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should I buy it?? 20VT ink black #549096
25/02/2008 14:18
25/02/2008 14:18

A
aza
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aza
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A



Hi as a newbie please can somebody help me,

I have found a 20VT that I am thinking of buying (see details below), it has a new engine 4K ago, but the turbo has not been replaced. The power delivery is not a fierce as the other 20VT I drove. Would this be due to the turbo? if so how much will a new turbo cost or a=can I get my turbo repaired??

Should I make the purchase?

also if there is lacquer coming the from bumper a few dents, how much will this cost to get fixed?

I hope you can help me, thanks

Manual, 48,800 miles, 48,800 miles, ink black, 6 months tax, Brembo front brakes, new engine (recon) Oct 2006 (cam belt replaced at the same time), 4k miles on the new engine, 3 owners, Alpine CD 6 changer, leather seats, full service history, good condition. £3,095. ono

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549098
25/02/2008 14:23
25/02/2008 14:23

V
Vickster
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Vickster
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Spend a fiver on an RAC Hpi check before you do anything. Very low mileage and many coupes have been clocked.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549108
25/02/2008 14:38
25/02/2008 14:38

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aza
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aza
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I have seen all the history and already done this check it was more to do with the price and mechanics.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549135
25/02/2008 15:22
25/02/2008 15:22

S
Skint
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Skint
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S



Where was the engine fitted and can they confirm this work has been done?

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549148
25/02/2008 15:39
25/02/2008 15:39

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aza
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aza
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yes I have seen the receipts for the engine it was a re-conditioned engine and cost 3K to be fitted, what do you think?

Are engines re-fitted bad news?

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549159
25/02/2008 15:46
25/02/2008 15:46

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weyland
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weyland
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There are enough decent coupés around, so I would not bother with this one. In 5 years time you will not have such choice but now is a different story.
It's hardly any cheaper than buying a good one that has not had an engine replacement (usually caused by oil starvation/belt failure/overzealous modding).
Yes, an engine replacement should always mean a turbo/clutch/cambelt as well at the same time.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549166
25/02/2008 15:51
25/02/2008 15:51

A
aza
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aza
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cambelt clutch has been done its only up for 2500 so I could spend the money on the turbo? it has also had all the discs changed. The rest of the car is pretty sound and I guess the engine has only done 4K. I dont know what to do know somebody help me!

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549167
25/02/2008 15:51
25/02/2008 15:51

A
aza
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aza
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It did drive well too

Last edited by aza; 25/02/2008 15:53.
Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549172
25/02/2008 15:53
25/02/2008 15:53
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,789
In the driving seat!
Guzbod Offline
My life on the forum
Guzbod  Offline
My life on the forum

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,789
In the driving seat!
As Weyland says there are decent coupes about. It could be great value but you could be buying a lot of trouble


[Linked Image]
Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: Guzbod] #549187
25/02/2008 16:07
25/02/2008 16:07

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aza
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aza
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what else could go wrong if the cambelt. engine disks havebee replaced I have driven the car. and I get the turbo fixed?

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: Guzbod] #549193
25/02/2008 16:10
25/02/2008 16:10

S
Skint
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Skint
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At £2500 just have it. If it drives good and all is well checked then just go for it.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549200
25/02/2008 16:16
25/02/2008 16:16

S
suba
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suba
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Where is the car?

Who re-conditioned the engine? Was it done by Mr. dodgy round the corner or by Fiat / Proper specialist? Most likely cause would be oil starvation...... the owner has not bothered to check the oil properly.

If it does not pull that well it is not necessarily the turbo - it could be an electronic issue with the boost valve etc. or could be the engine itself. If the turbo is dying then it will be smoking....

If it's had a new clutch and belts + discs all round then that is worth a grand!

The paint issues will cost very little to put right.

If you buy a 20vt or 16vt now dont expect to spend peanuts on maintenance. They are cheap to buy, but not cheap to keep in good condition.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549208
25/02/2008 16:24
25/02/2008 16:24

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aza
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aza
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Thanks for your advice suba, the car is in East Sussex, it has been on autotrader at £3095, I really want an ink black and could spend 5K on a 2000 model and still have all the same problems.

The car has been owned for 6 years by the previous owner in that time the engine blew. So he got a reconditioned one fitted I will find out where this engine was sourced from. I will call the garage in a minute. The owner used the same garage the whole 6 years (Chewters garage)

The dilemma should I get this one or buy one for 2K more with an original engine? or just buy this one and get all the niggles done straight away?

answers on a postcard please \:\)

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549255
25/02/2008 17:08
25/02/2008 17:08

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aza
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everyone gone quiet on me is it because I am a newbee?

maybe its because I said answers on a postcard! sorry about that

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549306
25/02/2008 17:41
25/02/2008 17:41

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suba
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suba
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No way of telling without the history of the new engine. even then you are reliant on the owner maintaining the engine

You could just as easily buy one on the original engine that's been low on oil with 40 k on the clock that is worn to bits......

