Buy or don't buy 1994 3.0 3 speed for $1k?

[Ondonti]

177k miles. Big oil leak. EGR problems. Supposed Rough Idle. I have to bring oil to test drive it. Thinking of complaining about the EGR and offering 850 and going up to 925.
3 speed trans fluid is dark. Supposedly flushed 1.5 years ago.
Needs the interior shampoo'd

Paint is amazing but super dirty. I have backup tail light center piece (well I have upgrades for my Spirit's set).
Alignment seems off since its wearing the outside of the driver tire (possibly both, can't see).
Owned by Fiance of a car stero shop owner so he had remote start and security installed. Since removed along with the stereo (kenwood speakers still there).
He recently redid the valve cover gaskets so thats probably why it looks so clean. Bought his Fiance a Jeep, probably after his inability to solve the oil leak. He put a gasket on the oil pan and it leaks (those don't work) but who knows if thats the problem. Not really worried about the leak. My guess is the motor has a good bit of blowbye or the crankcase evac is not working well.

Purpose of car is for wife to learn to drive and have something to get around in. Also looking at a 1994 4 door Acura Integra for 2500 but not really wanting to spend even if I can. That car has dents in the trunk but is a much much much nicer car.
I might drive the car a bit to work so my Spirit can be "down" for some more serious electrical repairs. That paint is so tempting with my pos paint Silver 1994.


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[Ondonti]

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[turbovanman²]

I say sure if you have the money, but the real question is, what do you need it for?

[Ondonti]

I say sure if you have the money, but the real question is, what do you need it for?

Eek, I was typing up the reasons. Was more worried about first linking up all the picks. Worried about the trans fluid color. Vigo said that he is not a fan of a 3 speed with 177k miles.

[turbovanman²]

Eek, I was typing up the reasons. Was more worried about first linking up all the picks. Worried about the trans fluid color. Vigo said that he is not a fan of a 3 speed with 177k miles.

Lol, well for that price, get it. The oil leaks are most likely the cam and crank seals, you can fix that motor in your sleep. Tranny is cake, bring the car to me and we'll fix it or bring me the trans and we'll rebuild it one night or sat afternoon for some Bailey's for labour and pay for parts. If you chew him down, even better, :nod:

[Ondonti]

I was a bit worried about bringing a transmission over the border. Talked with Vigo about options if the trans dies and you came up. Could be this car gets wrecked or who knows what so I won't put my heart into it. Best case senario this year would be getting my Starlet legal, tuned up, less leaky, wife still has this car, and put the Holset Spirit to sleep for awhile. It really needs all new engine bay and under dash harnesses, or to be megasquirted. I am at wits end with that thing since I keep having the car unable to start a few minutes before I need to go to work because I am messing with troubleshooting wiring issues and damaged ECUs.

[Sundance 6g72]

i was going to pay $850 for a CS charger last summer. would of come with two tII motors and all. it wasnt the nicest thing in the world.. but $850 is 850

ive seen these cars go for sooo cheep but its all about how much you want it

[Murphy]

I bought almost the exact same car 2 years ago for 1400. 95, 3.0, 3 speed. The trans was fine but a bit slow, didn't leak oil, electronics hadn't been messed with, but it had the column shift and bench seat.

[Abkshelby]

Considering the high mileage and the fact this is not a rare car at all offer $750 and go up some if you have to.

[raccoon]

looks like a 500 dollar car to me, clean 750. body looks alright.

[RoadWarrior222]

Yeah, only plus is lack of rust..... it'd be $500 here with the mechanical issues, only way it would get closer to $1000 is perfect paint, unbroken trim etc, lower miles etc..

3 speeds are getting pretty worn after 150K or so miles, but they're not rocket science to rebuild, and a lot is known about getting them fit for mid 400s HP ... above that it's luck and development or throw $$$ at it.

[Mdoe8]

agreed with $500-$600.

[Sundance 6g72]

act as if rough idle and oil leak is a huge deal and you need to bring it to a shop.

