possible purchase

[alex87vl]

hey guys im thinkin of buyin a vp and was wondering if theres anthing that i shoukd keep a close eye for when doing an inspection on one before i buy it thanks

[hi_ryder]

depends what kind of money you want to spend. you planning on buying one thats had some work already done? or a fixer upper... i bought a vp berlina for 300 that i knew needed work and have been slowly doing stuff to it getting ready for road worthy inspection. mine had a laundry list of things....

the only thing id really look out for is past accident damage. theres so many clean ones out there your better off finding one thats never had a bingle.

[Morton]

Lift up the front carpets in the corners and have a look for shavings of copper and wire cut-offs. If someone else has attempted to rewire things in there, chances are it's baaad

[alex87vl]

@ morton ok thanks ill have a look,
@ hi_rider i was hoping to find one in rego with a roady but nothing over the top if that makes sense lol like i want to gradually do it up like rims, exhaust etc but looking at spending about $1000 - $1500 to start with, do you think id be able to find one ?

[hi_ryder]

you might find it a challenge to find a vp with a road worthy for that price because most people that are selling 20 year old cars are doing so cause they cant be stuffed or they dont have the time or money. if you can find one with a roady for that price scoop it up...

most of the stuff that will get it knocked back on a roady you can do yourself anyway. if you have a mate that can help or your mechanically minded and can afford a gregrorys manual you should be fine. if you do get one without a roady just have it inspected and a list made of what it needs, could be easy stuff... and btw they all have rear main seal leaks if the engine is original. i just degrease and pressure wash it before roady, ive never had a problem.

should be able to find plenty in the 700 to 1000 dollar range with no roady...

[Tim Smtih]

When i bought my VN/Lexcen the water pump went in the first week, $500 later i was good to go. Then a couple of months later the steering rack died, and the front shockies had to be replaced. Then there was the worn seals in the rear quarter windows which led to the rust in the wheel well which i had to fix. It was a good car but cheap isn't always good, as you may end up spending several times over the initial cost repairing it. If you aren't sure, definitely take along a qualified mechanic and get him to go over the car top to bottom, RACQ and the like do this sort of thing i think. And for anyone wondering, i got rid of the VN because i like power; seats, windows, mirrors, ABS/traction control, the extra killerwasps, etc.

[hi_ryder]

When i bought my VN/Lexcen the water pump went in the first week, $500 later i was good to go. Then a couple of months later the steering rack died, and the front shockies had to be replaced. Then there was the worn seals in the rear quarter windows which led to the rust in the wheel well which i had to fix. It was a good car but cheap isn't always good, as you may end up spending several times over the initial cost repairing it. If you aren't sure, definitely take along a qualified mechanic and get him to go over the car top to bottom, RACQ and the like do this sort of thing i think. And for anyone wondering, i got rid of the VN because i like power; seats, windows, mirrors, ABS/traction control, the extra killerwasps, etc.

i took on a car that i knew needed alot of work cause im capable of doing it. changing bolt on accessories on a buick v6 i can handle, but major surgery like head gaskets and stuff like that i dont really do. dont know if i cant just never done them...

what i did to my $300 vp... cat back exhaust, headliner, new clips on power one window (lube'd all window tracks), head light switch repair, rebuilt the gauge cluster, second hand steering wheel, new windscreen including rust fix scuttle panel, full service (leads, oil and filter, plugs, flush radiator, trans, oil and filter) reco'd steering rack with new rack ends and ball joints, new rear brake pads, one new taillight, welded a crack on one extractor, changed all door rubbers, rebuilt the fan speed resistor, castor rod bushes...

im still going but i do it little by little every weekend, just going to use it as a second car. ive spent less than 900 so far and that includes the price of the car and a driving permit... still need tyres

when driving a 20 year old car stuff failing has to be expected you just gotta deal with it as it pops up...