Hi all, I'm looking to pick a 500 up as I have to make occasional trips along some country roads here which are tiny and filled with lunatics and grit, while my daily car is huge and expensive. Specifically want a TwinAir model as they're tax free and make a cool sound.
I was looking at Copart salvage auctions as it would be a fun project to fix up one with light damage, but I've started to see the hammer prices drifting up, while prices of repaired (or undamaged) ones for sale are falling - missed out on a REALLY cheap one a few days ago.
Anyway - there's one I'm going to see tomorrow, are there any specific things to look for in terms of engine/gearbox/etc condition that can be detected on a road test? Any common equipment faults other than door handles (seen many threads on that)?
I think this one is probably a Pop model or some other base type as it has the basic dial heater controls (does that mean no aircon?), no sunroof and no radio controls on the steering wheel. It's a category C car, pretty sure it was front end as the bonnet looks to be replaced with a pattern part, I watched a bunch of videos on Youtube of people pulling the front end apart so I have a reasonable idea of what areas to check for being straight.
I was looking at Copart salvage auctions as it would be a fun project to fix up one with light damage, but I've started to see the hammer prices drifting up, while prices of repaired (or undamaged) ones for sale are falling - missed out on a REALLY cheap one a few days ago.
Anyway - there's one I'm going to see tomorrow, are there any specific things to look for in terms of engine/gearbox/etc condition that can be detected on a road test? Any common equipment faults other than door handles (seen many threads on that)?
I think this one is probably a Pop model or some other base type as it has the basic dial heater controls (does that mean no aircon?), no sunroof and no radio controls on the steering wheel. It's a category C car, pretty sure it was front end as the bonnet looks to be replaced with a pattern part, I watched a bunch of videos on Youtube of people pulling the front end apart so I have a reasonable idea of what areas to check for being straight.