Thinking about a 1997 20VT

All,

I'm looking for a bit of your expert advice.

I'm considering having a 1997 20VT inspected. Looks great in the ad and the seller has been really helpful answering questions.

The car has just shy of 100k miles on the clock, of which only around 4k in the last 3 years, during which the cambelt was changed.

Car condition looks very good corrosion-wise (at least from the photos I've seen), but having owned one from new in 1998 and done 193k miles (trouble-free) it finally succumbed to the dreaded oxide. So I do have a question mark over this aspect, given that I want any 'new' car to be one I can keep for 5+ years.

Incidentally, the interior looks v good and there are apparently no issues with engine, turbo or transmission.

Assuming the vehicle to be relatively corrosion-free, what do members think I should be looking to pay for this car?

As you've already found with your previous Sprint blue checking for corrosion is the key to buying a solid Coupé, reliability is down to a good owner who's dealt with any issues that arouse, even the little ones like water getting in the side light so if we assume it's solid and up to date with service work I'd say £2000-2500 but it's a pure guess as I've seen similar examples sell for £4k, it's what you're prepared to pay tbh.

Many thanks for your thoughts, which are much appreciated.

I have to say that the one I'm considering is right at the top end of the figures you suggest, which has left me in my current quandary given the car's done nearly 100k miles!

Any further thoughts are always welcome!

Can you post a link?

Perhaps the1998/R Sprint Blue one on Autotrader not a million miles from you Joe?

Is that the Hereford one Dave?

Correct, guys- that's the one!!

It also appears on Ebay.

Ross on why Coupé, that looks quite tidy, suspension components are going to be due for changing as it's still on original top mounts, rad is black so an original Valeo and the underside is an unknown so maybe a little more then I'd like to pay depending on an inspection.

Btw I'm less then 30 minutes away if you'd like me to check it over, pm me if you're serious about this one.

Great stuff and many thanks for the offer. I'd like to take you up on that because I am serious about the car!

I'm thinking about getting the internet guys, MyCarInspections to do the full monty on the car. Any thoughts on those boys?

BTW, as a technophobe, I've no idea how to send a PM. How's that done?

Best

Erm, Joe has just offered to do this for you - guaranteed he will find twice as many salient points than MCI!! He is one of less than you have fingers on one hand who *really* knows these cars.

FWIW I would take him up on the offer.......just saying



For PM's go to My Stuff at the top of the page, or click on the person's forum name you want to send to....

Edinburgh,

Many thanks for the input. I'll send the appropriate PM.

Good luck with it, and definitely get Joe to do it instead of the Internet company. Wish I did!

Thankyou for the input. I'm in touch with Joe and we are moving things forward.

Fingers crossed!

May be wrong but that one is Phil Ward's old one, with about £2k+ on the price he sold it for....looks a lovely example. Think Phil Ward sold it and then the buyer then sold it shortly after possibly to the outfit that are now currently selling....just read ad and it is indeed the one.