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Finally found another car...this time went for a mk3 GSi as I've always liked them and you can pick up the late 97 versions for next to nothing so they make a good base as they are well spec'd and easy to swap engines later on when I get bored. Found one with 115k for 800 quid. It's a bit rough round the edges but solid underneath and the X20XEV is not a bad engine to be honest...not the quickest but nippy enough and gives decent MPG. I managed to lose a mirror on the way home though...it was loose but me being me couldn't leave it alone and ended up making it worse lol...it was last seen bouncing down the hard shoulder of the M18. The only mechanical work needed for now is to replace the suspension top mounts, the previous owner fitted new shocks, springs, bottom arms, track rod ends and anti roll bar links but refitted shagged top mounts. Replacement ones are only 17 quid for the pair so it's no big problem (...just one of those jobs I can never be arsed to do lol)
Anyway, pics...
First job was to give it a clean inside and out including wet-vaccing the interior and machine polishing it to see what condition the paint is in. As it happens it's got something on every panel apart from the roof so will be getting a respray later on...for now I've gone round touching in the scratches and chips and flatting and polishing them to take the edge off of them. The interior came up clean but is let down by fag burns so not sure what I'll be doing about that.
Long term plan is to go the OE+ route with it as I want to keep it semi-original just use GM bits...maybe even swap the XEV for a Saab 2.0 turbo but that's a while off yet, in the meantime I'll just be tidying it up. First thing I've bought is a replacement for the steering wheel as I can't stand the rubber airbag wheel and I'm not even sure if it works, plus this car will get used on track from time to time. Bought this from Steve84, it's near mint with no scuffs or marks on it so will be going on once the suspension and tracking sorted
Anyway, pics...
First job was to give it a clean inside and out including wet-vaccing the interior and machine polishing it to see what condition the paint is in. As it happens it's got something on every panel apart from the roof so will be getting a respray later on...for now I've gone round touching in the scratches and chips and flatting and polishing them to take the edge off of them. The interior came up clean but is let down by fag burns so not sure what I'll be doing about that.
Long term plan is to go the OE+ route with it as I want to keep it semi-original just use GM bits...maybe even swap the XEV for a Saab 2.0 turbo but that's a while off yet, in the meantime I'll just be tidying it up. First thing I've bought is a replacement for the steering wheel as I can't stand the rubber airbag wheel and I'm not even sure if it works, plus this car will get used on track from time to time. Bought this from Steve84, it's near mint with no scuffs or marks on it so will be going on once the suspension and tracking sorted
but at 800 that is a no brainer purchase. top work ! great base for a project
Let us know how you get on replacing the steering wheel as I have the same wheel to fit.
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