41 replies to this topic

[182ian]

I have a leaking radiator and he recons he can get a replacement for £150. What pile of sh** radiator would that be! As with all these sales type people, they are really helpfuluntil they have to cough up! I will not be going back to him.

I think that pile of shite radiator would be the standard vauxhall item, you cannot expect anymore from a warranty claim, I'm sure if you coughed up the differance they would have fitted an all alloy rad!

[Yellow_or_black?]

Insurance risk by postcode

Interesting that...and random

[Whiteboy]

I have a leaking radiator and he recons he can get a replacement for £150. What pile of sh** radiator would that be! As with all these sales type people, they are really helpfuluntil they have to cough up! I will not be going back to him.

I think that pile of shite radiator would be the standard vauxhall item, you cannot expect anymore from a warranty claim, I'm sure if you coughed up the differance they would have fitted an all alloy rad!

We can keep this going if you like but the oem one is £7 more than the pro alloy.

[spuk87]

Insurance risk by postcode

Interesting that...and random

Random indeed. Based on that my home address should be cheapest but its >50% more expensive!

And whiteboy, the pro alloy rad is actually cheaper?? Or am I being retarded?

[Sutol]

Insurance risk by postcode

Interesting that...and random

Random indeed. Based on that my home address should be cheapest but its >50% more expensive!

And whiteboy, the pro alloy rad is actually cheaper?? Or am I being retarded?

I think the pro alloy rad is around £330, got mine for 295 thru the group buy though. believe the eliseparts all alloy rad is about 250

[Tail-end Charlie]

Hi everyone,

Just seen this:

http://www.adrianbly...o...tail&id=111

Registration is V11 GDT, anyone like to claim previous ownership of it? It looks like it's been looked after, even has the UV cover on the expansion tank already fitted. Just wondered if anyone knows what life it's had.

Thinking of going to have a look saturday morning and also wondered if anyone is free who wouldn't mind having a look with me, in exchange for love and free biscuits or something . I really can't realistically get it though until I see an insurance quote below £3000 , even then I should really wait until May when I'm not living in a dodgy part of London. I also don't really fancy a silver one...but the spec looks sweet. Maybe I'll change my mind if I see it in the flesh.

PM me or post here please if interested in coming for a look with me (bearing in mind that there's a 75% chance I won't buy )

Cheers.
Simon

All I am going to say is don't bother upgrading the warranty as he uses cheap sh** parts!!

Whiteboy, that may be very helpful advice but if you're going to leave a headline statement like that it's only fair to substantiate it.

I have a leaking radiator and he recons he can get a replacement for £150. What pile of sh** radiator would that be! As with all these sales type people, they are really helpfuluntil they have to cough up! I will not be going back to him.

Sounds like the crime of the century....

Harsh to tarnish such a reputable dealer with something so trivial.

When you are selling cars for the price he wants, he should pay up when required as this is not a cheap job.

So you thought because you paid top whack on the car, when your standard radiator burst, he'd replace it with a gucci one on warranty?

Now because he didn't do that, you're trying to tarnish the name of a man widely regarded as one of the most reputable VX220 dealers there are out there?

Take yesterday off Whiteboy.

[spuk87]

Back on topic update : Well I went to see it Saturday morning with a lot of help from Sutol. Seems generally in good condition other than niggles such as brake/clutch fluid needed changing, battery is probably old and not much tread on rear tyres. However my biggest concern is there was some small paint bubbling on the rear between the boot and spoiler. Should this mean I avoid the car at all costs, given that vxl don't seem interested in fixing any more? Or at least should it drop the price a bit/lot? Or is it becoming common enough that I shouldn't really be bothered? Adrian has offered to get it fixed; apparently he knows a GRP expert who can do a good job by blending it in to a line underneath the spoiler so it's not visible. Would this be a bad idea though; and make it come back worse in a few months/years? Any thoughts would be massively appreciated. I'm getting a bit impatient now and really want this/a car!

[southpaw]

Back on topic update : Well I went to see it Saturday morning with a lot of help from Sutol. Seems generally in good condition other than niggles such as brake/clutch fluid needed changing, battery is probably old and not much tread on rear tyres.

