What to look for
cdru
08-22-2005, 09:54 AM
I'm taking a look this afternoon at a used '97 Cavalier LS convertible. It has 119k miles on it and the guy wants $950 for it, well below market price. The body appears to be in good condition. It has a few bumps and bruises here and there but with a decent car wash and wax, should be pretty good from an exterior. The interior also needs a good cleaning but is also in reasonably good condition. It does need a variety of things here and there but nothing major that I can tell just by looking around. We're talking a couple of hundred dollars probably. The top has seen better days, but appears to be decent at least for the time being.
It has the 2.2L with no visible problems from just a visual inspection. The lot wasn't open at the time so I couldn't start it though.
I'm looking for advise as to anything specific I should definitely want to look at for this model. I'm no dummy when it comes to auto repair and I don't mind putting some time into fixing it up. I don't have a problem finding general condition, just something specific that may not easily show up with a typical inspection (e.g. intake manifold gasket with the 3400 engines).
This is actually what I was looking for...a mechanics special convertible that gets decent milage that I can use as a daily driver. I just don't want to waste my time/money fixing up the car to drive only to find something hidden a week from now.
It has the 2.2L with no visible problems from just a visual inspection. The lot wasn't open at the time so I couldn't start it though.
I'm looking for advise as to anything specific I should definitely want to look at for this model. I'm no dummy when it comes to auto repair and I don't mind putting some time into fixing it up. I don't have a problem finding general condition, just something specific that may not easily show up with a typical inspection (e.g. intake manifold gasket with the 3400 engines).
This is actually what I was looking for...a mechanics special convertible that gets decent milage that I can use as a daily driver. I just don't want to waste my time/money fixing up the car to drive only to find something hidden a week from now.
-Jayson-
08-22-2005, 10:15 AM
look for engine coolant leaking from the head gasket. normall at the front right hand corner of the engine. But check all around.
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