About to pull the plug, any advice?

[bdegier Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bdegier]

Hi All,

I have never bought a high milage car before and I am going to look at this Prado 120 next week: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bris...lms/1201439803

Now it has done about 250k and it's a Petrol V6. I will use it to travel Australia and maybe lend it out to my brother or parents when they visit.

The seller has changed the price down quite a few times in about a week, from $18,000 to $14,900. Either he really needs it gone or there's something wrong with it?

Any advice?

Thanks!

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

If you are unsure about the car do a check on it online. you can get a report that gives you a history of prior sale prices and Km's of that vehicle. Check redbook, from memory you can get a valuation estimate based of the model of car, kms, etc. If it is a private sale get a report the day before purchase to confirm no finance on the car (it will protect your purchase). If you still wish to proceed then get an inspection and written report on the condition of the car (try the Auto club of you State). Small price to pay.
Don't forget that the 120's suffer from cracking dashes, check it closely as it will effect the price. Lots of info on this site about the things you can check yourself.

Cheers, Eddief

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Check it has had all its engine oil changes as the V6 isnt happy missing changes and sludges up, transmission oil not burnt (ask what they have been towing and how far), check whether the auto is smooth and doesnt slip and then the usual stuff like suspension bushes etc. If you are in Brisbane and want a mechanic to look it over I am happy to recommend Samford Automotive in Arana Hills if that is close. A very good ex Toyota tech.

[Gurilla Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gurilla]

Check to make sure if all service has been done as above oil pick up screen I think it is can block and will cost you a rebuild...

think you you can look in to the oil fill with a torch and see I read ? Or see if any residue under the cap..

check for rear rear door crack/sag and from inner guard cracks especially having a bull bar, and heavier tire on the rear,

looks like a nice car though all set up money spent so maybe they are upgrading or maybe having issues ? Maybe the owner is a prado point member ??

unfortuanlty with cars some times it’s a risk could be a genuine sale or not ? And I’ve had the short straw many times !

[bdegier Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bdegier]

Thanks for the tips. I guess I'll do a pre-buy inspection on it if we come to an agreement. Thanks for the tip on Samford Automotive too, I'll contact them if I decide to do it.

The first owner kitted the whole car out and installed the airbags. Seeing what he done and spent on the car I think I can be quite sure that he looked after the car. It does do 15-22L/100km according to the current (second) owner though, is that normal?

[Gurilla Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gurilla]

Yes normal for a v6 Petrol and having all the extra gear on it won’t help either just cruise and you’ll be fine

[Guest Close Guest]

Likely he is close to the price its worth currently, accessories mean nothing..

V6, Check front right of motor (Drivers side) for the infamous timing cover oil leak.
Check power steering pump for leaks.
Check inside of oil filler cap for sludge (If Any, walk away).
Ask about service history and who did them.
Check service history.
Check back door isnt cracked near bottom hinge, and /or has washers spacing it out.
Check back door shuts easily and doesn't need lifting onto lock.
Check dashboard for cracks.
Check gearshifter operation. (Bumps, sticky, notchy)
Check rear main seal (Oil under bell housing)
Ask if trans ever serviced. (Deduct 4-500 if not).
Ask/check if o2 sensors ever replaced.(4 of them) (Deduct 400 if not).
Check for rocker cover leaks.
Check 4wd Hi/lo operation.
Original rotors or aftermarket?
Check quality of accessory wiring.
Ask if clock spring ever replaced.
What suspension?
How long ago suspension done? (if over 100k ago, its likely to need doing again)

Thats the main issues with a v6 120 prado.

Looking at vehicle however if mechanical seem good, I would say its worth 12-13k with accessories.

[chrisgrind Spammer Find all posts View Profile Close chrisgrind]

I just bought a 2007 petrol with 123,000 kms for $19,000, stock. I paid more than I planned for it, as it was the first under $20k in good condition that I saw, and with that many kms, I'm pretty sure I can look after it and get 400,000kms, which is ~18 years with my current driving habbits...shame it didnt have a lift and bullbar.

Most I looked at under $20k were pretty rough.

I'd guess a few things as to why he's dropping price:

1. lots of mods indicates lots of 4x4 (which means potential damage/thrashing of car....yes I know not all people do that...but its a perception)
2. petrol with 200,000 + kms and people start to think more carefully about re-sale.
3. redbook shows low KM ones in immaculate condition to be worth $17k
4. 2006 is 12 years old. 10 years appears to be a magic number "don't buy anything that is 10 years old...thats when problems occur".
5. mods = worse fuel economy

Prices appear to have dropped a lot in the diesels, so that could lower petrol prices (I know people here will say petrols can go 500,000kms, but the general public "know" that diesels go longer than petrols). When I was looking 2 years ago, there was nothing in good condition for less than $25k, and diesels weren't an option at that price (2006+). Now there is heaps under $25k and a fair number under $20k.


It appears to be a buyers market ATM.

[Addy120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Addy120]

This is the list we made when looking at 120 Prados recently. Wife would look at the interior and exterior, I would check the engine, and under the car. I made this list in Google Keep and brought it with us everywhere so we don't skip things. At the end, when we found the car that we like for a good price, took it to a 4WD specialist for them to check it and do the compression test:

• Different shades of colour of different panels
• Check under rubber seals of doors
• Gaps in panels, alignment and size against other doors
• Check tint
• Check if doors drop when opened
• Check if tyres are sticking out of the wheel arches
• Check for rust in gutters on the roof, under the doors, check drain in the doors
• Rust around window seal
• Check inside the trailer plug
• Check for dents or holes in the roof
• Hit the exhaust especially the cat for rattle
• Check for oil leaks. A bit wet is ok
• Seals on diffs and drive shafts.
• Check for an X in drive shafts
• Try turning drive shaft against diff, movement of the driveshaft up and down and in and out
• Dent on shocks
• Leaks on shocks
• Move steering wheel while looking under the car for movement
• Bubbling and pitting of metal in the chassis
• Uneven wear in tyres in and out and bumpy tire
• Check the size of the spare tire
• Check the state of the seats
• Do the numbers line up on odometer
• Look for water marks in carpet
• Check the condition of the carpet
• Check the floor pan for holes from sound system
• Check under seats for red dirt
• Check for loose wiring
• Check windows for cracks
• Check roof lining for red dust
• Check if there are some really clean areas if the bay is dirty
• Check all fluids inc power steering, brake, radiator
• Check oil if it's milky
• Ask what oil they use
• Check hoses if they're crunchy or too soft
• Check belts
• Has the bug service been done
• Check air filter if dirty or signs of water
• Check if the air filter lid seals
• Excessive build up of dust on radiator
• Are the radiator fins brittle as well as plastic
• Check battery terminals
• Vibrations in the steering wheel and travel
• Swerve to check for wheel bearing noises

Addy

[Maymann Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Maymann]

Hi All,
This is my first post on the site. I only looked after I went to trade my 2007 Grande petrol on a new Kakipoo. I was quite surprised to hear that they didn't want the old one as too old and they don't touch petrols? I bought this new and love it - never let me down and always serviced with only 135k on the clock. So I started looking more and came across this site. Great for info.
So my question is what do you think the old girl is worth. Red book said about $16-$22k as a trade I think. Now I'm unsure if I should try other dealers, buy something cheaper or just hang onto it a bit longer? Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers!