New v second hand

[Tonz]

the time is coming to buy a Caddy.I want to get it remapped, change the wheels and tyres, lower suspension and change seating in it, for starters.

If I got a very late model S/H Id loose a lot in depreciation plus having parts lying around. But, if I got a model with high milage (over 180k) I wouldnt loose so much in value but Id have to get other things done or mack sure they had been done, ie air con overhaul, etc etc

What other parts would most likely need attention and is my thinking good or bad.
Discuss please Iam looking for advice.

[Lams]

we've got a few VWs in the family and over the years the most common problem has been the aircon (compressor falls apart and sends rubbish throughout the system)

also check suspension arm bushes
clutch slip
timing belt replacement

The caddy turbos like to fail if the wrong oil is used. The gearboxes are pretty good on the 1.9TDI but not so strong on the 1.6

apart from that, the engine's well proven and can go on for miles and miles!

[swingn]

Since a new model has been released, I'd be on the look out for run out stock of the previous generation... Or trying to find a good low mileage example.

Sure, it can be hard at times to find a good low mileage van (Especially if it TDI), but they are about the place - Mine will be on the market soon

[wai]

I have just been through this and really, it is difficult to get an appropriate deal on a low km vehicle.

I looked at two low km Caddy's which were advertised as "ex-demo" units. They were being sold for just short of the price of a new vehicle.

I went to a third dealer and he asked me what I did for a living. When I told him I was a Professional Engineer, he told me that there was an arrangement with the Institution of Engineers Australia for members to get 10% off the base price of the vehicle and 50% off the dealer delivery charge. This came to just over $5,500. So, something sold as low km or near new needs to have a substantial discount to be comparable. On top of that, with a new vehicle you get a new car, plus the manufacturers warranty, and then for a surprise, where I ordered mine from, you get an additional 3 year warranty with free services as long as they do the servicing. Then there is stamp duty.

So, you need to make sure the deal is right. Something that seems good might not be quite what it appears.

[Transporter]

Yep, Australian secondhand car market is unique.

[Preen59]

Get a new one or one with a few Kms that's cheap. The 1.9TDI in mine hasn't missed a beat since I bought it. I suspect that the turbo issues are caused by people that baby them and fill them up with soot.

If it has a documented service history and is in good nick body/interior wise, I'd buy a 2nd hand one at the drop of a hat! When I was buying mine I only bought new because I couldn't get a second hand one.


What do you want out of it?




Hit me up when you're ready to put some KWs in it.