Patrol RACV Pre purchase report - would you buy?

[Cuppa]

Looking at an ex telstra 2006 Patrol cab chassis with canopy. 4.2 turbo intercooled diesel.
154,000kms $33,000 from dealer.

The dealer has just had an RACV pre-purchase check done & sent me a copy. (attached)

The RACV uses a 'traffic light' system which roughly summarised is:
Green= OK to buy.
Amber - caution repairs needed, but ok to buy if repairs carried out
Red - steer clear, don't touch it with a barge pole.

The report is only a summary & seems to have very little in it, I assume if something isn't mentioned it isn't a problem.

Would you buy this vehicle? I gotta admit the mention of gearbox noises has me pretty nervous. The dealer would fix the electrics for RWC, but I'd doubt they would be willing to rebuild the gearbox. This is a vehicle we would want to keep long term, & one that we need to feel confident about taking into remote areas.

What would a gearbox rebuild to replace bearings cost?
Is it normal for one of these gearboxes to have a bit of noise at 150,000kms?

I need to call the dealer tomorrow, so any replies before then will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks folks,
Cuppa

[Woof]

Cuppa I don't know much about this sort of stuff, but reading the report $33k seems way over priced to me.

[Finly Owner]

wheres YNOT

[MudRunnerTD]

Yeah looks alright to me too. What state was it registered in? IF in doubt call the RACV and ask them about a pre-purchase "Mechanical Inspection" i thought they did compression checks and safety checks as part of an extended inspection.

Alternatively call you local Off-Road specialist mechanic tomorrow and ask how much for them to have a good look over it.

Oh Yeah....and Fark the dealer mate, you dont have to call him till your good and ready, if he wants to sell you the car and he wants his price then he will wait for you. He will tell you that all these other people are interested and all that but if you have to bring your query here then it aint set in stone and not negotiable any way. Take your time. get the right checks done to put your mind at ease.

The RACV certainly trade on doing a good service but that report does seem a little simple but it does serve a purpose. (the sellers purpose) The best advice that you can get will cost you money mate. Take it to a local off-road that knows Nissan and get them to drive it. If the dealer does not want to give you that much access to the car then you dont want buy it off him anyways mate.

my 2c

[Cuppa]

I think I'm getting some good advice so far.
Can anyone recommend a 4wd place who would be good for a '2nd opinion'? The vehicle is in Moorabbin. We live 3 hours away in Gippsland so have no idea what's around up there.

Other than the clutch thrust bearing rattle that Plasnart refers to, how 'prone' to bearing noise are these boxes? I would appreciate more comment from other owners on this.

Dogman, I think the price is in the ballpark. Stock utes with similar age & mileage are only about $3k to $5k less. The Telstra stuff is worth $15k+ to fit, & is all stuff that I want. Seems being the last of the 4.2's is keeping the prices up?

Any other thoughts folks

Thanks
Cuppa

[Clunk]

for 33K, I definitley get the car checked over by an independant who knows what they're looking at and I'd be getting the dealer to get any problems and noises fixed............ if they're not willing, then just walk away...... as MudRunner said f*** the dealer mate, there'll always be another ute turn up.

[MudRunnerTD]

I'd be thinking ARB Dandenong mate, i think they trade as ARB Southern?

http://www.fixedpricecarservice.com..../arb-southern/

give them a call mate they will set you straight i reckon, they may even know the dealer and they will certainly know the Nissan.

[Sir Roofy]

Can understand why you want this ute,but id want more advice on the box,its telstra everybody wants em cause of there set up get the box double checked

[Bigrig]

Yep - for $33k I'd be wanting it checked and repaired - the yard will have plenty of margin on it, so tell them you won't haggle on the price at all, so long as any mechanical issues are inspected and repaired with certs. If they aren't interested in that idea, then more than likely they already know the problems it has and how much they are to repair!

[MQ MAD]

Dont ever ever believe a report from a yard is good
Always get an independant inspection done
Not from a recommendation from the said yard either
Theres a mob in QLD called state roads (yeah thats their name)
They do full vehicle inspections from mechanical to body and paint (even paint thickness)
Inspections cost a few hundred from memory , depending on how thorough you want
Only the person paying for the report sees it,even if its a car yard car inspected
Yep if the yard wants to see the report they have to pay for the inspection
Im sure this mob originated from VIC or NSW
Do a quick google

Ive used them a few times now and saved me many $$$
Gives you bargaining power when you know exactly what your buying