May have found a HECK of a deal!
06-07-2008, 05:23 PM
#1
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May have found a HECK of a deal!
Driving around, and see this car. 1983 SC. Guy says it has some engine problems (smokes some), but was rebuilt once before. It fired right up, a little puff of smoke, then it blew clean.
The Good: Looks very solid, clean Fuchs, newer tires, extensive repair records. Guy is a lawyer, and kept all his receipts.
The Bad: Clutch was SUPER sensitive...not sure if this is an SC thing, but you barely move the clutch pedal and it grabs!! MUCH different than my Cab! MUCH Different. Tried to go down the road, and it seemed to run good, then gave it some gas...and it did the herky jerky tire squeal thing like a 15 year old trying to drive a stick for the first time. Would want to die. Would die. Take a little bit to restart. Would start, but not stay running.....It HAS been sitting for at least a year he said. SO, it probably has bad gas, and could use an oil change, etc.
AC not working, and controls all taken apart like he was trying to mess with it. Seats have rips, has been sitting outside for a long time. But....he asking 5000!!!
Anything about these early cars to look for?? I dont even necessarily care if it smokes a little (it's old), if I can just get it to run right. What does the gang think??
The Good: Looks very solid, clean Fuchs, newer tires, extensive repair records. Guy is a lawyer, and kept all his receipts.
The Bad: Clutch was SUPER sensitive...not sure if this is an SC thing, but you barely move the clutch pedal and it grabs!! MUCH different than my Cab! MUCH Different. Tried to go down the road, and it seemed to run good, then gave it some gas...and it did the herky jerky tire squeal thing like a 15 year old trying to drive a stick for the first time. Would want to die. Would die. Take a little bit to restart. Would start, but not stay running.....It HAS been sitting for at least a year he said. SO, it probably has bad gas, and could use an oil change, etc.
AC not working, and controls all taken apart like he was trying to mess with it. Seats have rips, has been sitting outside for a long time. But....he asking 5000!!!
Anything about these early cars to look for?? I dont even necessarily care if it smokes a little (it's old), if I can just get it to run right. What does the gang think??
Last edited by CubSmurf; 07-08-2008 at 01:47 PM.
06-07-2008, 05:43 PM
#2
Drifting
It smokes, it's hesitant, it doesn't run right, it's been sitting for a year? This doesn't sound like a good deal at all. How much of a good deal are we talking about?
06-07-2008, 05:52 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
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I bet 50 dollars his DME/ECU is acting up.....or his distributor is slightly loose. My car would drive jerky and I killed myself trying to figure out what was wrong with it, turned out half the distributor cap was loose so it was sparking all funky.
06-07-2008, 06:05 PM
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Run a carfax at www.carfax.com. If the miles seem to match the car then I would have a pre-buy inspection done. Run a refrig magnet over the body and see if it sticks every where or falls off (bondo). It may have to old rubber center clutch and need a new disc. If you can do the work it is not that much.
I didnt catch the total miles?? Did he have paper for the eng work that was done??
I didnt catch the total miles?? Did he have paper for the eng work that was done??
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06-07-2008, 07:33 PM
#8
Team Owner
06-07-2008, 07:34 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
(no offense Oshin)
06-07-2008, 07:41 PM
#10
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Not sure what you've been driving, and to what extent some of that car's behavior is "SC-typic" by comparison.
Unfortunately, this SC is my first P-car, so it's hard for me to make comparative statements with much to back them up, but my clutch is jumpy -- way more than the 944s I've driven, though I think the same as the other SC's I drove before buying this one.
So you did the adolescent Clutch Pop Shuffle, hey?!
Hate to risk saying something that's completely obvious, but I'll risk it -- these cars are supposed to blow an initial puff of smoke when they first start up. Especially if they've been sitting a few days. At least, mine does :-/
Uncle Pete's book says drive for a block in second, at 4000 rpm, then take your foot off the gas and look behind you -- if you get oil smoke then, that will tell you there's a problem.
Maybe there's a problem...maybe the guy doesn't know these cars are supposed to do this. Any chance? $5k is cheap, but not if you need $8k to fix it up. That puts you in striking distance of an already solid car.
Unfortunately, this SC is my first P-car, so it's hard for me to make comparative statements with much to back them up, but my clutch is jumpy -- way more than the 944s I've driven, though I think the same as the other SC's I drove before buying this one.
So you did the adolescent Clutch Pop Shuffle, hey?!
Hate to risk saying something that's completely obvious, but I'll risk it -- these cars are supposed to blow an initial puff of smoke when they first start up. Especially if they've been sitting a few days. At least, mine does :-/
Uncle Pete's book says drive for a block in second, at 4000 rpm, then take your foot off the gas and look behind you -- if you get oil smoke then, that will tell you there's a problem.
Maybe there's a problem...maybe the guy doesn't know these cars are supposed to do this. Any chance? $5k is cheap, but not if you need $8k to fix it up. That puts you in striking distance of an already solid car.
06-07-2008, 08:16 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
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Not sure what you've been driving, and to what extent some of that car's behavior is "SC-typic" by comparison.
Unfortunately, this SC is my first P-car, so it's hard for me to make comparative statements with much to back them up, but my clutch is jumpy -- way more than the 944s I've driven, though I think the same as the other SC's I drove before buying this one.
Unfortunately, this SC is my first P-car, so it's hard for me to make comparative statements with much to back them up, but my clutch is jumpy -- way more than the 944s I've driven, though I think the same as the other SC's I drove before buying this one.
As far as this car being a deal....Get a PPI.....if the owner says the car has sat for 1 year, then he prolly means it has sat for 2 years. cars dont sit for no reason.
06-08-2008, 12:17 AM
#12
Burning Brakes
For 5k I'll take it for used parts for my SC....come guys its 5K!!!!! If its not a rust bucket I say go for it as long as you know its a project car.
abe
abe
Last edited by abe; 06-08-2008 at 12:48 PM.
06-08-2008, 01:41 AM
#15
Drifting
From 'Don Gilbert' on pelican:
"my brother mike just bought the 5000.oo 83 sc that was on craigs list, super clean all orginal, never painted everything works. it didnt come with a tail and he wants one. anybody have a spare they want to sell?"
Hopefully it works out for him and he has fun. Best wishes.
"my brother mike just bought the 5000.oo 83 sc that was on craigs list, super clean all orginal, never painted everything works. it didnt come with a tail and he wants one. anybody have a spare they want to sell?"
Hopefully it works out for him and he has fun. Best wishes.