23 replies to this topic

[chris_leeds]

Seen a potential vx at what i consider a decent low price but it does have a few issues: Add stated: Mechanically excellent, new rear pads, Red calipers, excellent tyres, full MOT.Serviced. Turbo type integral rear spoiler Black leather interior very clean (usual wear on drivers seat edge) with pull off front rad/CD and iPod jack and upgraded speakers. Black Double Duck soft top in perfect condition. Key fob alarm. Owned for 3 years, currently SORN for last 18 mnths, Requires paint as usual VX bodywork problems- bubbling and flaking, had rear clam repaired in 2008, Slight crazing mark on drivers headlamp cover.Sensibly priced to reflect work required to make stunning! So emailed seller who confirmed claim was recorded (i need to phone to check cat c or d etc) and answered my other questions and got reply below which seems ok to me: The engine has only covered just over 50k therefore is not needing a timing chain replacement When these cars even have a minor claim they are put on the register , only due to body parts not being available from Vauxhall, even though you can get all of the panels from other suppliers, this car is on the register as 70% of all VXs are now Sorry no hardtop, they come up on Ebay fairly regulaly - £300-400 No history (but all mots for last 3 years)  and one key The car is excellent mechanically, only needs bodywork sorting to make perfect, hence priced £2k below normal price of similar VX If you need more info just give me a ring My only doubts are how would the previous claim impact me selling - from what I've seen it just lowers price a bit but doesn't seem to put everyone off!? My biggest concern is seeming lack of history, minus MOTs for last 3yrs, would this put you off??? Cheers

[vocky]

The engine has only covered just over 50k therefore is not needing a timing chain replacement

that is not correct, the two chains have a life span of ten years (or 100k whichever comes FIRST) so will need replacing due to age

Edited by vocky, 22 October 2012 - 01:31 PM.

[TheRealVXed]

You got a link to the ad? Or stick the reg in here. 70% of VXs are not cat c/d for the record. The majority on here aren't. I would say that, although the cat rating would put me off personally, they are not that much of a big deal now. There are quite a few out there and they are becoming so easy to write off. Someone reversed into mine recently and it just scraped under the total loss bracket, but I couldn't have new parts fitted (other than the headlight) because that would have taken it over. Yet to see the work yet, but the beauty of GRP is that it can be patched up and in most cases ends up stronger than the original bit. Bodywork should be seen as a sacrificial part on these cars as none of it is structural. I would want to know exactly what damage was sustained and what was repaired/replaced. On the question of history, as Vocky says you can knock a few hundred quid (think the chains alone are around £170 IIRC) off for getting the chains replaced as likely hood is the car is near, if not over 10 years old. In other news the lack of history is probably (and I am wildly guessing here) the fact that the insurer/scrap yard didn't bother getting it off the previous owner when the car was handed over after the total loss claim. The best thing you can do is look at the market, see if the seller has indeed sensibly priced it versus similar milage examples with similar history (cat rating does knock anywhere from £1500 - £3k off the price). Otherwise the lack of history isn't too much of an issue provided that you carefully check all the usual places (engine mounts, bushes, steering rack, dampers, etc etc), MOTs for the last 3 years will confirm the milage for the last three years is continuous, not prior to that. I would suggest a full HPI check on anything with an unknown or confused history. Take a local member along with you to look at it for beer tokens. There are a few about Leeds who would be willing to help. Good luck with your search

[Robski]

The engine has only covered just over 50k therefore is not needing a timing chain replacement

that is not correct, the two chains have a life span of ten years (or 100k whichever comes FIRST) so will need replacing due to age

Just for the record, I believe that the TWO chains Vocky mentions are the timing chain and the balancer chain. Two separate kits are required. Also if you do buy it, you'd want to make sure that the timing chain kit used is the latest genuine GM version with the domed tensioner.
I'm sure he will correct me if I'm wrong.

R

[vocky]

Cam chain = £175, balancer/water pump chain = £140, so just the chains will be £315 + labour. Main dealer will want about £1200 to supply and fit them Pattern chain kits are designed for standard vectra/astra/zafira, I would not recommended them for a vx220

Edited by vocky, 22 October 2012 - 02:06 PM.

