http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/4826910875.html

Just found this today. Looks like it could be a good deal.

 

Agree, a good deal... If those wheels are OEM C2 turbo wheels in good condition, those alone are worth the asking price.

 

I spoke to the seller. I am to get in touch with him in the morning and may move on the car. He is a mechanic and says the car was abandoned at his shop and he filed to get the paperwork to acquire ownership. He says the car runs fine when it is cold and shuts off after five minutes, but can be restarted and driven again. He said that issue is from the injectors being bad? Does that sound right?

He also said he did the water pump and timing bely but put in the "cheapest one he could find from Rockauto." Is that really bad?

I am hoping to fly down this weekend and have him install new injectors that he says he can do in an hour or so, Does this sound reasonable?
he's also not sure the odometer is working and the cars a ding or two. He says he'll get pictures to me in the morning.

 

Yes it is. Have the VIN and AutoCheck report and waiting for more pictures. But, there is no title and it will take six weeks for TN to approve another title.

 

The starting and shutting down after 5 minutes could be thrust bearing failure. Need to have you eyes wide open on this car.

 

Ooo!, ..that's a big deal. Hmm? any other quicker way to determine if it is TB failure other than removing the oil pan and looking?

 

Oil can tell you that. No need to pull the pan. He's a mechanic, maybe he will put on the lift and check the crankshaft end play.

 

Use a dial indicator to take a measurement of the axial movement of the crankshaft. Tolerance when new is 0.06mm - 0.192mm (0.002" - 0.0075") with a max tolerance of 0.40mm (0.0157"). Wear beyond the max tolerance doesn't necessarily mean the crank has worn through the thrust bearing into the block but correcting the over-tolerance will require separating the crankcase and girdle to install new bearings.

Mike

 

Someone should buy it and restore that thing.. If I wouldn't feel so horrible about it I would buy it and part it out.

 

Nope not reasonable at all.....the guy is either an idiot or deliberately misleading you...you can choose one or the other but BOTH are bad !! You say he "filed" for ownership paperwork BUT does he have it ?? And is was it a clear title ?? Plus if he does not KNOW if the odometer works he has NEVER DRIVEN IT !!! Think about that one for a while Also check on past due registration fees which in some states get ridiculous really quickly.

 

This is just like any other purchase, where a real PPI is a requirement. The title issue is noise. Purchase is contingent on a clear title issued, period. The mechanicals and cosmetics, pretty easy once you are able to drive the car.

"Injectors being bad" alone will not let the car start and run for five mins before shutting down. TBF is typically a crank lock-up after it heats up, but doesn't usually allow immediate restart. I'd make sure there's gas in it, replace the critical relays (fuel pump for sure...) and see what happens.

Money to escrow until the title is issued. You'll need some registration history to check on Jim's past fee liabilities if your state does that. Cali is religious about collecting back fees from the new owner. Don't know from here if that applies, but go in with your eyes open for sure.

 

quick check for the thrust bearing failure is to pull the dipstick,
drip the oil onto black cardboard ,
then look at the oil in the sun ,
if its full of metal then the thrust bearing or other bearing has failed

 

Thanks folks for the info. I will proceed with caution. I started another thread asking for any recommendations for a PPI in the Memphis area.

 

Owner posted video of car on google drive. Poor thing has not been treated well. Needs a full respray, oil all over the bottom of the engine, needs oil pan and valve cover gaskets at a minimum. No front lower spoiler. Signs of front end damage underneath. Engine sounds ok, but the motor mounts need replacing. CV boots need replacing. Hood is held up with use of vice grips. Door card has been removed. Dash is cracked, assume the same for the pod. The sunroof cover looks like it has a lot of wear. I am always suspicious of 27 year old cars with low mileage especially when the outward appearance suggests otherwise. This was a Texas car that was never titled in any other state. Last known mileage was either 60,981 when it failed emission in Dallas or 90,983 when it passed. Both in in May of 2004.

 

yeah, He sent me the video. Looks a little scary. I think I will stay away.