Advice buying my first 'Performance' car...
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm new to the forums. Am 22 and want to get my first vehicle with a bit of grunt to it. Previously had a 2009 Ford Focus Mk2.5 Zetec 1.6 Diesel 105hp. Am now looking for something nippier, shoutier and a tad more aggressive but not out of my budget range. I have a bit of money aside for emergencies but obviously I would rather not end up forking out for a new engine/gearbox if I can help it. I've always treated my cars with respect, I let them warm up and cool down on almost every journey I make but I know that cars like this attract a certain type of person that tend to mistreat their cars.
I'm currently interested in a 2008 Vauxhall Corsa VXR 192 going for 4.9k, 53000 miles I'm buying from a trusted reputable garage chain in my area and have bought from them before and had no troubles. They've offered me a 6 month warranty on the car or I can pay to upgrade that warranty to a 12 month warranty, although it does state their warranty does not cover any problems with Turbos. I'm tempted by this particular offer because they've offered me a fantastic deal on the car as i'm trading in my old motor, which I bought from them, back to them and I think they tend to value their returning customers a lot. I am still keeping an open mind to the fact this Corsa could end up being trouble.
I'm no more mechanically informed than the average car enthusiast but some of the things on the cars MOT history have scared me. I know the first Corsa VXRs are known for wheel bearings and 4th piston failing in the car but the things I've read on its MOT history are not connected with those things. It had the original MOT test done on 3 August 2018 which it failed for the following.
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt DROP LINK (5.3.4 (b) (ii))
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt DROP LINK (5.3.4 (b) (ii))
Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively SPLIT (3.4 (b) (ii))
Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively SPLIT (3.4 (b) (ii))
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))
Engine mounting damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement BOTTOM MOUNT (6.1.8 (a) (i))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
FLAT TYRE WARNING LIGHT ON
ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT ON
An MOT test was done a few weeks later and it passed and nothing including the advisories is coming up which suggests its all been fixed, but I'm not sure I'm totally convinced.
Part of me says, if there were issues and they do come back it will probably be sooner rather than later and fingers crossed it will still be under warranty if anything else does go.
The more sensible part of me says that I should either pay for a professional 120 point vehicle inspection or simply look elsewhere.
Any advice from any more experienced members here would be very welcome, if you need me to fetch any other details regarding the car please ask and I'll be happy to reply.
I'm new to the forums. Am 22 and want to get my first vehicle with a bit of grunt to it. Previously had a 2009 Ford Focus Mk2.5 Zetec 1.6 Diesel 105hp. Am now looking for something nippier, shoutier and a tad more aggressive but not out of my budget range. I have a bit of money aside for emergencies but obviously I would rather not end up forking out for a new engine/gearbox if I can help it. I've always treated my cars with respect, I let them warm up and cool down on almost every journey I make but I know that cars like this attract a certain type of person that tend to mistreat their cars.
I'm currently interested in a 2008 Vauxhall Corsa VXR 192 going for 4.9k, 53000 miles I'm buying from a trusted reputable garage chain in my area and have bought from them before and had no troubles. They've offered me a 6 month warranty on the car or I can pay to upgrade that warranty to a 12 month warranty, although it does state their warranty does not cover any problems with Turbos. I'm tempted by this particular offer because they've offered me a fantastic deal on the car as i'm trading in my old motor, which I bought from them, back to them and I think they tend to value their returning customers a lot. I am still keeping an open mind to the fact this Corsa could end up being trouble.
I'm no more mechanically informed than the average car enthusiast but some of the things on the cars MOT history have scared me. I know the first Corsa VXRs are known for wheel bearings and 4th piston failing in the car but the things I've read on its MOT history are not connected with those things. It had the original MOT test done on 3 August 2018 which it failed for the following.
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt DROP LINK (5.3.4 (b) (ii))
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt DROP LINK (5.3.4 (b) (ii))
Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively SPLIT (3.4 (b) (ii))
Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively SPLIT (3.4 (b) (ii))
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))
Engine mounting damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement BOTTOM MOUNT (6.1.8 (a) (i))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
FLAT TYRE WARNING LIGHT ON
ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT ON
An MOT test was done a few weeks later and it passed and nothing including the advisories is coming up which suggests its all been fixed, but I'm not sure I'm totally convinced.
Part of me says, if there were issues and they do come back it will probably be sooner rather than later and fingers crossed it will still be under warranty if anything else does go.
