im looking to get a cheap-o DD locally and i found one that i may be looking at tomorrow. its a 92 sunbird drop top. i searched this forum for sunbird and convertible but didnt come up with too much. are there any particular problems i should look out for when i take it for a spin? ive heard to check for rust in the trunk, rockers, and bottom of the strut tower. what else can you guys tell me?
also, what do you think a fair price is for it? i checked KBB and depending on the engine/tranny/etc its upwards of $1500 in excellent condition. the lady i talked to on the phone today wasnt sure of much beyond it was a white vert with 130k and a "new motor". was the 2.0 or 3.1 more common on the verts? and if its a 2.0, was the turbo option available this year?
any help would be great guys. im bumming rides to school right now so it really sucks. i really need to get a car soon and i would like this to be it.
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I have got a 92 with a 2.0 non turbo. Idont think they made a turbo that year but they did have a 3.1 v6 though. I have noticed with mine there is rust on the rear quarters and the doors are getting bad. weather stripping can be hard to find and also I find alot of them that the top does not go up and down.
I have a '90, which was the last year for the turbo model. The biggest thing I have noticed is to look for leaks around the back window into the trunk. Also the doors will sag and may need new pins.
ripped top is obvious... i can tell you most anything about the 2.0... ask about the timing belt... if it hasnt gone... it might go soon... A valve in the tranny could be stuck, causing a delayed shift if its an auto... the dash pad is probably coming off just above the radio... for 130k i wouldnt pay more than 1000... i bought mine @ 99k miles for 1000 even....
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ripped top is obvious... i can tell you most anything about the 2.0... ask about the timing belt... if it hasnt gone... it might go soon... A valve in the tranny could be stuck, causing a delayed shift if its an auto... the dash pad is probably coming off just above the radio... for 130k i wouldnt pay more than 1000... i bought mine @ 99k miles for 1000 even....
Surprised you left out the Thermostat spout/spout gasket, they're prone to goin as well. Also if its a 2.0L dont expect much kick...they got no balls to em they're called super chickens for a reason. They rust like crazy (tho mine hasn't) but mine was pretty reliable a lot of stupid stuff went with it...flasher, hood cable, dome light. Cooling system was another story...Rad went the first winter, Thermostat spout gasket the second, and finally the head gasket this winter...mine runs like crap when it is cold from what I understand thats how they are...mine is a 94 2.0L BTW.
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Ask about the head gasket. Every 2.0 I've had, seen, or heard about has gone through at least one. On mine the cylinder head actually cracked as well. These are really hot blooded cars, especially for no more power than they have.
"The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire."
