Hello, I was trying to buy a coaster as a move from a campervan to a permanent living vehicle, but after hooning all around QLD to look at heaps of them, I gave up as my funds just weren't enough to get what I wanted. I have found a great Mazda t3500 with shower toilet, professional fit out, full air con in cab and living area and all bells and whistles that I was hoping to get and only 200,000ks on the clock. No rust in body, which one of the problems I found with all the coasters I was looking at. It goes into a diesel mechanic this week to check it out pre purchase, RACQ wont do a pre purchase inspection on anything over 2.5 tare. Can anyone give me advice on what weaknesses the mazdas have so I can perhaps get the mechanic to check on that. Any advice would be really welcome, except if you say I should buy a coaster (lol) Thank you, Lynne
george57 said
12:53 PM Sep 28, 2014
Hi Lynne..
I have a Mazda T3500 set up...got about 360k on the clock and I haven't had any problems...engine wise. The only thing I did was change the diff to a lower ratio..as I found that it was revving too high...I think its a good choice...no computers to go wrong etc... Seen a lot of newer motor homes parked up because of computer problems that needed specialist advise. The T3500 is a strong workhorse that shouldn't give you any problems. I service mine every 5000k and will sit on 100km/h all day...in fact I did on my last trip to Darwin....Go for it....
Cheers
George
Linzeelou said
01:20 PM Sep 28, 2014
Thank you so much George, I had a feeling I was on the right track but I am glad you have backed me up. Cheers Lynne
Dougwe said
07:32 PM Sep 28, 2014
How,
In my previous life I had 3 x T3500 buses in a fleet of many buses and other vehicles. Never had a problem with one of them. Easy to drive and reasonably comfortable. Yes the Coasters are great but the T3500's are good. Two of those buses were turned into motor homes when they left the fleet for more than likely greener pastures.
Happy travelling in it Lynne.
Linzeelou said
07:17 AM Sep 29, 2014
Thanks Doug, I feel so much more relaxed about this now with replies from two people with experience with Mazdas. I was freaking out as it is such a big decision and the ones on gumtree have been there for a very long time without selling and I didn't want to make a mistake and be stuck with it forever. I have nearly always had Toyota Hiaces, although I once had a Mazda E2000 campervan and she had 350000 on the clock and the engine and automatic gearbox were still going strong when I sold her. Thanks for your advice, Lynne
Hello, I was trying to buy a coaster as a move from a campervan to a permanent living vehicle, but after hooning all around QLD to look at heaps of them, I gave up as my funds just weren't enough to get what I wanted. I have found a great Mazda t3500 with shower toilet, professional fit out, full air con in cab and living area and all bells and whistles that I was hoping to get and only 200,000ks on the clock. No rust in body, which one of the problems I found with all the coasters I was looking at. It goes into a diesel mechanic this week to check it out pre purchase, RACQ wont do a pre purchase inspection on anything over 2.5 tare. Can anyone give me advice on what weaknesses the mazdas have so I can perhaps get the mechanic to check on that. Any advice would be really welcome, except if you say I should buy a coaster (lol) Thank you, Lynne
Thank you so much George, I had a feeling I was on the right track but I am glad you have backed me up. Cheers Lynne
In my previous life I had 3 x T3500 buses in a fleet of many buses and other vehicles. Never had a problem with one of them. Easy to drive and reasonably comfortable. Yes the Coasters are great but the T3500's are good. Two of those buses were turned into motor homes when they left the fleet for more than likely greener pastures.
Happy travelling in it Lynne.