MK3 Astra Cab - Impulse buy.

[Envoy CDX]

Well, I bought this close to a month ago (maybe more now :/ )

A MK3 Astra Cabriolet. And I really really didn't look at it too much, she started, the roof worked as did the window. Did a deal and it was dropped off.
I didn't even bother to drive it..

So, what have I found so far:
Well, I doubt it's been serviced in over 5 years, the belt is ribbons, water pump is howling, There isn't a clean panel on it (well, the boot and passenger side rear wing is ok) and the doors sit low in the aperture, it pulls to the left and is running on remoulds.

Here it is in all its glory.













First thing I did was to get a spare set of wheels. 2 reasons, the original ones are shite, and the remoulds made my flesh crawl.

The new wheels:









Whilst I was looking at the front end. I discovered that the brakes were in pretty poor shape too, as well as the ancient oil filter that may even be older than some of our forum members!

[humbucker]

New sills it is then, eh?! You bought a drop top at the right time by the looks of it. Scorchio!

[Envoy CDX]

New sills it is then, eh?! You bought a drop top at the right time by the looks of it. Scorchio!

I will probably plate the sills for now, but yeah - it needs more work than I originally thought.
Priced up bits and a little put off. Belt kit and pump is £80 alone.

Discs and pads another £50

[Robsey]

Wow - that came out of the blue.

When we discussed cars a month or so ago, you were quite adamant that you would never have another Astra. You had been quite put off by rust and other issues with your dad's old astra.

A few rusty patches and holes there, but nothing overly hard to sort.
I do wonder about future paint touch ups though on a metallic. Bit of a pig to get a good colour match.

You are getting like me with 3 vehicles to keep on top of, but not 3 cars worth of play funds.

The big worry is the engine.
Especially with a duff water pump and shredded timing belt.
Have you checked to see if the timing marks are still all lined up correctly - thus giving a more positive outlook for the engine.

Then it would be best getting the pump and belt sorted to see if the engine is okay, or whether you have a pile of bent valves.

Still - I assume that it is an easy engine to work on.
Most vauxhall (non v6) engines are pretty straight forward.

[Envoy CDX]

The car on the whole is still fairly sound. Nothing structurally seems to have gone (but then until you prod and poke everything you just don't know) it was purely bought on impulse and i still haven't done anything too it yet. Still decided if i am going to or if i am just goong to flog it on if possible or strip and weigh it in.

[5853moore]

looks like you bought a friday night motor. Just drive it till it goes bang!!!

[Envoy CDX]

looks like you bought a friday night motor. Just drive it till it goes bang!!!

Nah, flogging it on. Disclosed all the issues it has that I really didn't spend too much time looking into when I should have.

[Robsey]

Easy come - easy go I suppose.

As long as you don't make a loss, then it is all good.

[Envoy CDX]

Trying not too. See how it goes.

[HAIRIBO]

Good old KingPins!

Havent seen them since my k reg Volvo 240 back in 2003

[Envoy CDX]

Its probably the same set you used to have lol!

[HAIRIBO]

[humbucker]

Did you get shot of this in the end?

[Robsey]

Did you get shot of this in the end?

I think it got weighed in and crushed.
Uneconomical to repair.

[Envoy CDX]

Did you get shot of this in the end?

It's getting picked up next weekend. Put my sensible head on for once.