Buying Help

[sti_steve]

As some of you may know, I'm on the look out for a Type R - standard or modified but in good condition. I've not viewed any yet as i'm not planning to buy until late Feb/March.

I've seen a good few I like but I would like to ask your opinions. If the red paint is chipped or flaking on the manifold then is this a sign the car has been ragged and not looked after?

Any help is welcomed...

Steve

[wrxmania]

As some of you may know, I'm on the look out for a Type R - standard or modified but in good condition. I've not viewed any yet as i'm not planning to buy until late Feb/March.

I've seen a good few I like but I would like to ask your opinions. If the red paint is chipped or flaking on the manifold then is this a sign the car has been ragged and not looked after?

Any help is welcomed...

Steve

Might have been pressure washed too hard or cleaned using a strong cleaner (wonder wheels etc) which has ripped the paint finish. Also age...

Brian

[StewartyBoy]

Paints a funny thing. Does nice new shiny paint show a well looked after car, or does it hide an old problem or issue!? Drive the car, feel if the gearbox is still toyt like a toyger and if there's any play in the steering etc etc...

Buying a used car especially cars like these are a huge gamble. I usually take someone else who's keen on car's with me. I'm an Ag mechanic so I know a certain amount, but its always good to have someone else there just incase I'm either being a perfectionist or a numpty.

[sti_steve]

Thanks guys. If I was buying then I would get a RAC check on the car anyway. I realise that the can is 12/13 years old but it's just some have full red manifold and some have part and some have no red on the manifold. I realise that you need to check the feel of the car etc but I thought maybe that this was the tell tale signs of a "boy raced" car.

[dipsy]

Have you looked up about subaru vin codes aswell so you no your getting the right model

[bigchap33]

a have a sti that a just broke.the red paint was flaking of but the car was looked after as older drivers so paint flaking means nothing.a would be suspicious if it was bright red as means someone had of to paint with a can of paint and they are powder coated.

take someone who nose these cars inside out as alot of fannyed up cars out there.before a bought mine a looked at one that some guy tryed to pass of as sti cause he painted manifold and that proved it was sti,luckly a no these cars so a walked away.he was a t**t who new nothing.so beware

[noris]

I think its one of these things that you have to trust your gut, this is easier with standard vehicle. The inlet manifold always used to be a good indication of an thrashed engine but with age of the cars its not always the best way to tell, just do the normal things. Listening for piston slap and knocking cams when cold. Also watch out for clutch judder (hot or cold) and noisy gearboxes, always a sign of a hard life

It took me ages to find my car. I drove loads of abused and high mileage cars so when I found a good one it stood out a mile

[euan_r]

as above flaking paint on manifold means nothing. my advise, have a look at one in for sale section here. it has the bits done that you would need to get done already, ie mapping for uk fuel etc. bargain for whats been spent.

[Jon B]

condition of the paint on the manifold means nowt mate..........

[dan_jess]

Get some pics/links up of the cars that your interested in

[sti_steve]

Thanks for the input. A few cars i've been looking at and can all be found on PH.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1324983.htm