2006 3.0 R-B inspection

[mattmcc22]

Hi, so I put a deposit on a silver 2006 spec b manual sedan for $11,000 with 129,000 kms subject to a racq inspection.
After receiving the inspection report the I called the racq guy and here are the main problems.

- Left front Suspension: Knocking noise from suspension
- Both front Lower Control Arm: Lower control arm inner rear bush split/worn
- Gear Lever Gearbox: Excessive play in gear lever bushes
- Front Inner CV Boot: Left Boot leaking grease Right Boot torn
- Engine oil leak: Lower engine area, Lower right side engine area,Advise clean, locate and rectify source

Other Item noted: Clutch Clutch engages at end of travel - indicates limited service life,Clutch shuddering

After calling back the racq worker who did the inspection he stated the major/costly things would be the clutch and possibly the engine oil leak.

So i've called back the guy (he is 41) I'm buying it from, and his brother is a mechanic, and we came to the agreement that he will get the oil leak fixed and the clutch replaced, everything will be done properly with receipts from the mechanic etc. and after he talks to his brother (tonight) he will let me know what sort of clutch they are putting in (if I don't like it I will put in some money to get a reasonable quality clutch). But he said depending on the price of it all he might ask for $11,500 for the car, which I think is reasonable.
What are other peoples opinions on this. Are any of the other problems going to be very costly, is it worth going through with the deal. It isn't to late for me to pull out of the deal because my deposit was dependent on the racq inspection.
I look forward to everyones feedback!

[alexeiwoody]

The drive shafts sound like they're on the way out. Torn boots are trouble. A mechanic would charge near $500 per shaft replaced.

The clutch and bushings are fair enough.

The oil leak could be something minor like a gasket or it may require rebuilding the engine. That's why your advisor ranked it as potentially very costly. I'd be very weary of what reason they give you for the oil leak. And I'd check that it is indeed fixed by driving around hard and checking under the block.

Imo with the issues the car is displaying - it's not quite worth the price. Could potentially be a lemon.

[mattmcc22]

Thanks for the reply, I am starting to think that may be the case as well.
May I ask for your opinion on what the car would be worth with that many kilometers, without those issues?
And if possible what do you reckon it would be worth with all these problems?

[mattmcc22]

So after further forum reading/research it seems it is quite common for the cv boots to give way after 100,00 km. Is there any way I can tell if it is just a simple job of replacing the cv boots for $20 each, or if indeed the drive shafts are on their way out?

[alexeiwoody]

So after further forum reading/research it seems it is quite common for the cv boots to give way after 100,00 km. Is there any way I can tell if it is just a simple job of replacing the cv boots for $20 each, or if indeed the drive shafts are on their way out?

You'll have to figure out the cost of the car for yourself. To me it's not so much about the price, but that the car just doesn't sound well looked after.

As for the cv boots, you can replace the boots and hope the shafts last. Can potentially take them out and inspect them but you'd have to be a very talented negotiator.

[ciaran]

It's his brother that's doing the work as well..... I'd keep that in mind, receipt or no receipt he's still most likely going to do the bare minimum. He's got no reason to spend a lot of hours on the car if he know's it's being sold.
There's a lot of good 3.0r's out there, I waited months before I found one I was happy with.

Good on you for being smart and getting the mech check though!

Good luck!

[mattmcc22]

So I did end up getting the liberty. After discussing with my mechanic and the guy selling it we decided my mechanic would fix it all and the guy selling it would pay and I would buy it for 10500 I believe it had been well looked after as my mechanic thought it was in good nick, plus the guy had spent 3k 2 years ago on a paint protected and leather protected. The oil leak was just a leak with the oil filter, the rest the mechanic replaced/fixed. Still very glad I got the mech check as I saved around $1700
Thanks for all the advice, but I do believe I made the right decision!
And I have to admit I am loving the car!