(26-07-2012, 07:47 AM)c.a.r. Wrote: Right, as per my other thread(s) I'm now successfully Ford-free and cash rich. Well, for the moment anyway.

Like a fool I want a 3-door D-turbo HDi, so I'm on the hunt. Now 2 'potentials' have come up, so I need your advice.

1. Someone on 'the other forum' is considering selling me his car. He wants high money for it, but it's in good condition. It's moonstone blue and has 87k on, smoothed bonnet and boot running the original cyclones but has been very, very well looked after.
Pro's - It's been cherished, won't need any work doing on it for months and months, it's local to me too
Con's - It's expensive, I was supposed to be looking for a budget motor!

2. A lady in Peterborough is selling her D-Turbo. It's up for £1400, however, and this is a big one - it has NO SERVICE HISTORY as far as she can make out...But 72k miles and all the old MOTs.
Pro's - Very low mileage, could knock down considerably on price due to lack of history
Con's - Cambelt will want doing for peace of mind. What's the rest of the car like? It's a long way away too! However it could be a cracker.

In my opinion if I can get car number 1 for £1500 or thereabouts I'll be happy, as it's about as mint as I can get. If I can get car number 2 down to a bag of sand or less, then I'll be happy, but would immediately take it to a garage for a major service.

What would your advice be guys? Open to honest opinions...

(26-07-2012, 08:08 AM)kingy Wrote: sorry but for me it would have to be the hdi. everything about it says yes and you do get what you pay for at the end of the dat.

(26-07-2012, 08:16 AM)Toms306 Wrote: How much for an old diesel 306!? f*ck me, hope there's some more sensibly priced ones turning up soon!

(26-07-2012, 08:36 AM)mark_airey Wrote: Personally I would look at the cheaper one first and give it a really good look over due to the lack of history, but if you can get it cheap enough then I think that would be the better deal, granted you will have to spend on it to get it up to standard but I think it will be a better buy in the long run! remember they are cheap to fix!

(26-07-2012, 08:37 AM)c.a.r. Wrote: Cheers Mark.

Well the garage around the corner quoted £550 inc. VAT for a full service of fluids and filters (genuine) and a cambelt and waterpump change. If I shop around that will obviously come down. I'm happy to service it myself but not changing the cambelt and w/pump.

I should mention that the second car is a metallic green 3-door too, so pretty unusual in that respect.

(26-07-2012, 09:26 AM)c.a.r. Wrote: Yea that's my gut feeling, but really need to see it first. I'm phoning the owner this afternoon, can you think of anything apart from the obvious that might be worth asking?

No this is a different shade of green, quite a dark colour, more like Adams old one (he had a 5-door 1.8)