You're right. Engine smoke Exhaust noise
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Auctions, especially Grays, are where you offload problem cars.
No warranty
No cooling off
No refunds
No care taken
It’s there because it’s stuffed.
I’ve bought two cheaper cars (both Subaru) from Grays. You can visit and start the car and drive forward back / hit brakes and have a good look over. They don’t in any way restrict you. I always take a scan tool as well. So you can check a lot and bid accordingly with regard to AC operation, gearbox, windows and engine fluids and noises.
The cheaper older cars are typically trades the dealer doesn’t want anything to do with.
First car had a large oil leak was a front crank seal easily fixed and a simple AC relay fix. A big degrease and good as gold.
Second ran rough as hell needed throttle body clean and spark plugs.
A full service is always needed.
Key is to know the probable defects as there are few on an older Subaru Forester (except all leak oil at the head gasket) whereas cars with crazy CVT gearbox problems are traded because the gearbox is cooked and needs $6k which the scan tool always shows these faults and never touch it.
Many have no service / log books and no spare key I avoid these.
It’s ideal to find a bargain if you have a clue and do homework. And don’t get caught up in the bidding frenzy.
The SDV6 would need thorough in person checking with a Gap Tool to eliminate crank but otherwise could be an absolute steal if just cracked manifold or turbo issue.
Grays yard in Arndell Park is 15min from me, for a while I was checking out what they had and would go down for a look at anything interesting.
There were a couple of 5.0SC Range Rover Sports & a Vogue, a TDV8 Vogue, a couple of Jags, so I'd go down there with a scan tool to see if they were worth a bid.
I eventually gave up looking because every single car was knackered, engine problems mostly.
One of the 5.0SC Sports sold for more or less retail price, interstate buyer who probably never had it inspected. Then mysteriously it was back again, it sold again for a silly price, a month or so later it was back again.
I know exactly why because the engine had more rattles than a millionaire baby. But Grays kept described the car as "good condition" and "engine runs" etc...
I've had a couple of people turn up here, "just bought this at auction but the check engine light is on"
From Grays of course... one SDV8 L494 with blown head gaskets and the radiator overflow full of oil. That guy wanted to go full legal on them, I don't think he got his money back. He let slip the end price it was not far off retail.
Another one a 3.0SC Jag F-Pace with a sump full of petrol from leaking high pressure pumps. Never heard from that guy again but safe to say he did his dough on it.
The penny finally dropped when I was checking out a D3 for a local yard they had just got in as a trade, transmission was knackered, air suspension compressor knackered, a few other things needing attention as well, I gave the head honcho a rundown of what was needed to put it right, he says "f&%k that, we'll send it to Grays"
I wouldn't buy anything from them unless it was CHEAP, and I mean really cheap.
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So 78k km and serviced regularly, and blowing smoke and exhaust noises, what ever that means.
So what's happened to it, broken crank? Or stolen and joy riden, or is that joy rided, or rideed☹️ where's Ron when you need him?
Or all gummed up from lack of use, and just needs a 3.5 tonne van on the back and a run to Darwin at the speed limit!
Tony