I got the car last November, with a somewhat dodgy engine, and have since put in a known good engine which was ex David Rutherford via Bandit. I took the opportunity to fit a new clutch and cable at the same time, and also timing belt, water pump and accumulator sphere. In the few thousand miles since then the car has been totally trouble free, and hasn't used any oil and water (at least since I tightened up a hoseclip I'd overlooked
).Interior of the car is very tidy, with the exception of two small holes in the dash where some git has had a hands free kit mounted. The external bodywork polishes up well, and the car does look smart *however* a corner of the tailgate is cracked, there is a small scratch on one back wing, and the black paint on the window frames is thin in places as is common. Generally though, the car looks well, and is almost rust-free.
Mechanically I have no reservations about the car, it drives well, and the suspension is good. No signs of rear arm bearing issues, smooth suspension and all pipework looks good. The only niggles the car has are as follows:
1) On a cold day it does the thing where until the car has warmed up the power steering is erratic. I suspect this is a tired hydraulic pump.
2) The heater control is stiff, and in order to rectify this it would need a new tap, or apparently they can be dismantled and cleaned. I've always just put up with it, but its not a terrible job (accessible in the footwell).
3) On starting it likes two shots of the glowplugs to start when cold.
I've just put a new MOT on the car, and it is taxed until the end of December.
I think £350 is fair, and the car is in Durham. The link beneath contains the photos I was provided with when I bought the car last year. Aside from fitting wider wheels and Xantia trims, the car looks much the same today, however I will take some new photos and post them over the next couple of days.
http://s449.photobucket.com/albums/qq22 ... auncefoot/
