Still Looking - Problem with Valuations

[1979scotte]

Same as me.
There are a few good mechanics on here who charge fairly for competant work.
However you would surprised what you can do with a bit of help from fellow members.
Changed a radiator on my drive with Toms help.
Even did a stereo on my own which wasnt dificult at all surprisingly.

[Eastsoutheast]

Take a look at MX5 and Jaguar forums where you will see lots of feedback from owners with Mohair soft tops claiming they are absolutely fine left outside all year round. A couple of owners sold their hard tops because the mohair soft tops stood up to the elements so well. Most advise a proper clean and waterproof treatment twice yearly and that's it. You need to clean birds muck off which is made much easier if you treat the roof with waterproofer as per above.

Mine lives outside all year round and whilst I still have the original vinyl roof I will be changing to a mohair roof with no concerns in a year or so.

Good Luck

[Iandh]

Mine lives outside to, treated to regular coverings of Autoglym HD wax and mohair weather protected twice a year  :-) :-) :-)

Beads better than vinyl and folds even on the coldest of days

[Topdownman]

I would see mohair as a good thing and certainly not a concern, I will be getting one myself at some stage soon I hope.

The ability to drop the top easily is something the standard cars lack (especially the red vinyl roofs).

[jeffsimply]

I'll end up with a lemon if I rush it.

You could end up with a lemon either way. And if you end up inspecting every car to the degree you'd need to (to guarantee minter, which you won't for 2-3k anyway) you'd have probably wasted so much time you could have bought the roughest dog in the country and replaced the attention required bits for the time saved.

/rant.

[Tomo70]

+1 on that jeffsimple. These cars are over 8 years old now. They are beyond their 6 year corrosion guarantee. They all need TLC.

Even a car that's done 40k and full service history may still need a new Radiator, rear cross member. You need to build into your budget that the car is gonna need some attention.

These cars get under your skin as previously mentioned. You have really got to want one of these little cars. They give you plenty of ups and downs. I have been under my car for last 6 weeks couple of hours a day. Today I took her into the dales for a 100 mile top down drive. With a big grin on my face.

I have no reason to market Ian's car for him but I know how much time and money I have spent on my car in the last 3 years. On paper his car should be worth 6k easy. But due to market values that is a very good price.

Rant over, Happy Shopping.

[exiles]

Thanks for your input

[Bernie]

Looking on Autotrader site a well looked after FL car with reasonable mileage is going to cost a minimum of £4K

Anything in your £2 to £3K budget is going to have issues its supply and demand and with Spring approaching prices will firm up too

There are a lot of unloved poorly serviced cars out there that you will need to factor in additional costs to put right which will bring you up nearer £4K

IMO a car bought from a club member, well looked after is a complete no brainier

[exiles]

I agree

[Chilli Girl]

I paid 4k for Foxy, a bog standard 2, 55 reg with 50k ftsh. I was prepared to pay that, it
may've bn 500 quid over the top but I was prepared to pay the money. I've spent 400 quid
on tyres & aux belt so you have to be prepared to spend money for upkeep. I think they are
worth but thats my opinion!   s:D s:D

[massenj]

Hi there, i am 40, with full no claim and pay £360 to insure a six month old astra gtc 1.4 turbo worth about 10k and my 2004 mr2. I am with Admiral on a multi car policy, limited to about 12k miles per year over both cars but that includes business cover too.

In relation to value it is tough, there are a LOT of bad mr2's for sale, i think i viewed most of them when looking for mine!  I think miles and condition is everything...i am the 5th owner of mine but i know the previous two owners well.  If i was to part with mine i would want back at least what i paid for it.  Others may think it is too much but i paid 3.2k for a 2004, 53 plate, sable with tte roll over hoop, tte sport exhaust and a tte ducktail spoiler. It has silver and black leather which seems quite rare (?). It has a part history which doesn't worry me as i know where it has been and it has been serviced by my friend. It is on 56k miles...according to parkers/we buy any car it is worth £1600 but as i said i would want 3.2k and was offered 3.4k weeks after i got it.

If you find a good un' spend the extra?!

[Lurch]

Agree with above, mine is a 2003  with 10,700 miles from new and as come out of showroom, now book price would be laughable for it, I too know the previous owner and I bought it with 5,300 miles on it, it would not leave me for anything Unless it was near £6k  , steep I know but you know what you get.  I pay £141.00 fully comp with admiral for mine, 48 on multi car policy.

[Chilli Girl]

Nice to hear from you Lurch. I pay almost 200 quid full comp & marginally younger than you!  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  
Dont sell, not a nice feeling - believe me I know! Well happy now tho!   s:D s:D

[Lurch]

Don't want to sell but if money's right you never know but yes probably regret it afterwards ! Glad your happy with yours !

[exiles]

Hopefully all is in hand, just the minor stumbling block of the wife at the moment. Mr CC has paid for a holiday on her birthday though so looking quite positive.

[Markb]

Ref Insurance....just renewed mine...47, full no claims etc and I'm in northern ireland (not the cheapest area to insure a car)...£417 for 2 cars,an 04 roadster and a Rav4....Admiral multi car,fully comp protected.

[exiles]

Thanks for the info.
I have now shopped around and have found a limited miles policy 6k  ,£150 excess,  with the wife as named driver. Even with no NCB its circa £210, which I tink is pretty good.

[Hext007]

To re in force what others are saying I paid what would seam over the odds for mine, but it was a one owner 45000 mile car, good condition with a few minor marks etc, but nothing that can be sorted, looked at the rear subframe before purchase and looks really good, took the frunk cover out this weekend, everything looks pretty good, so I would say get the best example you can afford as they are the sort of car you want to hang on to, looked at Parkers afterwards and had a shock at what they supposedly said mine was worth. Could have got one with similar mileage but 6 owners for £1300 less, but mine had a hardtop so that is £500 difference if you wanted to sell so all in was happy. Also a year down the line the little extra will be forgotten about.

[exiles]

160 miles into ownership, So how much will a chain tensioner O ring leak cost me at an independent?

[mr-ed_smt]

160 miles in to ownership, So how much will a chain tensioner O ring leak cost me at an independent?

A new tensioner is £30 (or penny's for just the O-ring) and it takes literally 5 minutes to fit.

[exiles]

thank, here's hoping that they dont find anything else when they give it the once over

[exiles]

oh for flips sake, sumps knackered too.

[Anonymous]

oh for flips sake, sumps knackered too.

Surprising, never seen one of thoses damaged

[exiles]

not damaged rusted through on the side. Had a google and not unknown apparently. Lets see what this little lot is going to cost me

[carolineasb]

Our Oldie needed a sump when we got her!