Buying in an early TF, what to expect?

Older ones as in 2002-03 check for rust on subframes (usually on the inside opposite the wishbones as they appeared more prone than later ones to rust, also check condition of front subframe mounts and also front rear subframe mounts as they rust something terrible, front one are easy enough to change but rear front are more of a pain as the bolts holding them usually sheer.

Wishbones on the front are also prone to rust and its not unusual to see them with holes through the middle, can be a pain to do as on the TF you need to drop the subframe slightly...not that bad a job though as long as the rear subframe bolts come out ok.

Upper ball joints tend to fail, cheap enough for front ones but if rear ones gone look at around £20 each, you will also need a deep socket (46mm if I recall) to remove the rear ones, again a simple job but if you need to do them don't buy the deep socket advertised as for Tf as hey charge around 4 times the price when you search for a deep socket without TF in the search.

HGF...can occur to any vehicle, I've not suffered it myself, however; I have now had two timing belts strip teeth due to not changing them when I should have, the most recent just the other day.

Can't thing of anything else at mo, but I'm sure others will fill in the blanks

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Buying in an early TF, what to expect?