I may be about to lay a deposit down on a GTI-R and what I would like to do is to take it, either before I place the deposit or afterwards, to someone that knows these cars to let them give it the once-over. The garage have promised that any points that I raise will be sorted before it is sold to me but someone with a more expert eye than myself may spot a problem and save me a shed load of cash.
I'd be willing to pay for this if I know that the person/garage is familiar with these beasts and has the required knowledge.

Cheers.

 

Buying it from Mckays's?

 

Nope : it's the other importer in the area, Calder Motor Co at their newer place opposite the Zoo.
Car looks totally standard (even has the Nissan exhaust+ came with the factory alloys also). Drives fine but for a slight graunch/crunch on the 4th to 5th change and occasional hesitation. They promise that ALL items I detail will be fixed if I put a returnable deposit down and if I'm not happy then the money is returend to me but I'd rather buy it in the knowledge that there AREN'T any nasties lurking than have to go back to them a week later saying there's a problem. They also offer a 12 month warranty that is NOT an insurance based one, it't directly with them and it covers all the main items (engine/clutch/gearbox etc)

 

Dee's a sound bloke at Calder and I've known a couple of bods who have bought cars there and have had no troubles.
At least he knows what he's talking about (they used to do all the old-skool hot-hatches in the mid 90's before moving to the jap market) whereas Kye McKay didn't have a bl**dy clue about the cars he was selling.

"oh, it's got an aftermarket exhaust and the usual engine modifications.." was about his limit when I enquired in person about a Scooby once.

 

Anyone else have any opinions on the query posted : I know of a few garages a bit away from Edinburgh (AWD + The Garage at Wishaw spring to mind) but someone closer to home would be a bit easier to arrange.

 

Hi Andy-I take you also posted on the Japmobiles site.You could try asking Sean Lead for an opinion as he owns one and has an engineering background.I can't remember which bit of Scotland he's from though but it's only an annexe of England anyway so can't be that big can it?

 

Bought from both , Mckay dearer by far I thought and a bit o a tosser .I've had 2 fi Calder WRX/GT4 .. my experience , even tho he's a shady lookin wee guy I trust Dee to stick by his word,he sorted my wee probs nae bother .
Why don't you take yer motor to Logins Garage ,down Leith,he used to do a lot of jap work for Mckay..

 

Got a mate who bought a Celica GT from Calder and swears by them. apparently look after their customers and sell their cars at a decent price (almost bought a scoob from them 9 months ago till i found out g/f was up the duff). The guys who do the prep work for the SVAs know their stuff and will sort the car out for you and deal with all your servicing etc. Highly recommended.

 

Sorry for the late reply, I'm still not totally sure about this particular GTI-R : there are some good and some not so good points about it and at the moment I'm sitting on my wallet (!).
Good - it seems very original : came with original exhaust + alloys (Calder have fitted new 17" wheels but they can supply the originals for free), plus it doesn't seem to have had any mods , ie it's got the std airbox, no BOV, strut braces etc etc, bodywork + interior looks clean too.
Bad - the gearchange does worry me - may well get fixed by the garage and if so then fine, also some relatively minor bits that need attention might (?) indicate a less than caring previous owner, such as non-working leccy window + mirror switches, damaged gear surround gaitor.
I think what I'll do is to speak to the garage and see what their attitude to fixing all the problems are - if I feel they'll do a proper job then fine, if not then I'll walk away. The gearbox may need to be removed for synchro ring replacement so if they're gonna do that then it would be a fair indication that they're not going to skimp on getting the car up to scratch.
By the way where is Login's garage : couldn't find it in te phone book ?

 

Sorry for the late reply, I'm still not totally sure about this particular GTI-R : there are some good and some not so good points about it and at the moment I'm sitting on my wallet (!).
Good - it seems very original : came with original exhaust + alloys (Calder have fitted new 17" wheels but they can supply the originals for free), plus it doesn't seem to have had any mods , ie it's got the std airbox, no BOV, strut braces etc etc, bodywork + interior looks clean too.
Bad - the gearchange does worry me - may well get fixed by the garage and if so then fine, also some relatively minor bits that need attention might (?) indicate a less than caring previous owner, such as non-working leccy window + mirror switches, damaged gear surround gaitor.
I think what I'll do is to speak to the garage and see what their attitude to fixing all the problems are - if I feel they'll do a proper job then fine, if not then I'll walk away. The gearbox may need to be removed for synchro ring replacement so if they're gonna do that then it would be a fair indication that they're not going to skimp on getting the car up to scratch.
By the way where is Login's garage : couldn't find it in the phone book ?

 

Logans Garage is in Gordon St Leith ,Page 734 of the 2001/2 yellow pages.The Guy's not into modding etc.. just repairs etc, he's done 2 Mot's for me (scooby) and also changed rocker cover gaskets on my Impreza ( Grease Monkey at McKays put too much oil in !! lesson learned , always check you're oil etc after a service at a Garage.)

 

Ta muchly.
Wish I could make my mind up about this car but I'm going to speak to them I think and see what their attitude is like for fixing everything that I think needs attention.

 

Thanks for that : I know some people say they have had no probs at garage X then others say "ooh, my mate bought a car there and had nothing but hassle".
Certainly in my dealings with them so far they at least seem 100% open : they gave me the keys to the car and said "Here's £10 for petrol, stick some in it and take it for a drive for an hour" : they don't try and hide anything. I'm just a little apprehensive that the problem with the gearchange that I noticed is an early indication that the GTI-R's sometimes weak transmission is needing attention and a rebuild would be the only real cure: I'd be surprised if they'd go to this expense on the strength of my £200 deposit and they might just put some new oil in it which might improve it but would not cure the underlying problem.

[Edited by andyr - 10/11/2002 12:25:18 PM]

 

Not so sure about Calders. Went to them looking for a Sunny a while back, they didn't have any in at the time but showed me some stock waiting to get shipped on their computer. While they very quickly scrolled past the text and onto the pics I noticed most of them said things like accident/repaired etc. It certainly caught my eye and made me think twice

[Edited by Scot123 - 10/11/2002 2:17:23 PM]