we are thinking of buying one and would like some advice, its a 10speed manual
Aus-Kiwi said
07:31 PM Feb 22, 2019
Be a little under powered ? Reliable . A lot depends on servicing past . I assume it has a splitter gear box ? The Mazda we had as work trucks were 5 speed .
Jaahn said
09:20 PM Feb 22, 2019
Hi sassycat
What do you want to know. They're old, slow and probably rusty. Reliable in their day but that was 30 years ago. The downfall of all old Japanese busses is RUST. If they have been used normally, they have been to lots of beaches and that is the kiss of death. So look very carefully or you will spend all your time or money there.
The other thing is how many ks has it really done ?? If not many then you have a chance, if it unknown then be careful. Old diesels can be expensive to fix if the old radiator hoses blow off or are rotted out and you cook it. Sorry to be so brutal but if you do not know what to look for, look elsewhere. It has a 5 speed gearbox with high/low splitter. They are OK. Actually I think the Mazdas were the best to drive of the three common brands.
Ask yourself this question ! Would you buy a 1990 Falcon or Holden to get around in now ?
My opinion Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Friday 22nd of February 2019 09:23:59 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
09:33 PM Feb 22, 2019
Pfft I still drive my 92 Falcon .
Keith P said
03:22 PM Feb 23, 2019
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Pfft I still drive my 92 Falcon .
We had our 1984 Peugeot up until about 6 months ago...712,840 kms...been everywhere and then some...so well looked after vehicles are out there....so dont listen to the nay sayers....just go look...and the right one will turn up....
Cheers Keith
sassycat said
04:29 PM Feb 23, 2019
Thank you for your thoughts it is beautiful inside engine little noisy inside but going back to check that will let you know what happens
pipes said
08:31 AM Feb 24, 2019
My T3500 is 30 years old. The ten speed is marvelous. Have done four hundred thousand, plus. It's a great machine. 4 speed non turbo. Of course it can have rust. Everything can rust.
Kebbin said
08:53 AM Feb 24, 2019
If it has or hasn't been looked after at 30years old it will need to be gone over with a magnifying glass, from brake & clutch lines, cylinders, linings anything rubber, hoses seals will need to be changed/refurbished.
As well as things like bearings, steering, water pump, alternator, radiator never mind the engine itself will need a close look, compression test radiator engine flush etc.
Nay Sayers or Once Bitten Twice Shy?
Eaglemax said
12:04 PM Feb 24, 2019
pipes wrote:
My T3500 is 30 years old. The ten speed is marvelous. Have done four hundred thousand, plus. It's a great machine. 4 speed non turbo. Of course it can have rust. Everything can rust.
I've got plastic wardrobes in my van...they wont rust...my car is fibreglass and aluminium...same lol
-- Edited by Eaglemax on Sunday 24th of February 2019 12:11:03 PM
Jaahn said
08:27 PM Feb 24, 2019
Kebbin wrote:
If it has or hasn't been looked after at 30years old it will need to be gone over with a magnifying glass, from brake & clutch lines, cylinders, linings anything rubber, hoses seals will need to be changed/refurbished. As well as things like bearings, steering, water pump, alternator, radiator never mind the engine itself will need a close look, compression test radiator engine flush etc. Nay Sayers or Once Bitten Twice Shy?
H
Like Kebbin says, any old vehicle needs to be checked over really carefully. But even then you must allow for things that normally need checking and fixing like his lists. Sure there are good old campers out there, but be assured there are more bad ones. I have, over the years, looked at quite a few for ourselves and others and have a good idea of what trouble you can get into if you do not know what to look for. Even a mechanic like myself can make a mistake by not watching for an "old bus problem" to creep in unnoticed and cook his engine.
What with the rust and the rebuild cost(which I could do myself) it went for spare parts to another hopeful owner of a similar one. As Kebbin said "Nay Sayer or Once Bitten Twice Shy" I just offer my experience for free. Good luck if you can get pipes bus, but remember what he said is history not future performance !
