Hello everyone,
I'm a new member to the community and have been lurking around the forums for a while learning more about these wonderful cars, specially the RS2, so its time to introduce myself and ask for some advice.
I live in Vancouver-BC, and I'm looking to import an RS2 from Brazil into Canada. I'm Brazilian born and have lived there recently, so I'm used to all the bureaucracy and negotiating skills required to buy a car there.
I have so far located two cars, one black and one polar silver.
http://www.webmotors.com.br/comprar/...4-1995/9512972
http://www.webmotors.com.br/comprar/.../1995/12128183
I've exchanged emails with both sellers and so far I'm leaning towards the silver car which appears to be mostly original.
The black car appears to have the engine highly modified, according to the owner, (who owns a shop that specializes in tuning VW's and other cars mainly by adding a turbo engine chips) the engine is rated at 400 CV and he has replaced the turbos, fuel injectors and added a chip (all imported). He also installed a ceramic clutch, and recently replaced shocks, engine and transmission mounts, front brakes discs and pads, some engine sensors, engine belts and tensioners, fuel and air filter. He also replace the worn leather from the seat with imported alcantara as can be seen form the pictures. My understandng is that most of these modifications were done at his shop, so no maintenance receipts here. Paint is not original and car had some parts resprayed due to rock chips and dings, but no accidents. He has own the car for 13 years. This is a 1995 production car.
The silver car is mostly original and the currently owner has owned for the last 10 years. Car has been maintained over the last 10 years by the same mechanic, which appears to be the guy to go for RS2 owners in Brazil based on some research I've made (owner offered to put me in contact with his mechanic if I wish, this is also the same mechanic recommended for a PPI). Original turbo has been replaced by OEM turbo, as well as all brakes and discs, coolant hoses, refreshed suspension with new bushings and shocks. Engine had top end resealed but not rebuilt and it is original (apart from the turbo replacement). I asked the owner if he had receipts for all the work done but he sad that he does not, as most of these independent mechanics do not give receipts for work performed to avoid paying taxes (which is true based on my own experience in Brazil) The Car has had a full respray (no windows out) at some point due to rock chips and dings but has not been in any accident. This car also had the seats and steering wheel leather replaced with new leather as per original. I've asked the owner to take a picture of the VIN tag which I'm attaching here (plus some addtional pics) in case anyone can chime in on the specs and options of the car. This is listed as a 1994 production car and 1995 model.
Both cars have similar Kms and I'm planning on to check the cars in person in 3 weeks while in Brazil. There are no Carfax or Autocheck type of services in Brazil, so the only way to know if the car has been in any accident is inspecting the car or trusting the sellers information.
For those familiar with these cars, is it there any red flags that jump at you when looking at the pictures and reading the information provided above? Am I right opting for the original non modified car to avoid future issues with aftermarket parts form unknown sources? What other critical information I should be asking / checking before pulling the trigger?
I plan to use the car for weekend drive and the occasional club autocross or DE. I tend to do small maintenance work on my cars and I'm not afraid of getting things apart and put them back together again.
Sorry for the long post, any advice is welcomed.
I'm a new member to the community and have been lurking around the forums for a while learning more about these wonderful cars, specially the RS2, so its time to introduce myself and ask for some advice.
I live in Vancouver-BC, and I'm looking to import an RS2 from Brazil into Canada. I'm Brazilian born and have lived there recently, so I'm used to all the bureaucracy and negotiating skills required to buy a car there.
I have so far located two cars, one black and one polar silver.
http://www.webmotors.com.br/comprar/...4-1995/9512972
http://www.webmotors.com.br/comprar/.../1995/12128183
I've exchanged emails with both sellers and so far I'm leaning towards the silver car which appears to be mostly original.
The black car appears to have the engine highly modified, according to the owner, (who owns a shop that specializes in tuning VW's and other cars mainly by adding a turbo engine chips) the engine is rated at 400 CV and he has replaced the turbos, fuel injectors and added a chip (all imported). He also installed a ceramic clutch, and recently replaced shocks, engine and transmission mounts, front brakes discs and pads, some engine sensors, engine belts and tensioners, fuel and air filter. He also replace the worn leather from the seat with imported alcantara as can be seen form the pictures. My understandng is that most of these modifications were done at his shop, so no maintenance receipts here. Paint is not original and car had some parts resprayed due to rock chips and dings, but no accidents. He has own the car for 13 years. This is a 1995 production car.
The silver car is mostly original and the currently owner has owned for the last 10 years. Car has been maintained over the last 10 years by the same mechanic, which appears to be the guy to go for RS2 owners in Brazil based on some research I've made (owner offered to put me in contact with his mechanic if I wish, this is also the same mechanic recommended for a PPI). Original turbo has been replaced by OEM turbo, as well as all brakes and discs, coolant hoses, refreshed suspension with new bushings and shocks. Engine had top end resealed but not rebuilt and it is original (apart from the turbo replacement). I asked the owner if he had receipts for all the work done but he sad that he does not, as most of these independent mechanics do not give receipts for work performed to avoid paying taxes (which is true based on my own experience in Brazil) The Car has had a full respray (no windows out) at some point due to rock chips and dings but has not been in any accident. This car also had the seats and steering wheel leather replaced with new leather as per original. I've asked the owner to take a picture of the VIN tag which I'm attaching here (plus some addtional pics) in case anyone can chime in on the specs and options of the car. This is listed as a 1994 production car and 1995 model.
Both cars have similar Kms and I'm planning on to check the cars in person in 3 weeks while in Brazil. There are no Carfax or Autocheck type of services in Brazil, so the only way to know if the car has been in any accident is inspecting the car or trusting the sellers information.
For those familiar with these cars, is it there any red flags that jump at you when looking at the pictures and reading the information provided above? Am I right opting for the original non modified car to avoid future issues with aftermarket parts form unknown sources? What other critical information I should be asking / checking before pulling the trigger?
I plan to use the car for weekend drive and the occasional club autocross or DE. I tend to do small maintenance work on my cars and I'm not afraid of getting things apart and put them back together again.
Sorry for the long post, any advice is welcomed.
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