Test drive a V plate s14a tomorrow - what am i looking for?

I have already managed to solicit the following from you guys:


Intercooler pipe
Turbo gaskets (due about 60k)
Exhaust gasket
Fuel Pump
VVT/Solenoid rattle (at start up with no load)
Oil changes every 6k or better
check WMIC Pipes for cracks
the fuel pressure regulator (noisy start up every time?)
boost leaks from my FMIC
Wiper linkage is weak – any noise from arm movement?
Sparks - change them for colder NGKs
Water/Oil pipes to turbo need checking – can fail (replace with braided hoses)
Gearbox is overdue for a fluid change
Check for turbo smoke
- Check for engine breathing
- Check for accident damage
- Check turbo gaskets (fail 50 - 150k miles)
- Check fuel pump (fail 60 - 80k miles)
- Check for steady idle and clean pull during acceleration if lumpy and bit 'off and on' during acceleration then suspect cracked WMIC pipes / cooler


Is there anything else that i ought to check? The car comes from a very good specialist 'fast car' centre and has allegedly been 'a labour of love' for the previous owner.

Ticket price is 6995 with 60k on the clock. I will haggle on this as I am paying cash, but i want to buy a mint one...

Thoughts appreciated!

Ta

If it passes all those checks then buy it - simple ;)

I would be tempted to haggle the price slightly, I payed £7000 at the local nissan dealer for an X reg S14a with 35k on the clock. If its any help I payed cash as well.

yea thats basically everything that can go wrong, however u won't be able to check most of that stuff on the spot.

the IC pipes are well hidden at the point where they normally crack (as are the turbo gaskets) youhave to listen for these things.
the ic pipes you'll here a loud blowing noise from behind the glovebox at around 3k, then massive power loss at about 5k rpm.
turbo gaskets is easy- it'll sound like a tractor :eek:

another thing to listen out for is a noisy rattle from camshaft, this is caused by irregular oil changes leading to the spray bars becoming blocked.

i'd be lookin about a grand of that price i think tho, unless its absolutely immaculate.

good luck :thumbs:

Have you seen mrwookie's car in for sale section?£7000 40k at least that much spent on car. :thumbs:
p.s i don't know him,so not a plug,just looks a really good car .

I have to give you a :notworthy
For collecting all that information, and ask it to be added the the useful threads its that comprehensive.

He wont post again, he knows all the answers ;)

Good luck :thumbs:


Paul :)

Seems expensive. :eek:

I paid that twelve moths ago for a 'V' plate with 35k on the clock....from a dealer. :nod:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monkey Boy

Seems expensive. :eek:

I paid that twelve moths ago for a 'V' plate with 35k on the clock....from a dealer. :nod:

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SO that means they should go down in price?
Supply and demand :whip:

:)

Cheers for the comments! I do feel a shade anal about this purchase - but it's the first turbo'd car i have ever owned so i dont want to buy a munter.


Autotrader (nationally) have over 200 Imprezas for sale between 6-8k (specifying turbo as search parameter). There are just 13 s14a's out there....

Despite this lack of supply I *am* concerned at the price of the car. I agree that unless it has a seriously complete, spot-on service history it isnt worth 7k. More like 6k with little service history. Closer to 7k if it really has been well looked after.

Erm.....just one possible problem. Its red. :wack:

Never owned a red car either tho - so i reckon a red turbo charged rear wheel drive grandad car is prolly worth a go! :D

Dont be too concerned about price - whats more important is condition....

I'd rather pay a little too much and get a total minter than pay a little less than should have done and got an 'average' car....

You'll never regret buying a mint car.... you'll always have doubts with an average car ;)

As I'm also on a buyer's hunt I would recommend reading this article:
http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.p...ghlight=buyers

And there's another one in Japanese Perfomance magazine. Don't know the exact issue tho'. Gonna check and add it ;)

Look out for buyers guide in PPC Magazine this month ;)

Japanese Performance no. 33 October 2003.
I've seen a scan somewhere on the 'net. Can't find it now :(

Found this posted on another thread and it's a great diagram for those looking at s14a's

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snops

These are the key areas on an s14 and s14a chassis.

A: Front chassis legs - especially under the rad.
B: The main sections the front subframe mounts to.
C: Top of the strut
D: Sill under the plastic. Bad area of rust.
E: Hollow sections where the rear subframe mounts and the support bracket (boomerang shape). This is the worst area of rust on a UK car and if it hasnt been maintained will break through with a screw driver prod.
F: Inner rear wing panel at the rear.
G: Rear panel. Light rust.


http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps35f63c79.jpg

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What I most love about that diagram as it effectively says - rust; look EVERYWHERE

Ha ha so true!