[MADMANx511]

Hey all, the 1996 Sierra JX VX that I'm getting (if the RACQ test goes well) will need 5 (4 main + spare) new tyres for certain.

I have a budget of about $150 per tyre, what would be some good tyres to put on this beast?

I want tyres that would be good for daily commuting and decent off-road capabilities... Which also look awesome xD Been looking at a few A/T's and muds.

Cheers.

[BlueSuzy]

The only muds you will be looking at with 150 per tyre would be second hand.

Depends what your into, at's will not get you far if you have to drive in mud.

[MacDaddy]

The only kind of tyre you will get for $150, is a road tyre, or 2nd hand AT or MT...
The only brand of AT, that would even come close to your $150 budget, would be Maxxis... and a Maxxis MA-751, which isnt really an aggressive AT, would be the one closest to your budget, and that would be on standard rims, and tyre size of 215/75/15 -
http://www.bobjane.com.au/tyreset-detai ... 3b4ef5cdf4

My Maxxis AT-771, and only cost me $185 per tyre in a 225/70/16...

Other than that, good luck finding a good AT for $150...

[2stroker]

Mate I have been going to Deano at Alligator Tyres at Everton Hills for my tyres, it is a small tyre place that is set up as part of a mechanical workshop (they were sick of getting shafted when needing tyres for their customers). Its not like the other big tyre places, it mainly does tyres and wheel allignements for mechanical workshops in the area. I found out about him because my son's workshop gets tyres there. He is also a 4x4 nut involved in winch challenge stuff and other offroad comps. I have found him very good on prices and service, I think he will be able to get you something for close to your budget.

[royce]

2stroker wrote:

Mate I have been going to Deano at Alligator Tyres at Everton Hills for my tyres, it is a small tyre place that is set up as part of a mechanical workshop (they were sick of getting shafted when needing tyres for their customers). Its not like the other big tyre places, it mainly does tyres and wheel allignements for mechanical workshops in the area. I found out about him because my son's workshop gets tyres there. He is also a 4x4 nut involved in winch challenge stuff and other offroad comps. I have found him very good on prices and service, I think he will be able to get you something for close to your budget.

If its the same Dean I am thinking about (fairly likely) he is a good guy and will look after you, didnt even know thats where he was

[MADMANx511]

Cheers guys,

I'll probably check out Dean at Alligator Tyres.

Thanks again

[TheOtherLeft]

Why not buy 4 new tyres and 1 second hand tyre for the spare? As long as it's roadworthy it's all good for a second hand one.

Just carry a tyre plug kit just in case for punctures.

[MADMANx511]

I was thinking just now a similar thing, since the spare is brand new never even touched the road, I should just buy 4 new tyres and keep the spare. Which means my budget could go up to $200-$230 for each tyre.

[BlueSuzy]

My swb, i was running 33's with a stock spare. ie.. space saver.

If i ever had a blowout, The stocker would get me home. I never had a problem though.

[MADMANx511]

Hmm... Thought I should let people know that I don't think I'll be getting the Sierra. Too much mechanical issues discovered by the RACQ test bloke.

Shame.

[royce]

MADMANx511 wrote:

Hmm... Thought I should let people know that I don't think I'll be getting the Sierra. Too much mechanical issues discovered by the RACQ test bloke.

Shame.

List em up, RACQ reports make every car look like a piece of crap if you dont know heaps about the car

[MADMANx511]

DEFECTS REQUIRING ATTENTION:
- Seals/Bushes Gearbox - Extension housing oil seal leaking.
- Heater hose - Heater hose leaking at heater tap connections.

OTHER ITEMS NOTED:
- Rear Demister Demister damaged - Demister inoperative
- Heater Fan Boost fan not operating on low speed
- Various Upholstery / Trim General wear and tear to trims
- Both front Seat Covers Fitted Covers not removed - seat covering condition not checked
- Various Panels Minor dents, chips and scratches,Paint faded
- Differential Noise audible on drive
- Both front Wheel Bearings Slight play in wheel bearings
- Engine Noises Refer Inspectors Comments
- Oil Level, Condition, Refer to Inspectors Comments

INSPECTOR'S COMMENTS:
body, some light rust forming in the left side front roof gutter, advise monitor or repair rust, checkerplate coverings added over sills,
minor dent to front bar, rear bar corners loose, gearbox, light oil leakage visible at gearbox rear seal area, advise early attention, wheel
bearings, slight freeplay noted in both sides front wheel bearings, reccommend adjust bearings soon, trim, shows signs of general wear
and tear also window tint film scratched/marked in areas, oil, the engine oil level is low, advise top up and monitor, engine hoses, light
engine coolant seepage at the underbonnet heater hoses to heater tap connections, advise early attention, engine noises, engine has
piston slap noise when cold,indicates general engine internal wear, engine is servicable at this time, however remaining engine service
life is unknown, road test rear differential is noisy, may require esrly replacment, road test, indicators do not self cancel, summary,
vehicle is in a reasonable condition gor its age , however remaining service life of the engine and rear differential is unknown , vehicle
may require early repairs

I don't have much cash to spend on fixing it up, working at a hardware store doesn't really pay all that well.

