Buying a GT4 Carlos Sainz, advice please

[ed_aw11]

I have been looking into buying a GT4 (ST185) preferably UK spec(for insurance reasons) and I was wondering if anyone could give me some buyers advice?

I have found one, looks good, but I am not sure what to look for on them. I know to check for white smoke = buggered turbo etc, but does anyone know of any specific things to look for?

I am going to look at it on Sat afternoon, and was wondering if anyone would be able to come and lend their opinion? I would be most grateful.

Cheers guys 'n' gals
Ed.

[ed_aw11]

Cheers guys.
Has definatley given me an idea of where to look etc.
It has 99k miles, FTSH and only a couple of mods. It sounds and looks mint, but I will have to wait til I get to drive it.

ps I was thinking of getting an AA or RAC inpesction done, buy my brother (Fatboy) says not to bother unless your buying a Vectra or a Festa. Would it be worth it?

Cheers,
Ed

[ed_aw11]

[quote=Mr E]www.gt4oc.com

Where abouts mate (I'm a bit of a GT-Four zealot).

quote]

Its in Essex. The more I read on the various websites suggested, the more I really, really want one. Far better than getting a new bathroom suite. Plus, "Sludge Green" does grow on you after a while.

[ed_aw11]

Mr E said:

Lol. Great cars bud, great cars. The ST205 is permenantly overshadowed by evo-rezzas of the same vintage, and I suspect it's a better car because of it.

Why be the same as everbody else. Plus the insurance quote I got for it was only £90 a year more than I'm paying on my '89 MK1 MR2. But its worth twice as much, and has double the BHP.

As Mr J.Clarkson said, "If your going to build a fast car, start off with a fast one in the first place!"

I say, "If your going to build an individual car, start off with an individual one in the first place"

[ed_aw11]

That was Castle Coombe (Camp Corner?) if I am not mistaken. I have a pic on my PC at home of an Evo VIII going sideways, then flicking back and crashing on the very same corner, right under my feet. I'll try to remember to post it up this evening.

[ed_aw11]

If I have learned one thing in my life, its never believe the repair shop. When I had a front ender in my Saxo (yes, yes I know) they said it would be 4-6 days (they said that when they had had it for 3 days!), but 2 whole weeks later, "It'll be tomorrow mate" every day for another week.
Obviously though, I hope you do get it back tomorrow, cos if I had a skyline, I wouldn't wanna be without it too long. Not without developing some form of twitch.

[ed_aw11]

Now that is something I didn't want to see/hear.

BTW, I must thank everyone for all the hints and advice, it has been very useful.

I phoned the seller, and asked him if there was anything I should know, and if the car had whining rear diff, or smokey engine etc, and he said it was fine. So on the grounds its as good as he says it is, I'll be having it. I've also sorted my insurance & HPi, its just a question of getting there. My mate offered to drive in his UR Audi Quattro, but 300 mile round trip at 20mpg of optimax, wouldn't really be worth it.

I think I will have to drive down in my Flaming Pidgeon (MK1 MR2), and he can try to keep up with me in the GT4 on the way back!!

>> Edited by ed_aw11 on Thursday 18th November 22:26

[ed_aw11]

Good point, well made. And I supposed it makes the GT4 I'm looking at a bit rarer? (sorry). I have just about got the hang of flicking the MR2, so I think I will wait a few months before attempting any tricks in the GT4