what to watch out for in used opels/fords?

aadix · 18th March 2005, 09:02

hi guys

i was wondering, these days there are many used opel astra, ford escorts and old fiat sienas in the 1.5 to 2 lac range

what are the points to look into before picking up one?

ie i have seen an 1997 opel astra petrol for 1.50 lacs! and a 1999 diesel for 1.95 lacs

what to look out in them? ie how can one say that the engine is good or not?
and what are the tell tale signs to look out for?

also seen a ford escort 1997 petrol for 1.40 lacs

how expensive the servicing will be??

the 75k servicing for my esteem was rs 4,200!! (oil change, all the filters, front bearings, a/c gas) so in comparsion with this how much?(not at a maruti centra, but a good service centre called "tristar motors"

aadix · 18th March 2005, 15:34

guys
any answers ? ? ?

typeOnegative · 18th March 2005, 15:41

Regarding the Siena try to get the last edition of Autocar India. I will try to read up and let you know if you wish.

Technocrat · 18th March 2005, 15:43

I cant tell about the signs but you should definetly get the gear bix checked if you are looking at the intial lot of the Astra. My cousin some time back had bough a model from that lot( dont rember year but it was arnd 97-99) the car had run just 27k & he had to change the clutch plates & other gear box related stuff which costed him a whooping 30k.

Rtech · 18th March 2005, 16:26

Hey aadix,

Chack out these 2 threads on the Astra. Should answer your questions.

Topic 1

Topic 2

About the Ford, I can't help you there. Not too many of those around anymore.

Rtech · 18th March 2005, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

I cant tell about the signs but you should definetly get the gear bix checked if you are looking at the intial lot of the Astra. My cousin some time back had bough a model from that lot( dont rember year but it was arnd 97-99) the car had run just 27k & he had to change the clutch plates & other gear box related stuff which costed him a whooping 30k.

That was probably a one-off incident as the previous owner must have abused the hell outa the clutch, or more likely the odo reading must have been changed.

Astra clutches are some of the toughest you can find. They easily last upto 90,000 km's. When I sold my Astra with 68,XXXkm on the clock, the original clutch was still in great shape.

Technocrat · 18th March 2005, 16:35

could be but the tampering with odo was not done as it was confirmed through reliable sources. The only problem was that the car had not move from ots place since past 1.5 years, could that be the reason ??

islero · 18th March 2005, 20:36

Avoid Ford escort 1.3 petrol, they are dreadfully underpowered and their drivetrains would be strained.
Astras have rock-solid mechanicals, but their trims and interior would have deteriorated badly from the aesthetic point of view.
Ikons are the best bet according to me, but try avoiding too-high mileage( although that is difficult when the prices are this low)
Siena, well, great car , but, to be honest, fingers crossed.

filcord · 26th March 2005, 16:24

I have a 97 ford diesel 1.07 lac km, normal service- oil and filters is about 2000/- suspension overhaul costs 20K, proper wheel alignment a must, else your tyres will get chewed. no resale value, so be prepared to ride your car to the ground. On the plus side, you get a luxury ride, interiors keep well, and an engine that is trouble-free.

S600BENZ · 26th March 2005, 22:10

Have a 97 Astra 48K on the Odo, Bombay number for 90K. Prices are crazy for second hand Astras. Its the old engine though.

Mr.Rage · 28th March 2005, 00:04

I have a 1997 Ford Escort diesel, have clocked 95,000KM. Repairs: 1)suspension repairs, it costs 20K, 2)Diesel pump , costs 4K, 3)Total replacement of brake system 10K, and very very high on maintanence. But it is a lovely car with amazing handling and brilliant cornering and pretty luxurious inside, interiors hold pretty well with age.

adilshah · 28th March 2005, 20:31

have a 97 astra which i picked up a 15 months back for 1.3 lacs. have done 13000 km from then on and have changed parts worth 50k. the only reason i have it is because it is a really comfortable car and if driven "nicely" can last for years. the money you save on the cost price is easily compensated on maintanence on which there is no comparision with the esteem.