However my biggest concern is there was some small paint bubbling on the rear between the boot and spoiler. Should this mean I avoid the car at all costs, given that vxl don't seem interested in fixing any more? Or at least should it drop the price a bit/lot? Or is it becoming common enough that I shouldn't really be bothered? Adrian has offered to get it fixed; apparently he knows a GRP expert who can do a good job by blending it in to a line underneath the spoiler so it's not visible. Would this be a bad idea though; and make it come back worse in a few months/years?

Any thoughts would be massively appreciated. I'm getting a bit impatient now and really want this/a car!

I'd steer away from this one given the price - top end price wise and still has some bits that need sorting. The nail in the coffin for me would be the bubbling - there is enough choice out there not to pay ££'s for a car with this.

Surely you want a n/a anyway

[spuk87]

I'd steer away from this one given the price - top end price wise and still has some bits that need sorting. The nail in the coffin for me would be the bubbling - there is enough choice out there not to pay ££'s for a car with this.

Oops! What I did forget to say is that he will give me brand new rear tyres, new brake/clutch fluid and repair the paint as above. I'm just concerned it will come back and bite me later. Does it really affect the resale price of the car? My personal view is that I couldn't care less as it's only small and I want the car for how it drives; but I don't want to find my circumstances change in a years time and I have to sell it, only to find I have to drop 2 grand below non-bubbled cars to get anyone interested.

It also has Network Q warranty until Jan 2010.

All in all, the problems will be fixed and a service/MOT provided before I drive away. Only 2 months tax though (the cheek!).

What's the verdict? I know Adrian always prices high, but do you think this is too high or standard for him?

Surely you want a n/a anyway

Don't be so silly! Those are for hairdressers lol

[2009vx220]

All in all, the problems will be fixed and a service/MOT provided before I drive away. Only 2 months tax though (the cheek!).

He wouldn't negogiate to 12 months tax for me either!!

[Rhyzz]

If he says that he will fix it then he will fix it. It depends what has caused the bubbling in the first place so impossible to tel if it'll come back or not. The owner before hand may have kept it outside in the rain which could have caused it, so if you treat it right, it should be fine in the future.

[spuk87]

He wouldn't negogiate to 12 months tax for me either!!

Ha yeah, he doesn't show even the slightest sign of budging on that for me!

If he says that he will fix it then he will fix it. It depends what has caused the bubbling in the first place so impossible to tel if it'll come back or not. The owner before hand may have kept it outside in the rain which could have caused it, so if you treat it right, it should be fine in the future.

Yeah I'm guessing it's been caused by frost or rain. It really is only quite small though, and to be honest I didn't notice it until Sutol pointed it out. There's a cluster of 1-2mm diameter bubbles, maybe 15-20 of them in a 2x5cm patch. I'm guessing you got your car from their too Rhyzz?

[Rhyzz]

He wouldn't negogiate to 12 months tax for me either!!

Ha yeah, he doesn't show even the slightest sign of budging on that for me!

If he says that he will fix it then he will fix it. It depends what has caused the bubbling in the first place so impossible to tel if it'll come back or not. The owner before hand may have kept it outside in the rain which could have caused it, so if you treat it right, it should be fine in the future.

Yeah I'm guessing it's been caused by frost or rain. It really is only quite small though, and to be honest I didn't notice it until Sutol pointed it out. There's a cluster of 1-2mm diameter bubbles, maybe 15-20 of them in a 2x5cm patch. I'm guessing you got your car from their too Rhyzz?

Yup, mine is absolutely perfect, 16,000 miles and not a mark on it inside or out. Full docs and he sorted absolutely everything out for me, I literally turned up and siged 3 pieces of paper, then drove home. He even picked me up from the train station 30 minutes after he'd closed on a Saturday - top bloke and top service, I'll definately be sourcing my cars through him in the future.

[spuk87]

Yup, mine is absolutely perfect, 16,000 miles and not a mark on it inside or out. Full docs and he sorted absolutely everything out for me, I literally turned up and siged 3 pieces of paper, then drove home. He even picked me up from the train station 30 minutes after he'd closed on a Saturday - top bloke and top service, I'll definately be sourcing my cars through him in the future.

