Bit of advice please?

[shanebyrne88]

Hey guys. I'm just about to buy my first car and I was looking for some feedback from you guys who are more experienced

I'm looking at buying this car -

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1130767

I went out to see it today and all seems above board. One thing I"m not sure about. The guy said that he had to replace the timing belt, and that when he did, he was hearing a funny noise, and his mechanic friend recommended that he change the water pump to stop it. Is this a common thing, or is he just trying to say that he had to change the water pump aswell and wants to mask it by making it sound like it wasn't essential?

The car is very well kept. As you can see from the picture uploaded on the site, it's clean as a whistle all around and not a scratch on it anywhere. This makes me think that the guy took good care of it, and I can't see someone taking that much care of it on the outside and letting it not run right. He says that it was unused for 14 months because he was away in Australia. I'm currently dealing with his father, because he's away in the UK. (I'm in Ireland).

My dad drove it, and he said it felt a bit "clunky", but to be fair, the only cars he's driven in the past year are an 09 Clio and an 08 Opel Astra, so an 02 Clio would feel pretty different. I drove it briefly myself and it felt fine, but I don't really have anything to compare it to, so my "fine" could be awful =P

Any help/tips? My uncle is a qualified mechanic and I'm gonna get him to come have a look at it with me tomorrow, but I'd like some other people's opinion on the matter too.

Thanks guys

Shane.

 

[tomstamp2008]

now mate, welcome btw
I think I may be able to help with the belts as its perfectly normal to have them replaced at iirc 70k or every 5 years the pump is normally replaced aswell as it mite aswell be done if the belts are been changed so thats a good thing that they are done.
As for how it feels to drive, on my 1.2 jst make sure the clutch is heavy, and that there are no knocking noises when driving hope this helps abit

 

[Jasey]

I'd be wary of someone selling a car that "hasn't moved for 14 months".

Ask him why this is the case and see what he says !

irrespective of the answer it aint good for a car to sit on a drive for over a year.

Mechanic Uncle should be able to verify any major issues

 

[shanebyrne88]

Thanks for the tips lads. I'm completely new to this, so Tom, what did you mean when you said make sure the clutch is heavy? Make sure it's not too easy to press down? It felt heavy enough to me if that's what you meant.

Jasey, he said that it's been in the drive for 14 months because the bloke that owns it went to Australia for a year. The father said he drove it a bit, but nothing to speak of. Only a couple of hundred miles. My only worry is back tax. Would you guys know how that works? It's not taxed, and I can't imagine he taxed it when it was out of use. Plus if he drove it when it wasn't taxed, would I be liable for any back tax? He'll be paying it before I take it if that's the case.

But I have another problem ;(

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1176441

^ found that last night while I was browsing. A bit wary as 3k is VERY cheap for a car that seems to be in such good nick. I was just out looking in a few dealers, and a a 2000 clio was €3750. I dunno if that means the dealer is overpriced or the person is severely underpriced Either way, now I'm torn. =(

 

[Jasey]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/UntaxedVehicle/DG_4022058

Some reading for you on the tax issue.

Basically if you were to buy it you would need to tax it - but probably better to get him to tax it first.

You wont be due any tax until you buy it.

Guy was in Australia for a year sounds plausible.

Good luck with whatever way you decide to go