http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1997-Mitsubishi-Verada-KF-XI-Green-4sp-Sedan-/290589713644?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item43a87f24ec#ht_2188wt_1135


This is the particular one I'm looking at. Body is and looks straight.

I've only called dealer, will be going to have an actual look tomorrow. What do you guys think.

Any pointers for what I should specifically look for.

Not a bad price at all, you can probably bargain it down a little more.
I'd say pay attention to the gearbox. The autos have been known to catastrophically fail due to a weak wave spring. This depends on the previous owners driving habits lol
As always, any weird noises etc.

I'm sure other members can tell you exactly what to look for.

At 217 thousand make sure that the major service which includes timing belt has been done.
The major service was due at 200 thousand.

This is not specific to magnas/radas only, but rather any used car. Through my experience, be prepared to spend 2k more on top of the asking price.
very high chances the timing belt will need doing, they will probably have some cheap noisy tyres and brake pads with low lifespan and engine mounts stuffed. These are consumable parts which extended warranty will not cover.

However, If this includes the 12 months warranty or just a few hundred extra in premium, then it is well worth it for other major parts like gearbox etc.

I thought the weak wave spring was specific to TH/TJ models rather than the TF-TE-KF-KE models.

This car has the external trans oil filter, so should be fine

I thought the weak wave spring was specific to TH/TJ models rather than the TF-TE-KF-KE models.

This car has the external trans oil filter, so should be fine

I think the auto box was not revised until the late TL/TW models.
If you really want to protect the wave spring you should get a trans oil cooler.
All models are "at risk" including TL/TW since you don't really know if you've got a revised gearbox lol

This is what I've heard anyhow.

A good price, but at the high km you need to really go over the car - as above, you will need to be prepared to spend some money on it.

Check:
Oil condition, on dipstick and pull oil cap off and look for sludge/water in the oil/ (looks like cream). Look at trans oil too.
Drive shaft and power steering boots - torch and stick your head under the car, look down behind intake manifold.
Look for oil leaks on engine, gearbox, and steering rack.
Engine start up noises from cold.
Coolant condition.
Interior condition, test aircon, heater, instruments.
Tyre condition.
Check all lights work.
Burning oil - let it idle, then blip throttle, get someone behind to look for blue smoke. (valve stem seals can harden if the car has been standing for a long time)
Auto trans - smooth engagement, smooth gear changes.
Lastly: Ask for service records, has the belt been changed? If not, can be costly unless you DIY.
(And I doubt it has been done, who would spend close to $2K on an old car for that service, most people would decide to skip it and sell the car instead. Be wary of service records that say the belt has been done, but the service stamp is not from the seller or is a garage you never heard of.)
No warranty on a car this price, I would imagine - so be careful!

IF you buy it, take it home, pull the wheels and check the rotors and pads. Change the coolant and engine oil/filter if the oil looks dark. Get a transmission flush if the trans oil looks dark.
If the brake fluid looks dark change that too.

Personal note: I used to buy cars cheap in my poorer days, but I've found they need a lot of work to get them up to a good standard. I've gotten mega lazy, I wouldn't touch a high Km car unless someone gave it to me free, as I know it would most likely need a lot of time/DIY labour/cash to get it up to scratch. But thats just me - mature age laziness has me in its grip!. lol

is belt servicing really 2k

is belt servicing really 2k

Won't be 2k, I think that was just a guesstimate to get everything done.

My mech did rocker cover gaskets, minor service and belt for a grand at my 100kms.

Won't be 2k, I think that was just a guesstimate to get everything done.

My mech did rocker cover gaskets, minor service and belt for a grand at my 100kms.

I;m 18, and this is just going to be bought as a 2nd car for minor usage. Will probably only rack 1500k's a year or so, I reckon I'll just do the checks and basic servicing, see how we go.

From past experience, I found that an independent mechanical inspection to be well worth it. A mobile mechanic (RACQ in my case) came to the car yard and for $120 he gave me a written report on all faults, even down to a noisy tappet, frayed rear seat belt and blown number plate light (in addition to several other things that were difficult to spot, including a broken engine mount, minor oil leak, split CV boot, thin brake rotors and worn brake pads). I didn't buy the car and it saved me spending a fortune to fix a car I would otherwise have bought. Ask the dealer if they object to you either having an on-site inspection or if you can take it to a mechanic to put it up on a hoist during the test drive. His silence will be deafening.

