How Important is History?

[Spinal]

So, I've found the almost perfect car for my rally...

Problem is, it doesn't have any service history.... zero, zilch....

It's a 1997 Hard-Top Vitara, with a/c (I know... I know - but otherwise how will my cheese, caviar and champagne stay chilled in the desert? )

Reported to have 99K miles, but as it doesn't have any service history I can't be sure...

How much weight would you put on the lack of service history in this case? Normally, I wouldn't touch a car without history, but given that it only needs to start once and not stop for 2 weeks (and it's a diesel).... how bad can it be?

M.

 

[SilverSaloon]

So, I've found the almost perfect car for my rally...

Problem is, it doesn't have any service history.... zero, zilch....

It's a 1997 Hard-Top Vitara, with a/c (I know... I know - but otherwise how will my cheese, caviar and champagne stay chilled in the desert? )

Reported to have 99K miles, but as it doesn't have any service history I can't be sure...

How much weight would you put on the lack of service history in this case? Normally, I wouldn't touch a car without history, but given that it only needs to start once and not stop for 2 weeks (and it's a diesel).... how bad can it be?

M.

i wouldnt be too worried - aslong as the car looks OK and its priced accordingly.... just check the usual, and maybe ask the previous owner when he had it serviced last and how often. use it as a barganing ploy.

just make sure you service it as soon as you get it

 

[W210 Fan]

colour of fluids should be a give away, but I think we are judging merc standards on a less well engineered car, it may run ok on black thick oil, I know Toyotas do which is why we convert and sell them!!!

do you have a good feeling about it? if so go for it

 

[bigbobs cl]

First thing i always do if i buy a car with little or no history is cam belt change. Just a bit of peace of mind and can save an expensive job later on!!

Bob

 

[Benzowner]

When I first started buying cars for myself, service history was an absolute luxury. I always changed oil and brake fluid and when cam belts were introduced, that as well. You can usually sense if the car has been hammered by the usual checks as W210 Fan says.

 

[Smiley]

But it is so old and presumably peanuts to buy that the overall condition and feel how it drives is more important than a bunch of stamps in a book? I would not worry about it for something like this; different for a more expensive MB.

 

[jaymanek]

Vitaras suffer from head gasket issues so beware.

 

[Sp!ke]

I didnt know they did a diesel vitara. I still think a w123 is the perfect choice for your trip. My understanding is that serious off roading will be minimal so a 4wd really wont be necessary.

...and you'll find more spares and mechanical knowledge for a w123 in Africa than for any other car bar none.

 

[W210 Fan]

I didnt know they did a diesel vitara. I still think a w123 is the perfect choice for your trip. My understanding is that serious off roading will be minimal so a 4wd really wont be necessary.

...and you'll find more spares and mechanical knowledge for a w123 in Africa than for any other car bar none.

that is as I had suggested privatley to Spinal and is exactly what James May did on top gear, but then maybe the beetle is a good idea as we were told that never broke down, not exciting though is it?

 

[A210AMG]

I would buy something your more likely to get parts for and be able to fix in the middle of no where.

I must have missed the thread on your rally where is it? how long for etc..

Cheers

 

[grober]

When buying a car of that age its probably as important to assess the seller as the car. Sounds as if anything with a diesel power plant, good ground clearance and 4WD would be advisable.

 

[Smiley]

I didnt know they did a diesel vitara. I still think a w123 is the perfect choice for your trip. My understanding is that serious off roading will be minimal so a 4wd really wont be necessary.

...and you'll find more spares and mechanical knowledge for a w123 in Africa than for any other car bar none.

Toyota pick up?

 

[SilverSaloon]

123 would be my choice, bar none

 

[Sp!ke]

Toyota pick up?

Thanks to Top Gear, Hilux's are expensive.

Although I do know that the one I nearly drowned here will be up for sale shortly.

 

[Spinal]

I didnt know they did a diesel vitara. I still think a w123 is the perfect choice for your trip. My understanding is that serious off roading will be minimal so a 4wd really wont be necessary.

...and you'll find more spares and mechanical knowledge for a w123 in Africa than for any other car bar none.

Yups; a 2-litre, V6 turbo-diesel engine.

I do like the idea of the W123 or the W201 - my issues with those is cost, size and weight.

Given the current taxation and market, I can get the aforementioned vitara for less than £500. Additionally, the vitara is very very light, so would float on the sand (which the 201 and 123 would sink in). Finally, sizewise if something does go wrong, I can always sleep in the vitara's boot (rear seats removed of course) or on a roof rack. There's just so much more space in the vitara...

Hence, while I do agree the merc may be a better idea under some aspects, the vitara does allow me to do more. I did check the route, it's mostly "on track", so while not off-roading, it isn't on a tarmac road. Additionally, the last leg (from Bamako to Timbuktu) is purely off road I'm told.

A210AMG : It wasn't really a single thread, it's been several threads over the last 2 years This has been my dream for a while now. The rally is the "Timbuktu Challenge" i.e. driving from Plymouth to Timbuktu in a car worth £100 for charity. (and yes, I realise £500 > £100, but it does get donated to charity afterwards!)

M.

 

[glojo]

We had a discussion recently about how to obtain any recent MOT advisories. This might be worthwhile especially as you are about to undertake a long journey Sounds like a fortune teller.

It might be nice to know if the MOT examiner spotted worn bushes, hoses etc.

Good luck

Regards
John

 

[Spinal]

Thanks, I had missed that thread!

I'll just "save" this here so I don't need to search for it again on Saturday when I go see the car!
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECSID-Internet-Status-Request.jsp

(who needs a .mac account when you have mbclub? )