Problems during test drive, any suggestions?

[Jaeger]

Well,
Went and test drove it (93 SHO 5 speed) today.
In great condition except some scuffs and a few scratches on exterior. Power antenna broken. Rear driverside window does not work. 124000 miles. But, when you punch it, it does NOT go as it should. My dad's chrystler sebring 5 speed is much much faster. There must be extreme engine problems. The guy says he has done all maint. and has records, but this car is not quick or fast at all. The engine is super clean, looks like the plastics have been armor-all'ed under the hood.
The car was nothing I had invisioned. Not quick, and very disappointing. The clutch rattled at higher RMP. Smooth shifting although different than other standards I have driven, feels like it slides more than pivots.

Unless anyone has is aware of something that would make the car act this way, it is a no go.

Also, the engine was not smooth, it did not rev smoothly. It was kind of choppy, Fuel injection? Spark plugs? Electronics? Comp? too many variables.

Any suggestions, or forget it?
Thanks

 

[Mike Kopstain]

An easy and usually correct guess is the spark plugs and wires. This engine is not forgiving on people that neglect the ignition. Pull out one of the front wires and see if the spark plug well is full of oil. If it is, you can pretty much guess that those plugs and wires have been there for awhile and you've most likely found the problem.

A lot of people use this as a selling point. Find one of the Colorado guys and have them give the seller a ride in a properly maintained car, then take advantage of him when he starts to cry.

 

[Jaeger]

Something as simple as the plugs and wires causes this much power loss?
And from what I read, I dont need to take out the plugs, just take off the wires?

 

[Jaeger]

Forgot to add,
How much does that cost to fix, and how difficult is it to fix?

 

[sdpatt]

It could also be as simple as a mis-routed vacuum path to the secondary solenoid actuators (allows opening of the second set of intake runners at 3,950 rpm for the staged intake's rush to redline) that prevents the butterflies from opening, or it also could be screwed up maintenance, a plugged catalytic converter and exhaust piping, removed SPOUT plug (defaults ignition timing to the base 10 degrees BTDC) and a few other things.

Spark plugs and/or wires could cause a power loss, but only through an obvious engine misfire.

Unless you can identify the cause of the power loss prior to purchasing the car, I would walk away and look for a healthier car. Don't buy someone else's mistakes.

 

[SHOguy 92]

check plugs and wires i had a plug go on me before. made my car sound choppy and funny like u descrive below 4,000RPM's then above that it sounded fine but it was so guttless.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Sounds like a poorly maintained car which, if you were to buy it, you'll spend more on playing catch-up than the car is worth. Unless it's a real steal (say under $1K) and you can do the maint work yourself, I'd recommend walking away and finding one in better condition with better maintenance.

 

[TwiceSHOwn]

Price is a big deal here...but bottom line is this. Sounds like either SPARK (wires (due at 120k) plugs or oil in the wells. I bet it hasnt had its 2nd 60k done yet thats expensive just in parts and time consuming if you do it yourself. Also the syptoms you describe actually sound ALOT like a plugged exhaust to me. A plugged cat would do everything you describe and is a relatively easy and cheap repair.

Bottom line dont think a clena engine means well maintained. On SHOs paying more one for one that has been loved is worth it.

I have been on both sides there i loved one spent 1000s fixing it and then got frustrated and sold it....it probably ran fine for years afterwards. My current SHO i bought with 50k had all records had been babied and the guy couldnt fidna buyer so i stole it.... LOVE my 2nd gen....

B

 

[AutoSHO]

My first reply disappeared.

Where are you located? My car runs relatively well, and I know the engine top to bottom, so if you'd like me to go with you to look at any other SHO's I'd be more than happy to.

 

[Jaeger]

Thanks for the replies guys.
And auto, thanks for the offer, but I am near 2 hours away. The car was for sale for 2500, prob get him down a bit. But I dont think I will go for it, too many chances for it to end up poorly.

And I think I may have seen ya up in Ft. Colins, are there many shos up there? We were screwin around with a friend in a CRX and we were in a 4 cylinder camry and we beat him, but a sho smoked us sooo badly wink

<small>[ October 08, 2003, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: Jaeger ]</small>

 

[AutoSHO]

Jaeger:
Thanks for the replies guys.
And auto, thanks for the offer, but I am near 2 hours away. The car was for sale for 2500, prob get him down a bit. But I dont think I will go for it, too many chances for it to end up poorly.

Where are you? Springs? I lived in Pueblo and drive home every few weeks.

 

[Jaeger]

Yea, C Springs.