Serious Question...

[ned]

As some of you may know, I sold the EB almost two months ago now and the new owner drove it to Queensland, which is kinda good coz I didn't wanna see it getting driven around here lol. Now as I'm looking for a new car, I have come across some little information on a potential purchase... I have been told that it's either 96 or 97 model so that means EF or EL, but I have no idea what model in particular it might be.

All I know is its a "goldy" colour, person wants $5000 for it and it has 28,000kms on the clock from factory (that isn't a mistake either). Now what my dilemma is, is that I was searching for a EL Fairmont or Ghia, and wouldn't really settle for anything else, but at the price and amount of kms, do you guys think it's worth purchasing if it's a lower spec model?

Apologies if it's a pointless thread, just trying to think out allowed and weigh up all my options.

[Commando]

Low kms can mean headgasket issues coming up soon as well It suggests that whenever the car was driven, it was for short trips where the engine would warm up & cool down quickly.

[Malakai]

I would be wary about the k's to tell you the truth. Look for signs that the k's don't match the rest of the cars condition. Example... the drivers seat, how worn is it? Also the steering wheel, how worn is it? Things like that should be consistent with the amount of k's on the car. If the seat is worn on the outer edges and the steering wheel has no texture left then it's probably got a lot more actual k's than the odometer says.

K's aren't everything. I would take a car that is what I wanted with average k's on it that had been looked after over a car that had low k's that I wasn't that keen on.

[BI6TIM]

Good call 89AIT.

[spope]

I think if you have your heart set on a Fairmont or a Ghia, then a GLi simply won't do. You'll regret the fact that you didn't wait until the right car came up.
I would hold out if I was you.
I would be wary of a 10 year old car that has only done 28,000 - that itself could lead to other problems, things like rust, oil blockages, water blockages, etc, because the car has spent so much time not doing anything.

[LUXO_8]

i know there was a massive run on brand new (0km) clusters a year or 2 back on ebay........ definantly check to make sure the kms match the condition. if the car indeed has such few kms, as mentioned, it could be more trouble than its worth

[[D1SCNT]]

I think buy my ED;)

[markTD]

I think buy my ED;)

LOL
It sounds like a early EL. As said previously with the kms vs worn seat. I would be checking it out thoroughly first and be taking it for a good test drive. Also as said by Wayne people tend to change cluster is they are to high for selling purposes and as Dan said when a motor is replaced they tend to replace them or wind them back. Also check the exhaust to see if the muffler and tail pipe are rusted out as that can be a sign of short trips. I also know that a lot of people that do do short trips tend to change the exhaust to Stainless so it wont rust out again.

[XRated]

Wouldn't bother mate. Get what you want as long as it's been looked after. It's not going to add resale or anything. If you want a new car, buy a new car.

[ned]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I'll definitely have to get some more info and pics on it. I'll post em up on here when I found out that's for sure!

[markTD]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I'll definitely have to get some more info and pics on it. I'll post em up on here when I found out that's for sure!

Sounds good mate. Where abouts is it located? If its in you area you should just go and check it out yourself rather than going by photos but I would be checking for wear against kms and under the bonnet and underneath for previous leaks too.

By the way Ned its not a pointless thread as people sometimes need a second opinion to help decide. All the best mate

[stockiEF]

well if its a futura or something you can simply buy the leather seats & door trims ($500ish) and add the trip computer ($50).. then if ya still a bit picky ya can strip/replace the badges etc.. it depends how much you want it to be original fairmont/ghia.. IMO i would try and get the car for $4500 and spend $1000 on upgrading to ghia.. but who knows- i am a doosh!

[ned]

Found out it's an EL Sapphire, has log books to back up 28,000km cluster and is in pristine condition.

Just waiting to hear back from the guy now...

[pHaT`eL]

Ill have an EL Fairmont interior up for grabs soon..

[someLS1]

my mates neighbours used to have an EL sapphire with 30,000kms about 3 years ago now was like new basically i took it for a drive once it drove 100 times better then my mont or my ghia.. everything was tight and felt awesome to drive.. depends what u wanna do with it really... cause for example u buy a 2nd hand lsd dump it and do other mods itll feel as rough as any other eseries with mods...