les3002

im looking at buying my first rs in the next month or so probably going to be a 2wd sapphire as my budget is quite low at 3k-3.5k, ive just got a few questions about them.

1. is it unrealistic to expect no rust for this price, previously when looking at cars if ive spotted rust id just walk away but with me having quite a low budget will i have to settle for a bit of rust.

2. whats the fuel consumption like, i dont expect it to be brilliant at the moment in my cav i get about 27mpg with mixed driving (60 miles to a tenner) how would it compare to that.

3. are they as tail happy as everyone says? ive never even been in a cossie but have wanted one since i was 8, they are the reason im into cars in the first place. thing is ive owned a couple of sierras my first i didnt even know was rwd until after id sold it and then a 2.0 twincam which would really go sideways unless it was wet (might be because it couldnt pull the skin of a rice pudding though!).

4. what are the main things to look for on the engine, i know the headgaskets are a weak point but what else besides the usual smoke etc?

cheers in advance guys,

les.

collierm

TBH mate, I was on the same budget as you and I concentrated on one that was mechanically sound with a bit of surface rust, but no major structural problems.

I wasn't overly fussed about the bodywork sporting some marks as I always knew I was going to get it repainted.

Fuel Consumption, depends how you drive. Off boost, I get reasonable 25-29mpg. On, dunno what is it, averages around 15 I think.

Yes they are tail happy, but friggin good fun. Try and find one with wipers fitted to the side windows

Look at the headgaskets, oil sludge, let it tickover from cold and warm up, see if you notice anything majorly change. Mine needed a new phase sensor as it was hunting the revs when cold, a few quid later, its fine.

Go buy one, they aren't the cheapest car to run but I don't regret it one bit, most fun I've had with my clothes on.

Try Fast Ford aswell for a buyers guide. Ring back issues and ask them.

JRST

mate being honest make sure you get one with a good engine. Bodywise there you can get it fixed later but engine wise you need it to be spot on.

Jay

It's Czech Mate

Look at Spadges car in the for sale section, if you can stretch to it it sounds right up yout street

jamesers20004x4

just bought one meself mate paid 3850 for mine so a bit more than your budjet, but i found afew gooduns for this price!!!

also check the boot, really bad for water leaks hence the rotten sparewheel well

i would go for mechanically sound rather than bodywork TBH as thats where all your bunst is gonna go engine and drivetrain!!!!! can handle few hundred quid for some rust...... its that full engine build thats gonna hurt your pocket

les3002

yeah i suppose your right just try and find one that runs and drives good the body can come later.

mikee_rs

mmmm i believe that buying an rs it should be the body that should be the most important thing.


it would b alot harder trying to bring a rust bucket of a shell back up to standard then changing over in engine or even having 1 built

but then with a budget of 3.5k max it doesnt sound like you will be building a monster bhp engine


good luck

andyt

iTrader: (1)

my thoughts too mate

john

My car has around 340 to 350 bhp and is not tail happy at all, well is if provoked. Round the Ring it has brilliant grip where otheres with similar spec would struggle. Id imagine this down to the suspension set up and tyres. Mine seems to work well and gets the power down quickly.

Csm

off boost my stage 3 cossie is just like a normal 2ltr for fuel econemy, bit diff if the turbo is spinning even slightly lol

les3002

to be honest big bhp isnt what im after would be happy with stg1 for now at least, the economy i expect to be pretty poor but i can live with that.

i think if i do get one ill just try to get one with no rot, a bit of surface rust on the arches isnt a prob, as long as the chassis rails arnt shot and the floor and sills look akay, ill try and see if i can get the owner to jack it up for me so can have a decent look, other than that make sure its not going to need anything major mechanically, obviously im not expecting a minter considering the budget im working with though.

ive thought of selling the cav aswell that would give me around 6.5k to play with but i reckon as a daily drive the cav is probably better, plus with two cars if one breaks down im not completly fukced!

neil andeRSon

iTrader: (3)

personally i'd look at one with rust but then i'm a panel beater. if on the other hand i was a mechanic i'd look for one without rust.
go for whatever your ok with fixing yourself..i've had my saph for 5 year's now. it was'nt mint when a got it but it was'nt far from it.. now with being up in the shetland's for 5 year's it need's the body sorting. engine is still at 160K withuot a rebuild.. to my knowlege that is..

les3002

im better at mechanicals than body, i could rebuild the engine myself if needs be but wouldnt want to be tackling any paintwork, although i can get it done pretty cheap had my cav resprayed last month for Ł600 and he has done a very good job on it for the money.

neil andeRSon

iTrader: (3)

fook me that's alright.... if that's the case m8 i'd try looking for one with a better body. there's a few out there am sure something will turn up.. i was'nt even looking to get an rs when a got mine. a local garage took it up from the middle of england an i thought fook it am gonna have that..

best thing i ever did.. still smilin even tho it's sittin outside the house in a million bit's!!

les3002

yeah think your right, bit of surface rust dont bother me though.

cant wait to get one been an ambition of mine for ever to own one of these cars (sad i know!), i think getting the hang of a decent rwd will be fun aswell just hope the learning curve isnt too steep

neil andeRSon

iTrader: (3)

aint sad at all m8.. i've alway's wanted a capri.. had one when i was 20. 2.8 turbo.. god i miss that car...alway's want another..

les3002

lol a 2.8 turbo capri! now that would be fun!