More Disco advice please

[cpas]

I am looking to buy a second Disco for off-roading, but which the wife can put the kids in ocassionally.
I have seen an 'H' plate 3-door 5-seater for £1500 which I have negotiated down to £1300, but wondered what I should be getting for this kind of money?
The one I saw had 5 months' MOT but had the following defects:
-some rust starting in the cills (including a couple of small holes)
-the rear 'top-hats' from body to rear cross member were very rusty
-the interior was shoddy
-the driver's seat wouldn't move backwards or forwards
-the passenger seat frame felt loose and 'rattly'
-the rear seat belts were missing
-the exhaust had a big hole in the front pipe
-it felt more unstable at speed than my 300TDi (is this due to lack of roll-bar?)

I know most of these are repairable, but will I get a better car for the money or am I being too picky?
My other question is how difficult is it to repair the rear top-hats, as a bloke I spoke to recently had the same problem and was not looking forward to the job.

[Graham]

I've got a 94 'L' 3.9 V8i in quite good condition for its age. its the 95my so the same as your 300 tdi just with the Rv8 and manual box.

Once I've put 12months ticket on it ( just a case of getting off my arese and taking it to the mot garage) im looking for 2-2.5k for that

G

[bluespanner]

The only real concerns you have with your bargain disco is the rust. From the sound of it, it is about average.

Sils can be welded easily enough by your local weldey guy, as are the body mounts.

Get it, put some 7.50R16s on it and show it some dirt!

[cpas]

Thanks for your advice.
I did look at a £2195 one last night and it had the same problem with the rear top-hats and the drivers' seat didn't move. I'm tempted to buy the £1300 one and tart it up a bit.

[greenlandy]

Be warned sills can be repaired but if they need replacing excpect a large bill!

[120a]

greenlandy said:

Be warned sills can be repaired but if they need replacing excpect a large bill!

as with the rear cross member they are very expensive to have changed if theyre rotten

[cpas]

What sort of large bill? I am quite handy with the MIG welder! Are they difficult to do?

[greenlandy]

You have to be fairly good as replacing the inner and outer sills will require you to cut off the weld the attach's the b post to the sill. If you get it wrong the doors won't hang well

[cpas]

greenlandy said:

You have to be fairly good as replacing the inner and outer sills will require you to cut off the weld the attach's the b post to the sill. If you get it wrong the doors won't hang well

I'm used to Triumph Spitfires!!! Say no more!