Good luck to you and I hope you get what you wish for
Jaahn
2-Smiths said
08:30 AM Feb 25, 2019
Keith P wrote:
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Pfft I still drive my 92 Falcon .
We had our 1984 Peugeot up until about 6 months ago...712,840 kms...been everywhere and then some...so well looked after vehicles are out there....so dont listen to the nay sayers....just go look...and the right one will turn up....
Cheers Keith
We're still driving around in a '99 Corolla. Will probably still be driving it in 10 years. Bullet-proof 7a-fe engine/5-speed manual. Parts are cheap (and plentiful), and it's pretty good on fuel as a runaround car.
If you get a well made car and look after it, there is no reason why it won't give good service for years.
The problem lies with the (many) people who treat cars as throw away items, driving them into the ground and replacing (usually on credit) with new cars every 5 years...When buying second hand, it's the vehicles belonging to these people which are best avoided.
sassycat said
02:50 PM Feb 27, 2019
A big thank you everyone, have decided against it though beautiful and very clean inside, noticed quite bit of rust and hubby says needs new engine so will keep looking
we are thinking of buying one and would like some advice, its a 10speed manual
Hi sassycat
What do you want to know. They're old, slow and probably rusty. Reliable in their day but that was 30 years ago. The downfall of all old Japanese busses is RUST. If they have been used normally, they have been to lots of beaches and that is the kiss of death. So look very carefully or you will spend all your time or money there.
The other thing is how many ks has it really done ?? If not many then you have a chance, if it unknown then be careful. Old diesels can be expensive to fix if the old radiator hoses blow off or are rotted out and you cook it. Sorry to be so brutal but if you do not know what to look for, look elsewhere.
It has a 5 speed gearbox with high/low splitter. They are OK. Actually I think the Mazdas were the best to drive of the three common brands.
Ask yourself this question ! Would you buy a 1990 Falcon or Holden to get around in now ?
My opinion Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Friday 22nd of February 2019 09:23:59 PM
We had our 1984 Peugeot up until about 6 months ago...712,840 kms...been everywhere and then some...so well looked after vehicles are out there....so dont listen to the nay sayers....just go look...and the right one will turn up....
Cheers Keith
Thank you for your thoughts it is beautiful inside engine little noisy inside but going back to check that will let you know what happens
As well as things like bearings, steering, water pump, alternator, radiator never mind the engine itself will need a close look, compression test radiator engine flush etc.
Nay Sayers or Once Bitten Twice Shy?
I've got plastic wardrobes in my van...they wont rust...my car is fibreglass and aluminium...same lol
-- Edited by Eaglemax on Sunday 24th of February 2019 12:11:03 PM
H
Like Kebbin says, any old vehicle needs to be checked over really carefully. But even then you must allow for things that normally need checking and fixing like his lists. Sure there are good old campers out there, but be assured there are more bad ones. I have, over the years, looked at quite a few for ourselves and others and have a good idea of what trouble you can get into if you do not know what to look for.
Even a mechanic like myself can make a mistake by not watching for an "old bus problem" to creep in unnoticed and cook his engine. 
What with the rust and the rebuild cost(which I could do myself) it went for spare parts to another hopeful owner of a similar one.
As Kebbin said "Nay Sayer or Once Bitten Twice Shy" I just offer my experience for free. Good luck if you can get pipes bus, but remember what he said is history not future performance !
Good luck to you and I hope you get what you wish for
Jaahn
We're still driving around in a '99 Corolla. Will probably still be driving it in 10 years. Bullet-proof 7a-fe engine/5-speed manual. Parts are cheap (and plentiful), and it's pretty good on fuel as a runaround car.
If you get a well made car and look after it, there is no reason why it won't give good service for years.
The problem lies with the (many) people who treat cars as throw away items, driving them into the ground and replacing (usually on credit) with new cars every 5 years...When buying second hand, it's the vehicles belonging to these people which are best avoided.