Hi all, Ive been a member on here for some time (my Ex used to own a VRS) since then times have changed..... Im now in a position for a daily driver - 

 

Ive been looking for some weeks for one within my price range for a daily driver as I have a weekend toy which my money goes into.

 

I set a budget too £1300 - milage wasn't an issue just as long as its been well serviced and generally al round 'clean'

 

Anyway Im viewing one today -

 

Black 04 plate

170k (motorway)

1 owner from new

full service history 

2 keys

Cruise control

 

Now at first I was a bit taken back by the 170k....... should I be worried?? as I said I'll be using it as a daily, I didn't want to spend more than £1400 really as I already have a toy I use at weekends and better days.

 

another plus its not too far away either - I don't mind travelling for the right car, but there seems to be a few which are a good 3/4hrs drive away from me.

 

Many thanks Rich

 

Make sure it has full service history, if the wrong oils been put in even once then it will knacker the cam out in no time.

Ticking/slapping noise will indicate a worn cam.

Knocks over bumps are either anti roll bar bushes or console bushes.

Check the carpets under the rear mats, the door seals normally fail and let water in.

No noises from the gear box, all gears engage fine, these boxes aren't the best and there's a few that's needed rebuilds, myself included.

Other than that just look for your normal stuff and crash damage. I normally bring a small magnetic wrapped in a cloth to check the body any filler.

check all the bloody doors open and shut and lock correctly. And the boot. Taking 5 mins to check these can save you hours of chew.

Vibration and noises from the clutch/flywheel is dual mass flywheel problems and could swallow up the best part of your budget with O.E parts labour, where as a Solid Mass kit from Valeo a O.E manufactures is just over £300 for parts, and hopefully there is a receipt for a Cam Belt and Water Pump done with the last 20,000miles to give you a bit of driving around time

Ignore the mileage since it has FSH, as stated just check everything works and that it's clean and tidy, make sure it goes as it should on the test drive and that all the dash lights come on with the ignition and then all go off once it's started.

Knocks over bumps are either anti roll bar bushes or console bushes.

 

 

Or the arb drop links.

Check for clutch slip too, might be a way of knocking a few pennies off if it is showing signs of wear. Also as mentioned: check the rear carpets.

JRJG

look at the insides of the tyres for uneven wear.

Many thanks for your replies guys! sadly the car wasn't for me - it started first time, was a little rough around the edges (lacquer peel on spoiler, patch of rust on arch - which he never mentioned)

 

Drove the car and pulled really well - Even though it had just been MOT'd 1st it failed on drop links and ball joints, then passed as these parts were fixed. I drove it and the steering was wobbly and knocking like mad - he said I still have to get it fixed as were sorting those bits out when you leave as I was viewing the car in the morning and had only been MOT'd the day before, I thought these would have been fixed which in my opinion I didn't like.

 

Then the key locked the car but wouldn't unlock and finally the seat adjuster was faulty - you adjusted the seat up but the seat moved around like a bracket had come loose or something. So ended up walking away - still on the hunt though!

Like you say, rough. Keep looking.

I must admit i've not seen any VRSs for sale for less than £1500, and that had issues listed in the ad. I paid £1700 for mine, 130k and no issues. Maybe increase the budget, as you may just be sifting through dogs.

I must admit i've not seen any VRSs for sale for less than £1500, and that had issues listed in the ad. I paid £1700 for mine, 130k and no issues. Maybe increase the budget, as you may just be sifting through dogs.

 

Yes, not going to find a tidy one on that budget.