Advice on new car to tow caravan

[Jared01]

I called Mitsubishi to ask about the service intervals which are every 15,000kms (was not sure if every 10 or 15)
Havet to check with owner when last serviced, but intervals around this mileage

105K
120K
135K

Looks like due for 120,000km service which is major (Rocker cover. Fuel filter, check Valve clearance. Brake fluid. Pollen filter were the things I jotted down). Approx $1,200

 

[NoWorries]

I would go the last one 34,000 km difference is worth the $1000
The Platinum does have a few better features though but I would still have the lower KM's

Don't get sucked into the 1 owner spiel as it is not worth anything if that owner did not service it on time and treated it like poo

 

[bigcol]

Don't get sucked into the 1 owner spiel as it is not worth anything if that owner did not service it on time and treated it like poo

true that

I looked at a 2005 VX (GXL - whatever) 100 series - was NOT the Sahara anyway when I was looking for my cruiser
it was $5K dearer than the Kakadu I ended up buying, but - it had NOT been serviced in its life (60K)
I found this out afterwards, when a mate at Scarb Toyota told me about it
he did not know I had already looked at it - and rejected it

the Kakkypoo had 73K on the clock - MY2004 - I brought April 2005
but it had leather & carpet - and full service history - that even checked out, as I knew the guys who had serviced it from new

they had a Kakkypoo diesel at the same time - a whopping $17K dearer than the petrol one I ended up buying

 

[warren cook]

Wife says budget is about $30,000

Would like to buy something with less than 100,000 Kms.


Can anyone please advise what model we should aim for. I assume only NT model is within this price range.

Am I correct or should we try and extend the budget a bit and buy something a little newer that possibly still has remainder of 5 year warranty left?

Hey,

It depends how you are funding the car. If you are borrowing the money from somewhere than its approx $4 per week for every $1000 you borrow. Sometimes its worth stretching in those circumstances to get what you really want. The other thing is to decide on what you want on the car like tow bars, nudge bars etc etc. Are you looking to get a car that is ready to rock and roll straight away or are you going to spend some money adding your own extras. Sometimes its cheaper to have them on the car already as we do not add the same amount in value to the price of the car, sometimes we don't even take it into consideration as we feel it gives us a lower target audience so you could pick up a steal from somewhere.

Don't forget you have to add 3% stamp duty to your purchase, so another $900 in the next two weeks transferring it into your name.

 

[peterg]

Nothing wrong with rehocking your house to pay for a cruiser.....

 

[Dobbie]

Sounds like good advice.

Take it carefully.

(We bought a Patrol with extended warranty....good deal as only 6,000 on the clock. Since then ...2 years...have done over 30k towing and had a few problems, but all finally covered by warranty. We had to fight for it.)

My point? When / if you buy, buy carefully and cover yourself as much as possible.

The dream is great but it costs money...you need to be careful and get as much advice as possible.

Don't be swayed by too much of the dream...keep your feet firmly planted.

:mad2:

But...best wishes with the decisions.

 

[JS4910]

While I agree with @Dobbie and was always one for "not being financially exposed", I am now of the belief that we are only on this earth for a very short time, and you just never know what is around the corner.

My philosophy now is enjoy your time here and spend as much of it with the one's you love doing enjoyable things together, if that means you have to tighten the belt a bit to have the things that give your family enjoyment and life long memories, then I'm ok with that.

It's pretty much the road we've now taken, as I know only too well that life is short and no matter how you plan your future, things can change from out of the blue.

 

[Jared01]

Ok I found another potential vehicle. Have to stretch the budget a little more but it seems worth it.

2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Active
45,000kms
Full log books
Registration until August
Just been serviced and next service not due until 59,000
Nudge bar with CB radio antenna
Excellent condition
Bridgestone Dueler A/T tyres with heaps of tread
2 keys
1 owner
Automatic
Diesel
7 seater
Rhino Roof racks
Tinted windows
Car mats
Cargo cage (will remove this and maybe sell)
Mitsubishi tow bar
Redarc electronic brakes (I think) see below photo
Aftermarket springs and shocks (I think to lift car up by 5cm) Receipt in book by "old man emu" shop Mannell Motors
Air bags in the rear suspension
Dual batteries with extra 12v outlet in boot
Some sort of bash plate
GMETX3340 CB Radio and antenna

Pretty sure it has electronic breaks for towing. There is a red dial in the car which looks like from the redarc brochure. Also in the rear photo of the car it looks like there is the plug for it.

I believe the airbags in the suspension are inflated and deflated from the rear of the car through 2 plugs which can be seen from the rear picture of the car.

