What To Expect - Sportcross 2004, 62000 Km

[Andraz3d]

Hi all

my first post, hopefully not the last

I am looking at a 2004 IS 200 sportcross, with geniuine 62000 km, but not driven for the last 2 years.

Car seems solid, but I am very afraid of the fact that is has been in the shop for more than 2 years, pretty much not being moved. I bought a similar car like that 5 years ago, Fiat croma, and honest dealer warned me about:

- changing the tires (of course)

- changing the wheels, especially the alloy ones, can become, well, not perfectly round anymore

- changing break pads (material gets destroyed)

- changing Battery (sure)

- changing springs

- changing belt and connected stuff

this is the one I am looking at:

http://www.avto.net/_AVTO/ad.asp?ID=2309540&show=2

slovenian language, beware.

any comments on the imminent issues?

best.

[StueyD]

I think you've covered the main items - Battery, Tyres, Fluids, Brakes and check / replace the state of any hoses or grommets that may have perished with time.

If the car has air-con, budget for a service or repairs (or live with no air-con) as aircon rubbers can harden if it's not regularly used and gas escapes. If you're lucky a re-gas might work but chances are it will need repairs.

I'm not aware of anything specifc you need to check for a Sportcross.

Google is your friend :) and there are plenty of articles and discussions about re-commissioning cars that have been stood for a few years.

Eg: http://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/3357/what-happens-to-a-car-when-it-hasnt-been-driven-for-12-years

[Andraz3d]

StueyD, hi



thanks for this and sorry for coming back so late.



I was again at the dealer today for another inspection. Few things:

- casing around the diff (back) was a bit corroded, I guess nothing strange, but I do remember not seeing that on BMWs
- front brake piston got stuck and wheel could not move. Nothing strange for a car that has been still for 3 years. Disks and pads are surprisingly good looking though.
- to places of corrosion in the trunk. I am puzzled a bit though since I expected trunk doors to be made of aluminium. These two spots are just below the back window glass
- both headlights seem a bit foggy. Was not sure if this can be polished or not. Question here would be: are non sportcross headlights compatible in case I buy new one?
- alloys seem to have corrosion. I see this is a common problem
- car does not have heated seats. I love heated seats (Slovenia can get cold over winter). Any ideas for retrofitting this?
- car seems to have a decent CD changer 2 DIM unit. But I will need to change that with something aftermarket. Any problems I should expect here?


thanks for any advice. I seem to be closer to buying this thing.

[Andraz3d]

Hi guys



I drove the car today. And noticed 2 things:



1. the gear shifter (manual) shakes quite a bit. The moment you grab it, you dont really feel the vibration, but once you take the hand off it, it still shakes quite intensively. I havent seen this in years, last car I remember that had that was a Yugo :).



2. In a sharp turn (max steering wheel angle), you hear something in the right front wheel. It is not rubbing into the wheel arch plastic, but something is happening for sure



Otherwise car is surprisingly smooth and fairly dynamic. Noise is also quite special, to be honest. Never had an inline 6, so I cant really compare it to anything. 


comments much obliged.