Hi guys,

I just wanted to get some advice from people who've bought the Verada KH or KF.

I had a look at a couple of cars on the weekend. the first one was a KH. it had about 190k kms on it.
Pro's: Long rego 10 months, ran well on the test drive
Cons: Had the usual dings and scratches for a car that age. Leather seats, but the back seats were torn in some areas. both fronts seats had cracks on the leather. Has a sunroof, but the interior lining cover doesnt slide all the way back. the sunroof itself tilts up, but didnt slide open. Also the climate control display was blacked out. The air/con heater was working... Also noticed that on the drive, the handbrake light was on, on the dashboard, but i checked the handbrake and it was disengaged. The anti-lock sign was lit up as well during the drive.

The guy was asking for about $2500 i could probably get it for $2k. I will handle the cosmetic stuff on the car, paint, seats (probably get re-trimmed with "look like leather") or get seats from some of the vendors here etc.. The question is do you think i'll have to spend big bucks on this brake light, antilock thing? and the climate control screen? are these major issues?

2nd car was a 98 verada.
Pros. Great interior condition, low km's car, just a tad over 100k, asking price $2.5k
Cons. Car hadnt been ridden in 6months to a year,as the guy wasnt using it anymore.. car wouldnt start, dead battery. tried to jump start to no avail. ownder said that when he was using it, it was making a sound while driving, it maybe that the timing belt has to be replaced, NO rego..

With this car, i do think it has been taken care of, but all the fluids may need to be replaced - say $200 (not incl labour), timing belt - $800 (correct me if im wrong here), rego $900 (nsw), tyres may need to changed as they were flat and may have moulded to that position over the year ( $500?) so even if i could get this car for say $2k, all in all i would have to spend about $4-$5k even before i can drive the car...

Which do you think is the better buy, based on the descriptions i've given you above?

Thanks in advance AMC members

Mick

The second one. Neither sound like they'd pass a roady anyway, and I'd take a low km one that looks to have been looked after any day of the week. But I'd definitely want to hear the second one running, even if I had to shell out for a portable jumpstarter, before I lay any cash down.

Though I found the following on Gumtree that sound better for similar asking price:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/charlestown/cars/1997-mitsubishi-verada-12-months-rego-well-looked-after/1001157661

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/roxburgh-park/cars/1999-mitsubishi-verada-cheapest-of-its-kind-/1002874968

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cambridge-park/cars/2000-mitsubishi-magna-sedan/1003016738

And also ARS55' suggestion below.

Personally I would steer clear of both of those. They sound like trouble. Have you had a look on the forum in the for sale section? Bargain of the week would be this little beauty.

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78956

If you go to the last page you will see he is only asking $3990 and for what you would get is so much more car than the two you have posted above.

Keep hunting around, i am sure you will find the right one.
That first one is a worry i would steer clear of it. The handbrake light serves two purposes one to indicate if the handbake is on and the second to indicate low fluid level in the resovoir. this plus the abs light may mean an expensive fix but cost wise i am only guessing.
The ones suggested above by the other members seem good suggestions, i would just say one thing dont be to eager to buy the fisrt car you find when its the right one you will know it.
Post up more here if you want our opinion on them.

+1 with recommendation to keep hunting. The first one could cost you a good couple of grand to fix & no guarantees something else won't go wrong soon after, better off getting one in good nick.
The second one with the noise could just be something small like a noisy pulley or bearing, but could be something much more major too. Bit risky IMHO.

You should be able to pick up a good condition verada for $4k in good running order with roadworthy, depending where you are.

Well the timing belt would be due in both of them, plus the water pump and pulleys in the first one. I would see if the owner of the second one would get it running and if it drives ok and the noise turns out to be an easy fix then it would be ok.

Well the timing belt would be due in both of them, plus the water pump and pulleys in the first one. I would see if the owner of the second one would get it running and if it drives ok and the noise turns out to be an easy fix then it would be ok.

I'd be doing the water pump and pulleys in both, considering the 100k one hasn't been run for a year.

Thank you for all the feedback guys. You may have save me thousands of $$ and a lot of headache...

i'll have to have a little more patience and wait for the right one and save a little more money.

Next time, i'll get an independent vehicle check on the car i want just to be sure.

Thanks again AMC'rs.

Yep don't worry mate keep saving a bit and you'll find a car way better then those.

KJ Verada went on Ebay on the weekend for $2000.00.2001 model,5 speed tippie and only 160000 km,.good condition..There is better buys about I believe

Ohh KJ nice if its in good nick