How much would you pay?

[cess3]

Been umming and arring about trading in my Astra for an S3 for a while now, and been looking out for low milage examples. Just noticed one come up in a local garage in the paper a couple of weeks ago (haven't been to see it yet and they don't have a website so it may have actually been sold!) Going to go and look at it tomorrow if it's still there. This is the spec:

2002 225 model
Black w/ black leather
Full service history (not sure if specialist)
New cambelt and pump
44,000 miles
Climate pack, bose sound system etc.

What would you pay? I think it's a bit overpriced but I'll see what people say first. Also I've seen the price on autotrader for low milage examples can be really quite high.

What should I check? Haldex servicing etc. Where should I check for rust or anything like that?

The thing putting me off biting the S3 bullet at the moment is I'm concerned about fuel consumption and also the fact I'd be trading in a newer car for an older one, plus having to pay a few k! Also my heart's set on a nogaro blue one.

 

[sportstractor]

7k maybe...

haldex service is quite an important one to check, but if it have FASH its be alright. They do get bubbling on roof rails etc. Theres is a good buying guide under the stickys.

Fuel consumption is one thing I dont complain about to be honest, Buying a car like this you have to expect it not to be brilliant, but for the performance it is damn good. I have a friend with a rather crap 1.6 mitshitbishi lancer which isnt any better on long journeys. I usually get 400miles/ tank so cant complain.

They are wicked cars but you need to not be scared of spending a bit of money on stupid little things which fail. So worth getting the exact one you want with all the extras you want.

 

[Sandip]

Sounds like a nice S3, with having done only 44,000miles it should be a nice one for you to keep well maintained.

No harm in getting the oil dropped once you've done a few thousand mile, try not to go for longlife 5w30. Haldex servicing is not expensive so that could also be done at a later stage. As for rust, the main place to look would be the roof rails.

If your worried about mpg then the S3 may not be for you. Certain common faults can cause fuel consumption to go above the norm, but for the performance you get the S3 isn't a bad car for mpg, especially once it's been mapped.

I'd pay around 7.5k- 8k for the one your looking at. But if you've got your heart set on a nogaro then i'd say wait

 

[superkarl]

7k

 

[jojo]

£6995

 

[finesse]

nice example, worth the price! !

 

[voorhees]

44k it will be mint

 

[cess3]

Thanks for the replies, it's up for £9k but I'll go take a look. (BTW this is on the Isle of Man and cars are generally dearer than in UK due to buyers having less choice on-island and cars often being low mileages).

 

[Pete20vt]

I paid £8200 6 months ago for a 2003 65k minter. Everything else around at the time was 80k plus for between £5000 - £6500.

 

[sportstractor]

Exactly, price of cars seem to drop alot in the winter, good time to buy, not such a good time to sell

 

[JD09]

Agree on the 7.5k mark.

 

[cess3]

I've looked at it now and it looks mint especially the interior... haven't test drove yet though!

 

[s3_kev]

i really would'nt worry about selling a newer car in favour of the s3. i came from a 2003 corsa sri to a 2000 s3 and the differener in drive and comfort etc is night and day would never go back, i also worked at a vx main dealer and none of there cars would be anywhere near as nice to own as an s3 imo (thats from vehicles to 2006 when i left)

 

[colicabcadam]

i got mine for £6,500 with 3 months warrenty (that i used to fix my steering rack and overheating problem(that turned out to be a fuse lol))

my car had 55k miles on it and every extra minus the heated seats, it also had third party 18 inch wheels

but to be honest, millage does not mean anything, it only takes 100 miles to f**k up the cams/turbo on an engine with low oil.....

 

[Ginge]

I came from an 06 astra sri to an s3, would never look back paid £5250 for 55k with warranty and extras inc heated sats, its an old one though (1999) but I don't mind.

 

[JD09]

Agreed on the quality comments. My Clio felt worse when brand new in 2002/3 than my 65k miler S3 does now!!!

They say the radio in Renaults is to drown out the knocks and bangs!!!