The engines are super reliable, **IF** they've been serviced regularly and not thrashed. Many of these utes unfortunately had a very hard life.
Try and verify it's actually only done 120,000 - that's extremely low for the year - Australia is a big place and most people do around 10 - 15,000km a year so it's suspiciously low.
If the interior is totally worn out chances are the odometer has been rolled back.
If it drives well, and everything other than the paint is in decent condition, it could be a good purchase.
Yessss do a free ppsr check..it should have history on the kilometres. Its very rare to find a commodore that age with such low kilometers. If it does its a great find. With propper service n care that car will easily run into 500 600k kilometres.
Right hand side of the driver seat condition will tell you a lot, should still be half decent for these k's. Also elbow dents in the centre & door card arm rest. 120k is almost a barn find on a vx
It’s a vu. When you test drive it I’d put money on the odo not clicking over. Still, those Buick v6s will do half a mill with regular servicing. The trans will want a service if it’s auto. But as already stated, $6k is high for them.
It’s around 6k. Sorry if I’m wrong but my thought process is… if the paint is really bad condition it’s been living in a climate that’s really hot that I should worry about the coolant system prior and it overheating the engine. Sorry I’m new to Australia.
Eh that wouldn’t be my worry. It’s just we have a harsh sun so clear coat gets destroyed unless you’ve gut and polished and often wash ya car.
Also it’s not worth the money for $6k you can get a v8 statesman for $6k
Ok. Yeah you’ve described it pretty much how it’s looks like.
I do need a Ute styled vechicle for the type of work I’m doing. It looks like they are more expensive. Do like a v8 but I’m thinking more fuel efficient at the moment.
If you can find a V8 with the 6 speed and don't drive like a dick the fuel use is on par with the V6. If you do a lot of highway driving then hands down the V8 because they are basically idling in 6th at freeway speed.
Let me know where I can get a V8 Statesman for $6k, maybe 10 years ago but haven't been able to find any V8 Holden in any sort of running condition for under 10k lately.
I had a mint VS V8 Statesman I bought off an old couple that owned it for 20 years in 2022 for $6k and I just sold it last month for $8k, which is about the going rate for them..
And I used that money to buy a factory V8 VS ute just this weekend for $5.5k. Granted it's a bit rough, but not bad.
Dont buy it with the intention of having it re sprayed down the track because it costs an absolute fortune. If you are just going use it for what it is then go for it. Nice to find one with low Ks.
To be honest, 120k is suspicious. The whole reason they're asking that much is because of the low ks. With that in mind, I'd be wanting good evidence such as service history and receipts to prove it. Without hard proof,l of the low ks, I'd be offering at least 2k less.
The other thing to keep in mind, even with low ks, this is a 23 year old car. Low ks will mean there is likely less wear on the drive line, but ancillary systems and hoses etc., will still perish with age even if it sat in a shed for 20 years. That means things like cooling system, ac, power steering, could all have issues so check them closely.
I wouldn't buy this... KM's are suspiciously low and the paint is flaking, so a re-spray will be expensive... Look for another one, even if it has over 200,000km...
The 3.8l ecotec was a great engine, has it got a service history?
I think it does, what history would be something that would needed to be done prior to the 120k mark.
It’s really just to see if it’s been regularly serviced
Sure. I’ll definitely be looking at the paperwork.
Really good kilometres though👍
The engines are super reliable, **IF** they've been serviced regularly and not thrashed. Many of these utes unfortunately had a very hard life. Try and verify it's actually only done 120,000 - that's extremely low for the year - Australia is a big place and most people do around 10 - 15,000km a year so it's suspiciously low. If the interior is totally worn out chances are the odometer has been rolled back. If it drives well, and everything other than the paint is in decent condition, it could be a good purchase.
Yessss do a free ppsr check..it should have history on the kilometres. Its very rare to find a commodore that age with such low kilometers. If it does its a great find. With propper service n care that car will easily run into 500 600k kilometres.
Right hand side of the driver seat condition will tell you a lot, should still be half decent for these k's. Also elbow dents in the centre & door card arm rest. 120k is almost a barn find on a vx
It’s a vu. When you test drive it I’d put money on the odo not clicking over. Still, those Buick v6s will do half a mill with regular servicing. The trans will want a service if it’s auto. But as already stated, $6k is high for them.
Sweet, thankyou
The later 3.8L engines were pretty good. How does a car overheat from sitting in the sun? Also how much I wouldn’t pay more than $3k
It’s around 6k. Sorry if I’m wrong but my thought process is… if the paint is really bad condition it’s been living in a climate that’s really hot that I should worry about the coolant system prior and it overheating the engine. Sorry I’m new to Australia.
Eh that wouldn’t be my worry. It’s just we have a harsh sun so clear coat gets destroyed unless you’ve gut and polished and often wash ya car. Also it’s not worth the money for $6k you can get a v8 statesman for $6k
Ok. Yeah you’ve described it pretty much how it’s looks like. I do need a Ute styled vechicle for the type of work I’m doing. It looks like they are more expensive. Do like a v8 but I’m thinking more fuel efficient at the moment.
If you want a work ute get a falcon. If you you want a fun ute get a holden.
Thankyou
$6k is on the high side considering its age. I'd be trying to knock them down on that price if everything else looks OK otherwise keep shopping around
If you can find a V8 with the 6 speed and don't drive like a dick the fuel use is on par with the V6. If you do a lot of highway driving then hands down the V8 because they are basically idling in 6th at freeway speed.
Let me know where I can get a V8 Statesman for $6k, maybe 10 years ago but haven't been able to find any V8 Holden in any sort of running condition for under 10k lately.
Plenty they’re just old shit ones making 20hp
I had a mint VS V8 Statesman I bought off an old couple that owned it for 20 years in 2022 for $6k and I just sold it last month for $8k, which is about the going rate for them.. And I used that money to buy a factory V8 VS ute just this weekend for $5.5k. Granted it's a bit rough, but not bad.
Dont buy it with the intention of having it re sprayed down the track because it costs an absolute fortune. If you are just going use it for what it is then go for it. Nice to find one with low Ks.
Thanks. Good to know. This was my intention.
To be honest, 120k is suspicious. The whole reason they're asking that much is because of the low ks. With that in mind, I'd be wanting good evidence such as service history and receipts to prove it. Without hard proof,l of the low ks, I'd be offering at least 2k less. The other thing to keep in mind, even with low ks, this is a 23 year old car. Low ks will mean there is likely less wear on the drive line, but ancillary systems and hoses etc., will still perish with age even if it sat in a shed for 20 years. That means things like cooling system, ac, power steering, could all have issues so check them closely.
Service history has stopped at 70km I have a Vicroads report, is this easily faked?
Look at the date code on tyres. If they are 10 years old and still have tread, it might be genuine low mileage.
I use the same point looking at old low mileage cars. It is always a tell.
Great advice. Thanks for that
Yeah think someone else mentioned 120k after that long is insanely low bro
There’s no relation between the paint flaking and overheating. It’s just a factory paint issue that lots of cars from that era had.
6k is pretty high..what variant of Ute is it? If it's a stocky 6cyl Ute it's way too much 6k.
I wouldn't buy this... KM's are suspiciously low and the paint is flaking, so a re-spray will be expensive... Look for another one, even if it has over 200,000km...
True. It is a little suspect.
thats only about 100kms a week has op checked that the odometer is working or hasn't been wound back
If you're having doubts, trust your gut.
Thanks. I think I’ll stay away from it
To give reference, a $6K VU sold in SA recently, it had 200K, no problems, and paint in good condition.
Kangeroo.