DanUK

Thanks for all these responses guys, they've helped clarify things a lot and hopefully help anyone else out there with a similar dilemma.

Dan

NineBolts

[QUOTE=DanUK,Feb 20 2009, 01:12 AM] Also, if the rest of the car checks out but a recent geo setup is not present, I could agree to buy dependent on a geo report.

Is the

kitkat

conversly mines 9 years old an import from japan sits outside in all weather and the geometry is spot on. go figure.

hoppingdeth

[QUOTE=Ajs_s2k,Feb 19 2009, 04:10 PM] Simple ask them for an upto date geo report.

Seriously if you can do it your self or at least get someone to do it cheap it would cost you

eSeM

From what I have seen ....

Cars that are used regularly are less likely to have seized bushes and cars that are garaged are also less likely.

Cars that are used infrequently and sit outside are more likely to have problems (like my car)

I think you could get a good idea from the condition of the lower wishbones/control arms. If they show signs of corrosion then there will be a good chance the bushes could be seized.

oxhouser

take it for a long drive if it feels right and does not throw you in a ditch the first time you hit a bend its should be OK, mines an 01 and its never had the geo checked because i never felt it needed it, its probably not perfect but i am happy with it and it copes very well with my driving style, i also put a few quid away each month as i know eventually it will need doing and its a dead cert one or all the adjusters are seized.
IMO cars that drive like pigs have had a hard kerbing or hit some big potholes, the suspension arms are quite delecate
try to get some sort of money held on the provision that you pay for a geo check and if its out this money pays for the adjustment/bolt removal or if the car is a good price split the risk with the dealer offer to go half with him.

Bassoctopus

I had my dealer punch the current settings and check an 04 car by testing if they could undo the bolts. It was about

MIP

Is the issue S2k specific? Or do most manufacturers not grease geometry bolts?

I did mine myself last weekend, none seized fortunatly, though one was just starting to fur up. Getting the geo set tommorow...

mikerich

[QUOTE=hoppingdeth,Feb 20 2009, 08:03 AM] You'll get laughed out of most second hand car showrooms and people

lower

The same issue is cropping up on a number of other cars as people's awareness of the importance of geometry grows.