1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Well, if you are looking at a 91-93, you have avoided a lot of problems already. The electrical, brakes, and suspension were at their best by then. When I look at a car, I look for the following:
-Smooth, quiet drive with no obvious problems
-Frame rot - around the control arm mounts, knock under the floorboards to see if it gives at all, and a big indicator is if the jack mounts and the trunk floor are in tact.
-Leaks on the ground where it has been sitting. If the transmission leaks, it's a red flag. If the steering fluid is low or leaking, it's a red flag. Head gasket leaking is a red flag.
-Look for obvious modifications. The more the POs have been through the car and modified things, the more you will have to fix most likely. I've found some pretty weird stuff.
-Drive it alone.
-While test driving, check for constant boost (no jumping), let go of the wheel and see if it drives straight, maybe let it sit idle a while and see if the fans come on. Make sure gauges are correct. Park on a slight hill facing down and test out reverse to see if it pops out. While hitting the turbo, check for shaking on accelleration
-Check the exhaust at startup to see if there is white smoke, smell it to see if it is burning oil, coolant, or running rich
-Check your convertible top for holes, but more importantly working motor and pistons.
-Ask for records or a list of things the PO did for repairs. if they obviously worked on it and tell you "I don't remember" - red flag.
Those are the main things. I've never found one that's perfect. There have always been at least a couple of areas of failure. But those are important for negotiation. The more you find, the lower the price. I usually plan to go through everything anyway and replace a lot of stuff, especially the small stuff. But the big things can be deal breakers - especially rot and deep engine work.
Good luck!
posted by 65.100.19...
, Wed, 4 Apr 2012 10:58:31
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