DX grunt... in the flesh

[DX grunt]

Thanks Ross. I had wrongly assumed those tie down points were handles to pull up a panel.
With that rear accessed storage compartment - does it have a drawer that pulls out, or just a deep, difficult to access storage space?
I'm not confident in my ability to avoid a lemon at auction, it'd be different if I lived nearer & had a 'knowlegable mate, & could pop along to suss out a few first auctions first, but it would be a full day there & back from my place. This will be the most expensive vehicle purchase I've ever made, & having to view immediately prior to auction & then decide under the pressure of the auction would likely overtax my confidence I reckon. I've also never bought a car from a dealer before, so am not quite sure what to expect from them. Have always bought privately, but I haven't seen many ex telstra patrols being sold privately, & none with the lower mileages.
I noticed there are some subtle differences between same year models. On the 2006 models, some have canopy doors with the rubber on the door, & some have a recessed door with the rubber on the body, in the recess. Some have rear tyre carriers like yours, some a taller tubular affair. I wonder if they are sourced from different states?
regards
Cuppa

Hey Cuppa

From what I've seen, every ex Telstra truck is different, so my advice/opinion is from my truck and what I've seen out there.

The rear accessed storage doesn't have drawers that pull out. Having said that, every truck is different, so you'll have to have a look. Where ever you go, have a look at the service booklet.

Mine was serviced, roughly every 10,000km, so I was happy, and came from up north and was regularly serviced in Broome/Kununurra. Immediately I knew it was hot k's for most of the time and probably driven at 110 (+) most of the time.

If you go to a car yard, find out what warranty comes with it - if any. I sucked myself into getting an extended warranty - don't know why, but I did. Haven't used it yet - thankfully.

If you buy privately, get a REVS check done on it (rego number, engine number and chassis number). Doesn't cost anything over the phone, but if you want written confirmation, I think it's $10.

My undercarriage was sprayed with black paint, so I couldn't see a lot. If you're still not comfortable, get an independent mechanic to check it. I'm pretty sure RAC and SGIO go around to car yards. If I was buying another truck, I'd get a SGIO check done. Ring both companies up and see what they do when they mechanically check vehicles. You'll have to find out if they go to private homes as well.

If you like a truck from a car yard and it's for sale, but not roadworthy, you could tell them to fix it and then you'll reconsider it or you'll ring Transport's Used Car Dealer Squad to examine it on your behalf. From memory, when I used to be a franchisee in car yards, these guys used to go around and examine cars in car yards for roadworthiness.

If a vehicle on the lot was for sale and not roadworthy, they would put a green sticker on it and it would not be able to be offered for sale until the defects were fixed and it went over the pits. It's the people's equivalent of a yellow sticker. I'm not even sure if these guys are still around and examine vehicles.

I got a little bit caught out with my tyres from the car yard. I will give them credit, they were roadworthy, but not to my standards. I got the 90k speed wobble. When I bought all new tyres, the speed wobble went.

As far as expense, I'm the same as you. It's the most expensive vehicle I've bought. You won't be getting a brand new vehicle, and there will probably be cosmetic stuff wrong with it, but mechanically, it should be sound, and roadworthy.

Take somebody with you that's a full bottle on Patrols. They'll be able to help you in lots of ways. I went in blind. I wanted an ex Telstra ute with a pod that I could convert to a camper, whatever it took!!

I'll send you some websites shortly with the options ect..

Ross