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 .
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
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Nuthin is ever the same once I have owned it ......
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.
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?
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
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Be nice... if I wanted my school teacher here I would have invited him...
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
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.
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It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have...
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
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. 
