buying an LCR - money pit or sensible purchase?

[rasco]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about buying a Mk1 LCR, and have the funds to buy what I imagine would be a decent one (circa 5k). I've read the buyers guide (very useful!) but ultimately need the car to be reliable. Reading a number of posts in this forum, a number of people view the Mk1 LCR to be a "money pit" and this worries me a little. I know all cars have their faults, and you can get duff un-cared-for examples of any car, but wondered how well the Mk1 LCRs are ageing. I intend to buy a 2005 LCR with (ideally) less than 60k on the clock, but am wondering about the problems associated with age rather than mileage.

I'm looking for a standard car (for insurance reasons) but wonder if I should be buying one that has a few upgrades (such as poly bushes, better dv etc) so that I have fewer problems down the line.

Am I a couple of years too late? Is the "sensible" purchase the mk2?

Also, does anyone have any tips on mods for the interior? Please don't take offense, but it's looking pretty dated now. Anyone tried respraying the centre console etc to liven it up a little?

Cheers guys

 

[beastgtir]

You should get a nice one for that.
Mods depends on personal preference,
Do you want a dump valve noise? If not no need to change.
Same with exhaust.

 

[RaviR50]

heres my centre console sprayed white with some carbon fibre wrap touches. iv also done the gear knob surround, ring on the knob, door handles and window switches

Tbh mate a forum isn't great if you wanna see good stuff about a car people come here looking for help on problems so you rarely find someone praising the car.

But if insurance allowed me I would be more than happy to get a good lcr

 

[brad_barker12]

Bought my LCR 04 plate with 70k in mint condition for 3800, it was due a service and MOT which is why i got it so cheap had a couple of niggles with it such as track rods and a ball joint and also new brake pads all round which is why i got it cheap but there sorted now. Even after spending money to get it done i still belive I got a bargain. With any used performance hatchback your going to get problems. Whether there easy fixes or hard expensive ones depends on whether its looked after.

I'm definately very happy with my purchase

 

[big eck]

My mates selling his silver 55 plate LCR with the optional recaros. Totally standard with 65k miles. I think he wants £5k for it.

On another note you can pick up a nice mk2 fr for £5k now.

http://www.scottishvag.net/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=107878

 

[Xizor]

Hi rasco,

I've recently bought a standard '05 LCR with 56K on it and I think they are great cars.

Most of the problems you are likely to encounter are covered in the buying guide. Mine had the slow speed cooling fan fault, but I just got that fixed under warranty. I also needed to do a cambelt change and fit 4 new tyres. Even so, I still think they are a bargain for what they are.

I wouldn't buy a Mk2. They may look more 'modern', but the build quality is not as good and the suspension is very hard.
Also, with respect to all the modders on here, I wouldn't buy one that has been re-mapped or modded for performance. It just says 'thrashed' to me, sorry.

Look for one with a full service history and low mileage and you'll have a fine hot hatch.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck

 

[James D1]

i think the term 'money pit' (i have used it myself) refers more to the mods and problems surrounding modifications.

if you have a decent amount to spend (5k is very decent) id buy standard best possible; low miles, good service history, low owners etc. id keep some back for problems and service parts these have brembos so pads n discs aint cheap. they also have different suspension set-up to lc180, double wishbones as far as im aware.

other than that i havnt seen many people slagging the reliability of these until they try running 270+ bhp and moaning there turbo is whistling away or popping clutches (probably more to do with the driving used)

look about, buy honest (higher milage not always a bad thing). i always say id rather see a stack of papers and 100k+ than 1 piece of paper and 35k miles.

 

[traumapat]

Considering the level of modification mines been running for years I cant call it a money pit. That said it is 12 year old car so you cant really complain when you've a split vac pipe.

 

[285cupra-matty]

I wouldn't call them a money pit. Like said if you buy one that looks like someones taken care of it and has paper work to back it up you should be fine. I have been nothing but impressed with mine have a little problem now but again like said they are old now and mines seen 116k and all electrics work, interiors in good nick still they where built to last. I know someone with a cupra who brought it as a company car then brought it off the company was serviced every 10k miles, its now got over 200k and still goes well.

