Collected it this afternoon, after I'd worked out it owed me about £50. Not bad for a 88k mile car.
G-red 1.3 309 with £90 worth of tax (7 1/2 months), 3 mths MOT and a spare cable with upgraded Clarion stereo and some fuel. Part SH - the first two owners appear fastidious due to the records for work that's been done. But the third ..... ?
It drives, doesn't bounce or squeak/rattle. There doesn't appear to have been any of the typical boot/sunroof leaks and the bodywork's fine - a bit of rust in a couple of places and a minor dent but that's all. The front strut tops appear to have been done at some time too. Exhaust looks almost new and it had a heater blower unit in 2002.
However, the brakes are juddering and the clutch definately won't last too much longer, but hopefully at least a week.
It also seems to have had a) a major water leak or b) head gasket failure at some point in its' life. There was some mayonnaise in the filler cap but I don't think the oil's been changed for some time. The rocker cover also looks like it may be leaking.
Jobs to do prior to a thousand mile hammering of it next week:
- Oil and filter change
- Plugs
- Flush the cooling system, or at the least drain what I can.
- Wonder how I can fit the choke cable 'cos without one it's running fast
- Figure out why the reversing and fog lamps don't work.
- Get the RH rear seat back to fit as it won't at the moment.
- Figure out whether the fuel guage is wrong or its' really using up fuel that fast (due to the choke?)
Otherwise that's it. Hopefully about 4 hours work max at the weekend.
Then I'll bung it in for a test in a week or so - if it passes it'll stay, and if not, back on eBay or I'll let the local kids Chav it!
David