Holden Jackaroo?

Does anyone out there own one, or has anyone had one before?

DH & I looked at one on Saturday & they've offered to take our Explorer & give DH a second 4 cyl car for what I think isn't a bad price.

But, it is alot of money. The most we've paid for a car is $5000. We were offered $18000 for both the Jackaroo & an early 90's camry or astra (our choice), plus a full 12 months rego on the Jackaroo coz it runs out next month.

The Jackaroo is a 2002 turbo diesel. DH knows about diesel, but I've never owned one before, so its new to me. Its a beautiful car to drive, perfect gear change etc. Its had $4300 spent on the head & all gaskets replaced. Only one owner since new & she traded it on another new car. It was actually owned by one of the dealers wives, so I'm assuming it'd have the full service history etc.

I'm just really wondering what your experiences are with them. We don't do alot of 4wding at all, but need a car big enough & stable enough to handle the roads out to my parents & IL's houses. Any other car will fall to bits. Mum & dad's isn't so good after driving their road, even our suspension is shot just from mum & dad's road. The reason we would prefer another car instead of spending $5000 or so on mine.

I'm not sure if we'll even be approved the loan for it. We've never tried for anything like this before, so I reckon we'll get turned down. Trying not to get my hopes up, but its hard, lol.

So anything you can tell me, good or bad, please tell. (Remember I own a Ford Explorer & they really are pieces of crap that were just plain made bad!!)

Thanks all :)

we own one. ours is older but still the same "model". when you drove it had they warmed it up? there is a known problem with the oil sensor in the deisels that causes surging.
I love ours its got SO much room and we can put 3 seats across the back seat (ours is only a 5 seater)
its great for everyday driving although a little fuel heavy ;) but i dont think you would notice the difference from an explorer..

My parents had one and I loved driving it when given the chance. They used to take it 4wding a lot too and it ever missed a beat. If I wasn't against 4wd in city areas I would probably own one myself.

Oorki - not really warmed up, no. The check engine light was on & it came on again while I was driving it, so I let him know. Will not be taking it til I know what that is.
Thanks :)

Lisa - I'm against 4wd in the city too, & wouldn't buy one even though I'm not in the city, except that we need the extra space. Its that or a van & a van wouldn't last on mum & dad's road. A normal wagon just wouldn't do on long trips! Its a 20 hour round trip to IL's place.

:bump: Anyone else?

Just trying to find out as much as possible before tomorrow :)

we have just spent about 4k on ours (now no point getting rid of it) with new fuel pump and module, timing belt, rocker cover gasket.. CVs

get DH to pop his head under it tomorrow to see the cvs and trans for leaks cracks...

From memory (he showed us the paperwork) all gaskets through the motor were done. Including rocker cover (I'm 99% I saw it on there & remember him saying it)
Looked under bonnet, but will get him to check under car for leaks. Friends of ours bought a 94 Jackaroo & blew the tranny 3 weeks later!! (She did run it dry though :doh:) Lesson learnt there. Would prefer not to have to pay 2 - 5 grand for that! Was very clean & tidy from top view, but that means nothing. Hadn't been started for about 3 weeks then too.
Cheers :)