RyushiBlade on 9/1/2008 at 04:27
The problem: My friend is willing to sell me his car for $500. This seems a good deal for a car that runs. But the car, a '94 Grand Prix, has some issues with it.
The point of biggest concern is the oil leak. Because of the placement of the leak, it'll cost $800 to fix. So he says. But he says it isn't in any danger of catching fire or anything, I just need to add more oil fairly frequently. ... So he says. I told him I'd just attach a pan to the underside and pour the oil back in. He said that was 'an awesome idea, man!'
The shocks aren't great, the breaks recently went out (but he says he's getting them fixed before he sells me the car), the hood randomly opens (I'll fix that myself though, no biggie), and the trunk fills with water whenever it rains (I'll probably just drill a hole in the bottom of the trunk or something so it drains out, though I'll need something to combat rust).
It's done 180,000 miles and he originally bought it a few months ago for $1200 as a temporary car.
All right, car guys. Assuming there isn't anything else wrong with this obviously POS car, is it worth buying just to get around campus and to and from work over the summer?
Oh, and it goes 0 to 60 pretty damn fast. Deceptively so.
Mingan on 9/1/2008 at 04:35
Where's the leak? Also, dust and all sort of crap will get in the pan. Bad idea to put it back. And the hood opens itself? Dangerous shit, that. Deathtrap, me thinks.
Scots Taffer on 9/1/2008 at 04:47
This post belongs in the Mechanics & Gearheads sub-forum please.
oh wait
aguywhoplaysthief on 9/1/2008 at 05:21
I sold a mid eighties Mazda 626 with fewer miles than that thing for $400, and it was a fabulous car.
I gaurantee you that you can find a more reliable car for under $500, unless you live in some expensive place like California.
That being said, if you're serious about buying this heap, you should pay a .5 to 1 hours worth of labor and have a mechanic give it a look over.
RyushiBlade on 9/1/2008 at 05:45
I'll pester one of the admins about creating such a sub-forum :thumb:
Er. I forgot where the leak was to be honest. The main... seal? Or something? I'm a very forgetful person. But I guess putting dusty oil back in probably isn't good. Thanks for letting me know.
I may just be making excuses for myself, but my friend did a lot of engine work and that, I think, justifies the price. Oil is cheap anyway--I can just buy a few bottles and keep it in my car.
I may check out the classifieds, but at least I know exactly what I'm buying from my friend.
Starrfall on 9/1/2008 at 06:52
Make sure the CV joints are ok before you buy it.
Printer's Devil on 9/1/2008 at 07:24
Walk away. Fast or slow, it doesn't matter, especially if you aren't mechanically inclined (this also means having the proper tools and space to work on the thing) and there's no service history. Go find a Tercel instead.
Trappin on 9/1/2008 at 07:37
Rear main bearing seal - may just leak for years and never completely fail.. Try (
http://www.barsproducts.com/1050.htm) Bar's Leaks. Also - from now on use only non-detergent motor oil... in fact immediately change the oil to non-detergent and make sure to add a quart of bars leaks .. that stuff can actually work.
Trunk leaks? Drilling a hole in the trunk will not work. check the weather strip on the trunk lid and car body. (
http://www.jcwhitney.com/Trunk-and-Tailgate-Weatherstripping/600003823.jcw) JC Whitney. Cheap fix is ordinary sticky-back household door and window weather strip or 20 year clear silicone window caulking.. buy it at home depot.
Rust? Klean-Strip makes a (
http://www.wmbarr.com/Images/ProductImages/erc22%20with%20b%20n%20a.jpg) rust converter that turns rust into black non-rusty stuff - use a wire brush to remove the loose rust and apply the liquid converter with a cheap 1" paint brush. This stuff works GREAT. $5 bucks a bottle at Walmart.
Hood popping up? Must get that fixed before driving the car.
One word of advice. If you buy that car never ever complain to your friend about repair costs or what a piece of shit it is. If he asks just say its running great:p
RyushiBlade on 9/1/2008 at 08:27
Quote:
... especially if you aren't mechanically inclined (this also means having the proper tools and space to work on the thing) and there's no service history.
Not to sound too childish, but my father knows his way around cars (he's built a couple). We have the tools and space in the garage, short of removing the engine. Of course, as a computer guy I've never been interested in learning the ways of cars from him, but now I realize it's probably an important life skill.
Jason Moyer on 9/1/2008 at 09:23
I wouldn't spend $500 on a car that needs a few grand put into it and sounds like it's at the end of its useful lifespan. If you take the repair money you're going to inevitably need in the near future and use it towards something better you could probably find something with very little wrong with it in the $2-3k range. Surely you could find an Accord or something with around 100k miles on it for that. Even in mint condition a 94 Grand Prix is worth maybe $1600.
