Hey guys,

I currently own a TR but she's on her way out, radiator is full of crap, cv joints are almost shot, right hand brake is metal on metal, the suspension feels like it's gonna launch you into space!, 245k on the clock and she is sounding rough, so it's time for an upgrade!

I've been looking around, I'm going to try for a dealership and try get 3k minimum trade in on the TR, private sales just don't do it these days.

I'm tossing up between a cheap 6-7K TF or spend a little bit more and grab a TJ.

I really like the look of the TJ's, plus there are a few more manual/semi auto's around rather than the dominant auto TF's

Has either model had it's on known faults or are both fairly reasonable on the mainstream issues? (I was looking at BA Falcons, but the amount of issues I've heard about has put me right off).

Any advice or things to look out for particularly on the TJ's would be a great help, as i've taken a week off work and am determined to have a new car under my butt by the end of it.

My Budget for a TJ is around 10k, but if need be I can possibly go a little higher.

I appreciate any info!

Hey man
I did the same thing, went from a TR to a 3rd gen, well worth it but if 10k is your budget I'd definitely go for a TJ. The 3.0lt is a good engine but the 3.5 is a fantastic one. I can't tell ya anthing useful to look for on them but yeah absolutly TJ. If ya wanna go cheaper you may not have to spend 6-7k for a TF. I was **** lucky and got 97 one with 154km for $3300 but yeah I dont think you shout have to put up to 7k for one. If ya do you'll have a nice wad to start mods.

jarrah it all depends on where you live i just got my TE for 6.5k and that was a bargin for some reason nrth qld like to over charge and it really frustrating i looked at a tj 01 model and i was thinkin 10k but nope they wanted 14.5k i also found a TS for 6k so like i said it depends on where u live

For starters you won't get $3k minimum trade in on your TR, unless they've already marked the car up $3k. Dealers aren't stupid. You get what you pay for, remember that!
I could have bought a TJ for $8k, but the thing had high kms and was running very rough. Instead i settled on a TJ series 2 with 50k kms for $12,500 drive away. The car runs like new. You should be able to get a fairly decent TE/TF for 6k privately, doubt you'd get one at a dealer with the trade in you're talking about. You'd be lucky to get $1000 non markup value. So you're looking at paying about $5k for a TF in ok condition with trade in.

$1950 will get you a 3.0L V6 Auto TE Sedan.

Good Nick, tyres are ~90% tread, no major bumps or scratches, lower section of rear bumper is pushed in slightly as they have a large towball on it. Runs fine I guess, I see it everyday parked near me at work.

I can get some info if you need, but its in Newcastle.

For starters you won't get $3k minimum trade in on your TR, unless they've already marked the car up $3k. Dealers aren't stupid. You get what you pay for, remember that!
I could have bought a TJ for $8k, but the thing had high kms and was running very rough. Instead i settled on a TJ series 2 with 50k kms for $12,500 drive away. The car runs like new. You should be able to get a fairly decent TE/TF for 6k privately, doubt you'd get one at a dealer with the trade in you're talking about. You'd be lucky to get $1000 non markup value. So you're looking at paying about $5k for a TF in ok condition with trade in.
Dude, I got $3k trade in for my TR with 280k on the clock one year ago. Some dealerships have a deal going like "$3k minimum trade in"

I'd definately get that extra $2k-$3k to get a good TJ series 2 man. Faults wise... Not sure if all TJ's are the same, but with mine there was rear windscreen seals, rear shocks and steering column. That's it. I had the rear windscreen and steering column done under statutory warranty, and the shocks cost me $500 (they're Koni reds tho)

Dude, I got $3k trade in for my TR with 280k on the clock one year ago. Some dealerships have a deal going like "$3k minimum trade in"

I'd definately get that extra $2k-$3k to get a good TJ series 2 man. Faults wise... Not sure if all TJ's are the same, but with mine there was rear windscreen seals, rear shocks and steering column. That's it. I had the rear windscreen and steering column done under statutory warranty, and the shocks cost me $500 (they're Koni reds tho)
Dude, when a dealer offers a $3k minimum trade in, he also rushes out and marks all his cars up by $3k, it's a marketing ploy, ask anyone in the dealer trade.

Dude, when a dealer offers a $3k minimum trade in, he also rushes out and marks all his cars up by $3k, it's a marketing ploy, ask anyone in the dealer trade.
Hmm. I dunno, I payed $23k for my Ralliart 1 year ago with 66k on the clock after trade. That's about the right price for the car with those k's at that time yeah?

