about to buy my first SC, just a couple of concerns...

C

critical_mass

Registered User
the guy i'm buying this car from told me he was driving it one day, and that it just died. said he took it to a shop, and they told him the timing chain jumped a couple of degrees. i know this is an interference engine, however he said he took it to a mechanic and they said everything looks good. it has less than 100k on it, and i really want it, but i also don't want to get screwed. a timing chain job is not the end of the world for me if that's all it is. i've only looked at it once, and will be taking a look this weekend. any helpful advice? or other things to look for? thank you!
 
Unless you are buying it for parts car value/price and are willing to spend on possibly a new engine , then run .. run fast.. run far ...
"" he said "" , can - he prove - ? ... less than 100K engines don't generally jump timing chains unless there are other issues going on .. interference valves/piston engines with a jumped chain is most likely damaged $$$$$ , so adding it all up so far --you can not test drive this car to see what else may or may not be working [ ABS , tranny etc ], you don't know anything other than what the seller is stating , he IS stating there is something wrong that you can not easily check [ compression test on these engines are worse than a plug change ] but could be major money to fix ... if it was an easy cheap fix it would get fixed .

""i really want it, but i also don't want to get screwed"" pick one .. only one.
 
These cars are somewhat complicated to work on, and even common replacement parts are getting scarce. Few repair shops will touch them, and even fewer know what they are doing, or equipped. Like I tell people, find a well maintained, and garage kept example, with records, and pay real money for it, or forget it. You can really dump some money into these things, if they are even in fair condition. Yes, stay away from the one you are looking at.
 
critical_mass said:
the guy i'm buying this car from told me he was driving it one day, and that it just died. said he took it to a shop, and they told him the timing chain jumped a couple of degrees. i know this is an interference engine, however he said he took it to a mechanic and they said everything looks good. it has less than 100k on it, and i really want it, but i also don't want to get screwed. a timing chain job is not the end of the world for me if that's all it is. i've only looked at it once, and will be taking a look this weekend. any helpful advice? or other things to look for? thank you!
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SC-AL said:
These cars are somewhat complicated to work on, and even common replacement parts are getting scarce. Few repair shops will touch them, and even fewer know what they are doing, or equipped. Like I tell people, find a well maintained, and garage kept example, with records, and pay real money for it, or forget it. You can really dump some money into these things, if they are even in fair condition. Yes, stay away from the one you are looking at.
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Unless you are buying at scrap price, might be worth taking a chance.
 
SC-AL said:
These cars are somewhat complicated to work on, and even common replacement parts are getting scarce. Few repair shops will touch them, and even fewer know what they are doing, or equipped. Like I tell people, find a well maintained, and garage kept example, with records, and pay real money for it, or forget it. You can really dump some money into these things, if they are even in fair condition. Yes, stay away from the one you are looking at.
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Yup completely agree , other than pay real money for a well kept car , as it still does not guarantee no failures , just likely less failures... someone can have a stack of receipts a foot high with all the right stuff , it still does not guarantee that engine is not about to let go of a gasket or the ABS is on its way out etc when you buy it .. I advise people to own one of these cars , its , either have a spare cash fund to repair it and have a fairly good auto mechanics background [ or willing to learn on a steep curve if needed ] or have a large cash fund and know someone who knows what they are doing that will work on it for you if you can not .
But on the same token , there are people here that really know their stuff with these cars, SC Al, Mad Mikey , Doug in Ontario Canada and plenty more around north America who will give you good advice if you are in need if you ever own one ... yes ,the parts are getting harder to find , but there is also a network here of people that may be able to help in that department as well ... so not trying to keep you away from an MN12 but just know realistically what you are getting into ... if you hope for the best but also plan for the worst in a car transaction and are still in , you should be happy in the end.
 
Just to clairify, the current owner took it to 2 different shop's? One said the timing chain had jumped a few degree's & a different shop said there was no other damage? I think if it was only a few degrees, it would still run, just poorly. How did the 2nd shop verify there was no damage- a borscope down a few different spark plug holes or a compression test?
I'd just be a little cautious as to why he would decide to sell it if he thinks all it needs is a timing chain set replacement, which isn't that bad dollar wise. It makes it really tough to look at any car that is non running. You have no way to verify the condition of the rest of drivetrain-trans, diff, hub's, p/s, a/c, etc. What year is it? 89-91 at least verify the Teves ABS system seems to work properly , as they can be expensive to diagnose/repair. Both warning lights come on breifly when key is turned on but go out within 30-60 seconds & stay off even after a few quick brake applications. Also check the ARC system. Change selector from auto to firm( or firm to auto) you should be able to hear relays in trunk & actuators move & light on dash sould remain on solid in firm or stay off in auto-no flashing.
As fstcoup noted, maybe the balancer has seperarated/turned. Thats why 1st shop thinks timing is off & why it quit-loss of crank signal.
 
DOUG H said:
I just realized they haven't logged back on since making the post, so may have not read any of the comments/suggestions they asked for.
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Either way, anyone else in the same position or just looking at a car in general can get at least some basic advice on the pluses and minuses of purchasing an MN12 SC car .
 
Are Super Coupes hard to find? I just counted 9 for sale in Washington state, including Oregon. These were all on Facebook Marketplace. From $500 to $18,000. One is a Canadian sold 1990 Anny, 5 spd., but is in Washington. 193,240 Km.
 
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