Mechanical inspections - waste of time?

cram72 · 28-03-2011, 08:22 PM

Looking at buying me a used AU2 falcon, just wondering general opinion as to whether bothering to get an RAA inspection prior to buying? Gonna cost me $330.00 all up including a years membership, car is supersweet with books etc and looks and drives great. It's a $10k spend...

Just wondering should I waste the dollars or will it stop me buying a lemon, opinions please!

rag top · 28-03-2011, 08:25 PM

what AU2 model is it?

If you are concerned about the mechanicals, get it checked over by your mechanic, then take it to a panel beater for their opinion. Would cost a lot less than $330. Were you planning on taking up the membership regardless??

cram72 · 28-03-2011, 08:31 PM

AU 2 XR8 leather, premium sound and on gas, new tyres, books, 140KM, sports exhaust, tow pack etc, looks and sounds sweet, very clean car just not sure to buy without an inspection....mmmmmm..

RAPID_BA · 28-03-2011, 08:37 PM

140,000km is getting up there. Maybe should get a checkup

The auto would be a little wobbly at those km

cram72 · 28-03-2011, 08:55 PM

Yeah ya right, no spring chicken, trans last done at 96K KM I reckon. Drives nice, wanna use it as a freeway cruiser.....

dags41v · 28-03-2011, 09:35 PM

I used a guy called "motacheck" in adelaide. Sorry I dont have the number but maybe google or yellow pages. From memory he was only $180ish. Went over the car really well and pointed out quite a few things I would never have thought of to get the dealer to fix.
I thought it was well worth the cash and cheaper than RAA.

blueoval · 28-03-2011, 09:43 PM

Ive used motacheck before. Very comprehensive. Worth it even for peace of mind. Better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.

Mr Hardware · 28-03-2011, 09:44 PM

Get an inspection done by an independant mechanic

kruptor · 28-03-2011, 10:25 PM

I would take it to a mechanic,we only charge $50 at work to do a pre purchase checkover.Which is hoist it and give it a full check over.Honestly i would go and tell them to shove there $330.

prydey · 29-03-2011, 10:08 AM

i wouldn't be worried about the km's too much. it sounds like its been looked after and the windsor will outlast the car no worries. the only worry for me would be the fact that its on lpg. unleaded has hardened valves, but they still don't like lpg. it will also more than likely be a mixer type system (not sure if you can get vapour injection on a windsor) which will be robbing horsepower.

10k is top dollar too. don't be afraid to look interstate. its pretty easy to get a car re registered in s.a. a lot easier than other states. i've done it many times.

aussie muscle · 29-03-2011, 12:04 PM

i had a AU2, it's bullet-proof my brother now owns it. my mother still has hers. goes strong.

SLO247 · 29-03-2011, 12:06 PM

The RAA inspection is very thorough. They even measure the thickness of brake discs and pads for example. A grease spot on the carpet will be recorded too, as will even a scratch on the body.

If you have an idea what you are looking at though, just check it over yourself.

The RAA reccomendations are amusing. If the car has a few stone chips, needs a set of brake pads and is due for an oil change, they will probably tell you not to buy it!

I have seen Vapour Injection on Windsors too.

I'd be mainly worried about what the gas has done to the engine, I had a windsor with rebuilt heads due to gas.

Also, the Auto should be perfect still as long as its been serviced.

I have one on 190K and one on 168K and they are perfect.

Don't listen to the crap people spin about them failing like clockwork at a particular kms, if they are serviced, kept cool and full of clean fluid they will last for ages.

SteveJH · 29-03-2011, 01:14 PM

If you are even wondering if you should get the check done, then you should have it done.

Otherwise you will always wonder, plus you could always get the thing home and something expensive breaks not long after....

**Polyal** · 29-03-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Get an inspection done by an independant mechanic

THIS!!!

Never ever let the seller choose the mechanic, even if its a dealer dont let them.

I was burnt by a well known used car place years ago, CAR CITY, and in retrospect it was the dodgiest inspection ever even though all the paper work looked legit.

