austin
Well-Known Member
Austin - You've got me looking at the little beasties now - you is a BAD MAN
Rust is the curse of these cars so that's what to look for - sills, pillars, and so on, the usual places where water and salt gathers and rots metal. They are not undersealed from new much (at all as far as I can tell), so look for evidence of lots of Waxoyl or Dinitrol applied frequently from as new as possible. Check the drain holes - in the well where the hood goes and by the wipers - all drain reasonably quickly. (A trombone cleaning rod is apparently the tools choice to de-gunge them). Otherwise normal wear and tear although with soft tops check the hood is sound and closes cleanly and seals.
Mine is 2.0l but the cognoscenti seem to believe that the smaller engined version of each mark is the "purer" car as it is more involving to drive well. Personally I like the extra torque in the larger engine as you can be a very lazy driver if you want. I am currently getting about 45mpg and that's with the hood down, probably several more mpg with the hood up.
I think there is a Mk5 due in 2019 so possibly some deals on the outgoing model if you fancy something new, and if you are passing my way call in for a test drive.