Hi everyone,

I'm aware that some of my questions are answered elsewhere indirectly, nonetheless I'd like to ask you to read the description of this particular van I have been offered and tell me what you think. Your advice is very much appreciated! And of course I know there are no guarantees, I'm just asking for views based on other people's experiences.

Aim: For 4000 NZD = 2700 USD, get a 2WD Hiace short wheel base, ideally but not necessarily diesel, which has a reasonably good chance of living for another two years and 40000 km total without major problems. Looks are irrelevant. I do proper maintenance, and I can do minor and medium repairs myself (not big ones due to limited tools and workshop access), parts with the exception of used replacement diesel engines are reasonably available here in New Zealand, but I don't want the engine or any major parts of the drivetrain, especially gearbox, to die on me or the car being taken off the road due to corrosion.

Description: 1995 Hiace diesel 2.8 short wheel base. Asking price is 4000 New Zealand Dollars, which is the limit of what I can spend. NZ new, meaning it hasn't been used in another country before and due to a nice national registration system the kilometres on the clock are genuine and trustworthy. Been used by first owner as a courier for 350000 km, meaning those k's have mostly been with a warm engine and the van has been serviced well, but it's probably been driven under time pressure a lot. After that, second owner used it for furniture business, doing short and medium runs, also serviced well. Current mileage: 413000 km. Outside and inside are "well used", many small dents, paint on the inside, driver's seat very worn from courier use. Engine starts well, black smoke for a few seconds, then clear, sounds healthy, good torque and acceleration. Owner says he does not need to top up oil or water, engine looks very dry. Gears feel quite unprecise, but with the exception of the first gear which sometimes takes half a second or so to find (feels like that will disappear once I know the gear box) they all go in easily and feel right once in as well. There is quite a lot of air movement (like vibrations or pulsing air) that can be felt above the open oil filler cap on idle, but there is no oil spray coming out whatsoever. Cambelt has been replaced at 360000 km. There is some corrosion around the front, rear, and some side windows, nothing that's an issue right now, but I'm not sure for how long. The area between windscreen and grille had a terrible paint job done, probably from stone chips. In the front passenger seat there's a tiny bit of wet carpet right next to the door. Near new tyres.

Question regarding the car:
1. What life expectancy do you think the engine has? Is the blowing normal or at least acceptable?
2. What life expectancy do you think the gearbox has? Is it the gear box itself, or just the linkages?
3. Is corrosion a major problem for this year Hiace, and if so, where typically?
4. Is there a typical cause or rain leak for a wet carpet on the passenger side?
5. Bottomline: Is this car likely to do another two years and 40000 km's for me without major problems?
6. Do you have any other input or suggestions for me?

Questions regarding testing:
1. If compression is ok, do you think this engine will do what I want it to?
2. If compression is ok, is there any reason still to do a leakdown test?
3. Can the gearbox be tested in any particular way, by driving or otherwise?
4. Is there anyting Hiace-specific that I should look out for?

That's it for now. Again, any input very much appreciated! THANKS and safe and happy driving everyone!

Cheers,

Matt

PS: Yes, my profile says I'm into 4x4 vans; the plan is to fit this one out and in two years put everything into a 4x4 Hiace. More on that at a later point!