opinions on this VR6 please

[Bora Sport]

Ahh somebody finally said it! Well explained mate!

Ditto. I sold my VR6 with 185,000k's on it and the clutch was fine. Our Vento has over 350,000k's on it with the clutch untouched. We purchased it at 96,000 so even if it had a new one then (and I'm pretty sure it hadn't) it has done over 250,000 since then.

[decksla]

hey dude

bought mine for $5500 but the seller was going OS at the end of that week.

sounds the same as your deal, sub 120k, bone stock, leather, etc.

i would check air con and heating, obviously power windows, do a Vic Roads check ($20), check to see if the ABS light lights up, could be disconnected if not, check cruise if it has it (mine does, but doesnt work, but no care), do the whole ' make sure it tracks straight' and deep breaking with little steering input (to see if it pull to one side). check windshield, almost guarantee some chips, and see if theres any missing screws around the wheel arches. i usually test drive with windows down and no music and little talking, and be anal and check that panels line up and that things like door clearances are consistent (i once checked out a freshly painted car only to find all the doors were misaligned and later found out it had been in a big accident the week prior and they painted it to try and cover it up). another thing, before you take it out for a drive, get a friend to reverse it out to see if there are any leaks under where it was parked

short of that, im in mel, and would be happy to come check it out with ya.

cheers
dEx

[bahjah]

keep the info coming guys, this thread is useful to everyone!

my contribution (info i've gathered on the web, sorry if it's repeated):

- uneven wear on tyres?
- graunchy syncromesh in 2nd gear/reverse?
- worn out shock absorbers?
- Is the air con delivering chilled air on start up?
- Any oil/fluid leaks?
- Any oil in coolant?
- Put the steering on full lock and accelerate to check CV's
- Make sure the ABS light turns on when you start the car, then turns off.
- Check to see if engine, chassis plates match.
- LOG BOOKS!!
- Has the heater core been replaced? Almost certainly will need it done.
- Check all electric windows work.
- Check condition of thermostat housing/ crack pipe
- Check for milky water under oil cap.
- Check for any rust.
- Has the timing belt been changed yet?
- New clutch?

[vjr]

hey dude

bought mine for $5500 but the seller was going OS at the end of that week.

sounds the same as your deal, sub 120k, bone stock, leather, etc.

$5500? that's cheap. Leather? Damn this one doesn't unless I missed that detail

short of that, im in mel, and would be happy to come check it out with ya.

cheers
dEx

Hey thanks for the offer. Maybe drop me a pm and let me know where you are, etc.

keep the info coming guys, this thread is useful to everyone!

my contribution (info i've gathered on the web, sorry if it's repeated):

...

Thanks for the suggestions..

[VR6child]

Our Vento has over 350,000k's on it with the clutch untouched.

sheesh that is some high milage. highest mileage mk3 in aus no doubt

[sydVR6]

Do the listening test : )

Get someone else to start the car, preferably after it's been standing for some hours and is cold.

Have a listen for any overt tapping sounds coming from the rockers. Don't worry about a light, regular ticking, that's probably just the injectors. Tappets have more of a clatter to them, that will usually quieten down once the car warms up.

Also, have a listen for any noises coming from the timing chain and tensioner bearings. A worn timing chain sounds a little bit like ball bearings rollling around in a coffee can. At 122km, the timing chain should be fine, but its worth having a listen.

While you're standing there with the bonnet open, crouch down and listen for any regular knocking sounds that might be eminating from the bottom end, indicating big end bearing wear. Again, not a huge likelihood on a cared for car, but worth listening all the same.

When you're driving the car, do a few tight U turns in either direction and listen for any clunks or clicks that may indicate worn CV joints.

Other than that, if you hear anything unusual, let us know : )

[vjr]

thanks will do. checking it out this morning

[vjr]

Back from the second look.. I left a (refundable) deposit on it pending service on Tuesday and possibly an RACV check.

My findings:

Log books are good, also had many receipts
Thermostat housing repair mentioned in a receipt from a few years ago
ABS light not working, but recent receipt says ABS ok, just bulb blown
Brakes will be done this service (Edit: apparently don't need to be done)
Clutch doesnt seem to slip; did the hill test as well as I could
No obvious tappet or timing chain noises from cold (does timing chain ever need changing?); engine smooth
Owner says it doesn't use oil; oil seemed clean
Coolant seems ok (red coloured, doesn't appear to be from rust!)
No obvious rust
Tyres seem evenly worn
Slight lumpiness at idle; no hint of stalling though; normal?
Power windows working (forgot to check rears though)
A/C; forgot to check this time, seemed ok last time
Didn't notice any CV noises on tight turns
Heater works; however... it was quite smelly. Reminded me of that hot, damp smell when I've had a radiator overheat. Quite unpleasant and wouldn't expect this as being 'normal' of a 1996 car. Owner didn't seem to think there was a problem (but he wasn't in the car this time). Also noticed with heater up full blast that the window started fogging... seems to indicate moisture that shouldn't be there, or is this common? This is my only real concern at this stage.

Any and all comments appreciated. Cheers.