Things to look out for; Common occurences

[georgie]

Hey guys,

Im looking at buying a VP Calais (V6) in the next few days.

Just thought I would ask the following questions:
1. What should I look out for when inspecting the car?
2. What are common problems?
3. How have they treated you guys to date?
4. General maintenance costs?
5. Common Problems?

Look forward to hearing from you guys..

Cheers,

Georgie

[Vlad01]

look out for rubber parts. ie. suspension bushes, strut tops, engine mounts, exhaust mounts, hoses, seals. All rubber components went all at the same time on my VP and it sucked.

Check inside the rocker cover and under the oil cap. make sure its clean. Clean = good driving history

This one is a big one, make sure it has glycol (green stuff) in the cooling system! if its water might as well forget about it. My car only had water for 6 months by the previous owner and in that 6 months did tremendous amount of damage.
My whole cooling system needed replacing plus all the gaskets on the engine

Sticky fuel gauges is common problem but we can help you fix that, its an easy one.

That's all I can think of for now.

[georgie]

Thanks Buddy.

[TVR-190]

electrics, door seals.

VN - VP Faults

[wortus]

engine and transmision oil leaks
power steering wear and leakage
shock absorbers
leaks into the boot
roof lining
condition of electrical connectors in engine bay
leaking headlights and tail lights
fuel tank breather hoses

[savage1987]

Just make sure the body is good with no rust or bent bits.. anything else can be fixed/replaced easy enough.

Sam

[wortus]

Rust will mainly be in the rear windscreen and/or boot. If the car is left in the rain with the rear uphill they hold a lot of water. I have seen a VN with the panel under the rear screen to the boot seal almost rusted away to nothing. My VN developed a small spec of rust on the back screen down the side towards the bottom and the spare wheel well due to the boot leaking in the wet weather which was the windows behind the rear doors.
I remember seeing an early VN with rusty sills, the rust was under the rubber that runs along the top of them from front to back that helps to seal the doors.

[georgie]

Thanks Guys,
Bought the Car. Got a VP Calais for 2600 with 227000 on the clock. Has had no major problems. Just need to put new brakes on the front as the discs are warped. and the brake pedal feels funny so I think in need of a new master cylinder (im putting on from a VS on it)
Interior is clean as *** no stains and paint job is awesome as well.
No leaks from engine transmission or anything like that. All seals r fine. Also need to put sum rims on it

Thanks 4 ur help guys

Georgie

[88GreenVN]

how is the steering wheel foam? they can be spungy or lose.

[georgie]

Yeah up the top....***in pain in the ass but i dont know if i should put an aftermarket one on it or get a stock one to put on it or maybe a VS one. Not too sure yet.
Only a plain plack one will look good i think and i dont wanna put one of the half chrome "look at my steering wheel im a ********" ones on it

[georgie]

Gotta get a 'RWC" first to get it into my name then I will worry about lil things like that

[calais_cruzin]

Check the back window for rust, top n bottom, also from in the boot on the corners of back window, mine's just started to get a nice leak on.

as for rims, u will need spacers 25mm or VS IRS trailing arms, VP cal run different offset 28p compared to 43p for most commo's, ur rims will most likly rub on the inner body, as in they will sit in to far

Cost me $200 to get bolt on spacers made up for the rear, front fit fine

[georgie]

Cheers will get onto that ASAP