Dear all,
i found two interesting models now / both have pro and cons. Any advice welcome! Both of them are 3.5 petrol V6.
1995 / 228000km / full service history!
http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Car ... Z225467656#
1997 / 190000km / serviced privatly / new tyres
http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars ... 5187052053
I definitly want to decide between those two (looking quite a while now). The one i choose still has to get checked at decra.
Now what i think is: The 1997 is a bit more expensive (would get it for 65000) but is more recent and has new tyres. Due to the seller it was serviced, Cambelt was changed. Looks really good. Doors are a bit worn out. It is a bit rusty underneath / but does not look seriously.
The 1995 is older and has more KM. But the service was done buy professionals / and the difference in price gives me more space to invest later / in case something happens with the car.
Any Advice welcome!
regards
Christian
Affiliate Member
Those miles on the odo are very close together.
Cambelt services on the 3.5 are costly - pretty close to 4 new tyres
Both will give you good service - don't skimp on the cambelt as a snapped cambelt is very expensive on the 3.5 V6.
Dealer service is not the end all in my experience. Privately looked after these days is sometimes a better thing.
Dad told me to look at the vehicle as a whole, if the interior has been looked after then chances are the engine has been looked after.
If it was me, I would go for the one that had the cambelt done already and check if the waterpump and tensioners were done as well. If not I'd go for the other one and have the cambelt service properly done, while negotiating a discount because of that.
Cambelt services on the 3.5 are costly - pretty close to 4 new tyres
Both will give you good service - don't skimp on the cambelt as a snapped cambelt is very expensive on the 3.5 V6.
Dealer service is not the end all in my experience. Privately looked after these days is sometimes a better thing.
Dad told me to look at the vehicle as a whole, if the interior has been looked after then chances are the engine has been looked after.
If it was me, I would go for the one that had the cambelt done already and check if the waterpump and tensioners were done as well. If not I'd go for the other one and have the cambelt service properly done, while negotiating a discount because of that.
HI
If you look in cars for sale section i want to sell my 97 3.5 for 75000. It was recently serviced. I have a new timing belt pulleys and everything replaced aswell. I have BF Goodrich Mud terrain tyres on new spare and my 4 has alot of km's left on them. I have a stainless steel exhaust on. i have seat covers on the back sets.
let me know if you are interested, i will mail you pictures.
Edwin
If you look in cars for sale section i want to sell my 97 3.5 for 75000. It was recently serviced. I have a new timing belt pulleys and everything replaced aswell. I have BF Goodrich Mud terrain tyres on new spare and my 4 has alot of km's left on them. I have a stainless steel exhaust on. i have seat covers on the back sets.
let me know if you are interested, i will mail you pictures.
Edwin
A few pointers:
* "serviced privately" + low milage = lie (or at least perfect opportunity for a lie)!
* Gen 2's weakest rust point is above windscreen near pillar. Easiest check is to remove the sunvisors (2 phillips screws) and to check the inside of the shell there (use a torch). It is a DEAD giveaway.
* In '97 they added cruise control, and a split rear seat. Some still have the single (wide) seat. Check for the cruise control. It is quite a nice extra.
* Check the oil on the dipstick.
* Check for leaks from the radiator.
* White is good for reselling.
The 3.5 is a great engine. Do try to hear it on FIRST cold start to see how quickly the lifter noise stops. If it takes long (more than a few seconds) it may be a warning that they will need replacing in the next 20-odd thousand km.
Don't be too hurried. You could get a good '97 for 60k. Rather pay a bit more for surity such as a (real) service record and NO RUST. You can always redo the tops, but rust is a killer...
Happy hunting!
Anton
* "serviced privately" + low milage = lie (or at least perfect opportunity for a lie)!
* Gen 2's weakest rust point is above windscreen near pillar. Easiest check is to remove the sunvisors (2 phillips screws) and to check the inside of the shell there (use a torch). It is a DEAD giveaway.
* In '97 they added cruise control, and a split rear seat. Some still have the single (wide) seat. Check for the cruise control. It is quite a nice extra.
* Check the oil on the dipstick.
* Check for leaks from the radiator.
* White is good for reselling.
The 3.5 is a great engine. Do try to hear it on FIRST cold start to see how quickly the lifter noise stops. If it takes long (more than a few seconds) it may be a warning that they will need replacing in the next 20-odd thousand km.
Don't be too hurried. You could get a good '97 for 60k. Rather pay a bit more for surity such as a (real) service record and NO RUST. You can always redo the tops, but rust is a killer...
Happy hunting!
Anton
Site Admin
Sadly, mine suffers this...tonton wrote: * Gen 2's weakest rust point is above windscreen near pillar. Easiest check is to remove the sunvisors (2 phillips screws) and to check the inside of the shell there (use a torch). It is a DEAD giveaway
Simon Bloomer
Affiliate Member
Have a good look at the engine, engine # should start with 6g74. The 95 one could be a 3l 6g72 and not the 6g74 3.5l as 95 was the year that mitsu changed from 3l to 3.5l. Looking at the car as a whole is a good policy but keep in mind that mechanical problems can be remedied much easier than bodywork. Dirty or dusty undersides are no issue but rust rings alarm bells (unless you live in cape town 
)
)Henk Bannink
Some people are wise, some people are otherwise
Some people are wise, some people are otherwise
Thanks a lot for the advice. Just decided against both 
.
Your hints have been very helpful because indeed> The 1997 has only 190000 on the clock / but the car felt older. And there is rust. So no option.
The 1995 has a unsteady engine sound while idling. No option.
Well / i have two new options / one in nelspruit / and the one offered by Edwin.
Thanks a lot for your advice!
regards
Christian
. Your hints have been very helpful because indeed> The 1997 has only 190000 on the clock / but the car felt older. And there is rust. So no option.
The 1995 has a unsteady engine sound while idling. No option.
Well / i have two new options / one in nelspruit / and the one offered by Edwin.
Thanks a lot for your advice!
regards
Christian
Chris, Edwin's GDI Paj looks to be a beautiful machine, but I would be remiss if I did not make you aware of the fact that this is a Namibian registered vehicle that was not exported there from South Africa, so i think it would be just about impossible to import it to SA and register it here. Sad. 
Gerrit Loubser 
2003 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 VX TD
2003 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DiD LWB A/T Gone & missed
1999 Nissan Patrol 4.5E GRX M/T: Gone & missed
1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 VX 4.5 EFI A/T: SOLD
2003 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 VX TD
2003 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DiD LWB A/T Gone & missed
1999 Nissan Patrol 4.5E GRX M/T: Gone & missed
1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 VX 4.5 EFI A/T: SOLD
SimonB wrote:Sadly, mine suffers this...tonton wrote: * Gen 2's weakest rust point is above windscreen near pillar. Easiest check is to remove the sunvisors (2 phillips screws) and to check the inside of the shell there (use a torch). It is a DEAD giveaway
It is like some cancers - if detected early and surgically removed, you could prevent it from spreading, and still have many years of quality of life left.To my mind the only fix includes cutting and welding and treatment of welded areas...
Anton
Do not be in a hurry. Check Autotrader website frequently. They often have a good variety of vehicles.