$36,000

It is for sale at a dealer and if I proceed, will trade in my Kluger.

I took it for 2 test drives and it was great. Put it into all 4x4 modes etc and could not hear any noises etc.
The dealer said they know the seller and have not used it offroad etc but had towed carvans etc.


I think it is a good deal. What do you think?

 

[NoWorries]

Looks good
Yep by the look of it the two plugs on either side of the towbar will be the air bags
Do yourself a favour and replace the tow pro with a Tow Pro Elite (should be a easy swap over) the elite is way better than the old classic due to the auto function.
Try and find out how long the dealer has had the car as the longer they have had it the more urgent it is to sell (but sometimes they have already discounted it by a bit)
Is the car at a reputable dealer ? Mitsubishi dealer would be ideal and is it still under new car warranty ?

 

[Jared01]

It was traded in 1 week ago and they recently put it up for sale.

I spotted it today on car sales (they removed the ad because they are holding it for me until I give them my answer tomorrow).

Denlo Subaru Parramatta is the dealer. They were great and I took it for 2 test drives. Also took it home to see if would fit in my unit garage which it does.

Still under new car warranty until 2/8/2017.

It sounds like a good buy.

 

[JS4910]

Looks like a good machine with low km's and plenty of tasty $$$$ accessories, pretty much hook up the van and go. Just get and independent inspection and for that price it wont last long, they seem to be pretty popular at the moment.

There is probably around $7K in add on's on it from a base vehicle and most of them are nice things to have if your towing and touring around.

If it was me I would seriously be putting a deposit on it pending inspection.

 

[NoWorries]

If they have just got it then try for a big discount
most car yards try for the moon for the first 14 days

How much seriously is you Kluger worth ?

 

[Jared01]

Do yourself a favour and replace the tow pro with a Tow Pro Elite (should be a easy swap over) the elite is way better than the old classic due to the auto function.

Is this the electronic brakes you are referring to?

I have put a $500 deposit on it pending wifes approval to increase our budget. $500 is refundable.

I am getting $10,000 for the Kluger.

It needs 130,000km service (prob only about $200 from my local mechanic).

Also needs a touch up front and rear from Wife scratching the front bumper and front side panel. Read is a small ding.


Easier to trade in and drive away. I always sell privately but this time don't think I will. If no trade I have to sell my car first and have no car in the meantime or get the funds to buy newer car and try to sell old one in the meantime.

Bought current car without inspection, so thinking about not getting an inspection this time either. Looks and sounds like great condition, always serviced on time etc, mitsubishi service centre said had no problems in the past too. Taking a risk but probably what I will do if I proceed.

May see what options there are for inspections though. Where would someone go for such a thing in Sydney (Parramatta to be exact) or I assume there are mobile services that do it too.

 

[bigcol]

dont NRMA do mobile inspections?

 

[NoWorries]

Yep the electronic break system
Once you have the car get a good mechanic to give it the once over then take it to Mitsubishi and get them for fix under warranty

 

[Jared01]

Yep the electronic break system
Once you have the car get a good mechanic to give it the once over then take it to Mitsubishi and get them for fix under warranty

I am a bit confused. The electronic brakes are aftermarket, which has nothing to do with Mitsubishi. How is that going to be fixed under warranty?

 

[JS4910]

I think he means any issues with the car after you buy it, have a mechanic give it the once over and then get MM to address the issues under warranty before it runs out.

NRMA would be a good place as they are independent and reasonably anal when giving things the once over, that or a well respected 4wd workshop, Mannell Motors who did the suspension upgrade might be a good start.

 

[NoWorries]

I am a bit confused. The electronic brakes are aftermarket, which has nothing to do with Mitsubishi. How is that going to be fixed under warranty?

Sorry two separate answers

first one a reply to your question "Is this the electronic brakes you are referring to?"
second just a word of advice

 

[Jared01]

When I took the car home it fit in the garage but there was only a few CM clearance before hitting the roof height safety bar in the underground carpark.

Am I likely to face problems going into car parks such as Westfields etc?

If I understnad the shock/spring receipt correctly, it looks like it is 5cm higher than standard.

The roof racks sit up a bit higher than the roof rails. I could always take them off if I need to but would not be as convenient....



Appreciate the advice so far guys!!!

 

[JS4910]

Standard height is about 1900, most car parks are 2100, with a couple of added cm's for springs, and racks I doubt you would have any issues at that height.
With suspension and racks you've probably gone up 80mm from standard, so should still have room for most carparks as is.