RE: Buying a Shed replacement: PH Blog
Monday 27th January 2014
Well the first hour was bloomin excellent. Driving my 306 Rallye back from Leicester all was well; it had sat cruising without much fuss, filling it up was drama free too and a scenic route back taking in the B660 would surely be superb.
Ad pics looked great...In fact, I was so chuffed that I pulled over to take a pic. That was when it seemed to be idling really rather loudly. A few miles later and the din was insufferable. Something had come detached in the exhaust which made for a 306 that would have been classed as 'a bit rowdy' in Southend. I was near St Neots at the time. I live in Twickenham. Full hearing has just about been restored.
What was that about unreliable French cars?Writing the Spotted on a GTI-6 just before Christmas finally twisted my arm; I was getting a 306. The advert for this Rallye was pretty good, detailing lots of recent work and with 11 decent pictures. Speaking with the owner filled me with confidence (he was only getting rid to buy a new Fiesta ST and knew loads about 306s that I didn't) and we had a deal unseen at £1,700. A quick chat with a guy at the insurance company revealed they only wanted another £25 for a Rally-eee (not a French car fan clearly) and the train to Leicester was booked.
Buying a Shed replacement: PH Blog
Matt bought a 306 Rallye yesterday. It's in the garage being fixed today.
Ad pics looked great...
It's currently in the garage to have the problem rectified. With Shed Civic currently unsold, funds are a little tight so hopefully it's nothing serious. The Fleet updates certainly won't be dull, that's for sure...
I've wanted a quick 306 for a long time. When I first started reading car mags in the late 90s, it was winning group tests everywhere. I was very envious of a mate at school had an XSI. I test drove a GTI-6 at the start of last year but didn't take the plunge. Starting at PH with Dan 'have I told you about that 172 Cup I had?' Trent next to me, it was only a matter of time before I had something fast and French.
What was that about unreliable French cars?
Having paid a deposit to secure it, I really didn't want to leave without the car. Fortunately, a long passenger ride and test drive revealed nothing untoward (at this point) and there was a huge stack of receipts too. I was happy, and even more chuffed driving home until the Rallye decided it wanted to be more hardcore and forego the exhaust altogether. Here's hoping it's a minor issue. The seller seemed like a decent chap so I'd like to think it's bad luck rather than something more sinister.
More will follow on the Rallye in a proper Fleet intro and it will most definitely be appearing at a few Sunday Services in 2014. Any thoughts, advice and comments welcome! And please, say there are some of you with positive experiences of buying a car unseen?
Matt
Discussion
Well, i salute your bravery buying a 15 years old+ french hot hatch from a stranger without ever seeing it...thing is, buying at this level the initial cost is only the down payment on ownership, i do hope you get lucky.
...cannot do worst than your mate with the MK1 MR2 full of filler i supppose (and he actually saw the thing).
...cannot do worst than your mate with the MK1 MR2 full of filler i supppose (and he actually saw the thing).
I'm sure I won't be the only one saying this, but head gaskets like to give up the ghost.
Air-con never usually works, either - it's a 400 quid job to fix (from recollection).
Serviceable parts are cheap and plentiful, though. Oh, and you'll have a riot driving the thing - it just wants to be driven hard everywhere.
Whilst I'm sure economy isn't at the forefront of your mind, high-teens on spirited trips aren't uncommon and you'll struggle to get 30 mpg even driving like a granddad. To be honest, the extra comfort you get in a standard car (like my old one) isn't worth the extra if you can live with a sparse Rallye version.
Air-con never usually works, either - it's a 400 quid job to fix (from recollection).
Serviceable parts are cheap and plentiful, though. Oh, and you'll have a riot driving the thing - it just wants to be driven hard everywhere.
Whilst I'm sure economy isn't at the forefront of your mind, high-teens on spirited trips aren't uncommon and you'll struggle to get 30 mpg even driving like a granddad. To be honest, the extra comfort you get in a standard car (like my old one) isn't worth the extra if you can live with a sparse Rallye version.
I was considering that one, but not seriously. Enjoy it!
Weak points in my experience:
Handbrake
Drop links/suspension in general can be chocolate, depends on your roads
Rear wiper unit can let water in, keep an eye on it
Expect to break small plastic fixings when spannering
Trim in general can fall off (badges)
Seat mountings aren't too strong
Squeaky plastics will be the last thing on your mind when you hit a B-road, though
Weak points in my experience:
Handbrake
Drop links/suspension in general can be chocolate, depends on your roads
Rear wiper unit can let water in, keep an eye on it
Expect to break small plastic fixings when spannering
Trim in general can fall off (badges)
Seat mountings aren't too strong
Squeaky plastics will be the last thing on your mind when you hit a B-road, though
Things you want to check:
When was the cambelt done
When was the cambelt done
The engine mount cradle isnt cracked
Other than that they actually are pretty reliable.
I've has my GTi-6 for 40,000 very very very hard miles now and its still going strong.
They appreicate a bit of 97ron as well.
When was the cambelt done
When was the cambelt done
The engine mount cradle isnt cracked
Other than that they actually are pretty reliable.
I've has my GTi-6 for 40,000 very very very hard miles now and its still going strong.
They appreicate a bit of 97ron as well.
