New member looking for a GTA Turbo

Hello
New on here, looking for a car, have read quite a few posts, still not frightened, seen a nice one on eBay, (although digital phots's can be misleading), speedo not working, last mot has an advisory "001 (slight corrosion outer ends of Centre outeriggers / front end of inner sill rails(sill edges))".
If the dreaded corrosion has taken hold what is a likely budget to sort by a pro such as RATS

Would be interested in your thoughts/advice

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201602075607

Regards
Paul

Welcome Paul.

Ok so....

Good stuff:
It's a late model (G reg) with the twin-reg fuel set-up (better design and fittings) and should indicate it's the X-bolted block which is a somewhat stronger engine. Normal engine is rock solid anyway, so wouldn't worry too much.

Not so good stuff:
To be honest the ad description is tiny - no real detail at all. No mention of servicing or major work, and it's pretty easy to have about 10Ks worth of receipts by this age, so I'd expect something.
There appear to be a few mods (but then most have by now so that's really down to whether you want a totally original car). Third party recirc dump valve and what looks to be some badly trimmed carpet around the rear engine cover. Rear lights have been sprayed with tint.

Door cards are red (bit unusual so may have been dyed). Interior is a bit scruffy in places so I'd want to go over it in detail.

Front luggage compartment has an unusual cover over the fuel tank (bit odd) and is missing the scuttle cover (they usually crack anyway). Bit that would worry me is that it looks like the offside front turret has been cut around the boot mechanism for some reason and bodged back with mastic? Hard to say.

Overall pictures aren't great quality and are orientated incorrectly and the whole ad feels a bit bodged. It doesn't really sell it to me.

I could be wrong, but it doesn't strike me as a car that's been loved and I think there are better cars out there for the money if I'm honest.

Thank you Darren, appreciate your comments and experience, haven't come across many for sale, will keep looking.

Worth deciding first but do you know whether you want a turbo or atmo? Equally are you looking for a standard car or something that's been modified.

There have been some nice ones for sale the last year or so, but not too many really good examples for a while.

Ask Lee, BigM and Mr Dell himself. They're usually good sources of info as to what's available or likely to be coming up for sale.

If you've not driven one it's worth having a word with someone local who is in the club and can show you round and perhaps take you out for a spin.

I used to drive my md's in the late 80's, and liked it, have been through a lot of cars both business, and toys, would like a turbo, original or with mods, as long as it's tasteful.

[BIG_MVS]

Welcome Paul.

Firstly where are you? Might help to source a car or a member maybe nearby you could have a look at. Maybe Lambourn?

The car you found looks ok and fairly typical. It's what I now come to call a "Prospector GTA". Basically it's being passed around the trade for an increasing profit margin and not being enjoyed by an enthusiast. It started as a £4k gumtree find up in Scotland and has now doubled in price. As said I haven't a problem with someone making a few quid (people in glass houses and all that) but it's just a shame that most of the few GTA's that come available on the market just end up being passed around and not enjoyed. I guess being a small market little known sports car it is what it is.

If you are interested definitely worth getting expert opinion on any possible purchase over £5k.

They do come up eventually so it's worth waiting for the right one. I prefer the Turbo but don't discount the Atmo either. I don't have any leads at the moment, RATS have a restoration project and an A610 available maybe more but I will leave that to Lee.

Good luck as it's a cracking car so do go for it when you fine one!

Thank you BigM, yes in Lambourn, near Hungerford in Berkshire, but would travel anywhere to find the right one.

Rot is the main thing to look for

Hi. I'm considering putting mine on the market later this year. I've been enjoying it sporadically this year and just can't give it the time it deserves. Have a look through a couple of threads on here and you'll find it has a colourful history including an period laid up after previous owner passed away all the way to a significant amount of work at RATS. I haven't created an ad as yet and I'm somewhat on the fence but maybe we should chat if you're interested.

Will look through the threads, thank you

Thank you BigM, yes in Lambourn, near Hungerford in Berkshire, but would travel anywhere to find the right one.

You're just down the road from me. Not selling mine but give me a shout if you need any local help.