Looking at buying VT SS, need some help..

[SAMO-87]

As the title says, I am looking at a VT Series 2 SS. Overall the car is in good nick.

However, when I test drove it last night I noticed some minor things that weren't right. If anyone could let me know if they are common, cheap and easy to fix, and maybe even if they are a roadworthy item, that'd be great.

- Leather steering wheel is discoloured and smooth
- Plastic trim on the rear of the passenger seat is loose
- Air con switch light stays on,even when air con is off
- Scraping noise coming from rear (maybe handbrake)
- T/bar shifter is sticking/binding when putting into drive (not the gearbox)


Seems like a lot, but they're all small things.
Cheers,
Sam

[lumina01]

how much? how many k's?
get him 2 just get the air con thing checked and ask for more of a discount due to these other little defects .
plastic trim on seat would be broken need a new 1.
steering wheel easly replaced when you buy a new 1.
grinding noise? or more of a scraping noise while driving slow?
duno about the shifter tell him to replace and lube it and if its fixed you'll pay if not he pays and is stuck with his car...all really depends on what your paying for it? are you buying it priv? get it checked out by some1 that know's more then you about the car.

[batty_123]

hmm car isnt lowered at all is it?

[accentstencil]

If you mean the map pocket is loose then it is probably broken clips, a few bucks each.

[fitz_vt]

depends on how much he wants for it i saw a VT Series II alot like mine in SS with 140,000 on the clock nothing wrong with it went over it with a fine tooth comb, nothing at all wrong drives like an SS, Excelent nick for about $7500

[minux]

The noise from the rear could be diff noise, may need an acid bath or simply an additive change.

[SAMO-87]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I have arranged a full RACV inspection tomorrow before I make any decisions on it.

The owner has agreed to fix most things I have mentioned to him.

It is a private sale, so I want to make sure everything is perfect!

It's an Aug 2000 model. With 130,000kms on the clock. Asking price is $12k, which includes full roadworthy and detail.

Minux- the diff is a bit noisy, I noticed that too. The owner has agreed to get it checked and any neccesary things changed. The scraping I was talking about is more like the handbrake shoe rubbing or something.

Cheers,
Sam

Oh, and no, the car isn't lowered. Has absolutely no mods. One owner, stock stnadard.

[stocky]

12k isnt bad if its in good condition. most go for around 10-12, but yours seems to be fairly low K's for its age, so as long as it all gets checked out and some of the small things can easily be fixed, id say go for it.

[SAMO-87]

Thanks stocky. It seems in really good nick. Here's a picture. Sorry about the quality..

[stocky]

looks good, probably hasnt been modified which can be good. dont let a few little things put you off buying it. mine had heaps of problems, but theyre all fixed now and its a good car

[SAMO-87]

Cheers mate. I won't let a few little things put me off. I'll see how the RACV inspection goes, but hopefully all going well, i'll get it!

[fitz_vt]

yeah hopefully it all goes well, and you'll be driving a VT SS

[policehoon]

If you have any doubts about the car, then I suggest steer clear of it. If he is the only owner of the vehicle since new, and only now he is getting rid of it, then that suggest that he problems with the car are getting too much for him and he wants to push the problems onto someone else.

Some people just can not be bother going thru the hassle of getting the car fixed so they just sell it.

Work out what it will cost you to get the gearbox/transmission overalled, complete brake change out, complete oil change, then take this amount off the price the guy is selling it for.

You get a car at a the price your happy with and the money to get the things fixed.

If he does not want to join the party then I recommend you look else where. Trust me other cars will show up.

I bet you were not waiting around just for his car to come up for sale, before you decided to buy a car.

[SAMO-87]

Thanks for your input policehoon.

No, I didn't wait for this particular car to come up for sale. However, I have been looking for a while, and this is by far the best example of one I have found.

Yes, he is the only owner since new, but why should that be a bad thing.... He is a mature aged guy, that is selling it as he has upgraded to a VE SS..

I have no doubts he would prefer to sell the car with all the little niggles, but he has been nice enough to negotiate these things into the price.

Cheers,
Sam

EDIT: Oh, and if you don't mind me asking, why would I need a compltete overhall of the gearbox and a complete brake change? The brakes are fine, and the gearbox is perfect...