Hmmm, he did give off a good, professional impression, and apart from tax was willing to fix everything for me. I'm just EXTREMELY tight and don't like spending money, and would feel mortified if I got home to see a new advert for a similar car that's £2k less . I'm very tempted to just pay the price; I plan to keep the car for years so if I over pay £1k now then in 5 years time who cares? Anyone with me?

[Sutol]

The bubbling was on both sides of the rear of the car - my guess is it will try and join in the middle. Sorry I don't share the view that bubbling can be cured by cutting back and respraying or VXL wouldn't have changed so many clams!

[southpaw]

Oops! What I did forget to say is that he will give me brand new rear tyres, new brake/clutch fluid and repair the paint as above. I'm just concerned it will come back and bite me later. Does it really affect the resale price of the car? My personal view is that I couldn't care less as it's only small and I want the car for how it drives; but I don't want to find my circumstances change in a years time and I have to sell it, only to find I have to drop 2 grand below non-bubbled cars to get anyone interested.

It also has Network Q warranty until Jan 2010.

All in all, the problems will be fixed and a service/MOT provided before I drive away. Only 2 months tax though (the cheek!).

What's the verdict? I know Adrian always prices high, but do you think this is too high or standard for him?

I might be wrong but I imagine that once a car has bubbling anywhere on the rest of the car could go as well. Unless this is the one for you I'd look around some more.

Good luck

[jules_s]

I might be wrong but I imagine that once a car has bubbling anywhere on the rest of the car could go as well. Unless this is the one for you I'd look around some more.

Good luck

A valid point, but if this particular 'bubbling' is where I think it is then it's pretty common and doesn't necessarily mean it will spread.

As you may well know, when parked uphill water tends to pool ether side of the engine cover in front of the rear/spoiler. If/when this freezes it may well cause lifting of the paint/gel coat.....but more likely to be bad paint prep as opposed to lack of clam baking.

RE: The car in question.....IMO a bit too much £££ even if it's still under warranty. I think I would buy one with an acceptable amount of miles for far less.

[Rhyzz]

I'd keep looking. Too much confusion over whether or not the bubbling is a big problem so best to not part with £16k. Adrian will no doubt get a few more cars in soon, the Europeans (ahem, moi) are buying up UK cars at the moment becaue of the Euro, so don't panic buy, just wait for a good one to come along, even if you have to wait a bit longer.

[drgoatboy]

Is it the first car you've seen? If it is make sure you see at least one more, its all too easy to "fall" for the first one just to be kicking yourself later on. If the car is not perfect then definately don't pay a premium for it...

[spuk87]

Firstly, thanks everyone for the advice. I'm pretty sorted on insurance now so can buy whenever I like, but will probably wait at least 2 weeks as it's my birthday and insurance will drop once again.

I've told Adrian I will give it 2 weeks while I confirm insurance and we can talk again if the car is still about.

I think I'm gonna leave it due to the paint bubbling, everything else is not an issue but I don't want that bubbling to rear its ugly head again in the future.

Is it the first car you've seen?
If it is make sure you see at least one more, its all too easy to "fall" for the first one just to be kicking yourself later on.
If the car is not perfect then definately don't pay a premium for it...

This is the 3rd one I've seen, but my favourite so far and definitely the best equipped. It's the only one with colour coded hard top, central locking and extra front speakers, all with only 10k miles (I know people say it doesn't matter, but if I bought one with 40k miles and double it in 4 years I'm sure that must have an implication on resale value). I did fall for the 1st one actually even though I didn't get to drive it! Luckily I hadn't found a reasonable insurance quote back then so I knew I couldn't buy it. It sold within about 3 days, even though it was £17k! (Still on PH from Brindley Vauxhall if anyone wants to look at the ad).

To be honest I felt the price for this one was quite good on paper given recent sales of 2006/2005 models from dealers. Lucky I consulted this forum before dropping any deposit!

Thanks again everyone. I'll have one soon, you can count on it! Now that I mention it: http://www.pistonhea...ales/979270.htm