OK - I know I should be looking at Twin Trubo models but can the more clued in members here give me a guideline price for an imported 1990 NA auto with cloth not leather seats.

 

Generally tidy, some engine bills (cambelt).

 

I've seen similiar aged TTs for around £4K / £4.5 - a grand or so saved would be a big number in the safety bank.

The general rule is £5000 will get you a good one.

 

You just have to keep your eyes open on Autotrader and on here.

 

The ones around the £3000/£4000 mark most tend to be dogs.

 

Stuart

Trade are pushing up their prices - between 5k-6k. I saw a dealer recently selling one for nearly 7k and it was gone within a week.

Geoff.

I bought mine for £6000. Cat 1 alarm newly fitted, cloth seats (not electric either), 16k miles import SWB plus 12 months warranty. You might say it's a lot, but I am very happy with it. I feel it is worth paying the extra if it's a good car, wherever you buy it from - private or dealer. History is worth extra, and a seller you think you can trust is worth it, in my view. I have tested a lot af shitty cars now, and the difference in price between an old scrote and a good car is well worth it in my opinion.

 

Having learned my lesson the hard way, I will never buy another bad car again. (well, I hope not). Little things tell you a lot- does the owner have a proper file with the receipts and details, or are they in the kitchen cupboard? Do they like talking about the car? Do they drive it with love on the test drive (yeah- sounds stupid but I think you can tell if someone cares about the car the way they drive it) Do they know or care what oil has been put in. I am no expert at all, just learned from making bad buying decisions! based on, 'oh I WANT that car' rather than if it was actually any good.

 

I bought a Soarer off an immaculate older gent, I sold it again and I wish I hadn't now because it was a gift the way he had looked after it, like an indulgent old uncle. History in a folder, photo of the hand-over e-mailed to me, typed up driving advice for me before he handed it over. You can't buy that from a dealer.

Have to agree with Rich on this,

 

I bought mine in good condition for £3,900 Non turbo, it had had very carefull Jap owner, low mileage, then prick UK owner for 1 year, then carefull owner again, (still low mileage) But I've spent about £1,600 on service and cosmetics to get the car virtually mint and remove all traces of Prick's year!! (and a lot of hard work, and I'm very practical with engineering knowledge) so stands me at about £5,500 which I'm happy with, if Rich's cost £6,000 virtually mint without the need for all the "tweaking" this also sounds good, so the story is, buy mint or buy good and tweak, but don't expect a good car for £3,000 - £4,000, that needs nothing doing!! (unless you really have found a sucker who doesn't realise the cars value!! and there's not too many of them around).

 

Remember, if you get a car that needs turbo's, you're looking at knocking on £3,000 there!! so it's not a bargain at £3,500 is it!! be carefull!

 

Hope this helps.

 

Paul N.