C70 buying
 

What are the points to look out for on C70 hardtop.Had 144 240 760 850 and 960 but never convertible

They are pretty sorted. '08MY onwards squashes a few bugs, you can tell these from the revised centre console.

Avoid the four pot Ford diesel engine with it's rubbish wet DPF and even more rubbish dual clutch automatic gearbox and they're all really robust. Other than that it's the usual 10 year old car checks. The 2.4i is pointless as it has the same economy as the T5 but without the power and torque to make for a relaxing drive.

Any of them will be soggy as hell past 90k if they're on the original suspension. They're very heavy for the Ford Focus suspension setup intended for cars that weigh 75% of what the C70 does, and wear their dampers accordingly.

I am not sure which models have the four pot ford diesels - is it the D3?

The only Ford engine is the 2.0D. The D5 is a five pot 2.4 and the D4 and D3 are 2.0 litre 5 pots derived from the D5 but smoother and more efficient. Apparently the D3 and D4 are identical except for the software map, but I can't really confirm that.

D5 auto is a 5 speed AW gearbox, the D3 and D4 auto get a 6 speed AW gearbox. Manuals are all 6 speed and not particularly nice to use, 1st and 2nd are really low geared.

Petrols are all Volvo 5 pots - a naturally aspirated 2.4i and the 2.5 low pressure turbocharged T5. Both petrols are increasingly rare the later you go into the model run, particularly the 2.4i; I've only ever seen one facelifted 2.4i car for sale.

Both petrols had the AW 5 speed autobox right up to the end of production, the T5 is a 6 speed manual and the 2.4i was a 5 speed manual.

I found my D5 underpowered as standard - 180bhp to move 1800KG really doesn't cut it IMHO.