buying 1st 4wd interstate

sorry forgot to add I"m in Melbourne

cheers

Kata,

RACQ is the equivalent of your RACV up here, they do inspections but it would be hard to get it done before xmas I would imagine.
Secondly redbook.com.au gives value of all makes and models online so try there for the price, but it does sound a tad high........but it is low k's which will make it dearer than other similar aged cars.
Hope this helps ohhh ps we don't have to go over the pits every year up here so we do have some cars on the road which will be hard to get registered in other states. Good Luck
Trevor.

IMHO, if your spending that sort of $, $150 in airfares is cheap to go look at it yourself.

I'd never buy something again sight unseen. Your idea of excellent condition maybe 100% opposite to someone elses.
YMMV

If you can only insure it for $10k then thats all you should pay.

Wouldn't bother with an RACQ inspection - they will count the number of cup holders etc. and tell you it's OK. They may be OK for cars but not 4wd.
If the vehicle is a diesel I can recommend Queensland Diesel and Automotive Diagnostics (Matthew Luke 0417 017 933).
I purchased a 2003 4.2 Patrol and had him check my car out before purchase - was around $200 from memory and took him over 4 hours.
For a bit extra he can provide internal photos of each cylinder etc. Did a complete compression test against specs then went through every piece of the motor, then all underneath, then finally fully inspected the interior. Picked up quite a few things that the car yard did agree to fix. That was 18 months ago and have not had a single problem with the car.
Might be worth giving him a ring and see what he can offer
Good luck with it
Peter

oops 4got to add its private sale not caryard.

Kata live in brisbane myself and sold a few cars, however RACQ won't do an inspection at your house or at least thats what they told me. The car will have to be taken into an Racq depo. THe owner could do this for you but you may have to pay for it. Personally I think the price is just a little over the top. If it where a diesel i would say buy it over the phone with 136,000kms there can't be too much wrong. The red book is just a guide though and at times I have found them way out like completly, depends on the quality of the vehicle.

Hi there Kata, way to expensive, heaps in sydney that would be at 3k cheaper and less chance that it has been near salt water, dont forget they only started to do pink slip inspections last year (so I was told) you never needed a pink slip before. Also its coming up to around that point that the V6 start to blow heads common problem, and I hope you got another 4k to get it fixed, thats what it will cost you, ring around you will find out and thats if it doesn't blow the motor totally before you notice it running hot. Personally I would stay away from them, they are a juice guzzler as well. They are a very nice 4by to drive but are big $$$$ if something bleep s itself. Very comfortable smooth etc, Im not bagging toyota as that is what I drive Hilux diesel, but I worked for toyota and know the problems with them, exhaust manifolds warping, get a price on new ones of them you will fall over at the price, expect to get 350/400 klms max out of a full tank of fuel. Dont want to put a damper on yourdreams of owning a 4by but dont want to see you pay too much then outlay more when it goes wrong. Thats what this forum is for to help out with peoples questions, there are a lot of knowledge able people on this forum that have been there done that and know there products. Any way hope you make the write choice. Have a great xmas and great new year. Regards Vitara