What do you guys think of this one (Gumtree ad)

[graham1]

Hi everyone,

Im new around here.
It seems the Patrol bug has bitten hard, and so Im on the hunt for one. preferably the 4.8.

What do you guys think of this one?

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies ... 0394411609

I went to have a look at it on monday, took it for a drive etc.
It seems good, but im not convinced about the suspension thats been fitted - the ride felt a little twitchy/hard, I expected a patrol to have quite a nice smooth ride?

Also, for my application of long overland trips, and no hardcore trails etc, im thinking I dont need a vehicle with a lift at all, and personally would prefer to have it as standard as possible.

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

Cheers,

Graham

[Tinus lotz]

Doesn't look bad .needs decent rubber ...as soon as you load that patrol with overland kit the suspension will be correct. ...i checked the retail and trade prices for john boy the other day ....seems a bit steep ....but will check for you

[IanT]

Hi Graham welcome! It looks in good nick, there are different types of suspension and that may be the harder type for carrying weight (not such a bad idea if you are intending to overland with it!!) it will soften up a bit once you have loaded it with your kit. I am sure if you find it too hard any number of the guys on the forum would be happy to swop their standard suspension with you I would say that the price is a little high considering it has no extras apart from the suspension, if you could get it for say 20-30K cheaper it would be a good deal

[JohnBoyZA]

Love it!

Tinus looked up the book value for my 2007:

@ Tinus lotz - Tue Jun 09, 2015 4:17 pm{ MCHAT_IP } 196.207.39.200 Change users permissions Edit Delete
trade 192k retail 223k

Try 20-30 less as Ian suggested and buy :-)

[graham1]

Thanks guys for the replies!
That makes sense about the suspension being better when loaded.
I just need to decide whether I.ll be happy with it having aftermarket stuff on.

I think I read somewhere that the fuel consumption is affected by lifted suspension, can this be?

I must say, my gut told me its R30k too much for me, lets see if they.ll budge

[Alex Roux]

Hi Graham

Consumption is worse when lifted.
However you stil have the plastics around the car, rather than steel bumpers. So won't be too bad.
A bigger impact will be the weight of the car when loaded for overlanding, how you drive (like a tannie, or like Lewis Hamilton), and the stuff you put on the roof (which is likely if you are overlanding).
So don't let the lift impact your expectations on consumption too much.

I would have a look at the rust, if it had been a Durban based car since 2008. Rust may be an issue if it was standing and not driven for periods of time.
If everything checks out, and given the comments above, I would make an offer of around 30k less.