[bakes]

I think its a good deal looks clean , and for you wife 's 1st car i think it a great / safe platform

[Mdoe8]

Or find something like this

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2835651623.html

[Daytana]

I paid $700 for my 1994 3.0 a604 Lebaron w/141k and drove it home from a 3hr trip with no problems. Car is definitely a screamer. He wanted $1k for it but it needed a new fender and front bumper (previous owner drove into a ditch) so I bargained for $700 and he agreed. Alignment is fine and besides being slightly whacked in the front the car was in immaculate shape! :) Threw some crabs on it and probably will not fix the bumper/fender (not shown in this picture) since this will be my project. I would definitely try to reduce the price down to at least $600.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL294/1893736/23485827/400571524.jpg

[turbovanman²]

I was a bit worried about bringing a transmission over the border. Talked with Vigo about options if the trans dies and you came up. Could be this car gets wrecked or who knows what so I won't put my heart into it. Best case senario this year would be getting my Starlet legal, tuned up, less leaky, wife still has this car, and put the Holset Spirit to sleep for awhile. It really needs all new engine bay and under dash harnesses, or to be megasquirted. I am at wits end with that thing since I keep having the car unable to start a few minutes before I need to go to work because I am messing with troubleshooting wiring issues and damaged ECUs.

Getting across the border? The car would be easy, not sure about the trans by itself, I can ask next time I go over for gas.

USA side should be easy, you say you just bought it, I give you a receipt for it, its the Canadian side but these days, they seem easier to deal with.

[Ondonti]

Bought it for 850. After the fact the guy says he has prostate cancer at age 27 and now gets to pay bills. Don't really feel bad about the money. I get guilty feeling when wheeling and dealing so now I don't feel guilty. Something about the look on his face when he said SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

The transmission shifted very well. I couldn't tell unless I was paying attention. I think this was the selling point.
Needs a turn signal bulb. Intermittent wipers not functional. I have an extra control box but no idea where the extra one is. I think I have one taped inside a bag of wiper wires in the Duster (never finished the wipers so I just bagged those wires up.

"rough idle" ended up being not so rough to me. Threw Code 32 which I was expecting. I will throw non EGR plenum on and block off the exhaust manifold. I really need to do the resistor mod instead of plugging in a valve and hanging it like I do on my Holset.

Will be replacing the windshield.

Almost no cars around here as cheap as some of you guys are hoping. There was one Spirit for 700 and it would "occasionally die" and was 2.5tbi. I wanted the 3.0 since it I have parts and am comfortable with it. The paint is just very nice and makes me smile.

I will have the responsibility of cleaning and cleaning and cleaning the interior. Rent some sorta shampoo device. Not a bunch of stains but there is gross stuff that creeps me out. Wed dog smell inside but the car is dry. Its been sitting for a long time in the rain and is still dry. I have a feeling a wet pet spent some time in the car on many occasions.

[turbovanman²]

A non rust free car for around a grand that's in decent shape is a good deal, I know we have alot of cheap skates on here, :eyebrows: but that's what we pay for running cars. Either way, good deal.

Not so funny story, one of my customers blew up his trans on his 98 K3500 today in Seattle, on his way to Oregon, :banghead: Having it towed here on Monday.

[Mdoe8]

Well done! Good to know it was for a good cause as well.

If you really want to rebuild the tranny...just drive it up there! Sounds like it drives well enough for now.

[Sundance 6g72]

1k is not bad.. ive just seen up go for way less because people must not like em or something. they must be high as a kite though

[Ondonti]

Guy has 3 kids as well.

I will learn more about the condition of the car as I own it. I wish it was a nicer day. Going to mess with the Holset. My wife doesn't know she has a car yet. She gets back from Chicago in the morning.

[RoadWarrior222]

The transmission shifted very well. I couldn't tell unless I was paying attention.

That's probably too slushy, will need at minimum band adjustment and fluid and filter change...

[Ondonti]

My only other experiences are with the taurus which has clunky when cold bang shift from nuetral to 1st or R and sometimes won't move forward until it has a lot of gas (right after startup).
I guess my dad's 09 Rolla shifts kinda hard.

