5L V8 - Too Many Kms?

[Hillzzy]

Hey Guys,

Been looking at this ute for sale that is a 99 Vs 5ltr with around 250,000kms on the clock...

Do u think the motors on its last legs or up for major service or even a rebuild..?

Im not familiar with the 304's but the ecotecs have served me well so far

[VS 666]

all depends on how often it was serviced, how the ks were done (highway or suburb or city)... also if its a ute... what was usually carried if anything as 250k of constant heavy loads would give it stress..if youve got your heart set on it get one of those checks (in vic its an racv check) and get a compression test...

second hand cars are generally a lottery... I always put aside an extra grand or so for things that could go wrong that arent easy to check

[Hillzzy]

Yeahh i figured... im gonna have to have a talk to the owner yeah an extra grand wud suffice any unexpected issues. Cheers mate

[DLFHUB666]

as said above it is a lottery when buying 2nd hand all you can do is make sure it has a good service histroy an have a good look over it in the DAY light also take it to a mechanic to have a look before u buy if your really keen on it

[VrWagz1]

For a V8, 250k is not that bad, they generally rev less then smaller engines so they last longer. I would expect you would get atleast another 70k of trouble free motoring from it easy, if it has been looked after. I would be more inclined to worry about the condition of the ute and the suspension gear and all that stuff.

[Rusty]

The most important thing is how much is it going to cost as to whether its worth it or not!

[shanhsv]

If its been treated well (regular service and not flogged every day of its life) + driving style of other owners all factor in. If the ute is fairly cheap,you can buy it then get the engine rebuilt for about 2k.
When i bought my berlina it had a factory fitted V8 own by an old dude in Sydney city area (the dealer said it was bought new by Hugh Jackman's step dad,full shit i think but i am the second owner i know that) and the car went from being granny driven to being given a bootful here and there and making sure i made full use of its power,and i had to replace motor soon after due to where and tear. Just my luck tho something else doesnt sound right in the motor

[hako]

250kms is nothing for a V8....you should get at least another 150km before it starts to use oil and get noisy unless it's been abused. If it's has fairly regular oil changes and the oil is not dark, coolant is green and generally the car runs OK then there is not much more you can check without getting a mech to check it. By the way, when I sell a car, which may be twice a year (I have a big family), I generally refuse to let them take the car to a mech...OK for him to visit but it's too much hassle to let it be taken away...plus we are talking about a car under $5K.

[vsv8berlinawag]

I agree with Hako, I'm pretty anal with mine as I change the oil and filter every 5,000 k's and it still ticks over sweet with 230k's on the clock and they are a pretty robust engine. It does have a minor rear and front oil seal leak but it's quite bearable as it only leaves the odd drop on the floor after a week or so.

[crackles23]

Well I bought a VS 5 litre sedan and things have been crapping out on it past 200k, in your case, hopefully alot of stuff has been replaced with new or reco'd gear. My car now has reco diff and reco trans and the flywheel went in it, so now I gotta drop the trans and do that *rolls eyes* was going to sell the car to my sister, she offered 2.5 for it, but knowing my sister she offered 500 and then 50 bucks a week till its paid, but I know what she is like so I backed out and decided to keep it after browsing cars with 4 and 6's in it, once u go v8 u dont go back, hopefully by 2014 ill get myself a new commo from holden.
So im sure many things will go wrong with it mate, but all depends on how much you want a VS, yea it will cost you money, dont drive it too hard and youll prolly be alright for another 50k.

Make sure you check it properly and for gods sake get a racv check man, they are life savers when buyer a car especially one with so many kms, good luck and hope you make the right decision, VS 5ltr all the way, but dont get ripped.