I'm starting to have a look around at 3 Dr's and would like to know what to look for as regards bad points on the cars. Also what money should I be Looking at spending for a clean one with history. Thanks.

 

I'd say £7k is the starting point for good ones. If you can find £10k you can have one of the best. As for history, personally I'd look for a recent engine rebuild unless it's got super low miles.

I think my only other piece of advice, would be to buy one from someone on Passionford, because the ones for sale here are in the main known by the community, and more likely to be straight genuine cars.

 

Thanks for your help and advice. Cheers.

 

I would say 8k plus for one with good history.. The prices seem to be creeping up at the moment for good ones. The biggest problem is rot, check the inner wings around where the strut meets the inner wing, have a good feel around the turret base for plates as when these rot they are plated as a quick fix and the rot will come back.

Mine went around the passenger side and I had the entire inner wing replaced for peace of mind. The other areas are sills and the rear box section under the rear floor.

 

i bought mine with 40k on the clock by the time it got to 52k it had knocked the bottom end out i paid £7200 for mine in jan05

 

Thanks guys for all your help . I will have a good look over what ever car I go to have a look at. If I'm unsure I will ask you guys for a bit of help. I'm hoping I can find a nice one .

 

what colour are you looking for?i have a moonstone that i might sell if the price is right its getting alot off engine work(all the head with a wrc gasket not some cheap crap) spent a few grand on it never been welded exterior & interior is clean no real sagging and no fag burns etc etc as above stated sills,arches,floor are very solid might need 1 inner wing but thats the most 87k on it alot off polished bits on it greys,t38,500 intercooler,some more etc tec. garaged all the time *only reason beCOS i want to get an escort COS
if you want to see it go onto bebo and putt this in *Craig Hayter <CraigH986>*
cheeRS

 

Hi Craig. Thanks very much for your offer.But its a White one I'm after.Cheers .

 

i paid 11.5k for mine a few months back, and it was one of the cleanest i've seen in years.

30k miles, 4 owners, and near concourse condition.

my best advice is spend as much as you can, the is a big different between and 30-40k mile car, and an 80-90k+ mile car.

 

hi Ryan. Yep I know what your saying. I have had a look at some and its the old story what people describe as mint is not what I would describe as mint. I will continue looking I'm sure the car I want will turn up. Cheers.

 

exactly mate, i was going to spend 10k tops, then this popped up, and it was worth the extra by a long shot.

just beacuse everything is so unused still, i.e it drives compeltely different to a lot of 3dr's which are very sloppy and tired. unless they've replaced all the bushes/suspension/steering/gearbox etc engine.