Derek911

I know people swear by PPI'S but I'm a believer in looking it over and driving it myself. The PPI doesn't stop things from happening the next day. I don't think people who do PPI'S are as thorough as the person buying the car... Especially if you are mechanically inclined like yourself.

rkwfxd

I tend to agree with you.

I test drove this car twice and put it up on a lift and examined it inside and out pretty thoroughly. Found a few things wrong that I demanded be fixed and a few more that I knew I'd have to take car of.

The car is 27 years old this month. I expect screws to come loose link this one did as well as other gremlins to pop up. That's one of the main reasons I bought an older car, so I would have something to fiddle with.

rkwfxd

Well I managed to turn a 3 hr job into a ten day affair. But a good portion of that was waiting for the new moister barrier to arrive. So.... while I pulled the door apart to fix the lock, I also managed to tighten up some rattling lock linkage in the door, repaint a couple of screws showing surface rust, tighten ALL the hardware in the door, install the door pocket re enforcement, replace a couple of missing washers and finally add a little more foam padding to fight against rattles. Wasn't hard at all with the info I found on RL and I learned a bit more on my own.

Next up is to pull the center console and replace the cassette holder with a bin and the Tiptronic shift gate with a leather boot.

Still waiting for a new ICV.

dgcate

Interesting thread. Our thinking is alike. It's nice having everything look right, but it is sooo much the better knowing that the car under your keister is absolutely as right and dependable as it can be made to be.

Our attitudes about PPI's are also alike. Most people can tell a car that's been taken car of from one that hasn't. But, that's another thread I guess.

Pretty car..

...oh, I'm a "stock" guy too

rkwfxd

Thank you.

ICV arrived today and I installed it and now it runs and idled perfect. Check engine light was on so I disconnected the battery for a few and that took care of that.

So far this car is proving to be just exactly what I wanted....a nice looking driver that needs a lot of small things done to get it to my standards. Something I can drive and enjoy but still needs me for more than just a wash and wax.

rkwfxd

So one of the problems with my car was that the letters and numbers on the shift gate for the Tiptronic were almost completely faded away / worn off.

Since I never look down to shift (I use the gauge display) I thought it would be fun to install a regular leather shift boot in it's place.

I appoligize for the crummy potato phone photo

rkwfxd

Let's try this one

rkwfxd

Alright then never mind.

rkwfxd

OK time for another update. I've been ordering parts here and there. After some research I picked up 21mm spacers for the rear and 5mm spacers for the front and installed today.

Here are before and after photos of the rear wheel.

rkwfxd

Also, can anyone tell me what this hole is for just behind the oil tank?

There is one on each side and it looks like something at some time in the past was bolted to both of them due to the paint wear.

Also before and after of the wheel well. Not perfect but better.

rkwfxd

OK Ill try again.

John McM

Mine has a rubber plug with F5 stamped on it.

rkwfxd

Thank you Sir. Just another couple of doodads missing from my car.

rkwfxd

Got rid of the ugly blackheads, I mean bumperettes on the front bumper and installed nice clear reflectors.

Waiting for clear turn signal lenses to arrive from New Zealand thanks to JohnMcM.

Also found a nylon plug at the local hardware store to go into the whole in the above photos.

RicardoD

I have the 1991 version of your Tip. Red over tan. Search my posts I think I have something on tiptronic fluid flush.