18th March 2005, 09:02	#1
aadix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: hyderabad Posts: 1,597 Thanked: 17 Times	what to watch out for in used opels/fords? hi guys i was wondering, these days there are many used opel astra, ford escorts and old fiat sienas in the 1.5 to 2 lac range what are the points to look into before picking up one? ie i have seen an 1997 opel astra petrol for 1.50 lacs! and a 1999 diesel for 1.95 lacs what to look out in them? ie how can one say that the engine is good or not? and what are the tell tale signs to look out for? also seen a ford escort 1997 petrol for 1.40 lacs how expensive the servicing will be?? the 75k servicing for my esteem was rs 4,200!! (oil change, all the filters, front bearings, a/c gas) so in comparsion with this how much?(not at a maruti centra, but a good service centre called "tristar motors"
	() Thanks

18th March 2005, 15:34	#2
aadix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: hyderabad Posts: 1,597 Thanked: 17 Times	guys any answers ? ? ?
	() Thanks

18th March 2005, 15:41	#3
typeOnegative Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vikhroli, Mumbai, India Posts: 1,502 Thanked: 28 Times	Regarding the Siena try to get the last edition of Autocar India. I will try to read up and let you know if you wish.
	() Thanks

18th March 2005, 15:43	#4
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,770 Thanked: 2,705 Times	I cant tell about the signs but you should definetly get the gear bix checked if you are looking at the intial lot of the Astra. My cousin some time back had bough a model from that lot( dont rember year but it was arnd 97-99) the car had run just 27k & he had to change the clutch plates & other gear box related stuff which costed him a whooping 30k.
	() Thanks

18th March 2005, 16:26	#5
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 371 Times View My Garage	Hey aadix, Chack out these 2 threads on the Astra. Should answer your questions. Topic 1 Topic 2 About the Ford, I can't help you there. Not too many of those around anymore.
	() Thanks

18th March 2005, 16:35	#7
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,770 Thanked: 2,705 Times	could be but the tampering with odo was not done as it was confirmed through reliable sources. The only problem was that the car had not move from ots place since past 1.5 years, could that be the reason ??
	() Thanks

18th March 2005, 20:36	#8
islero Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,574 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	Avoid Ford escort 1.3 petrol, they are dreadfully underpowered and their drivetrains would be strained. Astras have rock-solid mechanicals, but their trims and interior would have deteriorated badly from the aesthetic point of view. Ikons are the best bet according to me, but try avoiding too-high mileage( although that is difficult when the prices are this low) Siena, well, great car , but, to be honest, fingers crossed.
	() Thanks

26th March 2005, 16:24	#9
filcord BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: goa Posts: 997 Thanked: 68 Times	I have a 97 ford diesel 1.07 lac km, normal service- oil and filters is about 2000/- suspension overhaul costs 20K, proper wheel alignment a must, else your tyres will get chewed. no resale value, so be prepared to ride your car to the ground. On the plus side, you get a luxury ride, interiors keep well, and an engine that is trouble-free.
	() Thanks

26th March 2005, 22:10	#10
S600BENZ BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 304 Thanked: 12 Times	Have a 97 Astra 48K on the Odo, Bombay number for 90K. Prices are crazy for second hand Astras. Its the old engine though.
	() Thanks

28th March 2005, 00:04	#11
Mr.Rage BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Edison, Namm Bengalooru Posts: 40 Thanked: 0 Times	I have a 1997 Ford Escort diesel, have clocked 95,000KM. Repairs: 1)suspension repairs, it costs 20K, 2)Diesel pump , costs 4K, 3)Total replacement of brake system 10K, and very very high on maintanence. But it is a lovely car with amazing handling and brilliant cornering and pretty luxurious inside, interiors hold pretty well with age.
	() Thanks

28th March 2005, 20:31	#12
adilshah BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 88 Thanked: Once	have a 97 astra which i picked up a 15 months back for 1.3 lacs. have done 13000 km from then on and have changed parts worth 50k. the only reason i have it is because it is a really comfortable car and if driven "nicely" can last for years. the money you save on the cost price is easily compensated on maintanence on which there is no comparision with the esteem.
	() Thanks