Soarer Central: Should I buy a soarer? Give me some adive please

Soarer Central General Soarer Chat Should I buy a soarer? Give me some adive please

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Sven Werner
Newbie
WA
Commodore

Posts: 1
Reg: 08-2008

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Monday, September 01, 2008 - 04:48 pm, by: Sven Werner (Anonymousmoose)

Hi all,

I've been looking for the next car for a while. I live in WA.

I originally budgeted $30k for the next car. I wanted a Merc/BMW or Lexus IS300. Then my mate got a Soarer last week. I drove it for a while and thought for $10k I can get my one of these instead of forking out $30k for a BMW with possibly less features.

Anyways, how reliable are soarers? I know petrol usage is quite hight but it will be used as a second car. I'll keep the LPG commodore.

I'm only looking at the V8s non-turbo with leather interior.

I'm looking at one tonight, private sale. 67,000km on the clock. The seller said when he bought it the engine was rusted so he got another soarer engine put into the car. He said the new engine has done under 50,000km.

Are there any common faults I should be looking for? If I do decide to get the car, I will get the RAC to inspect it. Unless anyone knows a more soarer-experienced mechanic who comes out and does quality inspections.

When I was young (18) I wanted a soarer and after two commodores and one bucked of junk ford I forgot about them. Until my friend got his.

Any comments are appreciated.

Brenton Trafford
DieHard
SA
V8 Limited - UZZ31

Posts: 612
Reg: 08-2005

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Monday, September 01, 2008 - 05:41 pm, by: Brenton Trafford (Traff)

Sven, you should definitely look at buying a Soarer, they are fantastic cars, far and beyond any Bavarian Money Waster that you would pay 2 - 3 times more for.

In fact, as you're in WA I would suggest you at least take a look at this one:

http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/5079/255014.html?1220014424 This car is sex on wheels and the money being asked is insanely cheap.

As for things to look for, read through this forum and you'll find lots of information on common issues and (generally) how to fix them. I've found my V8 Limited to be exceptionally reliable, not too bad on fuel (and I do a lot of k's for work) and a dream to drive.

Also, if you buy from someone on this forum you're reasonably assured that they've taken pretty good care of their vehicle and most issues would have been sorted out.

Scott Gates
Goo Roo
SA
TT

Posts: 1011
Reg: 03-2007

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Monday, September 01, 2008 - 05:44 pm, by: Scott Gates (Scotty_001)

They are really reliable if you get one which has been looked after and well maintained.

The V8 i thought would have been worse off on petrol but i may be wrong.

I wouldn't count on the mileage to be correct as they are well known to have false readings. Look for high wear areas and then you can kind of tell.

I am sure V8 guys will see this soon, but i would say look out for the airbags as they tend to go out and cost a lot to replace.

And for a budget of $30k you can get a good late year example and have plenty to spend on doing it up.... supercharger.

Chris Lock
TryHard
sa
celica

Posts: 109
Reg: 03-2008

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Monday, September 01, 2008 - 06:36 pm, by: Chris Lock (Sledge)

I recently got a V8 soarer, and i'm very happy with it.
It's not perfect, but for how old it is, it's pretty darn good.
More economical than the wife's V6 commondore too...
If the new engine has done 'less than 50000' then the car would have done substantially more.
But yeah, check the car for wear, it will tell the story...

Kyle Wathen
DieHard
Vic
N/A

Posts: 627
Reg: 02-2007

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Monday, September 01, 2008 - 06:46 pm, by: Kyle Wathen (Cspot)

I would spend $12-16k on a late model 96+ if I was you.

They generally seem to be in much better condition than the earlier models.

Search the forums for basic issues and which model to choose - UZZ30, UZZ31 and UZZ32.

Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
UZZ30 UZZ31

Posts: 9892
Reg: 11-2004

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Monday, September 01, 2008 - 07:29 pm, by: Peter Nitschke (Pen)

Sven Werner wrote on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 04:48 pm:
The seller said when he bought it the engine was rusted so he got another soarer engine put into the car

All alloy motor - what's to rust? It's also unlikely he got a new motor, more likely one from a wreck.

Should alarm bells be ringing?

David Vaughan
Goo Roo
ACT
V8 Ltd manual

Posts: 3903
Reg: 07-2005

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Monday, September 01, 2008 - 08:21 pm, by: David Vaughan (Davidv)

Buy an IS300. More modern, more reliable (being newer) and faster.

Costs more.

I have both but if I were to sell one, which I have been considering on and off for a year, there is no question at all that it would be the Soarer, much as I love it.

Owing to an unusual event I drove 1000 Km in the last two days; same roads, 500 Km in each car. Keeping to speed limits in the same way the IS300 was 5%-10% faster in nett trip time at the same level of relaxation (>200Km leg). It was a shade harder in ride and has fewer "features" but it is bloody quick and smooth as silk at the wheel. The Soarer has grunt; the IS300 is just plain fast, combining push with grip, where the Soarer has more torque in a straight line but reminds you in the twisty bits that it is a long heavy car.

HTH

Sven Werner
Newbie
WA
Commodore

Posts: 2
Reg: 08-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, September 01, 2008 - 09:39 pm, by: Sven Werner (Anonymousmoose)

Thanks for the advice. I prefer to stick to a 10k limit but will consider it. The supercharger is not on my wish list as I really am not a rev head. I will consider having a look at it.

Brenton Trafford wrote on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 05:41 pm:

Scott Gates wrote on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 05:44 pm:

Brenton Trafford wrote on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 05:41 pm:

Brenton Trafford wrote on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 05:41 pm:
Sven, you should definitely look at buying a Soarer, they are fantastic cars, far and beyond any Bavarian Money Waster that you would pay 2 - 3 times more for.

In fact, as you're in WA I would suggest you at least take a look at this one:

http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/5079/255014.html?1220014424 This car is sex on wheels and the money being asked is insanely cheap.

As for things to look for, read through this forum and you'll find lots of information on common issues and (generally) how to fix them. I've found my V8 Limited to be exceptionally reliable, not too bad on fuel (and I do a lot of k's for work) and a dream to drive.

Also, if you buy from someone on this forum you're reasonably assured that they've taken pretty good care of their vehicle and most issues would have been sorted out.

Sven Werner
Newbie
WA
Commodore

Posts: 3
Reg: 08-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, September 01, 2008 - 09:40 pm, by: Sven Werner (Anonymousmoose)

Scott Gates wrote on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 05:44 pm:
And for a budget of $30k you can get a good late year example and have plenty to spend on doing it up.... supercharger.

My budget was 30k if I got a BMW, but 10k for a soarer. I think saving the money would be wiser for the time being.