Coke can height to fit under car to clear for transport, 100mm minimum for compliance. Train trip from Melbourne to Perth 52 hours, Adelaide to Perth boring as in the cheap seats. You will end so bored on the train trip you will have to go to the almighty Caboose smoke cabin where you can't see 3 feet in front of you & smoke ziggy's, then by $8 cans of beers all day & sleep on the floor at night.
RAA report Just got the RAA report. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/30892858/SMEBRANCHMF14021116160.pdf here's the highlights reel: - Lots or roadworthy items/ previous repairs and existing structural damage and possible engine/turbo problem - Horn inoperative - Reverse ligths inoperative - Centre stop light partially operative - Indicators do not self cancel - non standard exhaust VERY noisy - considerable valve rattle from engine - vaccum pipe disconnected from manifold & plugged, below master brake cylinder. - Considerable smoke from exhaust, cosnsitent with burning oil, possible turbo or engine problem, requires further investigation - right centrefloor support/chassis section distorted/damaged - Left centrefloor support/chassis kinked -clamp marks on sill lips consistent with jig work following accident damage gearbox underside oil soaked -front side slip test shows excessive deviation reccomend wheel allighment check - A/C inoperative - compressor belt missing. - hood poorly alligned... (blah blah chops blah blah) overall condition of bodywork reasonable for age other than that it's just things like it being too low, having aftermarket wheels etc. thoughts? to me, nothing seems insurmountable. but i've been wrong before.
These would be the ones I'd be focusing on. How ever, remember that when getting someone like the RAA to do a check, they will always pick up on the smallest things, as they are comparing it to a brand new car. Honestly, it looked great in the pictures. The only way I would be confident buying it after reading that list, is to fly over and inspect it. Do what I did, I flew from Sydney to Hobart, inspected the car, bought it, drove to the transport depot, then flew home. Flights can be had for dirt cheap, I think it cost me $150 for the return trip. I would rather spend the $150 to potentially save buying a ****ed car.
i asked the seller about the problem areas, this is what he said: - considerable valve rattle from engine (aparrently this is normal for a car of this age.) - Considerable smoke from exhaust, cosnsitent with burning oil, possible turbo or engine problem, requires further investigation. It is burning oil aparrently due to excess oil in the turbos due to oil restrictor valve needing adjustment. he's investigated this already, aparrently. - right centrefloor support/chassis section distorted/damaged - Left centrefloor support/chassis kinked aparrently he hit a kerb hard about 8 years ago and had it professionally repaired, and hasn't had any issues with it since.
Ding, Ding, Ding! Can't you hear the alarm bells? Comments [from the advertisement] Only 94,200 kms - If this is true, it has averaged 3,925kM/year for 24 years. $14k full performance engine rebuild only 4,000kms since 320+KW @ wheels - Considerable valve rattle from engine (apparently this is normal for a car of this age.) Considerable smoke from exhaust, consistent with burning oil, possible turbo or engine problem, requires further investigation. It is burning oil apparently due to excess oil in the turbos due to oil restrictor valve needing adjustment. He's investigated this already, apparently. Adjustable oil restrictor valve? If it's that simple, why hasn't it been adjusted? You have done the correct thing in having the vehicle inspected. The idea that the inspector has been over zealous is ridiculous. These guys perform these inspections day in & day out, they know what to look for. The identified damage is the result of serious impact, hard to imagine it was caused by hitting a curb.
Perhaps consider the Twin Turbo Caz is selling in N.S.W. It is advertised in the Z's for sale section on this forum. It is far superior to the Z in S.A. in every respect.
with chassis damage getting it over the bits will be a challenge in WA. move on from this one mate, mega high risk to bring it over.
