'97 SSEi (40th, too I think!) **UPDATE**
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And for plugs and wires, to keep it simple with good stuff:
Plugs:
AC Delco (which are usually made by NGK anyways)
NGK TR55
Autolite
Wires:
Autolite Professional
AC Delco
Napa Belden
Lets see how you can deduct some money from this.
With that mileage, its safe to assume...in most cases, alot of things have been forgotten. Remember to check and/or change: (this can also work with you as far as lowering the price for neglect)
Air Filter Replace with Purolator PureONE(if this is old and crummy, its pretty safe to assume that nothing else besides the oil has been replaced)
PCV Valve Brand doesn't really matter, but I personally prefer Purolator quality over FRAM anything
Fuel Filter Every 20k for optimum performance (quite important if it hasn't been done)
Oxygen Sensor AC Delco preferred, otherwise Denso
Clean maf sensor I believe the instructions are in techinfo
Ask what the last date that the transmission fluid and filter was changed very important, be sure to CHECK the fluid when you check the car, check color, smell and level
Ask for any available service records not always all that important, but it helps to know whats been replaced so that you're not unnecessarily replacing things
Also check ALL fluids:
Brake is it clean? is it full?
PS often forgotten, listen for whining PS pump when driving as well
Coolant overflow up to normal levels? Bone dry? How about the radiator? Dex sludge? Deduct big time for a neglected cooling system.
Also, if this thing has been running Dex for all those miles, changing the LIM gaskets is probably past due, you might want to mention that. Scare this guy with knowledge. Knowledge is power. Changing LIM gaskets is not expensive, nor hard, but he doesn't need to know that.
One more thing that you might want to check. The CAT. Now this is not for sure, because it always varies, but at that mileage, its going to be the case, more likely than not. If the oxygen sensor has never been changed, there is a good chance that, if thats caused the car to run rich (which is exactly what a bad/old o2 does), it will basically use the cat'* life up faster than normal. Since cats generally need replacing around that time as it is...check for power...check the appearance of the cat....as well as the whole exhaust and under body while you're down there.
I'm sure you can get him down to $3000 easy if you start naming stuff thats wrong with it.
Plugs:
AC Delco (which are usually made by NGK anyways)
NGK TR55
Autolite
Wires:
Autolite Professional
AC Delco
Napa Belden
Lets see how you can deduct some money from this.
With that mileage, its safe to assume...in most cases, alot of things have been forgotten. Remember to check and/or change: (this can also work with you as far as lowering the price for neglect)
Air Filter Replace with Purolator PureONE(if this is old and crummy, its pretty safe to assume that nothing else besides the oil has been replaced)
PCV Valve Brand doesn't really matter, but I personally prefer Purolator quality over FRAM anything
Fuel Filter Every 20k for optimum performance (quite important if it hasn't been done)
Oxygen Sensor AC Delco preferred, otherwise Denso
Clean maf sensor I believe the instructions are in techinfo
Ask what the last date that the transmission fluid and filter was changed very important, be sure to CHECK the fluid when you check the car, check color, smell and level
Ask for any available service records not always all that important, but it helps to know whats been replaced so that you're not unnecessarily replacing things
Also check ALL fluids:
Brake is it clean? is it full?
PS often forgotten, listen for whining PS pump when driving as well
Coolant overflow up to normal levels? Bone dry? How about the radiator? Dex sludge? Deduct big time for a neglected cooling system.
Also, if this thing has been running Dex for all those miles, changing the LIM gaskets is probably past due, you might want to mention that. Scare this guy with knowledge. Knowledge is power. Changing LIM gaskets is not expensive, nor hard, but he doesn't need to know that.
One more thing that you might want to check. The CAT. Now this is not for sure, because it always varies, but at that mileage, its going to be the case, more likely than not. If the oxygen sensor has never been changed, there is a good chance that, if thats caused the car to run rich (which is exactly what a bad/old o2 does), it will basically use the cat'* life up faster than normal. Since cats generally need replacing around that time as it is...check for power...check the appearance of the cat....as well as the whole exhaust and under body while you're down there.
I'm sure you can get him down to $3000 easy if you start naming stuff thats wrong with it.
