Hi Guys,

New member here, who is in the market for a KJ Verada and I was hoping to get a bit of advice.

I have just had a look at a 2002 KJ Verada Xi Series 1 that is for sale. Whilst I am not too mechanically minded, I took the car for a spin, listened for the CV joints going round corners etc, and all looked and sounded fine. Engine mounts looked solid.

My real concern is that the bloke who is selling it has owned it for about 12 months - done about 10,000k's, and hasn't had it serviced in that time.

The car only has 77,000 on the clock, and he had an LPG system installed (which was just serviced). According to the service manual, the last service done was at about 52,000 kms.

Now any offer I would make would be subject to a satisfactory Mechanical Inspection allowing me to consider what needs to be done and what it is going to cost.

Is the lack of service history a big enough reason to walk away and wait for another, or should it be safe enough to pick up and make an offer that will take the work to be done into account?

On a slightly less important note (depending on your POV), has any one had issues fitting golf clubs in the boot with an LPG system in there? It did look big enough for the bag, just not so sure about the buggy.

Thoughts/Opinions?

Cheers,
JP

buggy as in drive around buggy?? i dont know anything about golf mate so cant help you there, what sort of price is the seller wanting for the car? you mentioned getting a roadworthy check done anyways and thats always a good move. lack of service history in my opinion no not really anough to walk away if it is a good deal, just take it to the mechanics and get their input. if its a great price and just needs a service than proceed to a revs search ( free online but 14.00 if you want a actual certificate posted out)

EDIT: and welcome to the forums

Thanks for the advice.

As for the buggy - I meant the cart you stick the bag on when you are walking.

Bloke is asking $10k ono - will see how 'ono' we go.

Thanks for the advice.

As for the buggy - I meant the cart you stick the bag on when you are walking.

Bloke is asking $10k ono - will see how 'ono' we go.

$10k?!

Mate, I know it has low K's, but "Tell him he's dreamin'" Without a service for 25,000kms, you may be up for a new transmission depending on how it's been kept, major service is coming up, tyres will probably need doing soon etc.

I would pay $5k max for that car, and I'll tell you why.

If you have $10k to spend on a car, jump onto Carsales and have a look at 380's. They can be had for under $10k now and have more features (minus the vinal they like to call leather) than that Verada, and are a better built car, some with warranty left still.

These cars are tanks. While its not ideal it shouldnt be a showstopper. I'm curious about a bloke that would pay for a lpg sytem but not service it? The only issues that couldnt be rectified would be fluids but you would know if the engine or transmission had run with no oil and was damaged. A thorough service including replacing engine, break, transmission, and power steering fluids would be the way to go. At 77k its still a baby so if the price is right and the inspection comes up ok I would go for it.

These cars are tanks. While its not ideal it shouldnt be a showstopper. I'm curious about a bloke that would pay for a lpg sytem but not service it? The only issues that couldnt be rectified would be fluids but you would know if the engine or transmission had run with no oil and was damaged. A thorough service including replacing engine, break, transmission, and power steering fluids would be the way to go. At 77k its still a baby so if the price is right and the inspection comes up ok I would go for it.

Transmission servicing is EXTREMELY vital in those model Magnas/Veradas. Guy on these very forums, FFEEKY, bout a 2002 KJ Xi with 65,000kms on it, got everything serviced, all was good, but if you don't know what the service history is, then it can be very costly. Sure enough, at 95,000kms his transmission was nerfed. A new transmission is at least $3k for a rebuilt one. Luckily he sold it to a dealer right before it let go. Just because it has few KMs on it does not mean it is going to be a good car. It can mean the car has sat for years without being driven or serviced.

yeah if you are unsure, perhaps get a mechanic you trust to look over it. if it hasn't been serviced for a while try removing the oil filler cap and look inside to see if there's any sludging.
i don't think the price is unreasonable, especially if you can haggle him down to $9k or something.

sure there are 380s advertised for under $10k, and they are mechanically a better car (but not by much). the kms will be almost double, they're base models so they won't have the luxury features of a Verada, and for 10k the 380 will most likely have a few dings and scrapes - depends what's important to you i guess!

yeah if you are unsure, perhaps get a mechanic you trust to look over it. if it hasn't been serviced for a while try removing the oil filler cap and look inside to see if there's any sludging.
i don't think the price is unreasonable, especially if you can haggle him down to $9k or something.

sure there are 380s advertised for under $10k, and they are mechanically a better car (but not by much). the kms will be almost double, they're base models so they won't have the luxury features of a Verada, and for 10k the 380 will most likely have a few dings and scrapes - depends what's important to you i guess!

Sigh. So many assumptions, no research.

2006 380 SX, 112,000kms - $9,900 (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=3&R=9376519&keywords=&trecs=134&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32 |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__sid=129EB6A2574C&__Nne=15&__Qpb=true&seot=1&__N=1216%201282%204294964376%204294964597&silo=1011)

Please inform me of these "luxury features" a Verada has over a 380? And don't say leather, because that's vinal, not leather.

