Rally Star Cup Esteem

oversteer · 6th January 2008, 10:53

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 · 6th January 2008, 11:05

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 · 6th January 2008, 12:28

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 · 6th January 2008, 18:59

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 · 6th January 2008, 20:35

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 · 6th January 2008, 20:38

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 · 6th January 2008, 20:59

Is that car belongs to Amanpreet ahluwalia?

oversteer · 7th January 2008, 14:06

Quote:

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!

Quote:

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 · 7th January 2008, 14:46

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 · 7th January 2008, 14:55

Quote:

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 · 7th January 2008, 19:46

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

kkr2k2 · 7th January 2008, 20:13

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 · 7th January 2008, 20:21

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 · 7th January 2008, 21:41

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 · 7th January 2008, 22:26

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

6th January 2008, 10:53	#1
oversteer BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: KA-03 Posts: 69 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Rally Star Cup Esteem 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?
	() Thanks

6th January 2008, 11:05	#2
raajks BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: BLR Posts: 578 Thanked: 119 Times View My Garage	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!
	() Thanks

6th January 2008, 12:28	#3
oversteer BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: KA-03 Posts: 69 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	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
	() Thanks

6th January 2008, 18:59	#4
determinus BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pune Posts: 277 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	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.
	() Thanks

6th January 2008, 20:35	#5
raajks BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: BLR Posts: 578 Thanked: 119 Times View My Garage	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
	() Thanks

6th January 2008, 20:38	#6
raajks BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: BLR Posts: 578 Thanked: 119 Times View My Garage	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
	() Thanks

6th January 2008, 20:59	#7
jerish666 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Trivandrum,Kochi,Trissur Posts: 757 Thanked: 2 Times	Is that car belongs to Amanpreet ahluwalia? Last edited by jerish666 : 6th January 2008 at 21:02.
	() Thanks

7th January 2008, 14:46	#9
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	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.
	() Thanks

7th January 2008, 19:46	#11
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	are carbed esteems allowed ? I thought they stopped it ???
	() Thanks

7th January 2008, 20:13	#12
kkr2k2 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Hyd Posts: 1,294 Thanked: 66 Times View My Garage	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.
	() Thanks

7th January 2008, 20:21	#13
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	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.
	() Thanks

7th January 2008, 21:41	#14
speedmiester Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,387 Thanked: 6,631 Times	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.
	() Thanks

7th January 2008, 22:26	#15
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	ACHTUNG! : Old cars can have chassis flex and this is irreversible and can never be cured no matter what. Be very careful!
	() Thanks