Originally Posted by DanW@FastFord

You can see the 'secondaries' open if you look in the engine bay and rev it past 3000. You should feel it get more lively when you drive it too. It's not as big a shove as a VTEC (Yo!) but it should be noticeable.



No need. That affected the early cars and not the 200. It's become a bit of a (forum spread) urban myth.

Try to get one that doesn't make an audible revs related ticking noise. At best its the exhaust manifold gasket, as worst it's the head gasket. It blows to atmosphere, so there are no other tell tale signs, no oil in the water, no smoke etc.

I got rid of mine because it had niggly problems and was just too thirsty (20-23mpg). I broke it for more than I paid it for, as there are always ST24 owners looking to upgrade to 200 bits. As a result it's a safe bet even if it does pack up.

As said wishbones are unique to the 200, so aren't cheap, although you could always just replace the balljoints which would work out cheaper.

Good car though, just buy wisely and be patient looking for an enthusiast owned low miler, rather than a leggy abused one. They're dirt cheap, for what they are too.