Cam-Belt Replacement and Info for 'Newbie'

[wentalong]

Hey all,

New to the forum, but am also starting to look for a first car and have decided im getting a Golf  I've found a cheap 1.6SE (2002) on AutoTrader for £300 and is just 2 Miles from however needs the cam belt replacing... Been quoted £990 for fully comp on insurance and so this would be a pretty cheap first car considering what my friends have been paying...

I understand how the engine works and how most of the car works however am not 100% confident but probably would be able to tell anything bad with the car if i went to look at it...

What im asking is, what would you guys say to this car? £300 seems real cheap for just a cam belt needing replacement and so im half worried something worse has happened to the car like the valves being bent in the process of the cam belt breaking? And because its not running i don't know how to see if they are bent or if there is any more serious damage?

If i was to view this car, is there any way i can test it to see if its all working okay? Also, is there anything major i should look out for on the car in particular?

Cheers guys
Curtis

[nath20vt]

if the cambelt has snapped its 99% likely the valves are bent im afraid, if your pretty handy with the spanners and dont mind getting stuck in your probably better off finding a replacment engine than gettin the current one rebuilt

[wentalong]

hmm, doesnt sound too good... well either way after a bit of boredom i found a stunning body kit for a 3dr MK4 which i'll be building the whole care around (i find it that nice...) and so the 5dr is ot of the window still would like to know some more info on the whole cambelt situation though

[JimBR]

Id budget for fitting a second hand engine if it was me. If you think you can change it over then go for it.

[wentalong]

i personally don't feel confident enough to change an engine however would pay for for one to be fitter if i went for a 5 door, however my hear now belongs to the WIZ wide body kit and so am going to desperately try an get the bet price for a running mk4 and insurance which works out at about £900 for a running mk4 1.8GTi above 2000 and another £900 for insurance so not too much over what i wanted to pay... i will most likely be swapping out the 1.8 or engine in any gold i get for an R32 as my friend has one going for me (very good price) and im right in thinking they do fit?