Description
I bought this Almera GTi 3 years ago, and then it had only 24k miles on it and was something of a time-warp show queen. My intention was always to drive and enjoy it more than that, but keep it in excellent condition all the same. It now has 54k miles on it, those extra miles all being non-commuter, mainly fair weather, B-road miles.
There's only handful of these left registered, and I'm certain this is the best, most original one out there. It is completely rust free. Most were rotten 15 years ago, but this has been garaged and babied, and is as solid as it was when new. The usual inner arches, rear arches, sills are all perfect. It was treated with Dinitrol rust protector and cavity waxed, sprayed with a lance into all the difficult areas inside the sills and arches etc, when I got it.
I have maintained and serviced it myself and replaced a lot of parts in the last 2 years:
Discs & pads all round
Braided hoses on front
o/ s/ f abs sensor
both handbrake cables
clutch cable
new starter motor
Apex 40mm springs (the only modification)
Speedo cluster rebuilt with all new caps etc
OEM standard replacement downpipe and catback exhaust
Several services: oils, filters, plugs etc.
Every bolt I've removed has come out easily, even on exhaust heat shields etc that normally shear off. All came out clean and have gone back in copper-greased.
All electrics work perfectly. The engine is smooth and tight, pulls well and I can get 350 miles comfortably from a tank, so it's a good, efficient motor for one of these.
Bodywork is in great condition with only 1 or 2 minor parking dings. It does have the usual stone chips to the front bumper and front of the bonnet though. The wheels are great, only 1 has a tiny kerb mark, just the lacquer not perfect in a few places. The paint itself has usual swirls and light marks you can see in sunlight - a good detailing would clean it up I'm sure.
It comes with tonnes of paper work, receipts etc. 2 keys and fobs, all original booklets etc.
It passed it's MOT last August, only 7k miles ago, with not a single advisory. And has only ever had about 2 advisories in all its 23 years!
Minor negatives: (and I'm being fussy here!)
- sometimes when going in to 1st gear, if you're moving even slightly, ie coming up to a junction, it can grind slightly if you rush it. However it is very minor and if you're careful or wait until you're nearly stationary, which you'd probably normally expect to do anyway(!) it goes in absolutely fine. All other gears are perfect, the box feels smooth and tight. It's barely an issue, it just feels slightly more sensitive than I know these cars to be when perfect.
It may only need the clutch adjusting or gear oil, worst case is it's a slightly worn synchro on 1st gear, which could easily be repaired. And as I say, the car drives absolutely fine as normal, you have to be a bit clumsy to catch it out anyway.
- bushes on the front may be slightly dry or worn as it can squeak a little on particularly ripply or bumpy streets, the odd little rattle too. Again, I'm being very picky - it is a 23 year old car after all! And I don't think any of the bushes can be worn badly or the MOT would have picked it up.
- Stock Sony CD player works on radio, but not CD.
I'm open to sensible offers, but won't reply to silly ones. It does have those few faults, but they are minor and I've priced it with those in mind.
Any viewing or questions welcome, more pictures on request thanks.
