Well......
Let's look at the ebay description.
Rare V reg Marea 2.4 HLX. This is the second marea I have had over the last 16 years and I can't believe how reliable they have been.This one needed a new clutch when I got it at 86k six years ago.
I have given it a battery,tyres,brake discs and lots of oil changes. I had the cambelt done at 123k.
It has a current MOT till Feb 2016, It did need a little bit of welding this time on the subframe. It has an airbag light that won't go out and ABS light that comes on when you go over a bump.
At some point during its life it was lifted by a strap through the front doors,probably when the clutch went. This has caused them to misfit slightly. It only gives a problem in the heaviest thunderstorms.
It does have a slight oil leak and always has had. Just local use you hardly notice but after a long run and get it really warm then it does drip a bit more. The aircon does not work but then I have never tried to get it serviced. The paintwork is generally OK however the bumpers have been resprayed at some stage and it's now starting to come off. The remote locking did work until the button on the key broke. I have at least two keys including the red one. Although it is a 2.4 it is very economical,it's a great drive!
If you have any questions I will only be to pleased to answer them.
Collection only when funds are cleared or cash on collection
Consider the fact It went through a test only a few weeks ago and there are no advisories.
The description says it had welding on the subframe, turns out it was the floor. The airbag light is on, the abs light is on constantly, as is the brake warning light.
The oil leak, hmm, that's been happening a while, some coolant hoses are very soft due to this. Worse than the oil leak is the fuel leak, it's severe.
The test drive revealed some horrendous knocking from the front end, maybe bottom arms.
The windscreen has a large chip, in a fail able place.
The clutch pedal sinks a little, I'm guessing slave cylinder leaking and the reason the brake warming light is on.
The electric window on the near side rear does not work.
The tailgate handle sticks in the open position so doesn't let the tailgate shut unless you repeatedly slam it to release the handle.
The bonnet has large dents in it
The code system has been bypassed at some point
The engine is pretty flat and lacking power, it sounds like it may have a boost leak.
It sounds like the auxiliary belt tensioner is getting weak from the occasional squeal from the belt at low revs and full lock.
He wanted £495 for it. Without seeing it I'd provisionally offered £400 going on the ebay description.
After the road test and a quick look round I wanted to walk away, but having got there on the train and a ticket home would be significantly more than I paid in advance.
I began the haggle and put the point across that he'd not mentioned lots of problems.
Anyway I ended up with it at a reasonable price for the issues, mostly so i could get home.
Despite all these problems once it was on the a14 up to a steady pace it was quiet and comfortable, the radio worked. And unbelievably it cost me £20 to do 190 miles, and that's with the fuel system dribbling down the back of the engine.
So I've got some work to do, on top of my other projects
But hey they're getting on the rare side now so I think it's worth saving.
Wish me luck.