs though.
Only 84,000 kms, body is perfectly straight and the engine is VERY quiet. Its a 3.5L auto, no tippy but with all the other features the car has, i cant complain.
He has told me $12,500 drive away, but my budget is $12k drive away. I was thinking of asking him to drop it to 12k, is this a good price?
Keep in mind the car is VERY tidy, straight etc.
Also whats better, advance or altera? and whats better and costs more out of altera and sports.

Thanks

that sounds really dear for a 2000 car, offer him 10,500 max, tell him that's all you are prepare to pay. if he saids no, walk away, he will give you a call soon.

that sounds really dear for a 2000 car, offer him 10,500 max, tell him that's all you are prepare to pay. if he saids no, walk away, he will give you a call soon.
Yeh i originally said 11,000 and he basically said i was dreaming. Keep in mind thats the drive away price (includes stamp duty $500, 12 months rego $500, transfer fee $30). Its the top of the range magna model, so it has power everything, cruise, alloys, spoiler, its even been lowered. low kms at 84,000.
Hmmm i'm not so sure now if it's a good price, what do others think?
The body and paint are pretty much perfect and interior seemed good, except for the black bits around the power window switches, they were rubbed abit, but nearly all the TH's i looked at today had it, is this common?

Why not get a TL/TW ES wif 4 speed tip-tronic have a look around at carsales.. there cheap as chips

Yeh i originally said 11,000 and he basically said i was dreaming. Keep in mind thats the drive away price (includes stamp duty $500, 12 months rego $500, transfer fee $30). Its the top of the range magna model, so it has power everything, cruise, alloys, spoiler, its even been lowered. low kms at 84,000.
Hmmm i'm not so sure now if it's a good price, what do others think?
The body and paint are pretty much perfect and interior seemed good, except for the black bits around the power window switches, they were rubbed abit, but nearly all the TH's i looked at today had it, is this common?

Nah, that's nothing fantastic. The Altera is better than the Advance, but I picked up my TH Altera for $7k, and that was from a dealer. Had over twice that many K's but has a perfect service history and it drives fine. Keep looking mate.

Why not get a TL/TW ES wif 4 speed tip-tronic have a look around at carsales.. there cheap as chips
Still out of my price range.
Hmmm i've had a look on carsales and i cant seem to find any cheap ones. The problem i found yesterday while car hunting was the quality of the cheaper ones was pretty poor (i'm pretty anal about everything :P ).