test drove an '85 8-valve
03-08-2007, 10:00 AM
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test drove an '86 8-valve
I have been interested in these cars for a few years and finally got interested enough to think about buying one. Last night I test drive one I found on Craigslist.
It is an 86 2.3 4-speed, lowered with skirts, air dam, and spoiler. Everything was manual from door locks, to seats, and sun roof. Looked and drove really nice! Interior was excellent except for badly cracked dash. Owner thought it was a European gray market car.
I have a few concerns though, please give me some feedback so I dont make a mistake here.
1st off, the seats suck! They feel like a piece of cardboard suspended by a really weak spring. You sit on it and it bottoms out hard and dumps you off the front. My Chevy Sprint turbo has much more supportive and comfortable seats! Were they perhaps improved in later years or are they all this crappy?
My 2nd issue was the A/C. It leaks and needs to be charged every year. I suppose that is no suprise for a 20+ year old car.
Next was the coolant leak. I didnt get a chance to see where it was coming from, but that would be just what I need right before summer gets to Phoenix.
On light throttle there is a hesitation that sometimes carries over to trying to start. Seems to be like it is probably an issue with the mechanical fuel injection based on what my searches here turn up.
The car only has just over 60k miles, I dont know if I should be worried about that or excited about it!
The asking price is $4k. Looking on kbb.com it seems this is high. An 87 (they only go back 20 years) should be under $3k even with this low of miles.
I would love to hear any comments, does this seem like a good or bad deal?
thanks
It is an 86 2.3 4-speed, lowered with skirts, air dam, and spoiler. Everything was manual from door locks, to seats, and sun roof. Looked and drove really nice! Interior was excellent except for badly cracked dash. Owner thought it was a European gray market car.
I have a few concerns though, please give me some feedback so I dont make a mistake here.
1st off, the seats suck! They feel like a piece of cardboard suspended by a really weak spring. You sit on it and it bottoms out hard and dumps you off the front. My Chevy Sprint turbo has much more supportive and comfortable seats! Were they perhaps improved in later years or are they all this crappy?
My 2nd issue was the A/C. It leaks and needs to be charged every year. I suppose that is no suprise for a 20+ year old car.
Next was the coolant leak. I didnt get a chance to see where it was coming from, but that would be just what I need right before summer gets to Phoenix.
On light throttle there is a hesitation that sometimes carries over to trying to start. Seems to be like it is probably an issue with the mechanical fuel injection based on what my searches here turn up.
The car only has just over 60k miles, I dont know if I should be worried about that or excited about it!
The asking price is $4k. Looking on kbb.com it seems this is high. An 87 (they only go back 20 years) should be under $3k even with this low of miles.
I would love to hear any comments, does this seem like a good or bad deal?
thanks
Last edited by tom93r1; 03-08-2007 at 11:56 AM.
03-08-2007, 08:22 PM
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I used to have an '86 2.3 liter too. She finally got towed away with about 250K miles on the clock. My seats weren't nearly as lousy as the one you test drove. Perhaps there's more wear and tear than the mileage would indicate?
03-08-2007, 10:01 PM
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I guess it could have been a replaced odometer or rolled back but the interior looked almost new. The more I think about this car the more I think I should probably pass on it. It will probably end up being a huge project to get it into shape
03-08-2007, 11:02 PM
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1993 190E 2.6
for 4 k you can do alot more in the older MB area. Get a nice 190e 2.6. the 2.3 I hear are really slow off the line. The 2.6 is alittle better.
You can get them in good condition. I have one with 187k on it, and it runs great. needs cap and rotor, but thats regualr maintnece. Im getting ir enxt week. both pieces for 75 new.
A once a year ac leak isnt horrible, if its really a one a year thing, it might become a once a month thing, the coolant leaking could be a water pump, could be a hose. if the seats are that crappy.. look it up on ebay for how much it would eb to replace them and factor that into the price fo the car.
Or, look into a new MB like early 90's and find one in good condition thats actually worth 4k. A nice 190 you can get for around 3-4. look for one of those.you'll be happy.
You can get them in good condition. I have one with 187k on it, and it runs great. needs cap and rotor, but thats regualr maintnece. Im getting ir enxt week. both pieces for 75 new.
A once a year ac leak isnt horrible, if its really a one a year thing, it might become a once a month thing, the coolant leaking could be a water pump, could be a hose. if the seats are that crappy.. look it up on ebay for how much it would eb to replace them and factor that into the price fo the car.
Or, look into a new MB like early 90's and find one in good condition thats actually worth 4k. A nice 190 you can get for around 3-4. look for one of those.you'll be happy.
03-20-2007, 01:28 AM
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'07 Toyota Tacoma, '89 LS190, '07 Kawasaki Ultra 250X
If you are in phoenix, go down to thomas and scottsdale, place called german car service.
Kenny has a clean white '92 he would probably let go for $2200-2500
You can find 91-93's for these prices all the time. Dont settle for older than 91 IMO, unless its a 16v.
