Hello there, after looking around for a while it seems that I've found a T3 for a decent price. Its the Caravelle GL 7 seater, has 206Kms, auto, svery straight and no rust and is a 90 model. Does $7k sound about right? The guy has owned it from new. Gearbox was rebuilt 11mths ago and engine heads were done approx 2 yrs ago.

Does it have air - the ducted air down the centre is the best. Few T3s rust due to the body dipping they did. Autos more desirable than manuals in GL form. I paid more than that last year, sounds similar specs. I figured that they fetch 9-12k depending on milage. 200,000 is good. Sounds like you've snagged a bargain. I've had a shed load of rides over the years, and the T3 has to be one of the nicest cars to drive...you won't be dissapointed at that price. Buy it.

7k for a one owner with bills ... instant 3k profit kiddo. It will crawl up that hill to Buderim, but will get there honest. The auto is not the fastest machine ever made...

Yea it has air in the front and in the back (the ducts are just behind the drivers seat I believe). After searching through a few threads I saw that you were looking for one a while back.

As for the driving, i test drove a 2L 97 T4 transporter about 3 hrs earlier and bugger me I would take the T3 anyday!! And yea the ol crosby rd hill at buderim will be fun, but with the number of oldies going 40ks up there I should be right!

mine's got ducts over the driver and passenger and a full tunnel down to the rear, but the one you describe is more common.

Advantages (to me) over the T4.

Seats are more comfortable all round. The boot is a full boot, suffiecient to take all the camping gear etc., you could need..double the size of the t4 - despite the engine. Big enough to snooze in. The engine is what it is. It works, cruizes at 110 and will return 450ks off a tank on a run if you treat it noice. We just did Kempsey to Sydney on a tank, fully loaded with 3 kids and camp gear.

The ride is super smooth, the auto is a joy and really, all you need to do is put down the arm rests and gently steer the bottom of the wheel all day, it's effortless.

The price is a massive advantage. I did test runs in T4s. To get a comparible machine, then you need to spend 25-35k. The 2.0 T4s are not exactly rocket ships and certainly not as well put together.

I looked all up at 4 T3s last September, all between 9 and 12k. The air was not a cheap option on the T3, and I got lucky with the one that's in mine, and that the guy I bought it off had just spent lots on it. Just remember that the T3 is not blessed with lots of umph and the air kills it at times. Thats my only niggle about the T3. Check the air out, they are all after market and have different set ups.

But at the money you're looking at, you can afford to risk it. Check the gearbox for leaks and that when you engage the auto, the stick moves easily and you don't need to yank it.

We've done about 10,000ks since we got ours, and it's worked hard most of the time. I've had it serviced and replaced the battery which is nothing really.

We're concious of the cost of thrashing it, so we don't push it. Once it's going it's fine, just the 0-100 thats slow progress sometimes.

We're probably gonna do the Subaru swap this year, as we simply cant find another car that has the room, comfort and ability of the T3. With Sube power it will carry more stuff with less effort, as we lke to get off the tarmac.

The holy grail being a T3 Caravelle Syncro to do it to...but that's not gonna happen.

Well done mate, top find, don't think you'll regret it.

Im thinking of selling both my golfs and buying a t3 or t4...good advice ccc

Marcus, if you dont get it, then maybe you could pass on the details...
Although over 600ks to a tank in the golf is hard to beat

Thanks again for the info ccc, Byron by any chance that something drastically goes wrong then i'll be getting it, however if it doesnt happen i will pass on the details.

Righto , bought for $7k, pick it up tommorrow, cant wait!

OK.... we expect pics by 4.30pm

Well bought mate.

I have a T3 but air cooled. (even slower)

I agree with CCC - especially on room.

I have not seen another van that seat 8 COMFORTABLY AND has a DECENT boot area.

Mine's 9 seat, but I only run it with the eight.

[ Edited on 6-7-2006 by Spook ]

Yes....photo's please and an update on how the new girl's going.

I just purchased a T3 myself (about 1 month ago) It's a 1990 caravelle c. 150K km's. Will put up photo's as soon as girlfriend resizes them.