33 replies to this topic

[GottaDesigner]

My younger bro's looking at an '88 Metro for his first car, 998cc - Of course, I had no ulterior motive to suggesting a Metro at all. It's a respectable looking motor for it's age with 49k OTC. No disasterously bad rust at all, which is unusual.

The owner's asking £165 for it. You guys consider this a fair price? No T&T, but it's a stone's throw away from us - 15mi.

Additionally, would it qualify for classic insurance?

[WiredbyWilson]

£165 is a good price if it is as solid as you say it is - but buying a car with no T&T is always a lottery.

I owuld think it could get classic insurance, being a metro shouldn't hinder it - but make that phone call to check

[GottaDesigner]

Apparently it doesn't even qualify as a modern classic! Would you Adam & Eve it?

[blacktulip]

take it i say, metros are beginning to become sought after. you only have to look on ebay.

[GottaDesigner]

He's seriously considering it, but being 22 he's having issues with insurance prices, cheapest so far is £1200 which he can't afford!

[taffy1967]

And they wonder why there are so many uninsured youngsters on the road today?

I bet the fine they'd get if caught would still be cheaper than a years insurance?

Anyway I'd get the car thoroughly checked over as it's not worth wasting your money on if it's going to cost silly money to get it MOT'd.

[GottaDesigner]

So far it needs a driver's door handle (always helps when getting in ) and a service as it's spluttering a bit according to the owner, but isn't dropping oil or frothing. It's been garaged for a few months, so probably needs a good run out to clear the cobwebs and definitely needs new tyres as the fronts aren't clever.

And Taffy, that quote's the best he can get TPFT. Comp sticks another £200 on that cost!

[bert998]

Miss Designer, I have a metro in the unit right now but its only going to be there a couple of days. It has very very good tyres on it (owner spent £200 on them in the last year, mad git), if you want to swap them over with yours before it is scrapped then you are welcome.

And the door handle is yours too

Offer only lasts a couple of days tho as it is going to the scrapyard in the sky!

[shorty]

Miss Designer, I have a metro in the unit right now but its only going to be there a couple of days. It has very very good tyres on it (owner spent £200 on them in the last year, mad git), if you want to swap them over with yours before it is scrapped then you are welcome.

And the door handle is yours too

Offer only lasts a couple of days tho as it is going to the scrapyard in the sky!

whys it going to the scrappy..is it unsaveable (not a word but who cares)?

[GottaDesigner]

I appreciate the offer, but it's up to my bro to decide what he wants to do about the Metro in question. I've told him he'd be a muppet to let it pass as it really does seem to be a smart little example of it's ilk for its age. I'll let him know and see what he says

[bert998]

No worries, just thought I'd throw it up there.

To compare I picked mine up with 8 months mot and 4 months tax for £200 with less than 40k on the clock. It isnt pretty to look at tho!

I only bought it for the engine though as 998 lumps were fetching over £100 on ebay and you have no idea whether they are any good!

Tell him to buy it, worst comes to worst he can sell it on. Cant see him losing money.

Edited by bert998, 12 October 2009 - 07:06 PM.

[GottaDesigner]

Right, well we're going to have a look on Saturday morning if said Metty doesn't find a new home before then.

We have another thing to add to our list though - a windscreen. There's a 6-inch crack in the passenger side apparently. Yay..

[Ethel]

I don't think the screens changed, or the door handles, so finding them in a scraps shouldn't be too hard. Be wary on the tyres, if it has the daft metric size wheels they had for a while they'll be expensive and not overly easy to find.

[GottaDesigner]

Thanks for the warning, Ethel

Seen as you're a tecchie type, if this were the case that the wheels are an alien species is it possible to change the relevant parts over to get it running on the native species of tyre?

We're already aware that it may be a peculiar form of hydro suspension, which will be going during the remaining four weeks between now and Bro's driving test along with any other dodgy bits my tame mechanic can find.

[Pitcrew6464]

ive had two metros and one was my 1st car, as much fun as a mini and can be made to look cool! but tyres can be expencive (price of modern car tyres) due to funny size but you'll be supprised if you shop about and have a good fitter you can get the price down, check for corrosion like the minis they had problems, make sure shes sitting level and not on the bump stops too.

have fun and good luck


picture below not mine but looks smart

Edited by Pitcrew6464, 14 October 2009 - 07:48 AM.