buying a Delta H.F. turbo 1988

[Ashley Dando]

Hi,

I normally live in the UK, I'm back in my home country of New Zealand for 2 months and the other day I had a drive in a 1988 Delta HF Turbo (1988). It is fairly cheap (the dealer wants NZ$5000 = UK£1500 = 2500 Euro), he says that the turbo was recently reconditioned (costing NZ$2500).

I took it for a drive, when it was first started it didn't run very well, it stalled a few times. On the way back from the test-drive it stalled again at the lights. When coasting/decelerating - say at 100km/h with foot off the gas, in 3rd gear, there was the occasional exhaust "pop" noise (not a burble or rumble)....

Also... an orange light would come on when I was flooring it in each gear at about 4000 - 5000rpm - is this the overboost light???

MY QUESTION:

I don't know anything about Lancias, I know what Italian cars are like though (I used to drive a Fiat)... WHAT THINGS should I look out for with this car - what things should I look for, like rust, engine problems, etc.... before I buy it?

I may keep it (in a garage) when I go back to the UK, or I may try to get rid of it in the auctions.

Please help! I would appreciate a quick reply because I will probably be buying it in the next few days. The car was AWESOME to drive!

regards

Ashley Dando
smashingly@hotmail.com