Cambelt has DEFINITELY been done! There's a receipt for it being done just under two years and 10,000 miles ago. Head gasket done at the same time so that's one less thing to worry about...
No air-con or electric windows on the Rallye, correct. The driver's seat could probably do with some attention as it has a tear in the bolster (I knew about this) and perhaps isn't as secure as it once was. Wishbones have been recently replaced too.
It was always going to be a gamble; with there only every being 500 Rallyes I wasn't going to get the chance to try many! Maybe it will pay off, maybe it won't, but it should be fun finding out.
Matt
No air-con or electric windows on the Rallye, correct. The driver's seat could probably do with some attention as it has a tear in the bolster (I knew about this) and perhaps isn't as secure as it once was. Wishbones have been recently replaced too.
It was always going to be a gamble; with there only every being 500 Rallyes I wasn't going to get the chance to try many! Maybe it will pay off, maybe it won't, but it should be fun finding out.
Matt
Well I brought three cars through good winning bids on eBay (in the good old days when a buyer could get negative feedback) and had felt I'd had my pants pulled down everytime when I actually saw and paid for the car (one I had already paid for via PayPal before I left to pick it up) never again! Always view before handing over the cash and go over the car thoroughly get on your knees look under the car check inside the boot and spare wheel compartment etc etc even check the old mots I brought a 325 advertised with 90k miles drove it for two years then the day I was selling it looked through all the mots and noticed the mileage was at 93k five years before I purchased it pre Digital Mot in 2007 I have since found out this was a common theme for people to clock their cars for the then new Mots....
Matt Bird said:
Cambelt has DEFINITELY been done! There's a receipt for it being done just under two years and 10,000 miles ago. Head gasket done at the same time so that's one less thing to worry about...
No air-con or electric windows on the Rallye, correct. The driver's seat could probably do with some attention as it has a tear in the bolster (I knew about this) and perhaps isn't as secure as it once was. Wishbones have been recently replaced too.
It was always going to be a gamble; with there only every being 500 Rallyes I wasn't going to get the chance to try many! Maybe it will pay off, maybe it won't, but it should be fun finding out.
Matt
Think the current count is about 220....No air-con or electric windows on the Rallye, correct. The driver's seat could probably do with some attention as it has a tear in the bolster (I knew about this) and perhaps isn't as secure as it once was. Wishbones have been recently replaced too.
It was always going to be a gamble; with there only every being 500 Rallyes I wasn't going to get the chance to try many! Maybe it will pay off, maybe it won't, but it should be fun finding out.
Matt
MantaMike said:
Very weird seeing this article today.
Myself and a colleague pulled up behind a very loud red 306 Rallye at the A1/M25 junction at about 6pm last night. We had a little chuckle commenting that something seemed to have broken.... and we were right!
This is why I love PH. It was getting lots of odd looks in some traffic on the A1. Not a fun journey at all!Myself and a colleague pulled up behind a very loud red 306 Rallye at the A1/M25 junction at about 6pm last night. We had a little chuckle commenting that something seemed to have broken.... and we were right!
Matt Bird said:
MantaMike said:
Very weird seeing this article today.
Myself and a colleague pulled up behind a very loud red 306 Rallye at the A1/M25 junction at about 6pm last night. We had a little chuckle commenting that something seemed to have broken.... and we were right!
This is why I love PH. It was getting lots of odd looks in some traffic on the A1. Not a fun journey at all!Myself and a colleague pulled up behind a very loud red 306 Rallye at the A1/M25 junction at about 6pm last night. We had a little chuckle commenting that something seemed to have broken.... and we were right!
Bionic Billy Nav said:
Well I brought three cars through good winning bids on eBay (in the good old days when a buyer could get negative feedback) and had felt I'd had my pants pulled down everytime when I actually saw and paid for the car (one I had already paid for via PayPal before I left to pick it up) never again! Always view before handing over the cash and go over the car thoroughly get on your knees look under the car check inside the boot and spare wheel compartment etc etc even check the old mots I brought a 325 advertised with 90k miles drove it for two years then the day I was selling it looked through all the mots and noticed the mileage was at 93k five years before I purchased it pre Digital Mot in 2007 I have since found out this was a common theme for people to clock their cars for the then new Mots....
Surely you view before you bid not bid then turn up and change your mind?Providing the sellers been up front about any faults, if you turn up and try and knock the price down or back out i'd lodge a dispute against you
egor110 said:
Bionic Billy Nav said:
Well I brought three cars through good winning bids on eBay (in the good old days when a buyer could get negative feedback) and had felt I'd had my pants pulled down everytime when I actually saw and paid for the car (one I had already paid for via PayPal before I left to pick it up) never again! Always view before handing over the cash and go over the car thoroughly get on your knees look under the car check inside the boot and spare wheel compartment etc etc even check the old mots I brought a 325 advertised with 90k miles drove it for two years then the day I was selling it looked through all the mots and noticed the mileage was at 93k five years before I purchased it pre Digital Mot in 2007 I have since found out this was a common theme for people to clock their cars for the then new Mots....
Surely you view before you bid not bid then turn up and change your mind?Providing the sellers been up front about any faults, if you turn up and try and knock the price down or back out i'd lodge a dispute against you
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