[LazyDonkey]

How cheap is cheap? That car would have to be very very cheap to make me jump at it. Very easy to rack up a large bill on these cars if it's not been loved and cared for. There are so many well known cars about, why would you take the risk with an unknown car?

[JG]

Mechanically excellent: Red calipers, full MOT

Neither of those indicate mechanical excellence

And i don't think much of the ownwer's answeres either.

The engine has only covered just over 50k therefore is not needing a timing chain replacement Wrong
When these cars even have a minor claim they are put on the register , only due to body parts not being available from Vauxhall, even though you can get all of the panels from other suppliers, this car is on the register as 70% of all VXs are now Wrong (i bet it isn't even 20%)
Sorry no hardtop, they come up on Ebay fairly regulaly - £300-400 Wrong (more like 600)
No history (but all mots for last 3 years) and one key Says at the top, just serviced
The car is excellent mechanically, only needs bodywork sorting to make perfect, hence priced £2k below normal price of similar VX I see no evidence it is mechanically excellent, you have to take it apart a little and have a look

[chris_leeds]

Firstly thanks for ALL the great replies to date, just emphasises how good this forum is and gives me confidence the info is out there to support me in future!

The engine has only covered just over 50k therefore is not needing a timing chain replacement

that is not correct, the two chains have a life span of ten years (or 100k whichever comes FIRST) so will need replacing due to age

Thanks for clarifying that mate, useful info as I wasn't 100%.

You got a link to the ad? Or stick the reg in here. 70% of VXs are not cat c/d for the record. The majority on here aren't. I would say that, although the cat rating would put me off personally, they are not that much of a big deal now. There are quite a few out there and they are becoming so easy to write off. Someone reversed into mine recently and it just scraped under the total loss bracket, but I couldn't have new parts fitted (other than the headlight) because that would have taken it over. Yet to see the work yet, but the beauty of GRP is that it can be patched up and in most cases ends up stronger than the original bit. Bodywork should be seen as a sacrificial part on these cars as none of it is structural. I would want to know exactly what damage was sustained and what was repaired/replaced.

On the question of history, as Vocky says you can knock a few hundred quid (think the chains alone are around £170 IIRC) off for getting the chains replaced as likely hood is the car is near, if not over 10 years old. In other news the lack of history is probably (and I am wildly guessing here) the fact that the insurer/scrap yard didn't bother getting it off the previous owner when the car was handed over after the total loss claim. The best thing you can do is look at the market, see if the seller has indeed sensibly priced it versus similar milage examples with similar history (cat rating does knock anywhere from £1500 - £3k off the price). Otherwise the lack of history isn't too much of an issue provided that you carefully check all the usual places (engine mounts, bushes, steering rack, dampers, etc etc), MOTs for the last 3 years will confirm the milage for the last three years is continuous, not prior to that. I would suggest a full HPI check on anything with an unknown or confused history.

Take a local member along with you to look at it for beer tokens. There are a few about Leeds who would be willing to help. Good luck with your search

Reg is covered in the add :-( will ask when I phone though.
Defo look to HPI this and keen to know what damage was done previously as if it's too bad think I'll move on for sure!

Cam chain = £175, balancer/water pump chain = £140, so just the chains will be £315 + labour.

Main dealer will want about £1200 to supply and fit them

Pattern chain kits are designed for standard vectra/astra/zafira, I would not recommended them for a vx220

Sounds like even away from a stealer I'd be looking at £600+ish!?.....good info to know!!!

How cheap is cheap? That car would have to be very very cheap to make me jump at it. Very easy to rack up a large bill on these cars if it's not been loved and cared for.

There are so many well known cars about, why would you take the risk with an unknown car?

It's on at £5,300 so I'd say cheap really but suppose changing chains from info above pushes it to about £6k before we even begin.

[LazyDonkey]

Im not sure that's cheap enough for me to take the risk. I'd rather spend £6k-£6.5k on a higher mileage but well known car. You'd make that money back no bother.

GBobM's car didnt go for much more than that and would be the sort of thing i'd be looking at.

EDIT : http://www.vx220.org...ed-cheap-price/

Sold now but gives you an idea of the competition

Edited by LazyDonkey, 22 October 2012 - 02:29 PM.

