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Post Info TOPIC: How "NOT" to purchase a Coaster
grandpa


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How "NOT" to purchase a Coaster
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Toyota Coaster, Prospecting Owners take Note!

Let me first say, I have been driving a 1990 Coaster for more than 14 Years, it has been incredible reliable, drove 180 000 plus km all around OZ, twice to Tassi, last Year we drove from Cooktown to Cape Tribulation via the famous 4x4 Bloomfield Track without any problems, although one has to know what to do and I certainly would not recommend anyone without a lot of experience to tackle such a journey. The Vehicle is a the Long Wheelbase Unit, with the 6 Cylinder Landcruiser Engine with 0ver 500,000 Km and still runs extremely well using approx, 1.25 Lt Oil per 5000Km which is still within the Oil consumption recommendation. I have been using from 12Lt/100Km to 14Lt Max. Whilst driving through the Snowy Mountain and the Victorian Alps, most of our driving is around 85Km/Hr, driving at 100Km/Hr will see you using anything up to 14-15 Lt/100 Km. Apart from 3 sets of Tyre's, Regular Services at 5000Km intervals, I had to replace a Water pump, the Alternator and the Radiator cleaned. We really could not complain.

Now comes the Interesting part!

Due to a Leg injury, which made the Clutch Operation very painful, we decided to look for a Automatic Coaster, we found a 2008 Model advertised for a Car License I asked for the weight certificate which officially stated the vehicles weight as 3850Kg, the GVM being 4495Kg as shown on the Registration papers made it legal for a Car License. We purchased the Vehicle, on the way home I had the feeling that the Vehicle might be heavier than expected so we called in on a NSW Truck checking station to ask them to let me drive over the Scale.

Well did I get the Shock of my Live! The Vehicle, empty no Gas or Water weighted in at 4856 kg ! well over the GVM. I was unwittingly driving an unregister-able Motor Vehicle. Had I been pulled over by the Police I would have been in a lot of trouble. Before reaching home, we called in at the nearest Motor Registry who told us to get a Engineers Certificate to bring the Vehicles weight back to its original GVM of 5550 Kg, which of course requires a LT License, On contacting the Seller he was just a shocked as I was, but because the vehicle was purchased privately I had no legal rights whats owe ever to reverse the Sale, the Cost of the Engineers Certificate was $ 1600, for less than 1.5 Hours work, all done on the Computer!

So, the Moral of the Story. When purchasing ANY MOTOR HOME  get your own Weight Bridge Certificate !

Grandpa (wasnt smart enough)   



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John Udvardi
Eaglemax


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Thanks for your story. If its any consolation its not all bad. Of the 80 or so cars I've owned few have had less than $1000 spent after purchase. And the engineers rates are high to make up for all the people that ring them for free advice.
Cheers Tony

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Radar


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RE: How "NOT" to purchase a Coaster
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Hi Grandpa.

Sorry to hear of your of costly drama.

Maybe we will see that all motorhomes, campervans and caravans are sold with a weighbridge certificate along with road worthy slips.

I am not a fan of officialdom, government offices etc but the stress of getting placed in a unwanted situation is not good either.

Hope you can now enjoy your purchase and you can also relax knowing the vehicle is up to do what it was purchased for.



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Jaahn


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Hi grandpasmile

An interesting tale and well told also biggrin Hmmm a full ton, 1000Kg, over the official stated tare weight and 350 Kg over the Gross weight without being loaded for the road. Being interested in Coasters it is just as i suspected. The certification of these as car licence drivable always looked suspect. 

What were the weights on your old one ??   Thanks for the mileage, etc data.

Cheers Jaahn



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the rocket


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Hello grandpa, i don't know about "no legal rights" . It was sold and as far as i know, selling privately is the same. We r in qld. And would get onto "fair trading" and ask where u stand. Has a cooling off period too. Its when u buy it on auction like ebay that is different. Come on the legal eagles on here, tell us your opinions. I will follow this with curiosity.



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Possum3


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Grandpa, If you contact Colin Young at the Caravan Council he may be able to advise your Legal situation; See also www.caravancouncil.com.au/motorhome
CARAVAN COUNCIL OF
AUSTRALIA
3 Margaret Street
Parkdale VIC 3195
T: 0409 865 399
F: 03 9587 1828

Email: caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au


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montie


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If you buy privately there is no statutory cooling off period or warranty in Qld.

The only legal redress you may have is through a civil claim, not sure how you would go with that. Best to consult a solicitor.

Montie

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Monty. RV Dealer.
grandpa


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RE: How "NOT" to purchase a Coaster
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Just to fill you all in, I did contact "Fair Trading" as well as some Solicitors ( one in the Family) there was no way out of that sale, however I have to say the Seller was good enough to come to the party and paid half the Engineers cost, so it was not all that bad ! If I had bought the vehicle from a registered Dealer I could have gotten my Money back. By the way, I have put my 1990 Coaster up for sale, it is a very nice looking Unit in excellent condition any one interested let me know.

Grandpa



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