The more sensible part of me says that I should either pay for a professional 120 point vehicle inspection or simply look elsewhere.
Any advice from any more experienced members here would be very welcome, if you need me to fetch any other details regarding the car please ask and I'll be happy to reply.
Edited by DatfaceSoldier on Tuesday 18th September 16:48
As much as I love type R's I've looked at insurance quotes and they're far more expensive than the Corsa right now. I'm putting a monthly sum away to buy my dream car in 4 or 5 years which is an RX7 FD. I don't want to spend loads on something as frustrating as insurance when I can pay almost half the price per year to insure a VXR Corsa.
Put the £2.5k you would save on the purchase price towards the insurance...simples.
You will still spend the same but have a much better car.
Depreciation is also worth factoring in...type Rs are bottoming out so you won't lose much if anything...a corsa on the other hand will be worth naff all in a few years.
You will still spend the same but have a much better car.
Depreciation is also worth factoring in...type Rs are bottoming out so you won't lose much if anything...a corsa on the other hand will be worth naff all in a few years.
Hi Mate, Its certainly something to think about. To be honest from what I've seen i wont be saving 2.5k on a civic if i want anything with even close to the mileage of the Corsa. I am fairly set on getting either a corsa or Fiesta ST although they've got nothing in stock like that right now.
I don't think I could get a part ex deal with any other garage for as good as this one, they're offering me 4.1k for a 2009 ford focus that every other garage has offered me 3k for. I don't think I could justify going somewhere else as this is only to sate my appetite for something quick for a few years.
Its a shame, the garage sold a few Type R's recently one of them was lovely, although I think it was the next generation to the one you're talking about.
I don't think I could get a part ex deal with any other garage for as good as this one, they're offering me 4.1k for a 2009 ford focus that every other garage has offered me 3k for. I don't think I could justify going somewhere else as this is only to sate my appetite for something quick for a few years.
Its a shame, the garage sold a few Type R's recently one of them was lovely, although I think it was the next generation to the one you're talking about.
Mileage means very little on a K20 honda engine, buy on condition. They will run quite happily to 200k and beyond if well maintained.
Sounds like your mind is pretty much made up. I would avoid the car you describe, personally, but I'm 12 years older than you and have had plenty of bad experiences and unexpected expenses to learn from in terms of buying and running performance cars.
worth considering also, by the time you can afford an FD RX7 in 4 or 5 years, their price will have doubled if not more.
Sell the focus privately if you want to maximise your financial gain to put into a new car.
Sounds like your mind is pretty much made up. I would avoid the car you describe, personally, but I'm 12 years older than you and have had plenty of bad experiences and unexpected expenses to learn from in terms of buying and running performance cars.
worth considering also, by the time you can afford an FD RX7 in 4 or 5 years, their price will have doubled if not more.
Sell the focus privately if you want to maximise your financial gain to put into a new car.
They're offering you £4.1k for the Focus and asking £4.9k for the Corsa - so £800 to change? I can see how that is tempting.
The MOT warnings are a bit scary, but nothing too unexpected for a ten-year-old warm hatch. Have you seen the invoice for work done to fix these problems? I'd be a bit more worried about the fact the previous owner sent it in for an MOT with the engine warning light on! This does not sound like the kind of person who cares about their car and looks after it.
Do older MOTs show a history of recurring warnings that don't get resolved quickly? If so I'd walk away. There are lots of Corsa VXRs out there and if this one is going cheap there might be a reason.
The MOT warnings are a bit scary, but nothing too unexpected for a ten-year-old warm hatch. Have you seen the invoice for work done to fix these problems? I'd be a bit more worried about the fact the previous owner sent it in for an MOT with the engine warning light on! This does not sound like the kind of person who cares about their car and looks after it.
Do older MOTs show a history of recurring warnings that don't get resolved quickly? If so I'd walk away. There are lots of Corsa VXRs out there and if this one is going cheap there might be a reason.
designforlife said:
Put the £2.5k you would save on the purchase price towards the insurance...simples.
You will still spend the same but have a much better car.
Depreciation is also worth factoring in...type Rs are bottoming out so you won't lose much if anything...a corsa on the other hand will be worth naff all in a few years.
He isn't gonna get a half decent EP3 for anywhere near 2k.You will still spend the same but have a much better car.
