http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/images/127946-4.jpg

The outside of this car looks great, but the inside (to me)doesn't.

What do you think?

Hasn't got aircon

Not too bad though, although judging by the soot on the front of the rocker it's possible the manifold either was or still is cracked.

What about this yellow one?

http://www.mts-online.co.uk/images/cars/fiatct_17.jpg
http://www.mts-online.co.uk/images/cars/fiatct_16.jpg

Why don't you just go and test drive one? Looking at images of engine bays is all very well but it's a bit of a waste of time, in many respects. There's only so much one can deduce from looking at a picture of an engine.

What are we looking at, dirty engines

A dirty engine tells you one thing and that is that its dirty, not much else really. Many engines are dirty yet run sweet, some engines are cleaned because then people expect them to run sweet.

As hedge says, drive them if you like them

I agree a test drive and on sight inspection is best, but I thought there might be things to look out for in photos like this. This could avoid a long drive, and enable me to ask the right questions when talking to the seller.

Well the top one is modified, the bottom looks more std and they both have rusty horns. You could now ask the owners what their favourite jelly flavour is

Priceless.

But actually a very good point you make there, JimO.

Can't really gain alot from a photo unfortunately, you really need to see a comprehensive service history, folder full of receipts, that sort of thing

LOL.

Okay, maybe you can't tell as much as I thought, however Ed did mention something that I previously didn't know about (the soot indicating a problem with the manifold), so this thread hasn't been a dead loss!

Have you seen Borely's car in the for sale section. Its lovely, clean and well looked after, regular specialist attention (and low miles) so need to go hunting on fleabay or pistonheads.

Why dont you go for that one ?

I already contacted him.

It's sold.

probably cos you spend too long fannying about asking people to look at engine bays

LOL

Woo hoo. We're off again....!

'Bout time.....

My engine bay is dirty, and the car runs sweet...just buy Damien's n/a and you'll be happy and gay (it's porto blue)

This thread wasn't meant to read like

"Shall I buy a car with a dirty engine bay"

it was meant to say,

"Can you tell if there is anything obviously wrong with an engine from photos like these?"

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear.

Dirty engine bays are great.

As people have said that you can't tell, you need to drive the car, listen to the engine, look for smoke, look at the history, talk to the owner about oil consumption etc etc Have a good read of the buyers' guides in this section too

So apart from a sooty rocker cover indicating a cracked manifold, there is nothing else you can tell from photos like these?

Okay, thanks for your help.

PS, read the sig!!

You have ALL missed the obvious!

From the first pic, the colouring of the rocker cover, it's clear that the spaniel flange on no.4 cylinder is on it's way out. Ask when it was last de-clarfed.

Sorry, it's been a long day!

If they car question had a leaking rocker cover gasket you would probably be able to spot that in the picture as well.

Aw c'mon folks, stop being harsh, there are several things you can tell from an engine bay picture and Tyler is new to the coupé so we really should be trying to help a bit.


BTW my favourite jelly is strawberry, ta for asking Jim

Thanks for that, I don't mind a bit of banter, but I am trying to learn at the same time.

I like the sharpness of a good lime jelly by the way!!

As we are all chipping in and being mean I would say that if there is a large amount of space under the bonnet, then the engine is missing

This one has potential for you, jobs done and its buttons
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/224433.htm

From what I can see on the red coupe's engine bay:

The coolant needs topping up - this gives out various signals to me, such as the owner is guilty of serious neglect, the water pump is leaking or the head gaskets gone - see what I mean - you can't tell from a picture

The air filter looked bodged and doesn't look as if it's sitting right - maybe it hasn't got a proper bracket to hold it.

The sidelights, etc don't seem to be working - but maybe the ignition is off?

The washer jets don't seem to be working or haven't worked for a while, looking at that dry windscreen?

The front crossmember looks in too good a condition - maybe it's been in an accident and repaired to a good standard?

Tyler, as everyone keeps telling you, you need to go and look at a car in real life.
If you haven't realised, the above are all possiblities with a Coupe, but impossible to tell without actually hearing and seeing the car.

Go and flaming drive one

You're only in Shrewsbury, which is about an hour from me if you wanted to come here and go out in a 20vt.

I'll be driving though

Nice pick up line

I have now driven or been driven in a 20VT and 2 20V.

So I am getting to know what's what. At least more than I did 2 weeks ago.

time for a 16vt

wait for barnacle to come along and voice his opinion about the best model

3 or 4 years ago I travelled from Glasgow to a dealer in Bolton to look at a 20vt with a mechanic m8.

We didn't physically drive the car, but had it running from cold and checked it over thourorly. The car had no history and only one blue key, but everything checked out with the report. The dealer also offered a 6 month warranty.

It was the 1st 20vt I actually looked at and I put down a deposit there and then. I picked the car up a week later and I still love it to pieces

Moral of the story? As Carlt says, milage etc counts for nothing, its the condition of the car in the cold metal. Go see some coupes and take a calculated chance I hear so many people saying I wish I'd bought that car but I was too slow...

I haven't heard many real horror stories in the few years that I've used the forum, it seems most are sound given that these are sub £5k Italian sportscars

...get the car HPI'd to make sure it's not nicked, crashed, clocked etc, be prepared for some bills but try to avoid too much paranoia and enjoy

Nice one guys, some positive thoughts.

I really like the look of this one.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/228635.htm

I have spoken to the seller and it is due it's second cam belt change (within the next 15k or 15 months) at the price I could buy and put it straight in the garage to avoid any paranoia.

I also have considered this one
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/234136.htm

but not sure I could "Pull it off".

Like the colour of the second but not the kit

Not a fan of the Dark Red Metallic / Tan Leather combination.

Looks classy to me

well in the second one the seller says original condition which it is far from!!!
it looks very nice but i would be wary when something like that is said when it obviously isn't!!
dark red and tan looks very nice.
think of it like this then, if you are not a fan of dark red/tan then don't get it and make yourself a list of what combinations you do like.
then see them until you reach the one that you like best.
those two are completely different and a grand apart.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

Step away from Theresa!

Do you mean that it is modified, or just not "as new"?



I think I am leaning towards the more classy looking dark red/tan over the body kitted yellow monster!!

whats your budget?

what colour do you like?

do you want a turbo or not??

standard (ish) or modified/kitted etc??

what sort of mileage are you happy with??

how far are you willing to travel?


once you have answered those questions you will narrow down your options no end

Perhaps I need to start a wanted thread

where do you live?

Shrewsbury, but travel the country with my current job.

Working in South London for the next two weeks.

classic i really did LOL!!!!

Even better if you do it with the Chief Wiggum voice

But the last one you showed us was yellow.

I've seen a dark red with tan leather at a south meet and it looked , it also had it's windows tinted which added to the affect and suited the dark colour.

yellow monster..... goooooooooooo on.

l love that one.