MattyRST

Im looking to buy a sapphire cossie within the next week or so, ive heard that a engine rebuild is advised at 100k is this true ? Is the engine reliable in the sapphire or have i jumped out the fire into a frying pan(just sold my S2) ? I havent made up my mind on 2wd or 4wd yet but heard the 2wd is easier to repair than the 4wd. Im no mechanic and im going to test drive one soon, not bothered about buying standard or one thats had a rebuild with reciepts. I have around the 5K mark to spend.

tabetha

By 100,000 it will be quite shagged TBH.
Just overhauling mine, al 16 guides shot, all exhaust valves buggered, turbo buggered, £400 head and £545 turbo, but now T34 so more power!!
You are defo looking at major work, unless you grandad it everywhere you might get a bit more but not much..
My advice buy on bodywork as engine will need doing anyway, once past I would say 80,000, bottom end will most likely just need ringing new shells etc but pistons ok so that is cheaper.
I paid £2700 for mine with good but not ace bodywork as engine a bit ropey, but easiest car in the world to work on, and all faults known about and easy cheap to fix mostly.
tabetha
ps 2wd even cheaper and more fun, sideways!!

MattyRST

Cheers tabetha Im gonna buy one with an engine rebuild done recently, hopefully but i will see, not bothered about having 2wd or 4wd just what i can get with my cash

cossieboyIOW

go 2wd!! predictability is boring lol

tabetha

It defo should be a consideration 2wd is cheaper and easier to fix particularly some things, 4wd trans can be a lot more costly and some swear by them some at them, I don't like 4wd myself but can understand why some do.
A 2wd WILL catch you if your "asleep", and it's wet, 4wd more sensible in the wet.
Anyway hope you get a nice one whatever you choose and best of luck with it!!
tabetha

MattyRST

Cheers tabetha defo something to think about, as a 2wd would be my first rear wheel drive, i did have a auto scorpio once does that count What is grip like in the dry with a 2wd ?

krisberic

It depends on state of tune, mines a 2wd on a stage 3 and will wheel spin in the dry, its great for turnin in tight spaces. If you do get one be careful in the wet they can be deadly. but fun

kevin cozzer

Mate, i have a 2wd saph, and i'll tell you honestly... a well set up 2wd handles amazingly, mine is poly bushed has adjustable suspension spax/koni and wide-ish 17" wheels... along with 283 bhp! it handles really well until you don't want it to.... or take the piss with it. plus sideways at 50mph is absolutely wicked! i'll never go back to fwd.

tabetha

They handle nice and grippy, especially with coilovers as mine has and poly all round, but will bite if not treated with respect, it is not relaxing to drive in the wet to be honest, as you are4 constantly listening for the build up and spin, no problem if you are very gentle in the wet, I have spin at 90 in the wet on standing water, and it's brown trouser time to be fair!!.
I actually tend not to use it in the wet, so much so that I am going for dry road tyres next.
tabetha