Not in Eastern Europe or Africa.... I did the "Mongolia Rally" - same thing basically as the Mongol rally but a lot cheaper and you could take any car that you wanted. We happened to set off at the same time as the Mongol rally lot too, so we were basically on their rally. There were a suprising amount of Opel Vectra's (i.e. the Vauxhall Cavalier) in Kazakhstan - we hadn't realised the level of importing old cars from Germany.
I got a picture of the damage before the repair. I dont see how thats a write off for catagory C, ie repairs cost more than the value of the car. It doesnt look like it could have had any impact, probably someone in a car park hitting it. I found another vectra, bigger engine 20k more miles but 2 years newer for £999 and has not been in an accident . Owner is an old man, is that a sign that it might have been looked after? I assume old people dont thrash them and fix things when they go wrong.
Old people can be the best or worst owners. Some maintain their cars really well, some don't. Some keep revving the engine until they can hear it (6k rpm) before changing up. 20 thousand miles is nothing really, the newer, bigger non-damaged one sounds like a better deal.
Problem is that you don't know how much that bumper could flex. In a worst case scenario the chassis around the front suspension could be damaged. That would cost a fortune to fix.
Sorry - look at that photo. If it's intruded enough to buckle the corner of the bonnet and crack the grille surround you're going to want someone to take at the very least a good look at it. I think that silver colour isn't paint transfer, I think it's the primer/natural plastic of the bumper, and judging by abrasions on the bonnet and headlight I think something big backed over the front, or they ran into the back of a lorry or something. If it's all fixed now, that's good, but take along someone who knows what they're doing. [EDIT]What Xen0phobiak said is quite right - if it's a forgetful elderly person who forgets the oil changes and runs over trolleys and pedestrians all the time the car's not going to be in good shape. On the other hand, if it really, honestly hasn't been crashed I think it's the better deal.[/EDIT]
i second that if it is a vectra you must have then go for the second one. assuming Nissan's didn't come into the equation?
I'd go for that vectra, assuming there is no chassis damage, and I would want to know that the price reflects this damage, because any written off car, even if it's cat c will loose ALLOT of it's market value. The vectra is a very reliable car, and more so than a mondeo. A common problem in a 2000 vectra is that the steering rack can fail, so look at the history to see if thats been done. Good things to negotiate on are repairs that you will need to do, or replacemtns such as tyres, cam belt, service, worn suspension bushes. If it were me I'd go for a vectra because they are very servicable and the UK is full of parts, and you don't even need to pay anywhere near the retail at the vx part warehouse. I would want to pay £800 for that car. I drove a 2.2 dti CDX model with full leather interior and all the trimmings, vx bodykit and in good condition for £1100, and thats in NI were cars are dearer. Oh, and only buy a diesel. A 1.6 pulling such a big car is going to be thirsty. The CDTI is a great car to go for. Do check for rust on the doors as sometimes they don't let out the water too well. Don't buy anything until you are totally happy, and remember it's going to be your car, so you will be the one taking on ALL the trouble if it's not a good car. If you take a test drive. Let it heat up, give it a good blast in all gears. Test for steerring play, take a few hard corners, drive on bumpy roads. Make sure it's not pluming out white smoke. This means the head gasket is going, and check the brake discs for wear too. Also, open the bonnet after the drive and check to see if it's lost water compared to when you first drove it (obviously not opening the coolant when hot!!) Check for oil leaks etc. The further down they are the hard they are to fix. I have have had 3 astras and I took delivery of a coupe turbo. For 210BHP my insurance is low, parts are cheap and mechanics find them easy to work with, so not to mention it looks fantastic and hadles very well, for me there is nothing to touch it tbh, but it's each to their own. The veccy is a great car and often undervalued in this country simply because it's common. Also try the mk4 estate with 1.7 isuzu engine, i'd recomment that it's VERY roomy, you'd be suprised. I got my pal on and he's 6'3, says it's more roomy than his octavia and people can sit in the back even though he has the seat back, unlike the octavia. I think thats cover a fair bit!lol. Hope you find what you want though!
Thanks for all the info guys you have been very helpful. Just to let you know I have finally bought a car. I went for a Silver Astra 1.6, 5 Door 2001 Model with 6 months Tax and 6 Months MOT for £1650. The dealer was selling it on the forecourt at £2k with a 12 month MOT. I got it to £1700 with the 12 month MOT but then got it to £1650 leaving the existing 6 months MOT. £50 I save will get me 12 months next May so at £1700 I end up with 18 months in theory. The car is mint inside and out except its got a couple of scratchs and small tiny dents on a passenger door and the rear bumper. Hopefully I can get them cleaned up for next to nothing from the garage my Bro works at in Somerset. Will be visiting at xmas. When we were in his office just about to pay, the phone rang. It was someone asking if hes got any Astra's, he said he has one for £2k but a couple are interested in it and about to buy so its goine. The person must have offered to pay more than £2k because he then went on to say he has morals and its gone. He could so easily say bye to us and get another £350. We just got in there in time. I will put up pictures when I pick it up. Now I need to book a parking space near my appartment which is £57 a month and sort out the insurance. I pick it up on Monday and cant wait
Its an 8, I will be getting my bro to check the Cambelt, apparrently they are due for a change around the 80k mark. Its too dark when I finish work for any decent pics at the mo. Hers one with the wife Im happy with it Annoying thing is its very quiet, I cant have the stereo on at the moment because I cant hear the engine lol. I thought I stalled it but then realised it was still running when I tried the key lol Even the click of the indicators is too quiet, either that or I need my ears testing. Runs really well so far, I hope I dont spend too much on maintenance for the next 4 years until I buy a new car. Its only failed 2 MOT's, 1 for a faulty horn and the second because of one tyre. Its wasowned by a PHD Professor who lived in a very expensive part of Sheffield. It looks to have been maintained very well, I shall find out how well over time.
She looks good! (The car's not bad either.) No tachometer? That will let you know when it's stalled; also, if any of my cars have been any evidence the dash will light up like a Christmas tree if you do.
Me again, Does anyone have any links for cheap online retailers for air/oil/fuel filters, spark plugs etc? Cheers
they arent parts expensive at the worst of times... I wouldnt bother paying the postage on things like that that you can buy localy cheap. You be helping out the recession when you buy localy too. The fact that the car is quiet is a good thing. Dont mean to sound patronizing, but it's quite easy to tell if the indicators are on. The very fact that the stalk is not in the off position and the dash lights are more than enough. I've never even thought of that as a problem with a car. Hope you don't start having REAL car problems!lol