[MADMANx511]

Car in question:
http://goo.gl/Y59LI

[royce]

sounds about normal, welcome to looking at 15yo small cheap 4wd's

[MADMANx511]

How much, d'you reckon, it would cost to get most of the bigger issues fixed? Or could most of it be done in a good service?

[mnemonix]

I doubt you'll find a sierra of that era that DOESN'T have the above listed issues.
They're a budget vehicle, often treated poorly and getting on in years. You can't expect champagne performance on a beer budget.

[ajsr]

hahahah sounds better than both my sierras

[royce]

I cant check your link to see, but is it a coil or leaf spring Sierra?

extension housing seal is 4 bolts and a $10 seal
driveline noise might jsut be normal if its leaf sprung, might be fixed with new oil, might not
wheel bearing play is a problem if its a coily, new bearings are $70 a side
engines can be easy to fix or replace

Anyway, old cars need money spent on them, nothing you can do about that but somebody with some spanners and ability to read a manual could fix most of that easy enough

[MADMANx511]

Haha, I'll keep looking - Might start looking at Vitara's or a Jimny (No hate please hahahaha)

But I'm now hooked on the Zuk scene lol.

[MADMANx511]

it's a leaf-sprung Sierra.

I'm going tot ake the RACQ report up to my local mechanic to see what they say. I might fix it with my mates, too if it's not too hard.

[MacDaddy]

royce wrote:

sounds about normal, welcome to looking at 15yo small cheap 4wd's

X 2

MADMANx511 wrote:

How much, d'you reckon, it would cost to get most of the bigger issues fixed? Or could most of it be done in a good service?

If the engine really has 128,000kms on it, its nothing... most of those other problems you can be fixed by yourself... the wheel bearings are fairly cheap to get done by someone... but if your not very mechanical, then there is alot of info in AZ to help you, and you can learn the mechanicals along the way... show the seller the report, and see if they will drop the price some

[MADMANx511]

He wants 5K for it, I'm going to call up and get some quotes on how to fix the more serious issues to get some leverage over the guy to argue him down to $4k. He's shown his hand, he's desperate to sell 'cause he knows that he bought a car with issues.

I kinda really want to take on the challenge of fixing it up.

If it were your money, if it was going to be your first car, would you bother with it's problems?

[abclarke]

Haha looks better than mine! What hes asking though is a bit much i reckon.

[MADMANx511]

Yeah, that's why I'm going to go for $4K.

About to leave to walk (*sigh*) up to MIDAS to get a quote for the serious problems.

Depending on what he says, I'll decide whether I want to take on the challenge.

Thanks guys for helping.

[Ben_Sierra]

MacBear wrote:

If the engine really has 128,000kms on it, its nothing... most of those other problems you can be fixed by yourself... the wheel bearings are fairly cheap to get done by someone... but if your not very mechanical, then there is alot of info in AZ to help you, and you can learn the mechanicals along the way... show the seller the report, and see if they will drop the price some

128,000kms may not be much for a well maintained engine. This one does (apparently) suffer from a bit of piston slap, so it may not have a long life ahead of it (although if it goes bang its a pretty good excuse to throw a 1.6 in).

MADMANx511 wrote:

About to leave to walk (*sigh*) up to MIDAS to get a quote for the serious problems.

Don't bother... There is nothing there that can't be done at home with some pointers from the people here (or left until it really needs fixing)...

[MADMANx511]

I plan to swap the engine out for a swift GTI once I'm off my green P-plates... Cause for some strange reason it's illegal to swap an engine when on provisional license...

So the engine swap would be in 2 years.

The MIDAS bloke gave me approximate quotes:
Extension housing seal: $120-220
Heater hose: $15-100
Adjust bearings: $66
Service: $219

Looking at that, if I got the bloke down (or below) to $4K I'd have enough money to fix the major issues.

[MADMANx511]

Okay, I've decided. If I can him down to $4K ($4.5k MAX) I'll get it.

[got_bar_work]

4k sounds steep for a stock Sierra

[MADMANx511]

It's not completely stock. 2 inch suspension and body lift. Bigger tyres.

[denty802]

got_bar_work wrote:

4k sounds steep for a stock Sierra

i'd nearly pay more for a stock one depending on what mods had been done,

rather do things myself than pay for something that someone else has stuffed up haha