Buying across the pond

[roykeane]

Not sure this is the correct place for this topic. I recently saw a 97 GP ver R on the UK Autotrader site, absolutly fab looking IMO. It really took my interest, so much so that I sent all available pics to CJ, (sorry CJ). He had an asking price of £6k sterling and it had a dose of extras. Spoke to the guy and got the go ahead to organise a proper inspection by a company recommended by the Uk Autotrader. It cost £250 sterling and let me tell you it was the best money I ever spent. Had I not done so I would have sent a least £5k plus to him and then had to replace the clutch, cambelt, change the 19" alloys that could not turn on full lock and various other bits. This guy could have been a very expensive timewaster. In fact I am so irate about this that I am going email the UK autotrader should he decide to relist the car. Perhaps CJ might be able to list the bits better than I can and photos etc if he wishes. But guys/gals make sure to have the vehicle inspected, that is my lesson for today

[kevinod]

Good advice! A friend got a few inspections by the AA done when he was looking for a beemer a couple of years ago. He ended up getting 3 or 4 inspections done because the ones he was looking at all turned out to be crashed repaired, in most cases badly repaired. In all cases the garages selling the cars said they had not been crashed at any stage.

He ended up getting a very nice 323ci, sweet machine...

[CJ]

You were as well to walk away from that one John, nice car in the flesh but needed a new clutch, cambelt change, cam seal oil leak needed fixing and a full service, doesn't sound like a well looked after car to me. The inspection is a good idea and while it cost you a few quid, it saved you in the long run. Move on - theres plenty more fish in the sea

CJ