Newbie buying a Perentie

[ChrisB]

Hi all,
I am in the market for a Perentie!!! Since learning to drive in dad's 95 defender 15 years ago, it has been a dream of mine to own a Perentie. It's time to sell my Holden rodeo and buy a "real" 4WD 😁.
I am looking on Gray's and there is an army auction in Minto finishing today, but there are only 3 4x4's for sale. I called Gray's and was informed that this was the lowest number of 4x4 perenties available for sale in the past 3 years (I was told there can be up to 30 available at each auction). Anyway I was just wondering if anyone knew if it was likey for more to become available in the near future, and what people have paid for them recently.

Any information or tips on buying a Perentie would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys

[Mick_Marsh]

Welcome to the forum, Chris.
Have a bit of a browse around the site. You'll find everything you want to know.
Start here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/military-vehicles-general/165101-army-vehicle-disposal.html


Two other things I would recommend, buy Barefoot Dave's Perentie Buyers Guide and sing up on REMLR.


That reminds me, I need to get a buyers guide myself.


There are also plenty of Perenties on the market. You don't have to go through the auction process.

[87County]

Welcome on board Chris - if you're really quick there's time thhis arvo to look at the current auction which finishes soon.

Unreserved Ex-Military Trucks, Land Rovers, ATVs & Trailers (http://www.graysonline.com/sale/5017961/transport-trucks-and-trailers/unreserved-ex-military-trucks-land-rovers-atvs-trailers).

There's no time for research and there are only 3 4x4s in this one, but its a chance for you to see how it works.

No one, not even the sellers, know how many they have coming in the near future - it is generally acknowledged that they are more than half way through the total sales and some of the recent offerings haven't been as flash as the early ones.

[ChrisB]

Thanks guys,
I watched the auction and the soft tops went for $10500 / $11300 and the hardtop went for $25200 (plus 6% commission and 10% GST). I have also been looking on Gumtree / Carsales, but they seem to be a bit dearer, being between $15000 and $20000 (soft tops).
I just ordered Dave's Perentie Buyers' Guide, so i'm sure that will be very useful for choosing the right beast at the right price.

[Ashleylipus]

I went to the inspection on Saturday. The one that went for 11300 was a lot worse than the one for 10500 hopefully next month there will be more on offer and the prices will be lower as they will be more to choose from. Non of the perentie 4x4's that sold today had winch or the heavy duty bullbar (light weight bar instead) and a few other cons. Im going to go again next month if there is a better range. Hopefully i can find one with the bits i want for a reasonable price.

[Chris078]

A couple of things.
Dave's guide is a must. At auction you are taking quite a risk as you are not allowed to even start them before bidding.
plus the roadworthy/blue slip (depending on what state you are in) really are not worth the paper they are printed on.
There have been numerous examples of vehicles with major faults and/or rust being sold with roadworthies attached.

Now, this is not to put you off, just be cautious.
The other thing to consider is Gumtree.com and other car sales sites. There are often a few Perenties on there. The advantage of buying one here is that often what happens is someone buys at auction, puts in the time/coin to fix up whatever needs doing, gets frustrated (or the romance wears off - they are loud and cumbersome) and sells them.

That means you can potentially pick up one for 12-15k that has a legitimate roadworthy, is registered, and has had new owner money already spent (by this I mean, from the auctions you should take the car directly to a mechanic to change all the oils and fluids install locks and do a full service, for which you are not going to get much change from $750-1000 before they fix any other things they find)

Buying one privately/from a dealer (though steelers seem to mark them up stupidly high) means that hopefully all that has been done.

good luck on your search!

[Ashleylipus]

And yes. A great idea to buy barefoot daves buyers guide. It has a lot of information about different types of perenties to help you understand what you want to buy and also some info about maintenance and rebuilds. I bought one and took the "auction checklist" with me. A great help to make sure you check all things thoroughly.

[Barefoot Dave]

G'day All, G'day Chris and welcome to AULRO.
Thanks for such great feedback and support folks!
Chris, I hope the Guide gets you in the right direction.
Take your time, choose the best vehicle for your money and remember; Thee are plenty more to choose from.
DON'T PANIC (in large friendly letters);)

[jet]

Have a good look at them at grays auctions get under the truck check the uni joints g/box play etc no one would touch the one i brought as it had two small rust repairs in the floor there was no other rust to be found .

Service books stated new g/box front rear axles inc diffs motor rebuilt wow i got the truck for $6600 at Melbourne auction as no one wanted it ,had no trouble to date done over 10,000 km changed oils etc myself no problems.

Not so many on gum tree eBay car sales any more as there becoming very collectible , WAS ONLY 3 AT MINTO hopefully more next time .im not sure how many were built but if theres say 3000 total vehicles , not many to go around. a lot are heading to England and other country's as collectors are getting in on the game, i met two collectors one from England one from Canada , at the last auction ,both guys have the money to spend.