Just take your time and you will be fine.
good luck.

 

[rasco]

Thanks all for your comments - glad to hear you're all very positive

beastgtir this will be my first turbo, so not really sure what I will want to do yet! Just wondering what parts might be worth upgrading due to common wear & tear items. A guy at work owned an LCR for 8 years (from new) and he said the dv and bushes, as well as sensors, coil packs and door seals, are the most common things to go.

RaviR50 your interior looks ace! Do you have any other pics? I would want to do a very similar thing, not sure what colour though. I agree with your comment about the forum - I do the same on a forum for my current car (Mazda 323F).

Brad - you're a brave man!!

Big_eck - is your friend's LCR black? If so I could be tempted.....
That mk2 FR looks like good value, I didn't realise they were that cheap now....

Xizor sounds like you got a good'un. Is that a 3rd party warranty you mentioned?

James, I'm sure it was one of your posts I was reading when I came across "money-pit" ...

traumapat - agree with you there regarding car age - which is what made me question how well the LCR is ageing. I've loved it for years though, would be nice to finally own one!

Matty - 200k?!?! blimey he's done well!!

 

[Xizor]

Thanks all for your comments - glad to hear you're all very positive

Xizor sounds like you got a good'un. Is that a 3rd party warranty you mentioned?

It's been a good'un so far. Only had it a few months though and yes, it came with a 3rd party 3 month warranty. Good job because the fan replacement was £350!

Good luck finding another good'un.

 

[rasco]

It's been a good'un so far. Only had it a few months though and yes, it came with a 3rd party 3 month warranty. Good job because the fan replacement was £350!

Good luck finding another good'un.

yikes! How come it was so expensive? Makes me wonder if I really should be buying one from a trader (To get warranty cover)....

 

[brad_barker12]

Brad - you're a brave man!!

I suppose buying a car that needs a MOT is abit of a risk. but I suppose you get a feeling as to whether a cars been looks after. in this case I would say it was. full service history car is in very good condition and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[RaviR50]

was red before

 

[Xizor]

yikes! How come it was so expensive? Makes me wonder if I really should be buying one from a trader (To get warranty cover)....

The fans themselves were £226. The rest was labour and the dreaded VAT.

Don't worry though, if you don't have a warranty there is a cheap fix for this problem. Very common so check before you buy.

I prefer to buy from a dealer. At least you have some come back if the car falls apart 2 miles down the road.

 

[rasco]

Cheers Ravi for the photos - good choice going white
Xizor thanks for the extra info. I know what you mean re buying from a dealer, but should I be worried about having no idea how the turbo was treated while owned?

I've decided I'm buying one, looking for a top condition one in black. Tried to post a wanted add here, but supposedly I can't post in there until I have 15 posts in the general sections... I might have to spam this thread

 

[Seal_LCR]

There are a few for sale on the for sale section.

If I was buying again I think I'd buy with some mods already done as I've spent quite abit in 8months

 

[rasco]

Hi Seal,

I'm planning to keep the car pretty stock. Mainly for insurance reasons (a stage 1 remap + a couple of other minor mods would double my insurance costs). I'd probably only tint windows, change the shape of the front plate, change the stereo system, and consider a stainless exhaust if the car's current one was knackered.

 

[BoostHard]

I was quite unlucky with mine, All was well on the test drive however my clutch went within
2 weeks of ownership.
Ive replaced the sump, cam belt, water pump
auxillary belt.
coolant bottle
I have also replaced lots of split breathers and vac lines, Replaced a split TIP and now the car is over boosting. Its looking like my fault is the Turbo so more money to be spent.

My car isn't low mileage though, It has 105k on the clock and most of the bits Ive replaced I would have done any way for appearance.

I think I am getting to the end of the problems.
Its got me down quite alot but I do enjoy driving it.

Take you time choosing the right one and make sure there is lots of paper work to back things up.

 

[rasco]

Boosthard, that is unlucky! Was it FSH etc when you bought it? Was there much paperwork with it?