[johnvtls1]

mate if u can get that for 12 your laughing. I also have a slight noise from the rear but that happend after i lowered it. Also ALL of those steering wheels are worn. Every vt i looked at had a worn steering wheel.

[SAMO-87]

Thanks mate. Yer, I thought the wheel would be common. Would it be much to replace, or get re-done?

By the way, love your car!

Cheers,
Sam

[johnvtls1]

u might be able to pick one up off ebay or somthing but id have no idea how to install that. I reckon u could just get it replaced at an auto trimmer, sjouldnt cost you too much.
Cheers mate there a good packed when u start playing around with them. Very easy to get good power from. good luck with the buy

[njnathan]

A little much. PRICES ARE DROPPING LIKE CRAZY, it is a buyers market.

I assume the vehicle is a 5.7ltr Auto. You could get a manual 5ltr 5Spd manual original Clubsport, under 12000. Or a 5.7ltr Clubsport for around $13000 - $16500 Why by SS when you can have HSV, I got one in micky mouse order that is for sale. For 12000 I get you a road worthy, If the car sells as is anyone can have it with the 18inch rims for $10500, look around HSV has dropped, some are selling with roadworthy for $11,500 - $15000.
Early 5.7ltr are gus guzzlin letdowns, breakdown to often and cost heaps to maintain.

If you real keen on the SS, good luck try and screw him down more on the final price, even 1 owner he would not get $12000, I paid $8500 for a 2000 SS, 146k klms, full leather 6 spd manual, sold it again for not much more, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN 12G.

[fitz_vt]

A little much. PRICES ARE DROPPING LIKE CRAZY, it is a buyers market.

I assume the vehicle is a 5.7ltr Auto. You could get a manual 5ltr 5Spd manual original Clubsport, under 12000. Or a 5.7ltr Clubsport for around $13000 - $16500 Why by SS when you can have HSV, I got one in micky mouse order that is for sale. For 12000 I get you a road worthy, If the car sells as is anyone can have it with the 18inch rims for $10500, look around HSV has dropped, some are selling with roadworthy for $11,500 - $15000.
Early 5.7ltr are gus guzzlin letdowns, breakdown to often and cost heaps to maintain.

If you real keen on the SS, good luck try and screw him down more on the final price, even 1 owner he would not get $12000, I paid $8500 for a 2000 SS, 146k klms, full leather 6 spd manual, sold it again for not much more, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN 12G.

12 G for a SS with 130,000 on the clock its a large 5.7 litre V8 engine of course its gonna be expensive.
original price on an SS is what 58,000?
so for it to of only done 130000 in 8 years thats fairly good (although i picked up a vt olympic with 103200 on the clock for 7990.)
maybe you might be able to haggle to 11,000 for it but if your happy to pay 12000 for it then go for it you wont regret it....

[policehoon]

Thanks for your input policehoon.

No, I didn't wait for this particular car to come up for sale. However, I have been looking for a while, and this is by far the best example of one I have found.

Yes, he is the only owner since new, but why should that be a bad thing.... He is a mature aged guy, that is selling it as he has upgraded to a VE SS..

I have no doubts he would prefer to sell the car with all the little niggles, but he has been nice enough to negotiate these things into the price.

Cheers,
Sam

EDIT: Oh, and if you don't mind me asking, why would I need a compltete overhall of the gearbox and a complete brake change? The brakes are fine, and the gearbox is perfect...

For someone who wanted some advice on the car........, but when someone gives advice, you kick the crap out of it....????

You said it had some issues with the car, remember you said, not me, if I had seen the car then I could make a more informed response to your question.

I have no real idea of the condition of the car. I just stated that if it has a problem with a certain area of the car, then think worse case scenario, then if it requires fixing then you have allowed yourself room to get it fixed.

But if that comment still upsets you, then buy the god damn car and stop asking questions or attempts to illicits responses/comments from readers of this site.

[SAMO-87]

I'm sorry you took it that why. I was actually thanking you for yor input, and trying to make a valid response.

I completly understnad what you were saying. Apologies if offended, no harm meant.