Someone to check car over here?

Ardennes1944

ok, weird question here guys. im looking at possibly buying an opel sri in maynooth if my current car buy falls through. the seller only has sundays off and so its impossible for me to get it checked out by a dealer which is what id like, i dont want to bring my mechanic either as itd cost a fortune to have him up for 7hours+ travelling from cork.
basically, is there anyone here living in the dublin area that would be in the know enough to check a car over with me?
hope this is ok mods


or someone from cork who would like a road trip

EPM

I do wish you'd keep all this in one thread.

Are you going for the grey or the red one? If you're paying that much you may as well get an AA inspection.

Ardennes1944

sorry EPM how much is that, €200?

Ardennes1944

what about this http://www.mobilemechanics.ie/testimonials/

EPM

Think 3-400 but it's very comprehensive. Uncle nearly bought an e-class needing a new engine and it saved him...

I'd concentrate on the history and your instincts first. If it checks out with you get it checked professionally then. Bring your dad or something to hold you back and be impartial. They don't sell quickly due to engine size so don't rush.

Ardennes1944

i really dont want to spend that much and its hard enough to get up there once not to mind twice. i got a good bit off the price. id know a good bit about checking a car out but id like someone in the know

robtri

this the same astra that was for a friend

Ardennes1944

no different one. that actually was for a friend but seeing as how the grande punto sporting i was supposed to buy came back from fiat today with a fair few things wrong with its suspension im thinking of these now

robtri

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

no different one. that actually was for a friend but seeing as how the grande punto sporting i was supposed to buy came back from fiat today with a fair few things wrong with its suspension im thinking of these now

that wouldnt be a good sign alright.... shame to hear about it

Ardennes1944

im obviously not meant to have one!

Private seller with only Sunday off when a potential buyer wants to get a garage to check out the car. Smells fishy to me. Was staying in Maynooth last week but I'd be no better/worse ish than yourself at checking out a car.

The AA checks are horrendously priced.

Ardennes1944

yeah i know it sounds fishy but she did say sundays were the only day she was off before i mentioned a dealer.

ah come on now RJ dont put yourself down you know your stuff

this is the car in question btw http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1724590


yours for €5100

homer90

Check Adverts.ie in the "services" section......

Couple of mobile mechanics in there when I last checked.

homer90

They might also be able to 'fix' that front bumper..........

andyseadog

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

yeah i know it sounds fishy but she did say sundays were the only day she was off before i mentioned a dealer.

ah come on now RJ dont put yourself down you know your stuff

this is the car in question btw http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1724590


yours for €5100

what was the "GENUINE REASON FOR SALE"? have you done a finance check on it?

Deutschlandfürimmer7

What's the mileage on it?

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

no different one. that actually was for a friend but seeing as how the grande punto sporting i was supposed to buy came back from fiat today with a fair few things wrong with its suspension im thinking of these now

No rush buying something either, plenty of cars out there. Wait for one more local, you won't regret it too much whichever way the wind blows.

Ardennes1944

andyseadog wrote: »

what was the "GENUINE REASON FOR SALE"? have you done a finance check on it?

She's moving to fermanagh. No nothing like that yet,still not sure if I'm getting the punto so I'll wait

Ardennes1944

RoverJames wrote: »

What's the mileage on it?



No rush buying something either, plenty of cars out there. Wait for one more local, you won't regret it too much whichever way the wind blows.

Mileage is 70k miles. I've no car ATM though. I've to tax my brothers astra and get insured on it as he's in London now

andyseadog

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

She's moving to fermanagh. No nothing like that yet,still not sure if I'm getting the punto so I'll wait

what exactly was wrong with the punto? did you take it to linnanes fiat?

Deutschlandfürimmer7

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

Mileage is 70k miles. I've no car ATM though. I've to tax my brothers astra and get insured on it as he's in London now

14K miles a year, 280 miles/week, not out of the way but you'll find plenty of 1.8 petrol registered in 06 with a good bit less.

Did you sell your own Astra? If I was you I'd throw 3 months tax on your brothers car and sort out insurance on it (providing he doesn't mind you driving it) and take your time buying.

The only time I bought a car in a hurry was the current ZT and I'm delighted with it but buying in a hurry is a pain in the arse really.

Ardennes1944

RoverJames wrote: »

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

14K miles a year, 280 miles/week, not out of the way but you'll find plenty of 1.8 petrol registered in 06 with a good bit less.

Did you sell your own Astra? If I was you I'd throw 3 months tax on your brothers car and sort out insurance on it (providing he doesn't mind you driving it) and take your time buying.

The only time I bought a car in a hurry was the current ZT and I'm delighted with it but buying in a hurry is a pain in the arse really.

I took it to pratts fiat Andy. Can't remember it all but the service manager is emailing me the sheet tomorrow morning. He said it was a good straight car but he named out several small things needed with the suspension drop links,top suspension mounts etc and recommended a possible timing belt change to be safe although I'm sure it'd be fine for another good while with only 35k miles on it.

My brother doesn't mind me driving it but as there is no insurance on it I'd have tp pay for a full year and then get a refund but you always lose money on that.
I don't want to buy in a hurry either but that astra is real nice, to me. And only 80 more to insure over the punto! Just a balls she works so much. I'll keep looking I suppose.

Sold my astra for 3300 yesterday morning

Deutschlandfürimmer7

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

My brother doesn't mind me driving it but as there is no insurance on it I'd have tp pay for a full year and then get a refund

Pay for a full year and then transfer the insurance to whatever you buy
Can you not transfer your own insurance onto the brothers' car?

ottostreet

That Punto doesn't sound that bad in fairness.

Ardennes1944

RoverJames wrote: »

Pay for a full year and then transfer the insurance to whatever you buy
Can you not transfer your own insurance onto the brothers' car?

I might be able to just get insured on my mums Mazda 3.

The punto might not be too bad but if it's gonna cost 400ish I might aswel get the astra if it doesn't need anything which should be better and more reliable

Ardennes1944

turns out axa will allow me to switch my insurance for nothing for a month. the only thing is, the oil light is coming up on my bros car, but theres lots of oil in it? faulty pump?


oh and the punto would take about 700 to fix all in

TestTransmission

homer90 wrote: »

They might also be able to 'fix' that front bumper..........

Ardennes1944

help! i need to know if i can drive to work later

Deutschlandfürimmer7

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

the oil light is coming up on my bros car, but theres lots of oil in it? faulty pump?

If the oil pressure sensor is working correctly than the oil pressure is low. Could well be the pump. I wouldn't chance driving it.

To get advice on it a new thread might be an idea.

Ardennes1944

dont wanna piss off EPM:D. i rang my mechanic and he said to drive it over to him tomorrow morning.
im looking at another car on friday so i dont know what to do.
cost for a oil pump?