buying an integrale
Discussion
Wow - scary pictures.
But yes, I still fancy it - in fact I've put a deposit down. (am I mad?
)
The car is based in Northern Ireland, and I won't get a chance to go over and pick it up until Easter, but I'm really excited about the purchase.
I had a bodywork expert look all over it, and he's (mostly) give it the all clear - so I'm seriously hoping it isn't hiding any horrors like that!!
mallygreen, Evoluzione - those cars look pretty far gone - from the pictures they look like they were beyond economic repair? Did either of you return the cars to their former glory?
But yes, I still fancy it - in fact I've put a deposit down. (am I mad?
)The car is based in Northern Ireland, and I won't get a chance to go over and pick it up until Easter, but I'm really excited about the purchase.
I had a bodywork expert look all over it, and he's (mostly) give it the all clear - so I'm seriously hoping it isn't hiding any horrors like that!!
mallygreen, Evoluzione - those cars look pretty far gone - from the pictures they look like they were beyond economic repair? Did either of you return the cars to their former glory?
I bought my Integrale this time last year. Had recently been imported from Japan where they don't use any road salt, so completely rust free. Immediately sent it to Auto Integrale in Reading, where Keith changed the cam belt and gave the car a complete once over. Great guy and really knows his stuff, would definitely recommend him.
Good luck with your purchase, great cars!
Good luck with your purchase, great cars!
GTVGraham said:
I bought my Integrale this time last year. Had recently been imported from Japan where they don't use any road salt, so completely rust free. Immediately sent it to Auto Integrale in Reading, where Keith changed the cam belt and gave the car a complete once over. Great guy and really knows his stuff, would definitely recommend him.
Good luck with your purchase, great cars!
Thanks for the recommendation - it sounds like AutoIntegrale have some happy customers, so I'll definitely give them a call once I've got the car.Good luck with your purchase, great cars!
A decent service and a new cambelt is on my expected list, and I suspect a new turbo might be in order (it hasn't had one), but I'll wait and see what else they have to say about the car...
ETA: I just spoke to Keith - he sounds like a good guy to deal with (so far!).
£300+VAT for a full service, and £285+Vat for a cambelt change - I can feel my wallet being pried open by the car and I haven't even bought it yet!!!
Edited by rejn on Friday 20th February 09:35
I couldn't recommend Keith highly enough, top top bloke.
If I were you I'd personally look at buying one from Japan. Two reasons:
1) Their MOT requirements are in a different league to those here. It's miles harder to get older cars through the requirements, for instance.
2) Japan doesn't use salt on its roads. It's relatively unheard of to hear of Jap cars with rust issues.
The downside is the lack of service history, you'll be lucky if it comes with any. Having said that, were I given the choice of a UK car with FSH but known rust issues (most have or have had some) vs a car with zero rust & zero service history, I'd take the latter every time - if the car checked out.
It's what I did, as it goes, & I simply couldn't be happier with my car.
Cheers,
Hedge
If I were you I'd personally look at buying one from Japan. Two reasons:
1) Their MOT requirements are in a different league to those here. It's miles harder to get older cars through the requirements, for instance.
2) Japan doesn't use salt on its roads. It's relatively unheard of to hear of Jap cars with rust issues.
The downside is the lack of service history, you'll be lucky if it comes with any. Having said that, were I given the choice of a UK car with FSH but known rust issues (most have or have had some) vs a car with zero rust & zero service history, I'd take the latter every time - if the car checked out.
It's what I did, as it goes, & I simply couldn't be happier with my car.
Cheers,
Hedge
keep us posted and keep pics up! head over to the evocorner forum its much livlier and focussed. and yes Keith is your man down south, I just bought a car privately that has been serviced by keith since its import in 1999 and its honestly like new even though its done 110k miles. Keith had the car on the ramps for me and gave me the all clear (good thing considering the PO just spent £5k on it with him to get it tip top mechanically..
I picked it up this morning and it's awesome!!!
50 miles of back roads confirmed it is awesome. Incredible to drive.
Will write more when I have more time!!! But sufficed to say, I'm loving it.
Steering is awesome, the power/turbo delivery is great - much have been quite something in 1990! Gear change a bit clunky, car is a bit scruffy round the edges, oh and the road holding seems awesome. I've pushed it a bit but feel like I've not even scratched the surface yet.
I have owned an Evo 1 for around five years and still love it, I must be lucky as I've not had too many rust issues only the rear roof which was done a year ago. Can't say I was impressed with Autointegrale my car came back filthy and the geo that should have been done defo is not right, I'm yet to find a specialist I really like. It's a great car and and brings out the enthusiasts everywhere you go. Enjoy.
andysv said:
I have owned an Evo 1 for around five years and still love it, I must be lucky as I've not had too many rust issues only the rear roof which was done a year ago. Can't say I was impressed with Autointegrale my car came back filthy and the geo that should have been done defo is not right, I'm yet to find a specialist I really like. It's a great car and and brings out the enthusiasts everywhere you go. Enjoy.
I finally got my car back from automintegrale last week.I liked autointegrale - the car did come back dirty; the yard is a bit disorganised; and the servicing took a bit longer that I would have liked, but Keith was really helpful - he gave my car a complete check-over, a full service, cam-belt change, plus he found and fixed a couple of minor problems, as well as most things on my snag list.
I'd definitely use him again. But I can understand if you want a garage that'll give the car a full valet etc, he's not the place to go!
On another note, I'm not surprised to see there is no Haynes manual for an integrale - has anybody bought the £5 ebay special technical workshop on CD - and are they any good? Or are there any other recommendations on service manuals for the cars?
Don't bother with the CD, I have a copy but all the contents can be found online such as at Berlinasportivo
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/marquespec/lancia/l...
Also really handy is Fiat's EPER parts catalogue, very useful for its exploded diagrams. I don't think you can get an up to date version online (for checking parts availability) but the basic info has not changed:
http://eper.fiatforum.com/eper/navi?GUI_LANG=3&...
Pete.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/marquespec/lancia/l...
Also really handy is Fiat's EPER parts catalogue, very useful for its exploded diagrams. I don't think you can get an up to date version online (for checking parts availability) but the basic info has not changed:
http://eper.fiatforum.com/eper/navi?GUI_LANG=3&...
Pete.
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