GT MK3 with problem is on sale locally - is it worth it?

mutley1 · Post by **mutley1** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:55 pm

There is a polo gt (1991) about 100k up for sale locally to me. Mot ran out back end of last year and it has been unused at least since then. Bodywork/interior is average/good. Apparently car is not running, owner seems to think it is the electonic ignition which is the problem. I have had a number of polos, mainly mk2 and never a multipoint injection but quite fancy the mk3 gt but is it worth the effort or money getting this one. He is asking Â£150. Is this a common item to fail on these cars. I`m thinking it could be ecu. Also with it standing for nearly a year other things may need doing also. Do others think it is worth taking on?

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:38 pm

No experience with the GTs myself but if the trouble genuinely is caused by the ECU being on the frotz, it's a piece of p*** to replace and an affordable secondhand part. Price seems quite good - for that you can afford to buy it and then break it/sell the parts if it turns out to be an unsalvageable write-off. Do give it a bloody good checkover and, if it can be persuaded to run, a test drive first though, and trust your gut - i.e. does the guy seem like a chancer?

(Haven't actually heard of it going wrong before - usually if it were anything i'd suspect the injectors, the ignition coil unit, or the hall sensor on the distributor; particularly, if the latter goes, you won't get any spark as it acts like an electronic contact breaker/points set. The only time i've seen the ECU fail and kill the injection was on my own single-point 1-litre. Bad earth wire cooked it's chips good and emptied the petrol tank into the sump... obviously it wasn't going to go anywhere after that til both ECU and earth were replaced!)

pettsy · Post by **pettsy** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:22 pm

can't go wrong for Â£150. If its not a cheap repair then break it for bits!

If you don't fancy it then i'd definately be interested depending on location!?

mutley1 · Post by **mutley1** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:25 pm

Went to look at it today (ebay item 220026147806 )
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1
Got my facts wrong, it does in fact have a MOT till Dec.
Difficult to tell by the pic but car was in a poor state. Interior looked like it had been used to breed Doberman puppies. Definately a compete interior needed. Bodywork was scabby in places. Engine bay was filthy, engine was a recon about 2 years ago, would not start due to ignition prob -maybe.....
Decided to pass once bidding went over Â£150. Sure there will be a better one along shortly

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:07 pm

ouch....

this is why you always have to be wary using ebay to buy cars (or paying for them sight unseen from the trader...). who knows if the photos are current?

pettsy · Post by **pettsy** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:19 pm

Tahrey1043 wrote:ouch....

this is why you always have to be wary using ebay to buy cars (or paying for them sight unseen from the trader...). who knows if the photos are current?

True, however im prepared to take a risk

mutley1 · Post by **mutley1** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:18 pm

I always use a seperate ebay id ( with little feedback) when dealing with cars. Then if you buy a car unseen and turn up and the car is obviously misdescribed you can walk away and at least its not the end of the world if neg feedback is left, and you can always leave negative in return.
In this particular case alarm bells were already ringing before viewing the car, as much as what was not described in the description as what was. But thats not always the case. Ebay can be a good place to buy. I`ve bought 3 cars, one unseen and all were ok. Just read the description or whats not in it and look at previous feedback