So I've recently come across what looks like a hell of a deal on an 86 NA. Belts and pullys in the last 2000 miles, odometer just over 100,000, guards red, PS delete, Fuch wheels. The owner claims that the "rotory button" went out, which caused the ECU to crap out. Now forgive me, but my knowledge of internal engine components is quite limited. Is this a possible great deal or is the owner trying to screw me over?

He wants $1200 for it, willing to negotiate.

Thanks!

 

...what the hell is a rotary button... i've never heard of such a part.

distributor rotor?

does he have receipt for belt and pulley and water pump service? even then, you know you're getting into a helluva money pit buying an car that's NOT running....there could be who knows what in terms of things to fix.

 

You have to buy it assuming it might have to be parted out and only the things you see and verify for yourself are worth anything. The clutch might be bad, the timing belt, trans... if indeed it was just an ECU which could be replaced for $100 the seller would replace it and double the asking price.

Generally a car like that, you end up putting $3k into and have a $2500 car when you are done. There are exceptions and great deals to be had though. Maybe this is one.

So it's a gamble. If you can break even if it does need a trans, clutch and a motor then maybe you buy it. Then if it only needs a couple things, maybe you can get it running and up to date on maintenance for $1000 and then you might have a good car on your hands. Otherwise you part it out and lesson learned.

-Joel.

 

The seller is desperate to sell, which is why the price is so low. He even offered to put the ECU in if I provided the part. Forgot to mention, the muffler needs to be installed as well. The car previously had an aftermarket exhaust that was sold separately so the original needs to be put back on. Is it even worth a PPI on such a cheap buy? I was hoping to DD the car if it turned out to be in good shape.

 

A rotory button? If it is a distributor cap, I'm pretty sure a cracked or carbon tracked cap won't cause a Motronic failure.

 

I wouldn't pay more than $500 for a non-running N/A...you never know what else is wrong and you just can't trust people nowadays so I doubt it's just the ECU.

 

Well I paid 1k for a Non running 84, But it has LSD, a mint Black interior and script Sport seats and Sport suspension, so....

 

It sounds like the guy really doesn't know what's wrong with it, between the "rotory button" and that failing the ECU. Maybe it just needs a new cap and rotor, maybe the coil died from firing across a huge gap, who knows. For $1200 you can undoubtedly break even on parting it, if the interior is good.

 

There is no such thing as a rotary button, so either the seller doesn't know why it won't run, or he doesn't want you to know. If he could get it running for a couple hundred bucks, he would.

 

By rotary button, does he mean the fuel quality switch?

 

I gots to know.....

 

I feel that if someone needs a PPI for a car like this they should walk away and go lease a Rabbit. Getting an experienced pair of eyes to look it over with you is not a bad idea, people spot different things, but towing it in to have a pro tell you it has a leaking seal or two and worn brakes... that's all stuff you should be capable of yourself before considering this purchase.

A car like this will likely not be a reliable DD for a few months and some good money spent to get all the important stuff fixed and properly maintained. If the owner is down and out it's probably been driven into the ground. If you can bike and bus while you fix it up maybe it'll be a good DD someday.

-Joel.

 

Rotory button?

Nope...probably muffler bearings are shot.

 

Could be the blinker fuid too

In all seriousness is this the red one in Columbus.

Its been on CL for a while. The thing thats wrong with it keeps changing. Last month it was the Coil.

I might go check it out. Could be just a speed sensor. Might be worth it for 800 $

 

If he means rotor button, then thats an easy fix. If the rotor button isnt spinning, then the timing belt is gone. But, with fuchs, you could very easily break even parting it, but to do DD duty would need a head replacment, belts, and rollers. Cost about 600$ if your doing it yourself. (If the timing belt is in fact blown)