Looking for my first patrol... mechanics for pre purchase inspection in Sydney?

[Agronaught]

I'm currently sorting out budgets and debating the merits of buying an older car and setting it up for purely offload work verses selling/trading my recent model scooby doo and buying something a little younger, although I do prefer the style of the mid 90's patrols

That does lead to some questions, namely how much does it actually cost to replace an engine should one land a lemon? (4.2L deisel)

Any recommended mechanics for pre purchase inspections in Sydney ?

From what I've read a Patrol that's under 250k and been looked after should be a fairly safe choice, sound right?

Cheers
J

Cheers
J

[threedogs]

10k to replace your engine approx depending , find a 4x4 workshop thats familiar with Nissan Patrols NOT MR NISSAN
These guys work on them day in day out and over the years know what'll break when and what to look for, being down
Mexico way I'd say the yellow pages or google is your friend here, good luck, want pics when you get it

[MQ MAD]

I'm currently sorting out budgets and debating the merits of buying an older car and setting it up for purely offload work verses selling/trading my recent model scooby doo and buying something a little younger, although I do prefer the style of the mid 90's patrols

That does lead to some questions, namely how much does it actually cost to replace an engine should one land a lemon? (4.2L deisel)

Any recommended mechanics for pre purchase inspections in Sydney ?

From what I've read a Patrol that's under 250k and been looked after should be a fairly safe choice, sound right?

Cheers
J

Cheers
J
Finding a GQ patrol with the 250 K on it will cost you plenty to start with
These engines IF looked after will see 700,800 K not an issue

Before you go shelling out top $$$ for prime pickings, what do you really want,how much do you really have to spend,and most importantly whats the main aim for the rig ???
IE , IF you want it for weekend duties and abuse is the order, get something a bit ruffer around the edges and a bit cheaper,if its a trailer sailer buy something cheaper again
There are places in every state that do independant vehicle inspections, they do cost a good few hundred maybe more depending how thorugh you want it done, but any decent diesel GQ thats priced well or an excellent example are snapped up quickly
Arm yourself with all the knowledge you can and have cash money waiting
Any decent 4.2 patrol, wether thats diesel or petrol with the 250 K mark, youll need more than 10 large to buy it,usually alot more
Thats for a clean, road worthy, non butchered ,maintained, low K example

[Agronaught]

I must be impulsive...

I spent the weekend looking at a number of 4WD's, crawled all over a dozen and took several for a drive. In the end I've put a small deposit (pending mechanical inspection) on an unmodified 2003 GU 4.8L Patrol with dual fuel that was in reasonable condition with low-moderate km's for the age of the car. The documentation isn't the best, but it is there - some minor oil leaks that I can see and other minor issues to be looked at by a mechanic. The LPG conversion was put in 5 years ago and switching between the fuels worked nicely.

Providing the inspection raises no red lights, I'm happy. If it does the deposit and the inspection cost will be money well spent. There were some 'potential' warning signs that will need to be checked, hence the inspection.
I did crawl all over the car (and have _some_ mechanical experience) and didn't find anything stop the sale right there and then.

To answer MQ Mad's question:

We (the family) spend a lot of time driving the national parks in the subaru liberty and have taken the car everywhere it can reasonably get, and several it _shouldn't_. Admittedly the scooby shows more stone damage than the patrol I've just put the deposit on. I've been looking for a car that can comfortably fit the family (5), dog, and equipment for overnight and 2-3 day camping trips along with giving the occasional posse of scouts from my daughters scout group a lift to appropriate locations when required. I also want to progress from standard tracks to well and truly off-the-beaten track for outings and will be joining a 4WD club to learn and enjoy the social aspect of this hobby.

Eventually I may purchase an off road trailer, maybe not. For the next 12 months I think I'll just be getting used to the car and getting the family used to some new experiences ;)

Once I have the car I'll send it in to a 4WD repairer for a thorough check and service, some all terrain new tires will be on the go as well as I don't see the desert duellers going too far off the track, some recovery gear...

