Posted by Chandler Ogden on September 14, 1998 at 23:49:42:
In Reply to: Potential New Owner posted by Mike on September 14, 1998 at 23:00:40:
Mike-
While I am sure some of the folks on this BBS can elaborate more, the things that I would look for are:
1. Basic body integrity. Look for rust, especially around the strut towers. I hear this is a baaaad place to be rusting.
2. Motor condition. I would not necessarily believe the odometer, since the VDO odometers historically fail (my '81 is failed at 122K). Run a compression test on the motor, and see how it idles and runs. You may want to look for a date marking on the head. You want '81 or later, as the older design tended to fail if overheated (see a couple of recent posts on this topic).
3. How does it drive. See if everything is fairly tight, and if the steering and suspension seem up to snuff.
Make a list of the areas that need immediate attention, and those that would be nice to do. Then decide if your pocketbook and mechanical aptitude are up to the test.
I have had my '81 since Feb of this year, and I have loved it. It is a blast to drive, and fairly straightforward to work on. With this BBS and a Haynes manual, you can tackle most anything!
good luck!
Regards,
Chandler