Depreciation is also worth factoring in...type Rs are bottoming out so you won't lose much if anything...a corsa on the other hand will be worth naff all in a few years.
So for those who were wondering about the corsa, have just spoken with the owner of the garage. asked him for all service history avaliable and he told me the previous owner ruined the engine so they had to put a new engine, the only engine they could get was a VXR Nurburgring edition engine which has an extra 10-12 horsepower. I don't know how this would come into play or weather this is a load of toot or not. I'm reserving my judgement till I test drive it, but I have also asked him if there was any Civic type R's about but he said nothing within my budget range which sucks. Even the fiesta St he's got for sale is going for 8k but thats much newer in all fairness.
DatfaceSoldier said:
So for those who were wondering about the corsa, have just spoken with the owner of the garage. asked him for all service history avaliable and he told me the previous owner ruined the engine so they had to put a new engine, the only engine they could get was a VXR Nurburgring edition engine which has an extra 10-12 horsepower. I don't know how this would come into play or weather this is a load of toot or not. I'm reserving my judgement till I test drive it, but I have also asked him if there was any Civic type R's about but he said nothing within my budget range which sucks. Even the fiesta St he's got for sale is going for 8k but thats much newer in all fairness.
Walk awayThat car has been abused, which affects more than the engine.
As someone who owned a Corsa VXR, I can honestly say that you would be buying a car that has most likely been thrashed by the previous owner.
I had a 2007 VXR for a while in my younger years and drove (abused) the b
ks off of it, revving the engine out to red line in traffic light drags, hand brake turns on any surface with a hint of grease, driving everywhere at twice the speed limit and burnouts for the boys. All covered.
I eventually turned mine in after one particularly cocky event which ended up with me sliding sideways into a kerb at slightly faster than expected and folding my N/S wishbone like origami.
I an lucky enough to be the son of a petrol head and qualified mechanic, so we rectified the problem and shipped the car along to a new home.
My advice, given its MOT cert and the high offer on your current vehicle.
Walk away. It’s not worth losing your money on something that some rascal has destroyed and abandoned.
I had a 2007 VXR for a while in my younger years and drove (abused) the b
ks off of it, revving the engine out to red line in traffic light drags, hand brake turns on any surface with a hint of grease, driving everywhere at twice the speed limit and burnouts for the boys. All covered. I eventually turned mine in after one particularly cocky event which ended up with me sliding sideways into a kerb at slightly faster than expected and folding my N/S wishbone like origami.
I an lucky enough to be the son of a petrol head and qualified mechanic, so we rectified the problem and shipped the car along to a new home.
My advice, given its MOT cert and the high offer on your current vehicle.
Walk away. It’s not worth losing your money on something that some rascal has destroyed and abandoned.
As someone who owned a Corsa VXR, I can honestly say that you would be buying a car that has most likely been thrashed by the previous owner.
I had a 2007 VXR for a while in my younger years and drove (abused) the bks off of it, revving the engine out to red line in traffic light drags, hand brake turns on any surface with a hint of grease, driving everywhere at twice the speed limit and burnouts for the boys. All covered.
I eventually turned mine in after one particularly cocky event which ended up with me sliding sideways into a kerb at slightly faster than expected and folding my N/S wishbone like origami.
I an lucky enough to be the son of a petrol head and qualified mechanic, so we rectified the problem and shipped the car along to a new home.
My advice, given its MOT cert and the high offer on your current vehicle.
Walk away. It’s not worth losing your money on something that some rascal has destroyed and abandoned.
I had a 2007 VXR for a while in my younger years and drove (abused) the b
ks off of it, revving the engine out to red line in traffic light drags, hand brake turns on any surface with a hint of grease, driving everywhere at twice the speed limit and burnouts for the boys. All covered. I eventually turned mine in after one particularly cocky event which ended up with me sliding sideways into a kerb at slightly faster than expected and folding my N/S wishbone like origami.
I an lucky enough to be the son of a petrol head and qualified mechanic, so we rectified the problem and shipped the car along to a new home.
My advice, given its MOT cert and the high offer on your current vehicle.
Walk away. It’s not worth losing your money on something that some rascal has destroyed and abandoned.
Another option although older is a Focus ST you can land a decent one for your budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
These normally come up with sensible numbers insurance wise:
Alfa Mito Cloverleaf/Quadrifoglio Verde
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Alfa Mito Cloverleaf/Quadrifoglio Verde
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
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