Hi there

[Kagiso II]

Pieter -- as jy PATROL eneter op Gumtree is hy sommer kar nommer 1:

http://www.gumtree.co.za/cp-caravan-rvs ... redAd=true

en hy / hulle beskryf as volg:

OUTSTANDING CONDITION
ONLY 169000 KILOMETRES
WELL DOCUMENTED HISTORY

R65,000 IN EXTRAS:
BULLBAR / BACK BUMPER (with high lift jack points)
FULL OLD MAN EMU SUSPENSION
TINTED ANTI SMASH AND GRAB WINDOWS
HANNIBAL ROOFRACK AND LADDER
DUAL BATTERY SYSTEM
RUNNER BOARDS
SNORKEL
ELECTRONI TYRE PRESSURE SYSTEM
ON BBOARD COMPUTER MANAGMENT SYSTEM
WHARFFDALE CD / DVD SYSTEM
MELLVILLE AND MOON SEAT COVERS
XENOX LIGHTS, ETC..

DOCUMENTED PROOF OF R97,000 SPENT ON UPGRADING
THIS MEAN MACHINE (excluding the extras)

SOLD WITH:
VALID ROADWORTHY
1 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTEE
AND A LOT OF CONFIDENCE

WHY PAY OVER R250,000 FOR A TOYOTA
LAND CRUISER 4.2 TD, IF YOU CAN DRIVE THIS OUT
OF AFRICA MEAN MACHINE FOR ONLY R158,800
(TRADE / FINANCE POSIBLE)

PHONE
0723013696
0283842087

[biggles]

Thanks for the pm Pieter.
I think it has changed hands since then as it is in Gaansbaai. I will sleep on it.

[Stefan]

Don't worry, your Patrol will find you.

[Pieter du Toit]

So it seems it is a deal via a trader.........will explain the non - negotiable terms.

Just sad to see all of this - in fact the less I know the better for me.

Regards all.

[biggles]

So what do you thinK?

My dad went to look at the car and did a detailed inspection for me. All seems well except that there is a bad oil leak from the rear crankshaft seal and the old auto issue with the conversion. Is teh crankshaft seal a big fix? Engine out type deal.

I have not even driven a Patrol before so these comments by my dad were surprising. He said the ride was ruff and uncomfortable (possibly the OME suspension?). And that it seemed sluggish on take off, it seemed to only come alive after 2500rpm... and then was almost out of revs.

I have decided to stop persuing this vehicle. If it is for sale when I get back to SA I will go for a test drive myself. But for now teh search continues.

[Alex Roux]

Biggles,

Pieter would be best to comment on the performance.
It does not sound good though.

As far as the rest goes, if I were you I would ask Tour de Frans to go and have a look.
He was responsible for the conversion and would be able to assess quickly and easily if the issues mentioned are serious, given what he knows about the car.
The crankshaft oil leak might be from the car nog being driven, being static for too long. It is certainly not a good thing, and the solution unlikely to be quick and easy.
I would still consider this vehicle though, given its history.

Having a 4.2 TD in a newer body, with an auto box is rather unique...

[Alex Roux]

The (presumably) turbo issues and oil leak you can fix.
I know the salesman does not accept offers, but given the oil leak. He should be able to go back to the owner with a counter offer form you.

A less informed buyer (without Tour de Frans having inspected the car) will not buy that car for that price, with that oil leak.

I therefore see this as a potential opportunity for you to get a good price, get the issues sorted and you will have a fantastic overlander that is more likely to outlast you than the other way around.

[biggles]

Thanks for that Alex

That is my take on it. Trying to look past that I REALLY like this vehicle and the 4.2Td in a GRX with the lift and accessories is perfect for what I need. The price is premium though. And the last thing I want to do is buy a car and immediately have it in a workshop. So the oil leak and other things has tempered my enthusiasm and I will continue to look. When I am back in SA I will test drive the various offerings and if it is still available (and I suspect it will be) I will have a look at it.