Which would you buy
06-06-2019, 11:38 PM
#11
Last week I called a dealer about an 07 / 24k miles with good history and up for sale at £11.5k
I asked him to have the suspension bolts checked which he did and reported 3 were seized, so I didn't pursue it he said he would put the car into auction
The same car is now at a another dealer about 30 miles from me - at £17k
I asked him to have the suspension bolts checked which he did and reported 3 were seized, so I didn't pursue it he said he would put the car into auction
The same car is now at a another dealer about 30 miles from me - at £17k
06-07-2019, 01:06 AM
#12
Easy choice for me. 4, some 08/09 cars had engine issues, 04 is on the older cheaper tax bracket and also has the throttle cable.
Even if a car has had the geo checked it doesn't meant its not seized. most garages will check its in spec not that they are free. In most instances the geo bolts seize in spec.
Even if a car has had the geo checked it doesn't meant its not seized. most garages will check its in spec not that they are free. In most instances the geo bolts seize in spec.
The following users liked this post:
GreenmanS2000 (06-07-2019)
06-07-2019, 01:18 AM
#13
Quite agree about GEO - just because it is in spec doesn't mean the bolts aren't seized
But if the owner says "Geo, what geo?", my thinking it is more likely to be a problem because it has never been checked...
But if the owner says "Geo, what geo?", my thinking it is more likely to be a problem because it has never been checked...
06-07-2019, 05:35 AM
#14
Personally number 5, as they've bothered to service it properly.. I don't care if you only 2k a year you shouldn't have years without an oil change it just strikes me as lazy/penny pinching on £20 worth of oil which you don't want when you're paying £10k+ for a car.
A new roof isn't £700 if you go to jack smith in Swansea.
A wheel refurb @ £400 sounds way too much, mine was £225
A new roof isn't £700 if you go to jack smith in Swansea.
A wheel refurb @ £400 sounds way too much, mine was £225
The following users liked this post:
GreenmanS2000 (06-07-2019)
06-07-2019, 11:07 AM
#16
FWIW, I love my 2004 face-lift Pensioner blue on 70.2K miles, new Monsoon hood, Michelin PS4s, Geo sorted. The only upgrade I'd do would be a lower mileage Laguna blue 08/09 - the alloys are the best looking and the colour is the ultimate (but the 08/09 seats with the solid headrest look a bit odd). For a quick assessment I'd look underneath and check rust, open the oil cap while running for an indication of compression/blow past and I think I've recovered enough from the geo bolt chopping session years ago that I might even consider one with an unknown geo status.
Paintwork, chassis and engine are the deciders though - other mechanical bits can be replaced.
Paintwork, chassis and engine are the deciders though - other mechanical bits can be replaced.
The following users liked this post:
GreenmanS2000 (06-07-2019)
06-07-2019, 11:49 AM
#17
depends on your spanner prefs that Ben.. geo wouldnt bother me but i cant fix an engine and bodywork aint cheap
i dont like pensioner blue though
i dont like pensioner blue though
The following 2 users liked this post by Nottm_S2:
BenRNBP (06-07-2019),
GreenmanS2000 (06-07-2019)
06-07-2019, 11:36 PM
#18
Any 09 engine that has got passed more than 25k is unlikely to have a problem, but if you really like everything else about the car then get the crankshaft end-float checked. It can be done in the car, just a few minutes to remove the air filter box and then use a dial gauge on the crankshaft pulley.
The following users liked this post:
GreenmanS2000 (06-07-2019)
06-10-2019, 03:11 AM
#19
I am returning to S2 ownership and I have found a few possibilities, although none can confirm the geo is good and the bolts are not seized. My current short list is:
1 - 09 with 32k, less than 2k in last 4 years but has had annual service (essentially an oil change) but o/s/r suspension looks low in pics
2 - 09 with 53k, 9 service stamps (7 @ Honda), geo checked July 17
3 - 09 with 40k, 2nd owner since 2012, 7k miles in last 4 years, but only 2 services in his ownership. Had a new roof but no record of any geo check
4 - 05 with 28k, 2k in last 4 years but only 4 service stamps from new. no record of any geo check
This proving harder than I thought to find a really good one..
1 - 09 with 32k, less than 2k in last 4 years but has had annual service (essentially an oil change) but o/s/r suspension looks low in pics
2 - 09 with 53k, 9 service stamps (7 @ Honda), geo checked July 17
3 - 09 with 40k, 2nd owner since 2012, 7k miles in last 4 years, but only 2 services in his ownership. Had a new roof but no record of any geo check
4 - 05 with 28k, 2k in last 4 years but only 4 service stamps from new. no record of any geo check
This proving harder than I thought to find a really good one..
2 - the seller failed to mention there was a hole in the roof and upon inspection, 2 brake discs were badly scored and the front 2 were lipped. Also the radiator expansion tank was totally dry..
4 - although looks good, and has done only 3000 miles in the last 6 years, it hasn't had service in that time
I found a local one with c45k but one of the wheels has a large chunk missing and the front bumper has had a poor partial spray and there is very noticeable "starring" in the plastic. Oh and the owner bought it from a certain dealer in Faringdon a years ago, with 3 years of missing service history, although the mileages on the MoT history are reasonable for that period. He did have it fully serviced with all fluids done about 3 years ago.
Another red one look good in the ad but none of the front panels (bumper, bonnet and wings) seemed to line up and all looked a slightly different shade
Number 5 is having a service and MoT this week so could be worth another look if the suspension bolts aren't seized.
oh well, patience is key...
06-10-2019, 03:27 AM
#20
UK Moderator
I now have an 09 having previously had an 02. I can't say I could tell the difference between the cable and dbw throttles, and VSA is nice to have (despite the potential costs of it failing) - it saved me one at least one occasion.
IMO the biggest potential problem is rust, so pay the most attention to that. A car that's been undersealed/rust proofed would be preferable.
The extra tax is a bit of a bugger, but I only have mine on the road 7 months a year, so the difference is much less.
IMO the biggest potential problem is rust, so pay the most attention to that. A car that's been undersealed/rust proofed would be preferable.
The extra tax is a bit of a bugger, but I only have mine on the road 7 months a year, so the difference is much less.
The following users liked this post:
GreenmanS2000 (06-10-2019)