Is 700 miles to far?

[bwbs14]

Im in the market for a tdi jetta and have came across an 06 with 86xxx miles on it that I am really interested in. I live 700 miles away from the vehical. My question is giving the unknown condition of the timing belt (Im assuming it has not been done) would driving it back home the 700 miles be to much of a gamble? Please give me your opinion's of what you would do in this situation

[chudzikb]

Ship it, swap the belt, problem solved. I would hate to tell you "oh, you will be fine"...and then it snaps! That would not be a warm and fuzzy feeling for anyone involved.

[chittychittybangbang]

This is just me, but the car was originally rated for 100k timing belt, then downgraded to 80k change. I would drive it but as chudzikb says, could fail. This is less likely though. You could ask the seller to warranty the car for 1 day.

[chudzikb]

Originally Posted by chittychittybangbang

This is just me, but the car was originally rated for 100k timing belt, then downgraded to 80k change. I would drive it but as chudzikb says, could fail. This is less likely though. You could ask the seller to warranty the car for 1 day.

That's what I was thinking, but, the lawyer in me got the better of me! Just don't want to be left holding the bag...

[YMZ]

A number of years ago a friend traded in his Nissan 300ZX for a new Volvo... about a week or so later, he got a phone call from the person who bought his old car asking what the mileage on the car was... the timing belt broke the 2nd day he had the car...

YMMV...

Good luck,

Yuri

[Ol'Rattler]

Last summer, I changed mt T/B at 88K miles. Belt, roller, tensioner and waterpump were in great condition.

Of course anything can go wrong but I would guess that if the mile number is correct and there are no strange sounds from the front of the engine, you will be fine.

From what I have heard, when folks ignore the T/B change interval, they usually don't have a failure until well past the change interval. (100K + miles) I would bet the Volvo that YMZ mentioned was well past.....................

[nord]

I fully expect that at least a 50% allowance has been built into the TB interval. Personally I'd not think twice about an additional 700 miles. I would, though, negotiate a price that includes a TB change at full retail.