Hope she lasts a bit without me fixing it.

[shayne]

should be a good car for the wife, good buy man. any issues shouldnt be a problem for you, hopefully it'll last a while first though.

[Vigo]

Paint does look pretty good.

Got to figure out that oil leak first, or right after cleaning the interior.

I looked at a shadow yesterday to let fiance drive while Magnum gets fixed from wreck she had 2 years ago..

[Ondonti]

Found a puddle in the Spare tire well. Will work on getting to the bottom of that. Rust there of course. Headliner is messed up at the rear window, not sure if that is the problem area. That area drips right into the spare tire (learned this while rinsing with the Rug Doctor) These are the pics I took but at this moment all the seats are scrubbed then shampoo'd then rinsed. Same for the carpet and door panels. Want to put a dehumidifier in the car to help get the moisture out.
I think I will feel more comfortable sitting in this vehicle now.
I will be keeping the fabric out of the trunk until I know what is leaking (if there is a leak). I did a quick try of blasting the truck area with a hose and that was no help finding leaks.

While the paint is not coming off this car, this car has a lot more dings.


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[paduster]

nice cant wait to see how clean it turns out

[RoadWarrior222]

Want to put a dehumidifier in the car to help get the moisture out.

Don't know if you can get it there, but the spendier "concrete safe" deicing salt, is a dessicant when dry, it will suck up a lot of water. A bag is $10ish... it can suck up so much it will turn to brine... anyway, how you'd use it is to get a pan, like maybe a wallpaper pasting trough, stretch screen over it, well don't have to be that tight, then fill an old pant leg or stocking with the de-icer "salt", put that on the screen, couple of bands around it to keep it together, leave that sit on the parcel shelf or in the trunk, drain off brine as it collects in the pan... you can save the brine, pour it on a baking sheet and stick it in the oven to regenerate the crystals if you want...

Sometimes that de-icer is a bit wet when you get it, so for best dehumidification performance you might wanna bake it in the oven first.

[Ondonti]

That actually sounds interesting for winterizing but not sure how often you would have to "redo/energize" it. I have a dehumidifier in there right now.
With the car a bit cleaner, the paint may be attached but I think there are 99994939 scratches. Guessing dogs/cats.
I saw a poor matching touchup spot.
Does anyone know how to track down OEM style touchup paint?

[RoadWarrior222]

Depends how wet the car is, how warm the air is etc.

[Directconnection]

looks like a 500 dollar car to me, clean 750. body looks alright.

"Sounds" like every junkyard car that come sin to my friend's place.... but the engine bay pics look pretty decent. (but the dirty interior and cracked up rear lights tells me they might have taken the bestest car of this car in the past?)

I say, it if really looks clean, then $1k is a decent price (but I'd still haggle)

But, the last thing you need is a wife stranded away from home someplace with a toasted 604.

[Vigo]

i guess that would be why he bought a 3spd as noted in the title?

[RoadWarrior222]

I read that, then re-read it, and decided he meant "but at least it's not a A604"

[Dodge Aries K]

You sure that's a 94? I don't see passenger side auto belt...

[Sundance 6g72]

might have been an option?

[RoadWarrior222]

Or it might have been a Canadian car, we don't hold with that sh!t here.... those goofy auto belts.

[Dodge Aries K]

Standard issue to comply to U.S. regulations for safety. It's why 94 Shadows/Sundances and 95 Spirits/Acclaims can't be imported/exported to Canada actually.

[Ondonti]

Happy to not have the auto belt like my Holset does. What is up with that autobelt legally?

[raccoon]

my understanding is its a silly law that requires cars at a certain date to offer a passive restraint system for both front occupants. its a airbag or that silly autobelt system. the dash in the spirit was never intended to accommodate a passenger airbag., so you get the autobelt. never seen one myself.

[Ondonti]

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[Sundance 6g72]

looks good!

[Vigo]

That IS looking good!