Hmm. I dunno, I payed $23k for my Ralliart 1 year ago with 66k on the clock after trade. That's about the right price for the car with those k's at that time yeah?
Totally depends on the state i guess, $26k for a ralliart with those kms is abit high imo, down in vic there was a red one, 30 something thousand kms for $22,999. I could have got it for $22k with trade in (which shows there wasn't much markup on it at all).
Trade ins are bs if you ask me, you only ever end up getting about half of what it's worth, maybe a bit more. The only TRUE way of seeing how much your car is worth trade in, is to get the dealers absolute best price on a vehicle, without mentioning a trade in at all, and then ask about it.

I don't blame them, they've gotta make their money somehow.

Just thought Id add that my dad got $1500 for his TE as a trade in about a year ago.

if 10K is your budget you will be able to get a TJ easy BUT prices of magnas are droping like crazy. if you can gather up some more cash and you will be able to whip up maybe a Sports model or even a VRX for around 13K.

make sure you take a good looka round wats for sale in melbourne befor you make your mind up and buy a car.

edit: ks might be a lil high but http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.private_vehicle?total_rec=3&selected_region=0&price_max=15000&vehicle_id=3034705&keyword=VRX&model_id=57&selected_model=20&state_id=7&current_rec=3&search_distance=25&used_rec=1&search_type=20&make_id=3&category_id=3

Ash

Hey guys,

I currently own a TR but she's on her way out, radiator is full of crap, cv joints are almost shot, right hand brake is metal on metal, the suspension feels like it's gonna launch you into space!, 245k on the clock and she is sounding rough, so it's time for an upgrade!

I've been looking around, I'm going to try for a dealership and try get 3k minimum trade in on the TR, private sales just don't do it these days.

I'm tossing up between a cheap 6-7K TF or spend a little bit more and grab a TJ.

I really like the look of the TJ's, plus there are a few more manual/semi auto's around rather than the dominant auto TF's

Has either model had it's on known faults or are both fairly reasonable on the mainstream issues? (I was looking at BA Falcons, but the amount of issues I've heard about has put me right off).

Any advice or things to look out for particularly on the TJ's would be a great help, as i've taken a week off work and am determined to have a new car under my butt by the end of it.

My Budget for a TJ is around 10k, but if need be I can possibly go a little higher.

I appreciate any info!

I recently purchased an 02 sports with 76k from auction for $8400 unreg, all it needed was a couple of tyres for reg, it ended up costing me just over $10000 on the road, full comp insurance included. Definitely worth considering if you have a decent motor auction place in your area.

I recently purchased an 02 sports with 76k from auction for $8400 unreg, all it needed was a couple of tyres for reg, it ended up costing me just over $10000 on the road, full comp insurance included. Definitely worth considering if you have a decent motor auction place in your area.
Problem with alot of auctions is you get what you see, some you can't even hear the car be started up, some cars can look clean, but have been thrashed. Then there are some real good ones too. It's a risk, but if pulled off well ends up alot cheaper.

Problem with alot of auctions is you get what you see, some you can't even hear the car be started up, some cars can look clean, but have been thrashed. Then there are some real good ones too. It's a risk, but if pulled off well ends up alot cheaper.

Really? been to a fair bit of auctions and we get there nice and early and so far the cars that family and friends have bought we have tested them out first.

Problem with alot of auctions is you get what you see, some you can't even hear the car be started up, some cars can look clean, but have been thrashed. Then there are some real good ones too. It's a risk, but if pulled off well ends up alot cheaper.

I would've thought it is far better to get what you see rather than something that has been tarted up by a dealer. True enough, if your not able to at least start it up and test some things out then you would have to steer well clear, fortunately this wasnt the case for me, I could have even had a test drive as they had a trade plate available. Most if not all reputable motor auction places guarrantee the title as well.

Im yet to find fault with mine and ive owned it for around two and half months now, provided you've got half a clue what your looking at you shouldnt have too many problems.

I would've thought it is far better to get what you see rather than something that has been tarted up by a dealer. True enough, if your not able to at least start it up and test some things out then you would have to steer well clear, fortunately this wasnt the case for me, I could have even had a test drive as they had a trade plate available.

Im yet to find fault with mine and ive owned it for around two and half months now, provided you've got half a clue what your looking at you shouldnt have too many problems.
You're a lucky one then :). My mate bought a VT commo for $7k from an auction a couple of years ago back when they were going for about $12k at dealers. Looked spotless and only had 130,000 kms. The only thing was he got there the day of auction (i think the day before they let you inspect more closely/maybe even fire it up). So he bid on gut instinct. Within the first month he had to replace the gearbox, motor, all the electric window motors. ended up costing him about $13k with insurance and rego/rwc. But now he hasn't had a major issue since. But my point is, if he didn't have the extra 5-6k to spend in the first place, he would have been without a car while he saved up.