It was my first car and I was impatient, lesson learnt, but dont fall for it. All the major signs of wear and tear can be found by yourself if you read up on the common problems with the car.

302 XC · 29-03-2011, 03:34 PM

There are places that do independant checks
As mentioned never ever trust a report from a caryard,
Wether from them or someone threw them
1 4x4 i got inspected the engine had a cooling issue
(suspect head gasket/cracked head)
The yard swore black and blue theyre wasnt an issue
But would drop $500 of the price
(Nice considering the repair was quoted at 4-5K)
That inspection was,from memory a few hundred
Best money saver ever
Some inspections mobs,can do a very thorough inspection
Inspection and paint thickness checks IF ya want
How thorogh do you need it inspected
A full written inspection is a great haggling tool
Kruptor,
$50 for a full mechanical and body inspection
Gee at that price youll go broke real quick
A couple to a few hundred (depending)is about the norm

cram72 · 30-03-2011, 05:20 PM

Thanks guys, inspection booked, been on gas since late 2008 but owner states always starts on petrol and then when warm switches to gas (if that helps?), very clean car and owner has been honest all the way. Let you know what we tutn up Friday for the $180.00 fee.

**SSD-85** · 30-03-2011, 06:23 PM

The only part of this AU id be concerned about is the aftermarket LPG. We fanboys dont exaggerate when we say the AU is indestructible.

But I agree with what is said. Get it inspected, even an AU can only take so much abuse from a negligent owner.

chrisfpv · 30-03-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

THIS!!!

Never ever let the seller choose the mechanic, even if its a dealer dont let them.

I was burnt by a well known used car place years ago, CAR CITY, and in retrospect it was the dodgiest inspection ever even though all the paper work looked legit.

It was my first car and I was impatient, lesson learnt, but dont fall for it. All the major signs of wear and tear can be found by yourself if you read up on the common problems with the car.

Went through a similar situation last year.

I'll never buy another car unless it has some form of log books, has a RWC done by an independant mechanic of my choosing and is looked over by the RACV. Period.

cram72 · 02-04-2011, 01:27 AM

To Dags and Blue oval many thanks for suggesting Mota check.

I got the car checked today and really would love some advice from you all on this.

On the whole car came back sweet, nothing major all just minor fixes. I'm looking at 10850 for a 2001 au2 xr8 with leather and on gas, books to about 100km and sitting on 140km. Numbers come back clear but check today states need trans service and new o ring on speed sensor, leaking. Front disks machining required, front calliper grabbing. Rack has loose boot one side and weeping on other, rear selt belts lazy, one 1 x exhaust rubber required and a couple of minor electrical issues on interior light and 2 switches. Also needs new brake fluid.

Am I paying too much or should I bite the biscuit, buy it, fix it and keep it? Very clean on paint and interior and no worries with gas, running on near new continental tyres , new exhaust from cats back and superb paint.

Love your opinion or if you hve one you wanna sell I'm cashed up and good to go but gotta be au2 or au3.

prydey · 02-04-2011, 08:22 AM

a quick browse of carsales tells me that price is pretty fair. (is it the narooma blue one at morphett vale?)

i'd grab it for that price. the things the inspection picked up are the sort of things they always pick up. sometimes they write things just to err on the side of caution. things like replace brake fluid etc. they need to cover their own backside as well. have you driven it yourself? did the brakes shudder at all? to me, most of the issues aren't urgent and something that can be fixed as funds allow.

so thats a yes from me. great price, good condition, lowish km's, new quality tyres etc. go grab it son!!

cram72 · 02-04-2011, 02:19 PM

Purchased..Thanks all for your advice..

dags41v · 02-04-2011, 03:52 PM

post some pics when you get a chance

93EB_SXR6 · 02-04-2011, 11:26 PM

Trust me, the AU is indestructible. One of my dad's mates has one, he's an old country boy...
He drives it hard all the time, does circle work, slams it into drive when he's still moving backwards in reverse, etc.
Its covered in dents and looks like a P.O.S. but it still goes smooth as LOL.