I;m 18, and this is just going to be bought as a 2nd car for minor usage. Will probably only rack 1500k's a year or so, I reckon I'll just do the checks and basic servicing, see how we go.

It really does not matter how much you use your car. Timing belt still needs to be done no matter what because they do become brittle time dependant (unless it already has been done). They can just snap off and end up writing off the engine. better just do a preventative timing belt change.

fair enuf. if i can get a timing belt for $90-100, how much would it cost to fit. or is it an easy diy job.

General wisdom on this forum is to change the following at the 200,000 Km mark:
Timing belt, water pump, idlers, hydraulic tensioner, possibly external belts, idlers, spark plugs, air filter - if these haven't been done.

As a DIY job its not too hard but you need to study the manual for the process and you need some special tools. A mechanic will charge close to $2K to do the lot.

QUOTE: "I reckon I'll just do the checks and basic servicing, see how we go." UNQUOTE

Thats an option, you should be right for a while.

General wisdom on this forum is to change the following at the 200,000 Km mark:
Timing belt, water pump, idlers, hydraulic tensioner, possibly external belts, idlers, spark plugs, air filter - if these haven't been done.

As a DIY job its not too hard but you need to study the manual for the process and you need some special tools. A mechanic will charge close to $2K to do the lot.

QUOTE: "I reckon I'll just do the checks and basic servicing, see how we go." UNQUOTE

Thats an option, you should be right for a while.

that is a tonne load, i had a camry vienta 97 before this which i sold for 2300, was serviced regularly with basic servicing, it hit 200k but we never did the major service. i'm sure auto was bombed and needed a flush or somewhat, but the car ran pretty well.

hopefully, magna is as reliable.

I had a look at the verada today, exterior was great, interior alrite, but there seemed to be quite a bit of oil leaking on the transmission area. anyone know wat this means?

I had a look at the verada today, exterior was great, interior alrite, but there seemed to be quite a bit of oil leaking on the transmission area. anyone know wat this means?

So the leak is coming FROM the trans or ONTO the trans?

If it's from the trans it'd be a reddish fluid (ATF)

If it's onto the trans it could be a leak from a rocker cover, in which case it's nothing serious and can be fixed easily.

So the leak is coming FROM the trans or ONTO the trans?

If it's from the trans it'd be a reddish fluid (ATF)

If it's onto the trans it could be a leak from a rocker cover, in which case it's nothing serious and can be fixed easily.

It could've been engine oil but I'm not to sure, it was over the trans and on the axle and puddles on the floor. Didn't get that good a look.
There were no service logbooks!

Found a new Verada to look at.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=11149589&postcode=2566&__Qpb=1&__Nf=p_GeoLocation_String|GCLT%20-34.01917,150.8425%2028.4&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964081%20442&distance=25&silo=1011&PriceTo=442&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=10&Cr=3&__sid=1310BD995F72

Is 2001 KJ model, guy is desperate to sell as moving next week. Offered 3k, he accepted.Seems like one hell of a deal, and he lives 5-10 minutes away. ONly problem is there are no log books, but I might be willing to take the gamble.

lol Half of the people selling cars say "must sell soon as I'm moving overseas". lol Is Australia going to be de-populated soon? Or is this a variation of "only driven by a little old lady to church once a week" that used to be a popular way to attract buyers years ago? lol

Anyhow, check it over carefully. Sounds a bit low for a KJ with 160,000 km on it, might have something major wrong with it.

lol Half of the people selling cars say "must sell soon as I'm moving overseas". lol Is Australia going to be de-populated soon? Or is this a variation of "only driven by a little old lady to church once a week" that used to be a popular way to attract buyers years ago? lol

Anyhow, check it over carefully. Sounds a bit low for a KJ with 160,000 km on it, might have something major wrong with it.

guy is literally moving overseas, or just conning. his desperate to sell his car off and told me that he has until Tuesday to show the car, and then his gone. so IDK

guy is literally moving overseas, or just conning. his desperate to sell his car off and told me that he has until Tuesday to show the car, and then his gone. so IDK

Yeah, he really is telling the truth about moving overseas, or he is fibbing about it to get you to buy quick. No other option there really - truth or lies. lol

If you feel a seller is rushing you, it probably is a good idea to walk away - or get him to drop the price further, so you can afford repairs. lol

Yeah, he really is telling the truth about moving overseas, or he is fibbing about it to get you to buy quick. No other option there really - truth or lies. lol

If you feel a seller is rushing you, it probably is a good idea to walk away - or get him to drop the price further, so you can afford repairs. lol

damn, missed out on it. this morning i sms'd him, and he said it was already sold. could've gotten a pretty good deal, even if it required a few hundred on repairs.
don't got anything else to look at in terms of verada's for now, will have to keep looking. anyone selling?

