I am in the process of looking for a diesel. The commute to work is increasing to a 9 mile stint, half urban, half dual carrigeway, and the V6 will be too thirsty.
So I must look to sell her. I want to offer her on here first, because I would prefer her to be bought by someone who can appreciate it for what it is.
It was registered on the 16th January 2000. It is a very late pre-facelift model. I bought it from my dad in March of this year (I have the V5 logbook), and my dad bought it in April 2006 (old logbook to prove this). I think it had one owner before this, but I cannot verify.
Crucial information:
MOT until April 2010.
Tax until end of December 2009.
Mileage at last MOT just over 70,000.
Mileage presently about 74000 (will increase as car in use).
Has service history stamps at 13,983, 23,206, 34,471, 46,43646 and 51,464.
I have the following paperwork since the last stamped service (done by my dad, in July 2006), outlining work done to the car:
- £202.69 for check and replacement of cylinders 2, 4 and 6 plug leads
£370.42 for Interim Service, which included replacement of middle and rear exhaust system
£89.34 for replacement of offside rear road spring (for 2008-2009 MOT)
£317.84 for cam/crank sensor replace to rectify an engine cutting out problem
£374.47 for timing belt change & MOT test (expires April 12th 2010)*
£267.95 for replacement water pump and water header tank*
* done in my ownership.
The car is in immaculate condition for the age. The photos keep it honest; there is a minescule spec of rust at the bottom of the driver's side passenger door, and the front bumper has a couple of scruffs. I had it valeted recently and it looks stunning.
This car had
every box ticked when it came out of the factory. It has all the usual Elite extras, including the full leather interior with electric seats, Xenon headlights, onboard computer that has no missing pixels, cruise control etc, and on top of these it has:
- Satellite Navigation - this happily got me to a remote village in Wales and back earlier in the year, although being quite old, modern roads like the A43 bypass confuse it. Nevertheless, all in working order. Instruction Manual in the black book that came with the car.
Built-in Mobile Phone - You can use the hand controls to use a built in phone, that you top up like a normal mobile. Virtually hands free; requires topping up (30p left or so), but still in working order. Instruction manual in black book that came with the car.
6 Stack Blaupunkt CD Player - Best quality standard car audio system I've heard, still fully functioning (I have three CDs in there myself)
The 3.0 V6 idles at 500rpm when warm and the heaters warm up within 3 minutes. It pulls exceedingly well and "Sport" kickdown responds superbly. The engine feels bombproof, and as evident by all the strong high-milers for sale, has a lot of life left.
There are a couple of downsides I must mention:
- Brake Pads - it will need replacement brake pads on the front soon. I have had the warning on the computer system; I assume this is a 1000 mile-to-go warning. The brakes still respond very well and bite, but I have to admit they are not as completely vicious as they were when my dad owned the car. The rear pads still have a fair amount of life in them.
Tyres - It will need four new tyres for the next MOT, preferably before then. It currently has three high-spec Pirellis on it, and one budget tyre which replaced one of the Pirellis when it became too low.
Rear Blind - Doesn't work, have not investigated, so could be very simple fix. Motor is fine, just no movement.
Air Conditioning - Doesn't work, most likely requires regassing. Blows cool air, but not cold unfortunately.
Heated Seats - Driver's side is a bit weak, I cannot vouch for the passenger side, although at last report it still works.
It has a 15" completely unused
spare tyre, with the original
tyre fitting kit and
locking wheel nuts.
Everything else on the car works, to my knowledge. I will test the gadgets I do not use frequently to make sure I can back up this statement.
The alloys are almost completely spotless, as is the interior. No rips or tears.
Photos:
Blemish:
As you can tell, it needs Back to Black on the bumpers, but it's not got much further to go before it's virtually perfect.
I'm asking £1100
ono for what I think is a car which very easily another 10 years and 74,000 miles left in it, if I'm being pessimistic.
Please PM me your interest, first-come-first-served obviously.
Thanks for your time!