[G-Bob]

GBobM's car didnt go for much more LESS than that and would be the sort of thing i'd be looking at.

£5300 is not bad if it all rings true, but I would check everything on it first before taking the jump.
You got a link to the ad?

[G-Bob]

Just found it:

http://www.gumtree.c...ery-item-full-2

If the whole car was red rather than just the calipers then it would have been worth more.

[LazyDonkey]

Turbo headlights on an NA. Mmmmmm front end smash.....

[chris_leeds]

Mechanically excellent: Red calipers, full MOT

Neither of those indicate mechanical excellence

And i don't think much of the ownwer's answeres either.

The engine has only covered just over 50k therefore is not needing a timing chain replacement Wrong
When these cars even have a minor claim they are put on the register , only due to body parts not being available from Vauxhall, even though you can get all of the panels from other suppliers, this car is on the register as 70% of all VXs are now Wrong (i bet it isn't even 20%)
Sorry no hardtop, they come up on Ebay fairly regulaly - £300-400 Wrong (more like 600)
No history (but all mots for last 3 years) and one key Says at the top, just serviced
The car is excellent mechanically, only needs bodywork sorting to make perfect, hence priced £2k below normal price of similar VX I see no evidence it is mechanically excellent, you have to take it apart a little and have a look

Thanks for that, helpful.

Just found it:

http://www.gumtree.c...ery-item-full-2

If the whole car was red rather than just the calipers then it would have been worth more.

Ye that's the one.
I'm not convinced but Gunnar ring the bloke later to get more info on previous damage etc as think that's key for me.

Turbo headlights on an NA. Mmmmmm front end smash.....

That's my guess :-)

[LazyDonkey]

That's not a cheap repair then, and neither is it a wee bump if it requires two headlamps.

[TheRealVXed]

It may have been only one light but repairer decided they wanted turbo headlights and so bought a pair with a view to replacing the rears as well? You don't have to do much damage to warrent a new headlight (just ask JG or me!) but if you do the whole front in at once enough to damage both headlights the crash box would have taken a hit too. I'd at least want the repair receipts in the history. Maybe the insurance write off report might be helpful too (if it is even obtainable?! )

[TazN]

I'd say at that sort of price they are asking you to take alot on faith. Mine was similar ie no history, cat car etc. Was considerably less than this price. It ended up costing me abit to get sorted but was and is indeed mechanically fine so turned out to be an excellent buy. If it's local to you go take a look, take a member with you. Ask lots of questions give it a thorough look over. If it's a long way away I'd say just let it pass...

[chris_leeds]

Spoke to the guy; think I sounded like a time waster with all my questions lol but hey you gotta expect it on a car like this. Seemed an honest enough bloke, he bought the car off someone who had a garage n had repaired it but understood the damage was around the door and wheel arch. It's regd as a cat c and he has only done 400 miles ish in it prior to reging it SORN 18month ago. He had mobile mechanic service it. Some bubbling on the wings and said paint is great 10ft away but isn't great up close so ideally wants taking back and a respray. Tough one, I'm not sure at £5,300 but probably worth a go at £4700 (tho suspect he wouldn't take that) .....thinking £1k to sort paint and £700ish to sort chains would put it at about £6.5k with mint paint and sorted low mileage engine.....one to think about for me I guess. It'd be a cheap in for me as wouldn't need to sort paint ASAP......mmmm thinking!! Cheers for all the help anyway people :-)

[techieboy]

Remember, some of these cars are on their second or third journey through the write-off categorisation system now. He may well have bought it with repaired door/arch damage but, it could well have had an interesting ride prior to that.

[Mangham54]

Sounds like one to have a look at, but with a lot of question marks against it. £5k is cheap, but I would want to see pictures of what damage had occurred. Or at the very least contact details of the garage that did the work, to have a thorough chat with them. I may be able to help have a nosey at it, as I live in Wakey. But that depends on when and where.

[Graeme Lambert]

Interesting treatment of the rear spoiler, blended into the bodywork. Has it had some rear damage as well? Have to say, it's not jumping off the page as a bargain for me either. G