Morning all. Recently joined the club as I am looking for a Stag to use regularly. I have done a bit of homework and have a lengthy checklist of what to look for, and have spoken to my local area rep who gave some extra good advice.
I have been to see a few cars, but I have found one that seems to tick the right boxes. I am reluctant to put in an offer until I have looked at more cars, but I dont want to miss out on a good car just for the sake of shopping around.I wonder whether anyone is prepared to stick their neck out and give me an opinion as to whether the car that I have in mind sounds appropriately priced and sounds like a good motor. The car is from a dealer, and is priced just over £5k. Here are my comments:
BODY - has been subject to new front and rear wings in the last 10 years, as well as part of the floorpan and a door skin. Paintwork looks good and even. Some localised rust on front valance but contained and about the size of a 2p piece. Some bubbling at the top of the A post, but appears to be surface rust. Floorpan sound and have lifted carpets to inspect. Inner sill feels solid. Wheel arches are crisp. One door has localised area of corrosion on leading edge, about the size of a 2p, but the inside of the door appears sound. Drain holes on the bottom corners of the same door have been filled and are a little crunchy, but the door skin folds appear to be pretty good all round. Wings all look good, with a little rust apparent at the join of the rear wing to the back end of the sill, but no bubbling just discolouration. Rear suspension mounts are solid. Underneath is solid. It appears to have been patched in a few places, but all areas are solid and well covered in waxoyl. Front outriggers have a little surface rust under the waxoyl but are solid. Sills appear and feel solid. Boot floor is good.
HOOD and TRIM - New mohair hood fitted 2 years ago, and the operation of the hood is fine. Appears to be watertight and no evidence of damp carpets. Rear window is good, and is the zip in type. Was surprised to be able to see daylight through the gap between the rear quarter of the hood and the rear wing. Does this mean the hood doesnt fit properly, or is this just normal? Interior has been refurbished properly and although the seats do not have head rests, they are well padded and very comfy. All guages work fine, elecs all ok, although drivers window is a little slow.
Steering is positive and rack and gaiters look good. No leaks apparent from steering pump.
No evidence of oil leaks of any note from gearbox or axle. Gearchange feels a little notchy, and 2nd gear is harder to engage on downchange than others. Overdrive engages and disengages a little slowly, but smoothly. Axle is a little whiney.
ENGINE - No timing chain noise on start up. No water in the V, and no water in the oil. Engine starts from cold on the button, and ticks over smoothly. No evidence of oil burning under throttle or on overrun. Oil pressure on tickover is about 25 psi (I think), up to around 45 psi when under throttle. I couldnt get the car to get hot even when leaving it to tick over for 5 or 10 minutes. The radiator was hot at the top and bottom, and it warmed up slowly, eventually reaching 80 degrees. It is fitted with a Summer stat apparently. Heater blows hot air fine. No evidence of leaky waterpump or any other part of the cooling system. No oil light on tickover.
Overall, a nice drive. Prior to sale, the car has had new shox, new brakes all round including discs and hoses, new alternator, new screen, a CD player, and an oilservice. In the last 30,000 miles, it has had an engine rebuild, £3k of bodywork, new hood, retrim including a burr walnut dash, new alloys, new clutch.
Apart from those small areas of rust, the whining diff, and the rear bushes needing replacement at some point, I thought it was a good solid motor.
Any thoughts anyone? Anything I should pay closer attention to?
Many thanks.
I have been to see a few cars, but I have found one that seems to tick the right boxes. I am reluctant to put in an offer until I have looked at more cars, but I dont want to miss out on a good car just for the sake of shopping around.I wonder whether anyone is prepared to stick their neck out and give me an opinion as to whether the car that I have in mind sounds appropriately priced and sounds like a good motor. The car is from a dealer, and is priced just over £5k. Here are my comments:
BODY - has been subject to new front and rear wings in the last 10 years, as well as part of the floorpan and a door skin. Paintwork looks good and even. Some localised rust on front valance but contained and about the size of a 2p piece. Some bubbling at the top of the A post, but appears to be surface rust. Floorpan sound and have lifted carpets to inspect. Inner sill feels solid. Wheel arches are crisp. One door has localised area of corrosion on leading edge, about the size of a 2p, but the inside of the door appears sound. Drain holes on the bottom corners of the same door have been filled and are a little crunchy, but the door skin folds appear to be pretty good all round. Wings all look good, with a little rust apparent at the join of the rear wing to the back end of the sill, but no bubbling just discolouration. Rear suspension mounts are solid. Underneath is solid. It appears to have been patched in a few places, but all areas are solid and well covered in waxoyl. Front outriggers have a little surface rust under the waxoyl but are solid. Sills appear and feel solid. Boot floor is good.
HOOD and TRIM - New mohair hood fitted 2 years ago, and the operation of the hood is fine. Appears to be watertight and no evidence of damp carpets. Rear window is good, and is the zip in type. Was surprised to be able to see daylight through the gap between the rear quarter of the hood and the rear wing. Does this mean the hood doesnt fit properly, or is this just normal? Interior has been refurbished properly and although the seats do not have head rests, they are well padded and very comfy. All guages work fine, elecs all ok, although drivers window is a little slow.
Steering is positive and rack and gaiters look good. No leaks apparent from steering pump.
No evidence of oil leaks of any note from gearbox or axle. Gearchange feels a little notchy, and 2nd gear is harder to engage on downchange than others. Overdrive engages and disengages a little slowly, but smoothly. Axle is a little whiney.
ENGINE - No timing chain noise on start up. No water in the V, and no water in the oil. Engine starts from cold on the button, and ticks over smoothly. No evidence of oil burning under throttle or on overrun. Oil pressure on tickover is about 25 psi (I think), up to around 45 psi when under throttle. I couldnt get the car to get hot even when leaving it to tick over for 5 or 10 minutes. The radiator was hot at the top and bottom, and it warmed up slowly, eventually reaching 80 degrees. It is fitted with a Summer stat apparently. Heater blows hot air fine. No evidence of leaky waterpump or any other part of the cooling system. No oil light on tickover.
Overall, a nice drive. Prior to sale, the car has had new shox, new brakes all round including discs and hoses, new alternator, new screen, a CD player, and an oilservice. In the last 30,000 miles, it has had an engine rebuild, £3k of bodywork, new hood, retrim including a burr walnut dash, new alloys, new clutch.
Apart from those small areas of rust, the whining diff, and the rear bushes needing replacement at some point, I thought it was a good solid motor.
Any thoughts anyone? Anything I should pay closer attention to?
Many thanks.
Hi covsprint- me again! the hood issue.....mine exactly the same(gape) you have to adjust the linkage bar to compensate(3 nuts and bolts) bit fiddly but do not panic can be put right relativley straitforward............P.S you need to follow the instructions implicitlley about raising same! if you do not has a tendency to throw hood out of alignment!
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