car with trouble should i go for it...

jamesr123

Hi guys, I am meant to be buying a car from a good friend of mine and well tonight he rang me and told me that this week the cars gearbox started acting up
, He brought it to the mechanic and the mechanic said it needs a new part (cant remember name) but the mechanic said that you'd find this part cheap at any brokers or scrap yard..

The mechanic said that the car will drive but it will give in eventually. This friend is a good friend and I know this car well enough and since it's having trouble he is giving the car to me for very cheap

Should I buy it or boycott it?

jamesr123

I just read the email.. the car needs a new 'recon box' if that's any good info for anyone?

questionmark?

jamesr123 wrote: »

I just read the email.. the car needs a new 'recon box' if that's any good info for anyone?

Sounds like your talking big bucks either way.

Best off to find out the exact problem and ring around a good few garages to get the price and then you can weigh up if its worth it.

jamesr123

jamesr123 wrote: »

I just read the email.. the car needs a new 'recon box' if that's any good info for anyone?

That's a reconditioned gearbox, which is not available from scrapyards really, they'll just sell you one straight from a car. A reconditoned gearbox, fitted with a new clutch would cost between €500 and €800 for a normal car.

jamesr123

RoverJames wrote: »

That's a reconditioned gearbox, which is not available from scrapyards really, they'll just sell you one straight from a car. A reconditoned gearbox, fitted with a new clutch would cost between €500 and €800 for a normal car.

where would be the most reliable place to look for a reconditoned gearbox?

homer90

My rule of thumb, never buy a used car off family or friends.

Wolfe Tone

Dont buy off of mates

jamesr123

jamesr123 wrote: »

where would be the most reliable place to look for a reconditoned gearbox?

A gearbox specialist will either source one of get a 2nd hand one and throw in new bearings etc.

What make and model is the car and how old is it?

As other folks buying off friends is potentially dodgy, however it may well be ok if you are getting this dirt cheap. Cars needing gearboxes don't command great sale prices to be honest.

jamesr123

RoverJames wrote: »

A gearbox specialist will either source one of get a 2nd hand one and throw in new bearings etc.

What make and model is the car and how old is it?

As other folks buying off friends is potentially dodgy, however it may well be ok if you are getting this dirt cheap. Cars needing gearboxes don't command great sale prices to be honest.

it's a 1998 almera mate. It's an old enough car but it's in great nick other than the gearbox

delly

Almeras themselves are dirt cheap, with so many to choose from they can be a good buy. A '98 needing a gearbox would be practically worthless imho.

Tea drinker

So, if it's NCT's and driving "ok" with the gearbox what's it worth? Would you be happy to get a year out of it and drive it off a cliff then?
Bear in mind it's basically worthless to most people if you need to fix the bearbox. Is the price from your mate still as good now?

unkel

Don't bother dude. Unless it's free and you'll drive it until it breaks. There's thousands of cars like that out there of that age in very good condition that have a long enough NCT for a grand or even lots less if you're prepared to look for one.

jamesr123

The price of the car was €300 but i reckon by the time it's fixed and all sorted it'd cost the best part of a grand.. You know i'm on my way to a couple of second hand dealerships now so I will see what is on offer

biko

You can tell him you'll take it for free? That way you have no comeback if anything else breaks and maybe you can get a cheap gearbox from another car.
But, if it was me I'd leave it altogether. Too much hassle.