Hi. I just joined the SOC and was hope I may get some advice on finding a good Stag, the link below is one I like the look of so if anyone knows this car or can give me some advice I would be most grateful, looking to spend £10k and as I live in Ayrshire probably have to budget in transport costs as well, thank you in anticipation ~ Stephen.
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Welcome to the SOC and the forum, The car look's very pretty ( so does mine in photos) but I cannot spot a reg No so may be a bit difficult checking the history. You really need one of our guys to cast an eye. There are nice cars that come up for sale from SOC members. My advice is to take your time and don't rush into the first car you see, you should be able to get a well sorted car for the money you have to spend but I personally would keep a bit back because Stag's can come up with some unexpected suprises. PS don't be blinded by the under bonnet bling for sure it's no compensionation when you find tinworm in the chassis. Graham
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Stephen.
Welcome to the forum and soon to be Stag owner.
Just a couple of points on the car you are looking at please, please, please, get someone from the club to go with you there are a couple of points that need looking at.
The car has no pin strips OK its been rebuilt but why were they not put back?
Why are the door cards screwed on?
The door mirrors look a bit low it would be interesting if you can see in them when in the drivers seat.
The near side rear wheel arch in the photo looks "ragged" now it may be the photo or a trick of the light but if it is then please make sure the rest of the car is good. it may pay you to get something a bit cheaper and take it up to the same standard and still have a reserve for the "just in case" fund.
Nice looking car and colour combination.
Check that everything works including the hood and that it goes up and down smoothly and locks into place.
Best of luck and let us all know if you get it.
Paul.
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bunny
Welcome.
Pics look to good lol, might buy it myself, only joking one stag is enough.
Take your time and get the garage to send you a video and save yourself some travel time
vince
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bunny
Paul your right, i new something was bugging me its those mirrors, something don't seem right with that motor
Maybe its just promotion pics
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Hi Stephen, welcome to the forum, a good start. Above all, as the others have said, take an experienced Stag man with you, go along to a local natter and noggin night and pick some brains, you'll find someone there happy to help, bought with care, the Stag is an absolute delight, it's an old car so don't expect miracles, but bought badly, you'll still come to love it, but it'll cost you. Good luck in your hunt, and do let us know how you get on.Martin
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Guest
Welcome. Just abiut all of the above makes sense. That car needs a seriously good look at and, I notice, they seem to want a lot of money for the others they have for sale.
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Hi Stephen, and welcome.
That is one distinctive Stag - chrome wires, Holley or Weber carb, braided hoses, re-trimmed T-bar, etc. Someone from the SE will recognise it. Looks good, but photos on 'tinterweb mean nothing. It would be a long trip for you, but there are plenty of Surrey members on here who would have a look at it for you I'm sure.
There is a very active section of the club in your area and one member looks after a lot of their cars. Can't remember his name offhand, but go along to the local meetings and get to know them. There may be a suitable car closer to hand for you.
Just remembered he trades on eBay occasionally under the ID of 'r7gor'. Nothing for sale at present though, but if you contact seller through eBay you may be in luck................Last edited by DJT; 31 March 2013, 07:05.Dave
1974 Mk2, ZF Auto, 3.45 Diff, Datsun Driveshafts. Stag owner/maintainer since 1989.
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Guest
Stephen,
I echo everything said so far as regards getting some experienced eyes to have a look and not to rush. I bought mine with impatience (as usual) and without any specific Stag knowledge, but luckily it was a good'un (relatively), but it still gives me a regular list of "things to do" and there were quite a few things that I did not spot at the time, but I would now if I was doing it again. I live down in the south west of France (but originally from Girvan), so could not justify popping over to Blighty each time a suitable one came up for sale, so I lined up 3 private sales in the south of England and went over to view. There are so many Stags for sale, so why not develop a short list of potentially suitable ones, take some time off and go and look at them one after the other on a round trip. That red one really looks good, but the price seems to me to be in the private sale range and if it is as good as it looks I would expect the trade price to be much higher - just look at some of the prices being asked by the trade for good Stags. But there again, it just might be a bargain, but someone experienced needs to have a "shutfy" at it.
After buying from dealers in the past, I now prefer a private purchase from someone who can tell me something about his car and what he has done to it in his ownership.
There is one for sale in East Kilbride at present - http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C368235
Maybe you have already seen it, but if not, might be worth a look as it is half the price of the red one and it is very close to you.
You could always come down here on your hols and buy mine, but it is a long drive back!
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Guest
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Hi Steve and welcome.
I've recently bought a Stag and have been rectifying the PO's sins - on top of that I'm writing a book on the Stag so have been doing lots of research recently.
For 10K I would expect something that is either very original or totally restored. Mine cost me 4.2K and has some interesting rust issues, and has just had newly trimmed seats, new hood and carpets; plus a myriad of niggally issues such as dodgy starter motor, loose door handles missing trim bits, non operational instrument lights, missing boot trim boards - the list goes on! But the engine is good, gearbox is fine (after an atf change) and nice paint.
The best thing you can do is look at several cars - I looked at about four before buying mine so had a reasonable ideal of the price/condition ratio and I'm not displeased but I probably could have done better. Also have a really good poke about underneath looking at the floors and the cross members, in the boot (especially the boot floor edges), the floor to sill joins, the base of the windscreen pillars and the wheel arches. Make sure all the chrome trim is there and at 10K I would expect a hardtop to be present - the advert doesn't mention one so that's £500 off the price immediately :-).
The normal car buying tip apply - same make of tyres all round and in good condition, long MoT with minimal advisories, general good condition, all instruments and other electrical bits and bods working (check the heated rear screen if it has a hardtop), lots of mat on the brake pads and rear shoes, and overall (especially underneath and in the engine bay) clean and tidy. Any Stag with a caring owner should have loads of bills and receipts. Check the Vin plate on the passenger side door jamb; it will tell you the original paint code which will show if its been resprayed - not a problem but have a ferret under the carpets, engine bay etc. to see if its been done properly.
Basically for 10K I would expect a Stag that can be driven daily, is in good to excellent condition and has no faults; i.e .close to how it left the factory. if its not like that then walk away - there are plenty out there which are in that condition. Your best bet is to take a mate or a SOC member along to look at a car; DON'T buy the first one you see (but you can go back and buy it after looking at a few others!) and try to get a test drive in a couple - test an auto and a manual as they are very different.
Good luck :-)
Matt
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Originally posted by Matt View PostBasically for 10K I would expect a Stag that can be driven daily, is in good to excellent condition and has no faults; i.e .close to how it left the factory. there are plenty out there which are in that condition.t
Cheers
Julian
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