Rally Star Cup Esteem

[oversteer]

Hi folks,
If all goes well, after years and years of waiting and saving up money, I might be entering the Rally Star Cup this year *fingers crossed*. I've come across this rally-prepared '97 Esteem VX with:
-Rollcage and body strengthening
-Underbody protection
-Exhaust
-Rally seats (not Sparco, and no seatbelts)
-Stock suspension



The car was prepared last year, entered one rally which it DNF because it had stock suspension, and after that the owner apparently lost interest. The asking price is 1,60,000/- including transportation to Bangalore from Delhi. I still haven't seen the car personally. What do you guys think?

[raajks]

I think it is a good deal.
Things to keep in mind.

A 97 Esteem would cost around 110000 - 120000 (Depends on ownership as well)
I assumming that we can keep the GA reg and number 8 as drawbacks and keep the car value at 85 (Would have taken some hit during rallying)

Sparco seats would cost somewhere between 35 - 65K (You can get the sparco moulds for around 13 - 15K a pair to reduce cost)

A 5 point seat belt would cost 30 and
A roll cage would be needed which would cost around 25 - 30 K

Now, you are getting a fully prepared RSC car, which is good....
What you need to check is

1) Have the aprons opened out ..cos that would damage your drive shaft and power delivery
2) Check if he is giving the seats and the 5 point seatbelts as well (From the post it looks like.. he is not..so you got to add another 35K to your pocket)
3) I believe that the spec for INRC 08 for roll cage has not changed
4) They were some rumors about suspension..but Konis arre going to be allowed (Add another 18K for the Koni Rally suspension)

With Stock suspension and no Seat belts...1.60 may be on the higher side....but it is not a bad deal at all


Hope this helps!

[oversteer]

Thanks, raajks! I'm hoping to find some second-hand (possibly salvaged) seatbelts. I've kept aside 18K for the KONIs. We had started at 1,50,000/- and settled at 1,60,000/- including transportation (Del - Blr) and minor repairs (since the car has been stationary for some time).
The car is with Sandeep Sharma in Delhi. He's given me his word that there's nothing wrong with the car. I'm contemplating spending my seatbelt money on a trip to Delhi to see the car... *unsure*

[determinus]

FWIW: A friend in Pune bought an almost rally prepared 95 Esteem for 1.25 recently from Bangalore. It didnt have the roll cage or special seats though.

[raajks]

If the name of the Guy is Hari...you can discount that....
As it was the luckiest deal ever.........

Oversteer, dont go with that as the benchmark....If I strip the goodies off the car....He got the car for 47K.....

Cost of car == 1.2
Goodies
Sparco Wheel == 10K
Original Sparco seats == 35K
Sparco 4 point seat (cant use for RSC) == 20K
Konis == 12K
Short Ratio gear box (Cant use for RSC)
Ported and polished headers (Cant use for RSC) and a set of Rally tyres

[raajks]

My opinion...take some time off and see if you drive down
I am also planning on RSC this year....

I am looking for a carb Esteem, which i would build step by step....
I can include you in my list..if you PM your number....

If you have decided to go for the car..I would nt come your way

[jerish666]

Is that car belongs to Amanpreet ahluwalia?

[oversteer]

Originally Posted by raajks

I am looking for a carb Esteem, which i would build step by step....
I can include you in my list..if you PM your number....

Thanks for your inputs... Done!

Originally Posted by jerish666

Is that car belongs to Amanpreet ahluwalia?

I haven't been able to find out the name of the original owner. It's unlikely, though, since from what I know the it belonged to someone in Goa.

[madan80]

the car is 11 years old... it might be battered up, so i would suggest that you head over there, and check it out first.

[raghuram.cg]

Originally Posted by raajks

My opinion...take some time off and see if you drive down
I am also planning on RSC this year....

I am looking for a carb Esteem, which i would build step by step....
I can include you in my list..if you PM your number....

I second Raaj! Well said

[Jaggu]

are carbed esteems allowed ? I thought they stopped it ???

[kkr2k2]

How about the delhi guys helping him out, go check the vehicle to give some insight to oversteer.(a very old member of team-bhp)

raj.

[Jaggu]

This is what i know, its better you wait out till end of the month by which the official decision on Carbed esteem should be out.

[speedmiester]

Carb esteem are allowed for 2008 season.

There is a rally commision meeting this weekend, so i would advice to wait until then and make your decision. There are words about change in suspension for RSC for 2008. There were couple of changes made to roll cage specification before the K-1000 rally last year.
Check out whether the roll cage is up to the current specification.

As others have suggested, its better to have a look at the car before finalising the deal, the major thing you need to look at while buying a rally prepared car is to check the body shell, there shouldn't be much damage to the shell. Also verify whether if the car had been involved in any serious accident or not.

[nitrous]

ACHTUNG! :
Old cars can have chassis flex and this is irreversible and can never be cured no matter what.
Be very careful!