Like I said, do some research, don't just buy the first thing. At $10k a 2002 KJ Xi is horribly overpriced for what you get.

Sigh. So many assumptions, no research.

2006 380 SX, 112,000kms - $9,900 (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=3&R=9376519&keywords=&trecs=134&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32 |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__sid=129EB6A2574C&__Nne=15&__Qpb=true&seot=1&__N=1216%201282%204294964376%204294964597&silo=1011)

Please inform me of these "luxury features" a Verada has over a 380? And don't say leather, because that's vinal, not leather.

Like I said, do some research, don't just buy the first thing. At $10k a 2002 KJ Xi is horribly overpriced for what you get.

leather :)
and an LPG system :)

ps. what's vinAl? are you sure you don't mean vinyl?

Sigh. So many assumptions, no research.

2006 380 SX, 112,000kms - $9,900 (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=3&R=9376519&keywords=&trecs=134&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32 |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__sid=129EB6A2574C&__Nne=15&__Qpb=true&seot=1&__N=1216%201282%204294964376%204294964597&silo=1011)

Please inform me of these "luxury features" a Verada has over a 380? And don't say leather, because that's vinal, not leather.

Like I said, do some research, don't just buy the first thing. At $10k a 2002 KJ Xi is horribly overpriced for what you get.

let me also add, you can't judge a car off a carsales ad without inspecting it in person. especially a cheap one. that's making the biggest, costliest assumption of all.

if a 380 is selling at $10k when most of the same age and KM are advertised at $15k, don't you wonder why? you could be picking up the bargain of the century or you could be picking up a neglected car that will be a huge money pit. given the choice of a well maintained, older Mitsu vs a shagged 380 which one would you choose?

Thanks for the advice guys. I will have a chat with him and see how flexible he is (asking price wise).

Cheers
JP

Also keep in mind that in WA cars seem to go for a bit more, perhaps becasue of lack of competition from other states, lets face it, it is nothing to drive from Syd to Bris or Melb to get a car, Perth however is a different kettle all together

Now, although I am a bid advocate for regular servicing, lets look at that magic hand book that people look at, does the trans not get done at 95k Personally I would do sooner especially if dirty.

Guy has done 10k in 12 months, not that much damage could have been done in that time, my only convern is moisture in the oil from short trips

As for cost, the car if immacualte may be worth that much if that is what you are looking for, many do not like 380's for various reason, some do. Is personal choice, lets face it, it was a 48k car only 8 years ago

let me also add, you can't judge a car off a carsales ad without inspecting it in person. especially a cheap one. that's making the biggest, costliest assumption of all.

if a 380 is selling at $10k when most of the same age and KM are advertised at $15k, don't you wonder why? you could be picking up the bargain of the century or you could be picking up a neglected car that will be a huge money pit. given the choice of a well maintained, older Mitsu vs a shagged 380 which one would you choose?

What are you talking about?

Plenty of 2006 SX's for $10k-$12k.

Thread related, the OP has already said the car he is looking at has not been looked after with regular servicing. So it might even be as you say, a money pit. As I stated earlier with the gearbox story.

If the service history is bang on, and the transmission was serviced at 45,000kms, and because it has an LPG system, I would maybe offer him $6.5k max. Of course that's just me personally. You don't have to agree with me.

Good luck.

I think you need to assume that any car you buy second hand will have problems, maybe age related or related to poor maintenance. If you know the car's possible weak spots and check them, then point out real problems to the seller, you can have a good haggling point. Even pointing out that a particular make and model has known weaknesses can get you a discount. Don't focus so much on luxury features but on mechanical soundness and body appearance. And shop around to get a feel for the market, feel free to inspect and test drive as many cars as you want.

Personally a Magna that is nudging the price of the bottom of the 380 market, is a no go zone for me. Talk to the seller, give him a piece of paper with your phone number and a reasonable price and walk away.

Just an additional comment about the auto-transmission: I bought a KJ (2000 ei model) with 57K on the clock and 10 days later the transmission packed-up - Search for "Wave Spring" and you will find related posts. No heavy footed driving etc from me, either.

The transmission does seem to be a weak link in this model series - another TJ in our family had the sam failure at well over 100K on the clock. A very innocuous internal part can fracture, I don't think anyone really knows if driving style or servicing of the transmision will influence the failure of the wave spring. Because the fractured part can travel internally in the transmission with the oil flow - it can damage other areas and will eventually jam the transmission oil pump. Total loss of drive in forward or reverse. The part can't be changed prior to failure without it being an expensive "gearox out" procedure.

My $8K Verada cost me another $2K for tranny re-build, but it has been a great car since.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice, I have made the bloke an offer ($7-$7.5K), and he dismissed it.

Will leave it with him and see what happens.

The search continues.

Cheers,
JP

I have made the bloke an offer ($7-$7.5K), and he dismissed it.

JP

Don't worry. In a few months time he will realise your offer was a good one. lol