It's black with grey cloth in good shape,shows 76k but I doubt it.Here are the problem areas-

Sometimes won't come out of park unless I hold down the red shiftlock tab with one hand and pull back with the other.

Was told it needs both front balljoints-shimmys every 1-2 seconds no matter the speed...? Said front rotors are warped..would this cause that even when the brakes aren't applied?

Also has exhaust leak-told it needs the front manifold to downpipe gasket-should check the manifold bolts I guess?

Speedo only goes up to 40mph and stays there,then will slowly come back down after slowing.

Temp gauge goes to 3/4 or maybe a bit higher but never pegged occasionally.Has coolant and fan works...

I would search for all of this but if anyone can just give quick help on any bad signs or things to look at it would be great...the price is very low but I don't want to get in a hole just fixing these things. Has a new master cylinder and recent factory exhaust and drives well otherwise.

 

"Speedo only goes up to 40mph and stays there,then will slowly come back down after slowing.

Temp gauge goes to 3/4 or maybe a bit higher but never pegged occasionally.Has coolant and fan works"



Theres a sign of dash tampering I wouldnt believe the mileage. You never told us what your paying for it?I would say in that condition 1,000 - 1,200 providing the body is in perfect condition. Hows the tranny?thats usually a weak spot

 

that auto tranny is definetly a weak spot. Mine has 182000 miles on it and its startin to go..... Yea, and with the dash, definetly sounds like tampering. What DID you pay for it because there are 90's going for less than $1000 that sound like they are in better condition than the one you bought.

 

It's possible the manifold studs are busted or if you are lucky, the gasket (o-ring) on the front header to the y-pipe (you refer to it as the down pipe) is flattened out.

warped rotors can cause shimmying on the highway -- mine does it, right MrGone? not sure about the ball joints.

I don't know much about auto trannies, but it sounds like this one isn't doing well. Maybe someone with an AT can help here.

The speedo thing is screwed up. You should be able to look at the title and it will say "actual miles" or mileage unknown/beyond physical limits." Since our ODOs go to 999,999, if it doesn't say actual miles, then it has been messed with. Even if that doesn't show up, it could have been messed with.

The temp problem may also be a concern. It could have a clogged up radiator. If that's the case, it will likely have a clogged/leaky heater core soon. That is a huge PITA to replace.

I hope the price is pretty low (below $1k) because it sounds like you will be putting several hundred or maybe even a couple of thousand (if the tranny needs rebuilt) into that car right off the bat.

 

$500.The guy hasn't shown me the title yet,so I'm waiting on that first,and I may call DMV with the VIN and check its history.The tranny is working fine,and I had a Stanza with the same one so I know what they are like at least.It is trashed,but I have a feeling it will clean up nicely and I could at least resell it for $1000-1500.I'm just very leery because I can't afford big problems with it.It is a guy that I work with who's selling it,and this is at a dealer,so I can at least have it looked at,but there is another guy who is interested but I already said I'm gonna probably take it....I didn't know about the speedo thing,though,so I can at least bring that up and see what he says.

It seems like it COULD be a good deal if I get the parts cheap and do a lot of the work myself,but there's also some risk that it could really suck,too.

 

Dont Bother..ull Buy Someone Else's Headache

 

I'd skip it. I've occasionally seen 100K mile 89 or 90 Maximas for very good prices that sound like less of a problem.

 

$500 is tempting...but it given the current condition, many bigger problems might be right around the bend.

If it does have 76,000, it should be in better condition then most of the ones on the road...since the average seems to be well over 100k. Something's wrong.

 

The transmission issue sounds more like your shift-lock mechanism or bushings, rather than a toasted tranny. The proof is in driving it, tho. That will tell you how it is. The exhaust leak could be the common manifold studs, or since you said it had a recent exhaust, maybe they just didn't get it put on right. Could be as simple as that. Warped rotors and ball joints are not that big of a deal, and the dash issue is probably a bad cluster or speed sensor from the tranny.
Bottom line is, I'd drive it and see. If it really does have 76K on it, then these things you mention are not that bad. I would jump on it for $500, IF the miles are real and the tranny was OK. But that's just me.