Buying this on Friday! You guys stopped me before thanks!

[apollo996]

You have bought the car now. Its a legally binding agreement unless something is significantly wrong.  You should of viewed the car prior to bidding or at least asked for advice before you bid.  In fact and don't take this the wrong way but you don't sound at all knowledgeable on how to check out a used car.  You should of asked for someone with knowledge to view the car.  To be honest you must be mad to buy without viewing.  Its an old 'hot hatch'.  You are highly likely to get ripped off sooner rather than later with this sort of approach.  At best its an old car so most likely will have some issues either way so be realistic.  At worse, a money pit.

Do you make a habit of bidding on cars and then asking the questions afterwards?  Its not a good policy for you or the seller.  Regarding the spacers I would be more interested on when it was last serviced and when the cam belt was changed (every 60k I think so probably due soon) etc...No offence intended but you really need to start thinking before jumping in.  Believe it or not I'm trying to help you.  YOU WILL GET BURNED AND/OR PISS SELLERS OFF.

23.05 just read your other post.  You were lucky to get £150 back.  I'm sorry to say a lesson learnt?

[XMC1980]

APOLLO

I'm not sure weather it accoutred to you or not but there are number of factors that I took into account before parting with my heard earned cash so maybe assumptions should not be made, least of all in the manner of chastising!

I bought the car and it was bought on a winning bid pending scrutiny of how it was described on the listing. I didn't view first due to the distance but when I arrived today I made a decision, which was I want a car that in principle is in good order with the engine put in second priority, the reason being, that a solid car with no rust or pre accident damage with good straight panels and good mechanical condition which it was "engine aside" brake lines, suspension,exhaust etc.... The gearbox and clutch are good too but the body was my priority because another engine won't cost more than say £600, so with £1550 plus the £600 would leave me happy in worst case scenario.

As for the listing.... Brake pads were not mentioned and I spotted them "front" and the issues I currently have I want to resolve as reasonably possible.

If the car doesn't list smokes on idle and doesn't tell me until another 10 miles up the road then I'm not exactly at fault, I'm unlucky! So the. £150 was rightly returned.

You say you're trying to help? Maybe try putting your opinions across in a more mindful manner with less assumptions

[sharki786]

Apollo is right but he put it in a harshish term. But you say 600 for an engine how much for the labout costs? What if something else is wrong with the new engine? I wouldav took the car back. Anyway move forward and i hope you have learned your lesson. This goes out to everyone else who doesnt know much about cars (im not taking the p1ss) but not everyone is clued up on cars. But if anyone else wants to view a car and is abit confused, please ask and im sure someone will be more thab happy to go with you to view the car.

[XMC1980]

Thanks sharki! And Apollo I guess I'm snappy cos my pride and wallet is hurt

[apollo996]

I'm not trying to upset anybody but the fact is these sorts of cars are often driven hard and treated badly.  Its also 10+ years old.  They need inspecting carefully and with real knowledge.

[Dalo Harkin]

I'm not being funny but if you take a car on a test drive and it drives ok and you have a look around it and the 'condition' is ok with you and there are no obvious oil leaks and what not short of pulling the car apart to check the turbo, the block, all service history if there is any most of what you can look at is superficial...

peoples knowledge of cars vary so I don't think its fair to offer your own views of what other people 'should' do is fair.

[apollo996]

'I'm not being funny but if you take a car on a test drive and it drives ok and you have a look around it and the 'condition' is ok with you and there are no obvious oil leaks and what not short of pulling the car apart to check the turbo, the block, all service history if there is any most of what you can look at is superficial...

peoples knowledge of cars vary so I don't think its fair to offer your own views of what other people 'should' do is fair'.

Yes you are correct peoples knowledge of cars vary.  Thats why you bring somebody with you who has 'real' knowledge.  If you don't know anybody pay more and buy from a well respected dealer.   

[XMC1980]

'I'm not being funny but if you take a car on a test drive and it drives ok and you have a look around it and the 'condition' is ok with you and there are no obvious oil leaks and what not short of pulling the car apart to check the turbo, the block, all service history if there is any most of what you can look at is superficial...

peoples knowledge of cars vary so I don't think its fair to offer your own views of what other people 'should' do is fair'.

Yes you are correct peoples knowledge of cars vary.  Thats why you bring somebody with you who has 'real' knowledge.  If you don't know anybody pay more and buy from a well respected dealer.

I did what I did with everything I have already mentioned and the HPI I did too, what happened to me was unfortunate not stupidity, if I was spending 5k on a R32 then we are changing goal posts