todays top tip
buy on CONDITION OF THE SHELL
nothing more, nothing less

what sort of things should i look out for, rust etc i can sort as il repair it... any i should know about which is a common problem?
thanks for all your help guys
callum
A common problem is girls will break your heart.
Other than that, look for bubbling flaking paint which may be hiding rust, or any dull looking paintwork, as that could be a dodgy paintjob after a dodgy repair.
If you must, check history, they'll eventually need a gearbox rebuild, headgasket, common on an old car. The diff bearings tend to go too. The rest is a few quid here and there really.