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Travelling to view a car. And then maybe buy it

 
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Flex
Alfa Arna


Joined: 04 Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Bath, UK

PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:31 pm    Post subject: Travelling to view a car. And then maybe buy it Reply with quote

So, If a really great car came up many, many miles away, what would you do before making a long trip to view?
What checks (HPI?) ?
What Questions?
Anything 33 Specific?
Anything else?
Would you get someone nearby to look at it for you?

You may have guessed why I'm asking this question.
Thanks for any replies
Felix Very Happy
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bobbber
P4


Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 2162
Location: The Greatest Town on Earth - Swadlincote, UK

PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, Felix... this is a nightmare. I went to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to view a shed once! Laughing

Where is "many, many miles away"? Someone on here might take a look at it for you. Then you've got the issue of your opinion being different to the person who takes a look etc...

Also, I guess the general condition would be a factor. If it was a shed (and you knew this, like a car for restoration) most of these questions wouldn't be relevant!

All the best,

Bbbb
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Flex
Alfa Arna


Joined: 04 Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Bath, UK

PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ok then
Car in Hull. Sounds pretty good...
Could be great! could be a waste of time.
Waiting for some pics. Will ring up tomorrow, with some questions and a checklist I have drawn up. Pretty sure its quite exhaustive without being too long.
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bobbber
P4


Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 2162
Location: The Greatest Town on Earth - Swadlincote, UK

PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Flex wrote:
ok then
Car in Hull. Sounds pretty good...
Could be great! could be a waste of time.
Waiting for some pics. Will ring up tomorrow, with some questions and a checklist I have drawn up. Pretty sure its quite exhaustive without being too long.


Ok.. I'm *not* going up to Hull Laughing
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Flex
Alfa Arna


Joined: 04 Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Bath, UK

PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bobbber wrote:
Flex wrote:
ok then
Car in Hull. Sounds pretty good...
Could be great! could be a waste of time.
Waiting for some pics. Will ring up tomorrow, with some questions and a checklist I have drawn up. Pretty sure its quite exhaustive without being too long.


Ok.. I'm *not* going up to Hull Laughing


This is a danger... Send someone to look at the car and they buy it Wink
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paulhide
P4


Joined: 20 Dec 2003
Posts: 1607
Location: Oh Beautiful Billingham

PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It does at least have a year's ticket so you know. at the very least, that it is a runner. Do not trust digital photos for body work unless in very high resolution.
Anyone near Hull?
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http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188
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Flex
Alfa Arna


Joined: 04 Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Bath, UK

PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm still waiting for some photos...

Was serviced, but not by an alfa specialist. Is there anything that may have been missed?
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Flex
Alfa Arna


Joined: 04 Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Bath, UK

PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right
For the information of people here:

I had another chat about the car in Hull and have looked at some pics: it is in beautiful condition, but there is no history, apparently runs very well with no problems, but it had been standing for some time (I assume in a garage) - the owner has no idea how long, before he bought it in November last year, but it was in the region of years as opposed to months. It was serviced (vital fluids etc) and appears to be in brilliant shape however.
I am probably not going for it as I am worried about it suffering over a 250mile drive that it would have to do to get it home. Is this a valid concern, or should I do it?

Felix
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bobbber
P4


Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 2162
Location: The Greatest Town on Earth - Swadlincote, UK

PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Felix...

I have a lot of experience of this kind of thing. None of these things matter if the car is older than about 8 years.

I've seen some recently serviced sheds and some unloved pieces of magic. You just can't tell... a lot still has to do with how lucky the car was at the factory (good/bad batch of metal that day etc...)

At the end of the day you need to go and see it and decide for yourself, mileage, history etc... aside.

B
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bobbber
P4


Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 2162
Location: The Greatest Town on Earth - Swadlincote, UK

PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Feel free to pop in on the journey and pick me up. We can go look together. Or you can stay at mine on the return journey or whatever. I went to university at Bath funnily enough.

B
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Flex
Alfa Arna


Joined: 04 Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Bath, UK

PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you very much for the kind offer
Well, as I am currently without a car, I would need to take the train (return ticket is not much more than petrol one way) however, on the way back it would be pretty much past you...
I don't know what to think!
Honestly, the car sounds good as far as it has been described, and reckon I could do a reasonable job of looking over it. However having someone with me would still be a massive help.

It has no tax also - I guess this could be sorted out at a post office, or possibly the owner could sort it out. I was looking at getting insurance for the day so that test drive would be possible (and use the 14 days 'cooling off' to cancel it if it wasn't suitable, should be no great expense)

Aaargh.

Also saw the 33 16v on ebay, but it needs welding for a mot... and still a fair bit away from here.

I am definitely mad.

Felix
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paulhide
P4


Joined: 20 Dec 2003
Posts: 1607
Location: Oh Beautiful Billingham

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The series 2 carbed is simpler to work on than the 16v anyway.
Bobbber would be good to have with you.
Ah, memories of driving newly purchased 33s long journeys back home. I've done it many times.
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http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188
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Flex
Alfa Arna


Joined: 04 Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Bath, UK

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Am I right to be cautious about the possibility of a car dumping its guts out on a 250 mile drive after a long period of hibernation... Or should I man up?!

Felix
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paulhide
P4


Joined: 20 Dec 2003
Posts: 1607
Location: Oh Beautiful Billingham

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is possible, but it never happened to me and I've driven some very unhappy 33s home.
As long as the engine is running smoothly and the belts are happy and there aren't any major bodges, any minor problems can always be sorted out.
One thing to note on a TI is that there is no rear windscreen wiper and so the rear screen heater needs to be working. Ask if this and windscreen wipers/jets, electric windows, lights, indicators, rev counter, fuel gauge and speedo are working. Make sure the clutch is good too and ask if any of the gears are crunchy. By the way if you drive it, 2nd gear isn't quite straight back from 1st, push slightly away from you as pull it back - you will understand once you drive it and it will become natural very quickly, but it should not really crunch. The lights and wipers should be fine if it's passed an MOT as should the chassis. You could check inside the boot where the rear spoiler attaches to see if there is any major rust there.
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http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188
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