MacG

1990 RS:
132K original miles
2nd owner - first owner had for 2 mos then turned back in at the dealership cuz it was too much car for her teenage son
automatic transmission
T-tops
5 liter engine
fuel injection
electric locks and windows
air conditioning
cruise control
drove maybe 200 miles in past 2 years
new tires last year (Michelins)
new battery
Mileage when a younger car (have not checked in years) was 27 mpg highway
light blue metallic color


What are the standard things to worry about on these cars. Like the tranny's tens to go out around ?k miles, t-tops leak, 5l engine needs a lot of repairs, impossible to smog in California etc.

How many cats on this model?

I currently work on my 89 Toyota truck and 92 Saturn (Had a 58 Apache for a while and my first car was a 65 Biscayne w a 230 whooo hoo!). So I can get around most things mechanical.


Thanks for your input,

MacG

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Nothing unusual to worry about. Having limited usage lately, rotting gas would be the worst possibility. That could take out the in-tank electric fuel pump.

If it's had reasonable maintenance, it should pretty much perform as it did new.

If the spousal unit likes it, sounds like a good buy.

Ward

iTrader: (1)

If I were buying it, the transmission would be my biggest concern. If it's never been replaced, I wouldn't expect it to last a whole lot longer with 132K on it. Drive it and see if it shifts well, especially when it's warmed up. Also, make sure the torque converter locks up in 4th. However, the 700R4 is a very common transmission, and doesn't cost a fortune to get rebuilt, at least compared to some others. Also, 27mpg seems like it might be a little high, but I guess it's possible if it's got the 2.73 gears. It probably has 1 cat, since dual cats was a performance option, but if it's a california car it might have 2.

Leaking t-tops is fairly common, but can be fixed with new weatherstripping. Also, with that mileage, I wouldn't be surprised if the shocks/struts could use replacement, and maybe bushings, swaybar endlinks, things like that.

These cars are simple and straightforward to work on. Maintenance parts like engine accessories, brakes, etc, are easy to come by, and pretty cheap compared to some other stuff.

Other than that, I'd check all the normal stuff. Does it look like it's ever been wrecked? Any signs of half-assed repairs anywhere? Does the check engine light come on?

MacG

Thanks for your replies. We are going to look at it tomorrow after the rain.

MacG

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Where in cali are you? I wouldn't even worry too much about the tranny. I have seen them hit 200k before... key word seen though, because mine went out at 82,XXX.

MacG

Thanks fo rthe input.

I'm at the other end of the Golden Gate Bridge.