To buy or Not to buy???

Hi All,

Been looking for a fiat 20VT for the last few weeks, my budget is £1500-£2500

Found a cheap car within my traveling distance but in a dilema whether to hold out for a better example.

Its a 1997 black, tan leather, 130,000 miles on the clock, most service stamps, lots of reciepts but no proof of cambelt change, new tyres, no aircon or sunroof.

He wants £1200 for it...

Do you think I could do better? Is 130,000 nearing the engine end of life? Is it likely that I'll be spending a fortune replacing turbo, cambelt etc?

I know its currently a buyers market with the economy but good cars seem to be few and far between and outside my budget.

Any advice ??

You'll find a much more sorted example for your budget, I'd hold off. The mileage is high, but not overly scary although you'll get lower mileage and better history with a recent cambelt change for the money you have available.

Only my opinion, I can't comment too much, I haven't seen the car!

Gareth

Ps. There are a handful of tasty ones in the forum for sale section worth a look! For example, despite the mileage, this is lovely and very well regarded - Clicky

Oh, and welcome by the way

id look at benji's one.spent loads maintaining even tho hes selling

Yeh, agreed, nice car, drives well. I looked at this before getting my new one, it was very high on my list.

Gareth

MikeeK, where are you located?

great minds think alike..

I'm in Cambridge.

Thanks for the advice, had a look at benji's and Raven's ad's. Not sure I'm a fan of the ligher blue's. Was hoping for black/red/dark blue/maybe yellow.

Good links to London, but Birmingham's a long way by train.

The Black 130,000 car is in London, haven't seen it yet. Serously thinking of heading down there tomorrow and I'm not very good at walking away from a car.

Mike.

I might be persuaded to sell mine too if you were interested.
Its recently had a cambelt and clutch, and a front suspension overhaul.

You may want to check out what Solo Italia have in stock: http://www.soloitalia.co.uk/18035/index.htm

Just bear in mind that if there is no proof of a cambelt + aux belt change then get one done immediately. They cost £400+ fitted. If any of the aux belts go it's new engine time. Also if the clutch is slipping that's another £400. Smoking turbo is anything from £100 for a s/h unit to c.£500 for new + fitting. So potentially the car could cost you the same again as you're paying for it, if those three things need doing.

The advantage of buying from Solo Italia is that all the big jobs will have just been done. That alone justifys the price as you've got many years piece of mind. Forum members are also renound for maintaining the upkeep of a Coupe.

If you go and see it make sure you go armed with the buyers guide


EDIT - If you go to London, make sure you look at this one too.

Bought it today! (Did say I wasn't good at walking away)

Used "buyers guide", found very useful.

The good bits:
No smoking during acceration/idle/start.
clutch good, body ok. Oil pressure sits at 3 or near.

Man it's quick!

Problems I've found:

* Judder when light breaking. (read it might be discs, bushes)
* Small amount of oil near a large vent pipe(think its a vent pipe) just under the passenger's side headlamp (will investiage further soon)
* Not sure the engine temp + oil temp are working, only slight movement from start. Sitting near bottom of gadge.

Still not confirmed cambelt status, it looks like its been serviced at the same garge for the last 8 years, so calling them tomorrow, see if they have any records.

Was the last owner a doctor ?

Yes, why? Go on, whats the bad news!

nothing bad ... jus curious was it the car i was thinking of . the car look really nice ,after market wheels ，exhaust look quite new .

Did you view it?

no i didnt ... i wanted air con but the car didnt have it so give it a miss .

Yeah, thought it didn't have aircon too based on ad. But it does! Not working at mo, but hopping its a cheap re-gas needed.

i u bought it from the garage why dont u take it back and tell them to do it for u ....

Wasn't a garage, small time trader. Bought it as seen, and got the price knocked down accordingly (hopefully).

i thought even a small trader still needs to provide warranty by law ,not sure how long tho .