Actually had a quick look,

http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-ViewAd?AdId=302085877&MessageId=MSG.VIEW_AD.REPLY_TO_AD_SENT&ilIds=284825234%2C307698718%2C299330665%2C29213158 7%2C299081331%2C302467189%2C303828169%2C305760112% 2C307788394%2C305849298%2C306097010%2C307263766%2C 300171256%2C298367720%2C307307183%2C302085877%2C30 4029197%2C304010336%2C294710058%2C307484995%2C2983 33277%2C306390892%2C299074022%2C304030629%2C304837 291&ilNext=2&ilPrev=-1&ilProvider=SearchIdListProvider&ilqcCatId=18320&ilqcKeyword=verada&ilqcSort=3&mpname=LocClass-R2S&mpuid=%3B302085877%3B65492239%3B3003451%3B9299%3B1 8320%3B%3B%3B%3B1314008448782&secev=AQAAATHsNjIAAM0AAAACACIxMzFmMTAxYmYwZi5hMjBi Mjc4LjQzMzNhLmZmZmU3YjUwAAAAABIBdvUBAAAABQAAAADh5s %2BABy9pVVgG%2BaA4775emaJJwxnBFyI*

Have this nice KH Verada on my mind.. Long rego, 180000 kms, looks neat, and 40 minutes away.

What you guys reckon.

Looks ok. Buy it and tell us all about it. lol Plenty of help on this here forum if you find it has problems.

(Rule about buying a car - never buy the first you look at. A bit like not marrying your first girlfriend. lol )

Looks ok. Buy it and tell us all about it. lol Plenty of help on this here forum if you find it has problems.

(Rule about buying a car - never buy the first you look at. A bit like not marrying your first girlfriend. lol )

haha, yeah, oath. so even if the first one you looked at was great? jokes.
thats the awesome thing about this forum, but i'm not to mechanically inclined at my young age, hoping to get a part time job at a wrecking yard to take cars apart and learn stuff. also, get parts/cars cheap.
and i got a mate who can get me roadworthies without any checks, so its all good

http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-cars-2000-MITSUBISHI-105000KL-6-MONTHS-REGO-ONLY-3500-W0QQAdIdZ297343056

http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-cars-car-W0QQAdIdZ303543014

Another two I'm considering. Verada looks a bargain and owner doesn't know its even a Verada.
Magna Executive looks pretty good and nice price.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=11181335&postcode=2566&__Qpb=1&__Nf=p_GeoLocation_String|GCLT%20-34.01917,150.8425%2053.4&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964081&distance=50&silo=1011&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=36&Cr=5&__sid=1310BD995F72

Pretty epic one for a heaps good price. Buyer seems aware and knowing of cars, has self serviced. Off to look at tomrow

drove the verada today. very torquey car, was surprised, acelerates with ease.
car seemed pretyy good, albeit scratches in some parts and a covered up scrape with dodgy paint. overall decent condition, and nice to drive.
hmmm

looks reasonable 3.5 for a car that's done 160k. Short of second major dervice, I'd probably buy it and hope for the best. K Mart do a free safety inspection once u have the car, only way yl really find out is to drive it for a while

looks like my budget might be goin up by 2-3k if i wait another 2-3 weeks. so maybe i could go for a 5 speed series 2 kj verada or even an awd model. wat u guys reckon.

oh shit, even a VR-X or a Verad AWD could be on the plates.
I AM EXCITED

Found a couple of VRX's in the 5k range.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=11004529&keywords=&trecs=7&tsrc=allcarhome&SearchAction=N&__Nf=p_GeoLocation_String|GCLT%20-34.01917,150.8425%20103.4&__Nne=15&PriceTo=443&postcode=2566&silo=1011&seot=1&__sid=1310BD995F72&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964374%20443%204294933127%201621&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32 |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&Cr=2&distance=100&__Qpb=1


http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-cars-VERADA-2002-AWD-3-5-RARE-COLOUR-LOW-KMS-2ND-OWNER-REDUCED-W0QQAdIdZ306938105

Some of these magnas jst look epic.