Advice On Purchase

[adamjakomait]

A while back I decided I wanted Fox Body and recently found all this information about the turbo swap. This idea really fueled my interest. After a little more then a month of lookin I wasn't able to find anything to worth while, most were either 1) coupes, I specifically want a hatch 2) way to expensive or 3) horrible condition (rust and dirty porno red interior).

So far the best I have coem across is a 1988 2.3L LX Hatch

215 000 km's
135 000 miles
Automatic

Problems: Brakes are very poor, tires are low on tread, minor rust, one window crank is broken, seat backs do not lock in forward tilted position, drivers seat has lean towards middle

Major Problems: The gear selector is super stiff, at high speeds the tranny (or something conencted) shakes when gas is left off, as you can see in a picture an oil leak (headgasket was suuposedly changed as well as head decked)

PRICE: 300 Canadian.
250 American

Basically Im wondering what your opinions on this car for this price are. The costs im looking at to make it the way i want are for... 5spd, 2.3T, Tires, Brakes, Front seats.

I would also appreciate an estimate on the cost to do those things (junkyard/cheap sources). Thank you for your time.

 

[Demented4.6]

id go for it as lonag as the body is in good shape and near rust free.. I bought my 91 2.3 auto for 500 bux. has rust on rear wheel wells, leaks oil, was wrecked in front, needed new front brakes, needed new master cylinder, blown headgasket, overdrive is shot, powersteering is hard, but interior was descent. ive got about 1000 into it now and i am quite happy. So i would say get it and slowly fix the broken parts till its like new again and then upgrade

 

[Carlos]

Sounds like a good buy for the money. Brakes have to be redone anyway. The tranny problem and oil leak are inconsequential since you'll be replacing the engine and tranny anyway.

As for the seat flaws, what the heck, seats are cheap anyway. DO IT!!!

Carlos

 

[stang2.3t]

I bought my convertible in similliar fashion. Really good body other then crapy Maco paint! The interior is "Pornstar red" With alternating black. I have found most of the small fixer items easy pull n save items. I too had to do the brakes as well. Now I am about a month and closing on having the turbo swap done.... Damn retail holiday work schedule.

 

[stang2.3t]

As well 5.0 magazine had a tech article on how to fix your gangsta lean seat last spring. I will see if I can get an issue number for you.

 

[red_91_LX]

Check the floor pans and the door posts (where the door hinges are bolted too) if all is good.....Go for it!!

 

[Willy0314]

that shakeing you talked about, crawl under the car and see if the drive shaft wiggles around by hand.... If it dose, its time for new u-joints. Brakes are dirt cheap to replace if you can do it yourself.

 

[MustangLXT]

I'd say buy it. It sounds good to me. I payed 100 bucks for my 88 2.3 coupe. It's an auto and needed a transmission tune up, a distibuter cap and some spark plugs. The interior is "porno" red but I like it. The lid on my tape holder on the center console is cracked. I plan on replacing it with a black one and getting black seat covers anyway. There's a few stains in it too, but nothing that can't be shampooed out. other than that, the interior is perfect. Mine also already had a Blaupunkt CD player in it. all the factory speakers were replaced too. It also recently had a new paintjob. Only whoever painted it was an amateur as they put no clear coat over the top and now when I wash the car paint comes off when it's time to dry. So I'll have to get it re-painted. I got an amazing deal. But yours doesnt sound too bad. I'd buy it if I didn't already have mine.