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Thanks.. I don't know if I want to run him down too far, because he doesn't NEED to sell it, but he'* willing to, seeing as how I need a better one. I'll check to see if it'* been using Dex or not, I have no clue how to check the PCV (I don't really want to start taking his car apart just to see if I want it). Only thing I'll do to the CAT is hit it with a stick or something, and see if it'* rattling. I plan to get a new cat and do a full tuneup after I get the car, and I just might get a K&N drop in. I'm not planning on getting a CAI or FWI until I get a scan tool out and check for open loops and KR.
But yeah, as for getting it down to $3000, it probably won't happen unless there'* some serious problems that need attention, and even then I might not buy it, unless of course, it IS a 40th SSEi
But yeah, as for getting it down to $3000, it probably won't happen unless there'* some serious problems that need attention, and even then I might not buy it, unless of course, it IS a 40th SSEi
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From: My reclining computer chair
Originally Posted by <tS>Ace*Of*Spades
Should I get the change kit or just the coupler?
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Okay, I verified that it'* a 40th SSEi, and it'* definitely not worth $3500. It had a minor fuel leak, minimal coolant (DexCool, at that) in the reservoir and there were a couple sludge rings around the reservoir. He said he never asked the GM dealer to flush the coolant, so if I buy it that'* first after the fuel leak.
A few other minor problems here and there, and with a FULL tuneup (just to be sure), I plan on trying to run him down to around $2700, that way it would actually be worth my time to work on it. $2700 is assuming I will have to change the brakes, fuel leak, coolant and trans flush, full tuneup, replace a LIM gasket (DexCool that hasn't been flushed in a while), Alignment, 180* Thermostat, Supercharger coupler & oil change.
Basically, I told him that it runs and drives very well, and that in terms of the mileage (almost 165,000) that I would estimate how much it'* going to run me to fix it up and I'd deduct that from the $3500 and offer him.
Exterior is in great condition, didn't check under the car, because I would have been run over by idiot drivers. It basically had every option available.
Who else thinks that around $2700 is a good compromise, assuming LIM gasket change within 3-5 months and other necessary maintenance items? I'm trying to tell my mom that buying it for around $2700 and fixing it up personally is definitely better than paying $3500 assuming he got the things fixed, or even worse yet, $3500 and doing all of the above.
A few other minor problems here and there, and with a FULL tuneup (just to be sure), I plan on trying to run him down to around $2700, that way it would actually be worth my time to work on it. $2700 is assuming I will have to change the brakes, fuel leak, coolant and trans flush, full tuneup, replace a LIM gasket (DexCool that hasn't been flushed in a while), Alignment, 180* Thermostat, Supercharger coupler & oil change.
Basically, I told him that it runs and drives very well, and that in terms of the mileage (almost 165,000) that I would estimate how much it'* going to run me to fix it up and I'd deduct that from the $3500 and offer him.
Exterior is in great condition, didn't check under the car, because I would have been run over by idiot drivers. It basically had every option available.
Who else thinks that around $2700 is a good compromise, assuming LIM gasket change within 3-5 months and other necessary maintenance items? I'm trying to tell my mom that buying it for around $2700 and fixing it up personally is definitely better than paying $3500 assuming he got the things fixed, or even worse yet, $3500 and doing all of the above.
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He wouldn't go any lower than $3000 for it, which I am satisfied with, considering he'* going to drive it up title in hand to me to purchase next week. My mom thinks I can do better than this car for $3000 for some reason, but I told her I'm sticking with a 3800, because I've got a resource for information (you guys) and I already know so much about the engine. All the other cars in town that have 3800s are either out for my price range, or not worth the money.
At any rate, There should be another 40th SSEi in the club sometime next week, and my '92 will be up for sale. I'll make a topic here in case someone wants to keep it in the club, but I'll be honest: Appearance needs some work, because I haven't had enough money to get it fixed, mainly because I saw it as a luxury.
Also, he got the fuel leak fixed.
At any rate, There should be another 40th SSEi in the club sometime next week, and my '92 will be up for sale. I'll make a topic here in case someone wants to keep it in the club, but I'll be honest: Appearance needs some work, because I haven't had enough money to get it fixed, mainly because I saw it as a luxury.
Also, he got the fuel leak fixed.
