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[Mr Skrunts]

Are you buying it then or just going to ponder over it annother week and hope no one buys it before you.   

Make sure it has a good set of tyres, mud flaps if you want them, check the paint work from top to bottom, confirm mileages and service history. 


Ask for a valet, 12 months MOT, 6 months rax, ask regards a warrany (Ask that first though)  Make sure there is 1/4 tank of fuel then offer him 20/25% less than he wants for it.

Am guessing you are not doing a part ex, not asking for finance.  If thats the case you are thier ideal customer, buying a big car, stand your grond Mike and you will get the bargain of the year.

[Mr Skrunts]

and when you test drive it, take it for a bloody good run and put it through its paces. 

[Vamps]

Are you buying it then or just going to ponder over it annother week and hope no one buys it before you.   

Make sure it has a good set of tyres, mud flaps if you want them, check the paint work from top to bottom, confirm mileages and service history. 


Ask for a valet, 12 months MOT, 6 months rax, ask regards a warrany (Ask that first though)  Make sure there is 1/4 tank of fuel then offer him 20/25% less than he wants for it.

Am guessing you are not doing a part ex, not asking for finance.  If thats the case you are thier ideal customer, buying a big car, stand your grond Mike and you will get the bargain of the year.

I want a full tank  and the belts done, which they know, I am PX'ing as I need to get rid of the Galant.....Or the Mig estate.... :-/

[Vamps]

Are you buying it then or just going to ponder over it annother week and hope no one buys it before you.   

Make sure it has a good set of tyres, mud flaps if you want them, check the paint work from top to bottom, confirm mileages and service history. 


Ask for a valet, 12 months MOT, 6 months rax, ask regards a warrany (Ask that first though)  Make sure there is 1/4 tank of fuel then offer him 20/25% less than he wants for it.

Am guessing you are not doing a part ex, not asking for finance.  If that's the case you are their ideal customer, buying a big car, stand your grond Mike and you will get the bargain of the year.

When did you last buy a car? no I am not asking for finance but garages like finance that is how they make some of their money, on commission....

[JamesV6CDX]

Mike,

Sit in drivers seat. Turn ignition on only. Look for engine management light and ABS light. Ensure they both come on with just ignition, and go off when engine is running.

Open the bonnet.

Check dipstick - oil should be a medium brown colour. If black, it's not been serviced in ages - not the end of the world, at the right price.

Look inside the oil filler cap - check for mayonnaise, and see if there is any black/dark coating all over the camshaft.

As Josh says - listen from cold, for exhaust blows in the manifold area. Common.

Fire it up  - listen for any tapping noises.

Make sure idle is smooth and consistent...

Look at exhaust - any excess smoke? Once it's idled for 5 mins, give the throttle a hard blip and look straight away at the exhaust. Any blue smoke?

Turn the front wheels onto a full lock. Look to ensure tyres are wearing evenly.

A darn good road test, to ensure it performs as it should.

 

[CaptainZok]

Mike,

Sit in drivers seat. Turn ignition on only. Look for engine management light and ABS light. Ensure they both come on with just ignition, and go off when engine is running.

Open the bonnet.

Check dipstick - oil should be a medium brown colour. If black, it's not been serviced in ages - not the end of the world, at the right price.

Look inside the oil filler cap - check for mayonnaise, and see if there is any black/dark coating all over the camshaft.

As Josh says - listen from cold, for exhaust blows in the manifold area. Common.

Fire it up  - listen for any tapping noises.

Make sure idle is smooth and consistent...

Look at exhaust - any excess smoke? Once it's idled for 5 mins, give the throttle a hard blip and look straight away at the exhaust. Any blue smoke?

Turn the front wheels onto a full lock. Look to ensure tyres are wearing evenly.

A darn good road test, to ensure it performs as it should.

 

More to the point does Mrs V like the colour?

[joshwyatt]

Why is the colour so important, going to look tomorrow....

It gives a good indication of how well it's been serviced, and whether the service schedule has been kept to.
Blue was the original colour, but red is now what's used. Some Omega's I get have blue, but most have red. If it's blue I'll have it changed for red as I know it won't have been done for a while.
On a V6 it's not the end of the world, but on the 2.2, good regular oil and coolant changes help to prevent any HG issues later in the engine's life.

James' guide is nice and comprehensive, follow that and you'll be fine 

[Andy B]

...
Blue was the original colour, but red is now what's used.  ......

Assuming Vauxhall anti-freeze.
I wonder what colour this is?   
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLUECOL-ANTIFREEZE-SUMMER-COOLANT-5YR-PROTECTION-2-5L-/220478489050?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item33558ac1da

[joshwyatt]

...
Blue was the original colour, but red is now what's used.  ......

Assuming Vauxhall anti-freeze.
I wonder what colour this is?   
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLUECOL-ANTIFREEZE-SUMMER-COOLANT-5YR-PROTECTION-2-5L-/220478489050?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item33558ac1da

You're quite correct Andy, any colour can be used, I'm sure if I tried hard enough, I could get bright orange coolant.
But, it should be red if the vehicle has been looked after. I never use any cheap crap stuff, I use manufacturer specific stuff, I know it will do the job well, but may cost more.
If the Omega in question was looked after properly, it would have red coolant from VX. Not automatically changed by Vauxhall, but the correct stuff used.
I can see no reason for anything other than GM coolant to be used, and if it's still blue...to me that would suggest no coolant change ever, or not the correct stuff used.

[Andy B]

....
I can see no reason for anything other than GM coolant to be used .....

Cost?
If you didn't have a Trade Club card and had access to bucket loads of 'cheap' anti-freeze which would you be using? 

[SJKOO01]

If you can, take the plug / coil pack cover off, and take out the coil pack, if there is no oil in the plug wells and the rubber boot covers that go on/around the plugs, then you know the camshaft cover gasket is good and not leaking, if there is oil, then it's a new camshaft gasket as soon as possible - and a genuine Vauxhall one at that (not a cheap copy), as if left it can ruin the coil pack itself.
Oh... and if the rubber boot/insulation covers around the plugs are brittle, and fallen to bits, you can get a kit to replace them.

As others have said, go for a long drive to check all is okay engine / gearbox.

Start the engine several times if you can, if it has trouble starting or bit of a misfire when it starts, could be sign of the camshaft sensor on it's way out ?.

And ideally if you can (beg, borrow, steel one), a code reader to see if any codes come up, if you're not sure get a mate to do it for you ?.

Hope that helps ?.

[Mr Skrunts]

Are you buying it then or just going to ponder over it annother week and hope no one buys it before you.   

Make sure it has a good set of tyres, mud flaps if you want them, check the paint work from top to bottom, confirm mileages and service history. 


Ask for a valet, 12 months MOT, 6 months rax, ask regards a warrany (Ask that first though)  Make sure there is 1/4 tank of fuel then offer him 20/25% less than he wants for it.

Am guessing you are not doing a part ex, not asking for finance.  If that's the case you are their ideal customer, buying a big car, stand your grond Mike and you will get the bargain of the year.

When did you last buy a car? no I am not asking for finance but garages like finance that is how they make some of their money, on commission....

just over 2 years ago, but nearly bought a 3.2 Miggy off Josh this week, but decided to hold out for an Estate.