I'm looking to replace my RAV4 as I hate the damn thing (road noise, uncomfortable seats) and my main criteria are: sedan, mint condition, smooth, quiet.

I was looking at 3rd gen Diamantes but I came across this and to be honest I like the look way better. I know they have an old 12 valve V6 and probably aren't as good but meh.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=505588379

I figure it's alot of car for NZ$2,000 (AUS $handful of coins) and even if it completely crapped out in a couple of years then I've still got my money's worth.

Basically I just want general opinions. Is it worth it? What to watch out for?

Thanks in advance :D

PLUS:
If that km is genuine, sure worth the NZ$ asked.
Has woodgrain.
V6 auto, a big comfortable car.

NEGATIVE:
That colour tends to get clearcoat peel real bad.

("Opionions" is actually spelt "Opinions", but you might do things differently in NZ . . . . . lol)

Thats a very nice looking KS verada! The SOHC still has plenty of oomph! Doubt youll be diappointed! Itc no race car, but will get you going pretty quick! 0-100 in under 10 seconds is plenty for most people.
A shithouse turning circle is really my biggest beef with the car... Though helps you perfect your 3 point turns, so it evens out :P
Good luck with the purchase!

Thanks for the replies. Any chance a mod can correct the thread title? I'm not a bad speller but it seems I suck at using the keyboard :(

I've been talking to the owner and so far I've found it that there is no blue smoke, no oil leaks no major paint damage ("just usual scrapes for a 1996") and the timing belt was done at 100,000km. So it's sounding pretty good.

I'll be viewing it on Monday or Tuesday. Will be taking a Mitsubishi fan boy friend of mine along. He's not a professional mechanic but has rebuilt his starion engine so knows a shit load more than I do. If there aren't any big issues then I'll probably buy it.

No blue smoke?! Sounds too good to be true! Maybe it just blends in with the colour of the car and its not so noticable :P

Someone else bought it before I got a chance to even look at it :(

Dont stress! Just wasnt meant to be... youll find something else soon enough!

Someone else bought it before I got a chance to even look at it :(

Sorry to hear that, but never mind there will be others, the second gen are good cars, I have had 2 KR veradas and they were both good cars, I have had more annoying issue with my KH Verada then those 2 cars

Well this one is next on my list:

http://www.turners.co.nz/Vehicles/Pages/Car.aspx?RefId=1054809

It's a cheap old used japanese import, the condition doesn't appear to be great and it appears to be full of electronic gadgets (dunno if that's good on a 20+ year old car). Does have the bonus of a DOHC engine and leather seats.

The auction is next week so I'll be able to check it out this weekend.

You will be able to take it for a test drive as has a current warrant so do that and pay particular attention to the auto trans that it is doing everything correctly. Also no smoke on startup signalling in need of valve stem seal replacement which is common.
The DOHC 2.5 is a sweet motor.
Car jammed it and has had regular warrants and mileage genuine. Came to Nz in Oct 1999. Probably been looked after well.
Do usual checks. Good Luck Vee

Ended up buying a third gen :O