Good deal or in over my head?

[gio289]

Looking into getting another mx3 (will be my fourth in about 2 1/2 years), now that I have to sell my 2005 Hyundai Tiburon to pay some things back. I'm looking into this 1992 GS. She says that it doesn't run, and they aren't sure what it needs to run. I haven't gone to see it yet. I should have some money left over to be able to take it to a mazda mechanic here in Tampa (guy is very reasonable and I go to him no matter what car I have). Is it too much for a '92 that I don't even know whats wrong with it? What's making me want it a little more than I should is the fact that its a GS (always seem to spot RS's for some reason) and it only has 118k.

This is the ad: http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/2642655141.html

This is what she says:

Me: Do you still have the mx3?

Her: Yes.

Me: Ok. Was it taken to a mechanic or anything to see what the issues were on why it wasn't running? Everything that was done on it, was it done at home or by a mechanic?

Her: Some was done by a retired mechanic who came to my house and some in a garage.. I dont know why its not running. .ive replaced everything i was told needed replaced to run..so i gave up and am cutting my losses.

[Josh]

I would offer her 350 or 400, and take it.

Probably something stupid, perhaps they didn't properly time it when they changed the belt. maybe a bad relay or starter, a sensor somewhere. looks like a deal for that price. maybe a bad coil they go out frequently.

[gio289]

Thanks for the reply.

That's the same thing I was thinking, probably something minor, or not THAT big a deal to fix. I mean if it were something big like the engine or clutch, I'd think that a mechanic would tell her that, without her replacing all of the rest of those things. I'll go and take a look at it. Are there any tell tale signs that it could definitely be the engine? Any smells or anything besides oil around the head?

[Daninski]

Well what can we say, pull a plug wire and check for spark. If there's spark then check for fuel. I'd be inclined to ask if the disty has been replaced and if not bring a spare one and that's probably the issue. I got a Probe GT for free, I plugged in another disty and ta da fixed. If the timing is way off then you've got a bit of a job ahead of you to correct that. Check for easy stuff as well like vacuum lines leaking bad. Good luck.

[Sleeper6]

Well what can we say, pull a plug wire and check for spark. If there's spark then check for fuel. I'd be inclined to ask if the disty has been replaced and if not bring a spare one and that's probably the issue. I got a Probe GT for free, I plugged in another disty and ta da fixed. If the timing is way off then you've got a bit of a job ahead of you to correct that. Check for easy stuff as well like vacuum lines leaking bad. Good luck.

Just dont try the disty till its yours

[Daninski]

Well what can we say, pull a plug wire and check for spark. If there's spark then check for fuel. I'd be inclined to ask if the disty has been replaced and if not bring a spare one and that's probably the issue. I got a Probe GT for free, I plugged in another disty and ta da fixed. If the timing is way off then you've got a bit of a job ahead of you to correct that. Check for easy stuff as well like vacuum lines leaking bad. Good luck.

Just dont try the disty till its yours

Ha Ha good point.

[MrMazda92]

Well what can we say, pull a plug wire and check for spark. If there's spark then check for fuel. I'd be inclined to ask if the disty has been replaced and if not bring a spare one and that's probably the issue. I got a Probe GT for free, I plugged in another disty and ta da fixed. If the timing is way off then you've got a bit of a job ahead of you to correct that. Check for easy stuff as well like vacuum lines leaking bad. Good luck.

Don't do that until they've offered something reasonable, you may end up fixing it for free and in doing so raising the price