You're a lucky one then :). My mate bought a VT commo for $7k from an auction a couple of years ago back when they were going for about $12k at dealers. Looked spotless and only had 130,000 kms. The only thing was he got there the day of auction (i think the day before they let you inspect more closely/maybe even fire it up). So he bid on gut instinct. Within the first month he had to replace the gearbox, motor, all the electric window motors. ended up costing him about $13k with insurance and rego/rwc. But now he hasn't had a major issue since. But my point is, if he didn't have the extra 5-6k to spend in the first place, he would have been without a car while he saved up.

Sounds like a typical commodore to me lol

Seriously, if you purchase on gut instinct and not check things out well in advance then expect to get burnt, there is only one person to blame for that, this applies regardless of where you buy.

You do realise many used car dealers originally purchase alot of the vehicles in their yards from auction?

Luck had nothing to do with it, I just did my homework, it helps being a mechanic as well. :D

Yeah Ash, I dunno...

Red's not my fav color, it's cheap though, but yeah the K's are also a factor, I'm looking for something in the low 100's or less.

Btw haven't seen your TH for a while, looking smick!

Yeah, friends have had bad experiences with auctions.

$10k for a MR2, a week later engine was dead, he sold it for scrap made about $8K but still thats a 2k loss.

Yeah Ash, I dunno...

Red's not my fav color, it's cheap though, but yeah the K's are also a factor, I'm looking for something in the low 100's or less.

Btw haven't seen your TH for a while, looking smick!

thanks dude.

but theres heaps out there.

heres a quick list i came up with

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.mylist_private?pvmylist=3299262,326821 2,3616579,3599976,3423054,3319592,3650590,3039684, 3615553,2643043,3467133

If ya can't start it up its a huge risk I reckon, The first two TE's I looked at before gettin mine looked spottless but the first one's gearbox was ratsh*t and the second one was running below the normal idle rev's making the thing chug at the lights.

The thing that's annoying finding a TF/TH in manual.

Thanks for the list ash, I've been on/off carsales the last week, nothing has really caught my eye.

My friend owns a TJ VRX, he says it guzzles petrol, how well do the TH and TJ's non VRX go in regards to petrol consumption?

The thing that's annoying finding a TF/TH in manual.

Thanks for the list ash, I've been on/off carsales the last week, nothing has really caught my eye.

My friend owns a TJ VRX, he says it guzzles petrol, how well do the TH and TJ's non VRX go in regards to petrol consumption?
both have the same motor man but ones a 4sp auto and the others and 5sp tippy. really depands on how you drive.

my 4sp auto takes me to about 600ish ks on a tank and thats daily driving from rowville to the city and back everyday plus a few drives here and thats with normal driving. one fill a month or maybe two ill change my driving patten and will be giving a squirt here and there and ks will drop to say 450-500ish.

Hows this for luck/chance..

My dad spoted a TH 2000 magna out back of a car dealership, he kinda knows/friends with the owner. Anyways cut a long story short, this thing has done just over 200,000km's and was DIRTY inside(needed major clean)... Dad brought the car as is, then the interior was stripped and new carpet plus steam clean seats etc... now its absolutely smick as looking car and servicing is all fine (its only an excecutive model thou, but has air con etc), he gave it to his dad (my pop) to use as his car...

price you ask?.... $2000 :nuts:

My dad always gets lucky and buys these cars as real bargains and either flogs them off for a good profit or make use of them. :rant: why cant I have this luck! lol

Whatever you get, just keep an eye out that the 100K service has been done. Otherwise you'll be up for another $800 or so.

Why scorpion?

Timing belt and spark plugs amongst other things are due at 100k.

Why scorpion?
He's talking about the 100k km service, where they need to replace the platinum spark plugs in the rear bank and replace the timing belt. Can cost up to around $1k, just so that you factor that into the price of the car you buy.
*EDIT*
Damn you mark beat me by a minute :P.

Hrmmm, I've found a decent Lancer for $8k under 100,000km's I don't need a massive car either, it's just the "***** factor" that is putting me off.

Thanks for the heads up with the 100k service as well

He's talking about the 100k km service, where they need to replace the platinum spark plugs in the rear bank and replace the timing belt. Can cost up to around $1k, just so that you factor that into the price of the car you buy.
*EDIT*
Damn you mark beat me by a minute :P.

$1000 for the 100k sevice? I dunno if its been done on mine but I wanna get mine running purrfect before I start mods but are you sure its gunna cost $1000? that seems really high for a service.

$1000 for the 100k sevice? I dunno if its been done on mine but I wanna get mine running purrfect before I start mods but are you sure its gunna cost $1000? that seems really high for a service.
It totally depends where you go and what needs to be done. It can be up to $1k.