Went to view a vts, But..

[PaddyVTR]

So basically I went to look at a Citroem Saxo Vts, mk1 1998 with 58,000 on the clock. There were a few minor niggles with it but 2/3 potentially bigger problems. Imo though it has potential to be put back into tip top shape. The main problems are;

- Rear left wheel can be wobbled about with force when car isn't even jacked up, possibly rear bearing?
- Engine overheats - Seems due to the radiator, half the radiator was red hot while half of it was cool, 1 fan out of 2 was working. Car has been mainly stood for 2 months without a good drive. This could be any number of things?
- When revved the engine sounds like it's supercharged, really strongly. Although it isn't. Possibly a whiney belt? Engine has been cammed and apparantly ported. Unsure of cams.

Minor problems;

- No stereo
- Rear left wheel has a slow puncture
- Exhaust rattled when cold but stopped once warm.

So as you can see the list is substantial and a repair bill I would say has potential to range anywhere fro
£250-£1000. Car was £900 although the guy says he would take no les than 650 due to a the faults, personally I wouldn't go any higher than £500. Just wondering what everyone elses views would be? Is it worth the hassle at say £500-£650 or is it best to avoid?

[tingaling]

i wouldnt bother personally, i'd rather find one in good nick.
rear wheel could be the beam, any camber on the wheels? if so this confirms
unsure about the engine noise but i'd be weary

[Ben_SaxoForte]

If you can get it for 500 or less then i'd say its worth having a go if you think you can fix it up and have the time to do it. i'd be thinking rear axle has gone rather than bearing for the age of the car though so thats gonna gonna add to the repairs list if its gone, but yeah if the bodywork isnt too bad then go for it imo

[PaddyVTR]

How much are you looking for a rear axel? The guy did say he was just going to replace the rear axel but hasn't had the time to do it. There did appear to be some camber on the rear right wheel, however I can't be sure, the tyres were covered in dirt from where it had been kept whereas pictures he had taken of the rear a few weeks earlier clearly show plenty of tread on both rear wheels with no camber and it hasn't been driven anywhere since.

He brought the car in the condition it was now assuming his main car would be off the road for alot longer than it was (Brick in road hit underside of his Astra Coupe and did a fair bit of damage to the underside). However this prooved not to be the case and the car has just been sat for 2 months. Has MOT till February but no Tax.

[saxova]

Got my mint 2nd hand beam for £100 off here. With uprated mount's and drilled/grooved disks.

I bet the 'supercharger' noise is a dry alternator. Another £30-50 for a mint one off here.

Cheap as chips.

[opee]

I am a sceptic. Sounds like a bag of poo. Buy cheap but twice etc.

[Tringaling]

I doubt it would be the beam, although depends on how much play is in the wheel.

Radiator system clearly needs a drain and replacement of coolant followed by a bleed.

Personally i like a challenge and only buy cars i can fix as thats what i like, go with your instinct and if you can fix it yourself then you could do, although i wouldnt let him mug you with a price..

[rick_VTR]

if the rear left wheel has excessive play and has a slow puncture, this could indicate its had a bump on something or the wheel has been buckled on a kerb/speed bump etc.

when i had my old wheels, one of them had a slow puncture, that was because it was buckled on the inside, when i jacked it up and span the wheel i could see the inner bead/lip moving in and out, so the tyre might not have a complete seal on the rim :y:


EDIT: the supercharger noise can be a tight cam belt. simple enough to slacken off. or if its ready for a new one get it replaced :y:

[stevo67]

If you can get it for a cheap price then go for,then if you find out it wants to much spending on it then break it for parts & make your money back plus extra.

[krissy_vtr]

if you have the money i would go for something else.i saw a 2000 phase 2 vts go for £950 near my end only thing was a short mot and no tax and looked reali good conn so if u have patience...

[PaddyVTR]

Thanks for the feedback guys, im no mechanic so the work would be done at my local garage. Pretty much told the guy il give it a miss now but if it hasnt sold in a few weeks/months or he gets the play in the wheel and the overheating issue sorted then Il still be interested. Gonna refocus my time on the vtr for a few months and get all the niggles sorted and sell up in february when it should have 10 months MOT, 3 month tax along with fsh, but about 93k by then :(

Still vts hunting though might pick up a bargain somewhere

[krissy_vtr]

solid choice mate! gd luck on ur hunt ;)