Car viewed this weekend

[Rich Cheung]

Hi chaps.

Went to view this car at the weekend
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18211&item=2497975438&rd=1

Hopefully you can shed some light on the following:

1. Changing from 3rd to 5th got a grinding noise before gear would engage. What is the likely problem and is it expensive to fix ?

2. Oil pressure gauge was registering zero. Went upto half way on the gauge under load. Is that normal ?

3. Suspected leaky heater matrix. Are they a pain / expensive to fix ?

Cheers,
Rich

[20B_boy]

Comments on the ebay advert:

The car is currently running at approx 380bhp so much potentioal for more.
I doubt that very much, even at the flywheel. More like 280hp... Stock ecu and injectors arent going to safely make that kind of power I wouldnt think...

everything you can imagine has been done to this car regarding the engine.

the tip seals got done as soon as i had the car costing me £2300 but once done last about 70000. i had these done 1500 miles ago

it has been ported and polished by a mazda specialist
£2300 is a fairly cheap-ish rebuild, find out what was renewed - and who did it. If you can, speak to  the engine builder and find out what was really done.

uprated turbo\'s
Details? a lot of adverts seem to say this - wrongly!

double HKS air filter with a 5 an half inch exhaust
HKS filters arent meant to be known for their fantastic filtration qualities. Is the exhaust big from front to back? if it has a down pipe, catout and back box on the stock ecu that may be why he had a rebuild in the first place!

the exterior realy is in fantastic condition and complemented with a full BLITZ body kit
Err, really? looks totally standard body wise except for Mazda oem side skirts.

There are LOADS of FDs about, dont buy the first one u see on impulse - its a recipe for a badly dented wallet and a lot of tears. Go see 5-10 cars if you can so u get a feel for whats right and wrong. Things that are broken and not fixed sugggest that the car is not that well looked after perhaps? If you really like the car itswell worth getting a specialist to look it over. Even if they charged £500 (they wont!) its well worth doing IMHO...

Not trying to put u off getting one mate, just that there are loads to chose from so dont get excited at the first one you see

Good luck,
Rich

[scooby_si]

lowered 70mm as well sounds a lot maybe just me never having had a standard one but to lower it 7cm i\'d of fort you\'d need smaller wheels or sumin lol
Glad you\'ve started the hunt thou matey & wish you well in finding the quest for a good un, if you want any assistance ket me know & i can bring my ignorance along : lol
Si

[bnaellis]

The crunch in 3rd & 5th will be the infamous syncros that are gone. Probably cheaper to get a new gearbox  rather than getting the syncros replaced.


rgds

[Rich Cheung]

Thanks guys. You\'ve confirmed my own feelings to leave this one well alone.

For future reference what should be the reading of the oil pressure & oil temp for a healthy engine ?

Regards,
Rich

[bnaellis]

The oil pressure gauge is useless on fd\'s they always flicker up and down especially at idle and start to read normal when you put your foot down. I have driven a fd with only 3,000 miles 2000 model and it\'s the same. So basically the reading you saw on the oil pressure gauge is not neccesarily saying there is an issue with the engine at all. I think most owners either have an aftermarket one or have just learned to ignore it.


rgds

[chris p]

I would never buy a car off ebay !!

That oil thing by the way, mine doesnt do it !

[gsb876]

EBAY???

Nothing wrong with buying a car off ebay as long as you know what you are looking for, sold my Skyline / Escort Cosworth on ebay without any prob\'s both were fine cars nothing wrong with them.

If i decide to sell the rx in the future it too shall go on ebay as you get a wider audience than selling privately???

Yes there are some dodgy deals on there but there too are real bargins and some really good cars:)

Gurj:wave

[MikeLMR]

why not buy a car off ebay ... if its not as described you can just walk away from it like any other deal.  A lot of people sell on ebay now as its cheaper than autotrader and you get more pictures.