Post 664998 by sonicgroove on 2013-11-30 23:58:44
Hi all, I'm Craig, from Lancashire. I am about to go view a 1997 T5 V70 in luscious Turquoise blue. It's a high miler (200k+) but has a full extensive service history and has been owned for the last 8 years by a retired elderly gent. During the conversation we had tonight, he also let slip that he hardly ever goes above 65mph. I don't envisage many problems with the car to be honest, It's been one of those 'if it needs it, it gets it' kind of cars. It is totally stock, and the only thing that isn't original to the car is the bonnet (new one bought and professionally resprayed by the main dealer) I guess my main concern will be with the turbo unit and auto box, as they are original too. What sort of life does a turbo usually get, if it's underworked like this one has been? What else should I be looking out for, other than the obvious stuff?
Here's hoping for a long and loving relationship with a car I have wanted since my youth, but only been able to afford in my middle ages.
Post 665009 by V70 Graham on 2013-12-01 08:33:20
Welcome Craig, sounds like a good car that should do you well.....ask a few people on here, I rarely go over 65mph either !
Post 665012 by Biff on 2013-12-01 08:44:31
Welcome mate, good choice! High miles? That's not high miles, mine had done 225000 in 2005!
Personally I'd check the brakes aren't sticking as the rear shoes have a tendency to stick on. Obviously check the oil & water aren't mixing although it could be a cheaper fix than the normal head gasket, the rad/oil cooler are bonded together & oil can leak in your water.
Remove your dipstick a bit once the car has run up to temperature & if it's smoking through, it's possible your positive crankcase ventilation pcv is blocked which is about £80 in parts & a couple of hours to change.
Check the clocks & switches all work. Yours should be pre me7 which won't have a throttle cable so should save you hassle.
These are my experiences from a manual car, but an auto may have a slipping box which may result in a fluid change.
Cracking cars when they are right.
Post 665014 by Biff on 2013-12-01 08:47:25
The turbo/car should be smoke free & mrp's is on over 200k & still going strong after being mapped. Whistles & whoosh noises usually indicate a boost leak which is usually a cheap fix.
Post 665115 by sonicgroove on 2013-12-01 19:06:47
It is beautiful. The history is something of beauty too. It's 3 inch thick! This car has wanted for nothing over the last 8 years at least. She drives like a dream, no knocks or mechanical issues at all. the suspension and braking system is bob on, having recently been replaced. She's had 3 timing belts, the last being 10k ago. The only issue is the AC not working....apparently, the pipes below the window washer bottle have corroded somewhat and it won't hold gas. I doubt I'll bother repairing that as it sounds like an expensive job. Considering I only paid £570 for her, I think I have a bargain!
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Post 665116 by stribo on 2013-12-01 19:08:29
Welcome, nice looking car, we've just got a C70 convertible in that colour.
Post 665129 by rikcougar on 2013-12-01 19:49:08
Welcome to the madhouse
Looks like a bargain :B_thumb:
Post 665202 by Wobbly Dave on 2013-12-02 00:18:05
Still a lot of car for the money, welcome to the site.
Post 665214 by sonicgroove on 2013-12-02 06:42:39
Forgot to mention, the EMS light is on....Lambda sensor fault. It currently has a bit of black tape over the light, which seems to fix it :D Is it worth getting a new one or will it just go again soon? The previous owner said it's pointless, as it affects nothing and isn't a MOT fail. I tend to agree, but what do the experts think?
Post 665216 by Shinsplintz 101 on 2013-12-02 07:10:10
Welcome fella, nice car!
Had a lambda issue when I got mine [95 T5] - turned out to be split hoses letting in to much air, not the sensor itself, so was a cheap fix. Personally I get the niggles done as & when they come up as if you leave them on these old cars they just build up into one big expensive ball of garage fees/weekends under the bonnet - which usually leads straight to the scrapyard, hard to justify the cost when you only paid £500 for the car!
Good luck with the car, all the best, Morgan