Hi - here for advice

Hi mate like Chris said Lens would be worth a look he's put a lot of work into it

That car at 37k is also worth a look. I bet it has no Mot because he really hasn't used it.
Len's car is also worth a look. A lot of work has gone in to it, things got done to really make it right for the new owner.

It looks nice Ross. Does it have a current MOT and if not would the owner be ok to take it for one ?

Around Southend I tend to use ABC Autos in Southchurch Road for MOTs and get day rate insurance for a few hours to cover the visit. As you probably know it's perfectly legal to drive an untaxed car without an MOT to a pre booked MOT appointment so long as it's insured.

Thanks Chris (also for your DM). 

The guy phoned tonight and said he pulled the car out and he said it started fine and drove lovely when he took it up the road. 

However, he was honest and said he pulled the dipstick and said the oil looked a bit milky. He mentioned condensation which I know could be a cause- but obviously head gasket as well. 

Would I expect to see oil in the expansion tank if it was HG, or any other signs to look out for?

I know Rough Luck can do mobile replacements and was half expecting to get it changed anyway. 

If it was HG - is it likely any major damage would have been caused?

Thanks
Ross

 

Thank him for his honesty and look elsewhere.
You can for peace of mind have the AA look at any possible car for a fee.
This is useful on any car as it can provide bargaining points.
Make sure a head gasket has been fitted and a cam belt, does it have ss coolant pipes under floor ? look for those too.
A good owner will keep all receipts for work carried out, if the owner has carried out the work he will keep the receipts for parts used.
FSH would put your mind at ease and no gaps in MOT's.
Don't rush, the best car to find is the one you nearly missed, but if in doubt let it go elsewhere.
Low mileage is a bonus, I paid over the odds for low mileage, ss pipes, head gasket and cam belt fitted, FSH and full MOT detail.
Be prepared to look outside of your local area.
 


 

There from JHM is an excellent litany of first rate advice; if that was presented as a tick list & I were to fill in the stats for when I bought my car, a score of 0 would be close to the mark.
I was a serial rebuilder & had finished a Ferguson TED20 & apart from the odd ploughed furrow the seat was the coldest place in the universe & so the greatest good it did was act as a place to keep the Christmas turkeys cold.
I sold it one afternoon & bought the f a day or so later, having driven past it a couple of times & only given it a cursory glance.
I could have run it as purchased to this day & just kept up with servicing; I didn’t. But you could chance it then, not so these days.
M

Thanks all for the advice. I was due to go an look at the car this morning but decided against it. Even though the cambelt had been change, it was over 6 years ago (but just 2000 miles) so would need doing again for peace of mind. The HG would likely need doing + what ever else an MOT would pick up.

I probably got carried away with the price and though I'd have some cash left in the budget to get these things sorted - however, I'd rather get one (as JHM mentioned) with all the bits done so I can just enjoy the car - rather than worrying about getting the bits sorted.

It's also on original tyres - so would need a new set. The car is SORN and without an MOT so makes transporting it back home difficult etc.

I'm in no rush so will keep an eye out for anything else.

Ross, this is a very good video from the MG owners club, www.mgoc.co.uk

You will find classified ads there and also at the MGCC the MG car club. www.mgcc.co.uk  
Cars from members do not guarantee total success, but members of such clubs tend to be enthusiasts and therefore enthusiastic about keeping their cars in good order.
The MGOC in Swavesey has its own workshops, upon joining they will f.o.c. give your car the once over, just to confirm your choice was a good one.
Take your time and you will get the right car at the right price, dont be too despondent if you miss out as there are lots of examples, I love my car, but still covet other peoples sometimes.
One final thing, if the car has 2 qty key fobs, that will be a flaming miracle, but worth noting, if it comes with one fob it will cost £100.00 to £150.00 for a second.
Another bartering point for you.
Which area are you in ?

 

Me, id play safe and buy Len's nice 135

Ive PMd you with the local expert's details, Kevin in Wickford. 

Notanumber wrote:

Ive PMd you with the local expert's details, Kevin in Wickford. 

I can recommend Kevin in Wickford too.  He's been doing stuff on my TF for nearly 10 years now.  He knows a lot about our cars.  His prices are very reasonable too, although paperwork isn't his forte

Hi all - just thought I'd update on my car hunt.

I've decided to go for a E85 BMW Z4 with the N52 straight 6. There wasn't a lot in it between the prices for a good TF vs a good Z4 - but I felt you get a bit more for the money with the Z4. 

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your comments/help on this thread and DMs.



Cheers,
Ross