A grand here or there in the ownership of a 20vt is not a lot of money, you could buy a car that you thought was perfect and find that 6 months down the line you need to replace engine mounts, wishbones, fuel pumps etc.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549315
25/02/2008 17:44
25/02/2008 17:44

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aza
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I have just spoken to the garage who did all the work and the car has had £8423 over the last 6 years on engine, manifold, brakes etc etc. he has printed all the receipts out for me. I think the garage is quite expensive though as a cambelt change was 900 quid! shall I go for it and buy the car?

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549321
25/02/2008 17:51
25/02/2008 17:51

J
jallen
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jallen
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It sounds pretty good on paper.

Perhaps you can see if someone from here will come with you to help you check it over.

John

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549326
25/02/2008 17:57
25/02/2008 17:57

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aza
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yeah could do but I think I need to move fairly quickly or someone else will nab it! seems to me whatever one you buy you will have to spend lots maintaining it so even if I get an LE model it will cost 2.5K more but I could use that to get this one up to scratch.

tricky buying these cars isn't it!

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549336
25/02/2008 18:05
25/02/2008 18:05

J
jallen
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jallen
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J



 Originally Posted By: aza
yeah could do but I think I need to move fairly quickly or someone else will nab it! seems to me whatever one you buy you will have to spend lots maintaining it so even if I get an LE model it will cost 2.5K more but I could use that to get this one up to scratch.

tricky buying these cars isn't it!


Where are you based?

I bought my first Coupe without even driving it but it was only 3 years old at the time.

My second one I bought after driving it poring over the history but failed to spot the leaking oil cooler pipes and the fact that the aux belts weren't changed etc etc.

Any old car could have almost anything wrong with it. If it drives okay and everything seems to work correctly buy it.

After buying it I would take it to Powerfiat or Motormech for a health check. I did after buying mine and got a priortised list from Rog@Powerfiat.

John

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549349
25/02/2008 18:19
25/02/2008 18:19

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aza
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aza
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I am based in sunny brighton, where is powerfiat and motormech,

I think I am going to buy it the owner is 45 year old and loves fiats he must have to spend 8.5K in bills over 6 years!
It drives well I did all the normal checks from the buyers guide on here. the only thing is the power delivery is not as fierce as some but I think the turbo needs an overhaul. so I can get that done but it drove fine and so many mechanical things have been done and no boy racer parts have ever been fitted.

I just have to bite the bullet

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549355
25/02/2008 18:25
25/02/2008 18:25

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Vickster
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Vickster
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PowerFiat are in Basildon Eseex and Motormech in Birmingham

I'd go for it given you have spare cash for maintenance/turbo \:\)

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549421
25/02/2008 20:08
25/02/2008 20:08

A
aza
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aza
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If i get it I will post some pics if anyone is interested.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549435
25/02/2008 20:21
25/02/2008 20:21

J
jallen
Unregistered
jallen
Unregistered
J



 Originally Posted By: aza
If i get it I will post some pics if anyone is interested.


Certainly would be.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549460
25/02/2008 21:05
25/02/2008 21:05

S
Skint
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Skint
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S



£8.5k is not that bad a coop will cost around a grand a year in maintenance average.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549574
25/02/2008 23:14
25/02/2008 23:14
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 588
Guildford
wink Offline
Enjoying the ride
wink  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 588
Guildford
I'd get an AA/RAC condition report first. Ask the garage why did the original engine fail at 44k? And what is the exact status of the 'recon' engine - genuine Fiat exchange unit with warranty, or just a secondhand lump from who-knows-where? Seems a bit odd that the recon engine had a cambelt change done, if I read it correctly. And I'd assume that the turbo needs replacing. Hmmm... think I'd tread carefully on this one.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: wink] #549577
25/02/2008 23:19
25/02/2008 23:19

S
suba
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suba
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If the turbo is not smoking then it does NOT need replacing!

If you are installing a new engine or recon etc. then why on earth would you not replace the cambelt?

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: ] #549591
25/02/2008 23:32
25/02/2008 23:32
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 588
Guildford
wink Offline
Enjoying the ride
wink  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 588
Guildford
If you are installing a new or properly reconditioned engine it doesn't need a replacement cambelt, does it. New means...new.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: wink] #549604
25/02/2008 23:43
25/02/2008 23:43
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,443
Balmedie, Aberdeen, Scotland
T
Tartandude Offline
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Tartandude  Offline
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T

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,443
Balmedie, Aberdeen, Scotland
 Originally Posted By: wink
If you are installing a new or properly reconditioned engine it doesn't need a replacement cambelt, does it. New means...new.


Yes you do, unless you mean that that the new engine will have a "new" cambelt fitted rather than a replacement cambelt fitted but its the same thing really as the replacement cambelt is a new cambelt at the end of the day, at least it should be! ;\)


Ex 20VT - now something far more sensible'ish... smile
Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: Tartandude] #549619
25/02/2008 23:56
25/02/2008 23:56
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 588
Guildford
wink Offline
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wink  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 588
Guildford
This is getting confusing. What I meant is that a recon engine will already have a brand new cambelt, or it's not a 'recon' - more of a 'con'.

Re: should I buy it?? 20VT ink black [Re: wink] #549716
26/02/2008 01:10
26/02/2008 01:10

S
Skint
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Skint
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Yes recon should have a cambelt done.
Second hand engine wont.

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