For now I'll keep the scooby for around town relegating the patrol to 'weekend' status. I can always sell it later ;)

Cheers
J.

[MQ MAD]

I must be impulsive...



To answer MQ Mad's question:

We (the family) spend a lot of time driving the national parks in the subaru liberty and have taken the car everywhere it can reasonably get, and several it _shouldn't_. Admittedly the scooby shows more stone damage than the patrol I've just put the deposit on. I've been looking for a car that can comfortably fit the family (5), dog, and equipment for overnight and 2-3 day camping trips along with giving the occasional posse of scouts from my daughters scout group a lift to appropriate locations when required. I also want to progress from standard tracks to well and truly off-the-beaten track for outings and will be joining a 4WD club to learn and enjoy the social aspect of this hobby.

Cheers
J.
Its good you hopefully have found one
I ask the basic questions as many dont really have an idea what they want or their budget
Your question was a bit broad, but anyway, DO NOT get an inspection threw the car yard IF thats where this car is,or even a mate of the private seller
Take it to an independant inspection place,and get it checked out properly

[Agronaught]

> Take it to an independant inspection place,and get it checked out properly

Good advice. The inspection has been booked privately and this is a private seller. Some possible warning flags on the car so the inspection is essential:

* oil *very* clean/new... could be an LPG thing.
* Empty oil bottle in an adjacent vehicle, admittedly it was a POS... I don't believe in coincidence though.
* Documentation is far from complete.

It could be a very good car with the price impacted by the above. This has actually taught me a lesson on keeping the receipts etc for anything to do with my cars.

[Irvs]

That happened to me when I was looking for a patrol, one bloke left the oil bottle in the boot, didn't even try to hide it and when i asked him said it didnt burn any oil and when I went to dealers I would go in the arvo so if they had been sitting there for the day I could tell if they were dropping any oil and if so how much.

Helped me avoid the duds until the one I bought came along at a very acceptable price.

[Agronaught]

That happened to me when I was looking for a patrol, one bloke left the oil bottle in the boot, didn't even try to hide it and when i asked him said it didnt burn any oil and when I went to dealers I would go in the arvo so if they had been sitting there for the day I could tell if they were dropping any oil and if so how much.

Well the mechanical inspection is in and no sign of an oil leak, so it _was_ the adjacent car after all ;)

For the age the car is in reasonable condition with no mechanical issues picked up by the mechanic, good compression, no moisture in the exhaust etc. The _only_ issue is the clutch is likely at end-of-life as there is very little play in the clutch pedal. Even including the cost of a clutch replacement I'm reasonably happy with the price, of course I'll try and wrangle a little more off...

Guess I'm picking up the car in the morning ;)

[rochjas]

Congrats on the GU mate.... dont forget to upload some pics...

[Agronaught]

Thanks ;) will have to take some pics in the morning.

Drove home tonight - approx 100km and an easy drive. I did note some front end shudder when breaking at speed (90km+) so I'm guessing the front break rotors may need some attention... now where did I leave that dial indicator :/

J.

[Agronaught]

Picked up the car on Saturday and spent quiet a few hours touring fire trails in the lower blue mountains, nothing tricky _yet_, to be honest nothing that even needed 4WD (just needed the clearance).

The car ran well, no issues, some squeaks indicating a potential lack of lubricant so I need to crawl under it with a grease gun and find all those grease nipples.

Some work to be done, but I'm happy.

* From disks/rotors are worn, a definite vibration when breaking at speed. Will measure/machine/replace as needed.
* Car is close to 200K without having a major service done. I've picked up all the necessary filters and will replace fluids this weekend, should probably do the belts/timing change/pipes as well.
* Drinks fuel like there's no tomorrow, but not as bad as I anticipated. I'm thinking the 80L auxiliary tank upgrade may occur at some point in the future.

I'll start a project thread shortly.

Planned updates:

* Maintenance for now (breaks/service/timing belts etc).
* joining 4WD club to _learn the ropes_ and the social aspect.
* Recovery/Safety gear (recovery points etc)
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