Right then mate, I've owned quite a few of these over the years. And what the guys n gals are saying is right:
Basically:
Rot:
Battery tray, inner wings, under bodykit, under wheelarches, chassis legs, look at the boot floor where it joins the rear wheelarches. Stuff like that.
Rust or bubbles behind the sunroof etc as said before.
Bodywork generally:
Look out for accident damage, bad panel gaps, rippled panels or badly painted or mismatching panels, iffy welding particularly at where wings join front panel. Stuff like that.
Ringers: Check all the ID numbers and VIN plates are there and haven't been messed with. VIN plates, chassis tag by the drivers seat on the floor under the plastic flap, and make sure they haven't been cut out and/or replaced. And check the engine number if you can find it.
Check the numbers against the log book and DEFINITELY 100% do an HPI Check before buying it.
Engine. Make sure it starts up cleanly on 4 cylinders hot or cold, doesn't tap (too much, they all do a bit) or clatter. Pulls smoothly and doesn't smoke too much. Normal things for an engine really.
Don't buy one without any history because it's more than likely it's not been looked after or has done more miles than the seller tells you.
Also, amke sure it's got a decent amount of MOT on it as well, if it's only got 3 weeks the chances are the reason is that the seller knows it's going to cost a fortune to get it through another one.
I've got to say it's a bit of a minefield. A lot of the really bad ones will have been scrapped by now. But like some of the other guys said, if you're not confident about what you're looking at take someone else with you.
And the 90 spec car is only cosmetically different really, front bumper, rear spoiler and other minor bits. I do like the 90 spec cars best I must say, but I think it's a case of finding a good car generally rather than just going all out for a 90 spec.
I'll warn you, I would say the majority of these cars have had a bump of some kind or other in their life, even if it's minor, so don't go out thinking you'll get something that looks like it's just come out of the showroom unless you're willing to pay top money.
Get a good one and you'll be grinning from ear to ear.
Get a bad one and you'll wonder why you bothered.
PS I hope this hasn't put you off, I just want you to go into it with your eyes open. And of course if I didn't love RS cars I wouldn't be here, so that must tell you something.
