decent ish car for 500?

zetec452 · 31 Jan 2007 at 21:54

Hey,

Finally sold my car tonight but could do with a run around for a couple of months.

Been looking at some older fiestas like this one

Could I get any better for the dosh? Maybe an older escort? Would like something under a 1.4 to keep the tax low.

.

Cheers,

Jon

zetec452 · 31 Jan 2007 at 22:20

MrWhippy said:
damn, and i was gonna suggest a volvo 740 battlecruiser

It did cross my mind. But I have a small drive so its not feasible. Plus, this car will probably be given to my sister to learn in.

zetec452 · 31 Jan 2007 at 23:23

I have looked at rover 214's. Will have another scout around tomorrow on auto trader. I'd rather a rover as its probably a bit bigger and the engine isn't going to die trying to get to 30.

That volvo 340 looks wicked.

zetec452 · 1 Feb 2007 at 09:03

Cheers chaps.

Quite like the look of this one

Will have a good look around this morning.

Jon

zetec452 · 8 Feb 2007 at 17:23

I've managed to purchase an M reg Rover 416Si for £500 with 9 months MOT, 80k miles and is clean as a whistle.

Hopefully should do me for a year or so until I can afford something better.

.

Cheers for your help chaps.

zetec452 · 8 Feb 2007 at 22:55

I'll get some pics tomorrow as its a bit urm, snowed in.

.

Its the rounder shape one. Doesn't look 'alf bad for an old car.

zetec452 · 9 Feb 2007 at 21:55

Its not a bad price. In comparison I was also looking at a 1.0 Citreon AX for £495 with 12 months MOT.

Most cars at about £500 seem to sell really quickly. This car was off my sisters friends dad who initially bought it for his son. I knew it would be in good nick.

The car has a couple of problems, the drivers side window didn't shut correctly but that was sorted easily enough. One really annoying thing is the car stalls when I stop at traffic lights. Should be an easy fix. The snow and cold weather probably isn't helping.

zetec452 · 10 Feb 2007 at 00:13

agw_01 said:
lol what?

Rovers aren't worth that little.

I will get pictures soon.

zetec452 · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:00

It seems as though the Rover stigma has well and truly kicked me up the arse today.

Stupid car won't start. It ticks over as if it wants to start but won't come to life. Why did I buy a rover. Why why why.

zetec452 · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:08

Hmm, I've just read that the car stalled at traffic lights.

Was the idle high before it stalled? It was under idling before, although some of it may have been driver errors.

How long have you tried to let it turn over for? About 1 min each time.

Did you let the fuel pump prime before starting? I.e Turn the key most of the way before starting?

How long has it been sitting for? It was sitting for 3 months prior to me buying it. I've not used it too much.

Have you tried flooring the accelerator and turning it over? Yes. Lots, and in anger .

Just wondering, is it this shape? It is that shape.

I've phoned the local garage, it will cost me £15-20 for them to take a look at it. The battery is low now also, will need to get that charged.

Would it be worth changing ignition leads or anything like that?

zetec452 · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:22

When it stalled at the lights, did it start back up straight away? Yes generally it did.

Yep, let the fuel pump prime by turning the ignition for a few seconds before actually activating the starter. Will do boss

Are you pumping the pedal or just keeping your foot down? I've tried both. Previously it has proffered me keeping the pedal down a little just to give it a kick.

The red alarm LED isn't lit on the dash is it? Nope. The immobilizer beeps if it doesn't want to start.

Yeah, you could check all the HT lead connections, from the coil to the dizzy cap and then from the dizzy cap to the spark plugs. No point replacing them if they aren't damaged. Remove and re-seat them just to make sure the connection is good.

Got any WD40?

I have .

I'll take a look at the engine, although I'm no mechanic. Time to sort out some break down cover with home start.

Thanks for your help.