I've been looking around for a dc5 for about a month now while I'm getting my funds in order and have been noticing the odd bargain pop up (such as this , congrats btw DC187 she looks like a beauty 
) and i've just got back from test driving this and oh my god there's a reason it's so cheap. After my experience I just thought I'd post here in case anyone's planning a long journey to try it out.
Firstly the bloke made some story abut it not being moved for nearly a year as a friend has been storing it on his yard and had finally decided to sell it. That got me concerned right away.
So I took a walk around the car and noticed it wasn't a c-pack nor did it have the factory mats in either. Ok, I thought that's not entirely a deal breaker since it's so cheap. Then, after a quick scope around the bodywork (which has numerous dings and scratches) I jumped in and tried to start her up. Nothing. So off the seller goes to get a jumper pack. Meanwhile I thought I'd help by opening the bonnet, but wait, whats this? The bonnet release is missing, snapped off, gone! So we get the bonnet open eventually and get it running. Went to have a listen to the engine and it started revving by itself! It was jumping form 1k to 3k over and over again!! Anyone experienced this before? He reckoned it was the intake sensor.
Then I took it out for a spin, all the while its revving like this every time I stopped at the lights. Then, when it was closing time at the local synagogue, loads of Orthadox jews spilled out into the road. So I stopped and waited for them to move and the engine started it's revving song again so I looked like some intollerent twat in a fast car. Which couldn't be further from the truth.
Next it was vtech time and before I started I thought this should be interesting. So, I found a stretch of open road and gave it the beans. Engine management light came on immediateley
Btw, when the vtech kicks in do you normally feel it? I can in my EK but in this DC5 I wasn't sure if it was really working.....
Now 44k on the clock would sound like a steal at this price but judging by the wear on the seats, the badly scratched gear knob and the very polished steering wheel if this cars only done 44k then I'm a monkeys uncle.
Also, I asked if he had the auction sheet but in truth I already knew the answer. He said the car has been a private sale in Singapore and had not come via a Japanese auction.
Other faults are:
Washer jet hanging off/glued back on
Gaps in the dash above the heater dials
Paint beginning to wear off heater dials
Lights not flush with bumper
Fastners missing from bumper
Holes in the plastic wheel arch lining
There's probably more but I can't remember right now. So there it is people. I hope I've saved someone a long journey and a lot of disappointment.
) and i've just got back from test driving this and oh my god there's a reason it's so cheap. After my experience I just thought I'd post here in case anyone's planning a long journey to try it out.Firstly the bloke made some story abut it not being moved for nearly a year as a friend has been storing it on his yard and had finally decided to sell it. That got me concerned right away.
So I took a walk around the car and noticed it wasn't a c-pack nor did it have the factory mats in either. Ok, I thought that's not entirely a deal breaker since it's so cheap. Then, after a quick scope around the bodywork (which has numerous dings and scratches) I jumped in and tried to start her up. Nothing. So off the seller goes to get a jumper pack. Meanwhile I thought I'd help by opening the bonnet, but wait, whats this? The bonnet release is missing, snapped off, gone! So we get the bonnet open eventually and get it running. Went to have a listen to the engine and it started revving by itself! It was jumping form 1k to 3k over and over again!! Anyone experienced this before? He reckoned it was the intake sensor.
Then I took it out for a spin, all the while its revving like this every time I stopped at the lights. Then, when it was closing time at the local synagogue, loads of Orthadox jews spilled out into the road. So I stopped and waited for them to move and the engine started it's revving song again so I looked like some intollerent twat in a fast car. Which couldn't be further from the truth.
Next it was vtech time and before I started I thought this should be interesting. So, I found a stretch of open road and gave it the beans. Engine management light came on immediateley
Btw, when the vtech kicks in do you normally feel it? I can in my EK but in this DC5 I wasn't sure if it was really working.....
Now 44k on the clock would sound like a steal at this price but judging by the wear on the seats, the badly scratched gear knob and the very polished steering wheel if this cars only done 44k then I'm a monkeys uncle.
Also, I asked if he had the auction sheet but in truth I already knew the answer. He said the car has been a private sale in Singapore and had not come via a Japanese auction.
Other faults are:
Washer jet hanging off/glued back on
Gaps in the dash above the heater dials
Paint beginning to wear off heater dials
Lights not flush with bumper
Fastners missing from bumper
Holes in the plastic wheel arch lining
There's probably more but I can't remember right now. So there it is people. I hope I've saved someone a long journey and a lot of disappointment.