[bigbarneycars]

If you can drive it away it's worth that kinda doe. Weather or not you have to raise your feet going thru' puddles

[Ondonti]

Well depressingly the early 90's cars are entering the hard to find zone so the price....I just noticed a white AA body 1 block away hidden in some trees....I guess as cars get older you have to find your own deals. People probably don't care to spend the effort to put something up for sale that is worthless.

[RoadWarrior222]

If you can drive it away it's worth that kinda doe. Weather or not you have to raise your feet going thru' puddlesGuy in London ON, i.e. as near me as I'm ever likely to find, has one, already MSed with a 5 speed, for half this money and I can't come up with a practical way* of "adopting" it :banghead: :banghead: (Bylaw nazis, I need to move to the sticks, so I can fill my back 40 with 'em :D Though really that don't help the preservation cause, so I'd aim for hardstanding and a tube'n'tarp shelter at least)

(i.e. one that I can afford over the mid-long term... and I thought about delivering pizzas for a few bucks for "toys" but the wifey no likee that I'd be gone in the evenings :( )

[Ondonti]

I am happy to say that its warm enough to find out that the A/C does work. The oil leak is prodigeous. Guessing a cam seal. Going to slowly take her apart over the next forever. Not fun taking apart a 3.0 for the first time. I never have any use for spash shields and I will need to cut the a/c bracket so the timing stuff can come out without removing the a/c compressor. Slot the engine mount bracket for the power steering bolts and remove extra brackets.

[RoadWarrior222]

I know you never did have a use for splash shields but partial function of them is to stop snow throwing the belts off, which since you're now in a location that has snow, you may want to leave on wifey's car.

[Ondonti]

I know you never did have a use for splash shields but partial function of them is to stop snow throwing the belts off, which since you're now in a location that has snow, you may want to leave on wifey's car.
Actually we really don't get snow here and I have never thrown a belt, just heard about it. Utah is all about snow in the winter but they also invest in plows. Seattle hates doing anything contrary to what nature wants to do so we just suffer a few bad days. The snow thing is why I am not ditching them long term for her car. She can't just pop the belt back on.

[Sundance 6g72]

not saying i support removing the splash shield, but i dont have one and my belt has always been fine in the snow... and i can tell you all about snow.

but i also am digging around in the engine bay every other day otherwise i probebly wouldnt have lost the splash sheild.

[Ondonti]

There was an amazing looking 92 Spirit, perfect paint, perfect interior, 85k, sold before I could get home and look at the listing again. Funny how the nice AA's that are selling for more then the rest actually sell and the crap ones don't.

[Ondonti]

My son Brandon playing. BTW, thank you smokers for all you do to cars.
http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh426/ondonti/Turbododge/1994%20Dodge%20Spirit%20Green%203L%203%20speed/IMG_20120515_115314.jpg

[Vigo]

You know i dont believe in haircuts.. :p

[Ondonti]

You know i dont believe in haircuts.. :p Everyone else did :(

[RoadWarrior222]

Haircuts are essential unless you want to go through life with everyone expecting you to help fix their brokenass GM....... you want a kid to grow up liking Camaros????

[Sundance 6g72]

hahahahhahahahah ^

[Ondonti]

The incredible oil leak is gone :) I never saw it until just before the repair. Run for 2 minutes then it pours out around the timing belt crank gear. I believe most of it was coming from the front cam seal. All the seals were rock hard. I am betting this motor had a hard life. Plugs are all wet so I am thinking the rings are gummed up. I knew it was burning a little oil. Might do a Seafoam treatment in the intake and oil. I guess I will see what I fix first, the transmission or the engine.

New cam seals, new front main seal, new cam plugs (which had to be ordered as a crossover part because Oreilly's says they don't carry them, and of course the generic Felpro box says 3.0L mitsu/chrysler). Cut off the side of the a/c bracket so I didn't have to remove the a/c. Removed the extra PS bracket. Removed the extra alternator bracket. I might cut part of that off and put it back on so I can attach the PS pump fill tube (nothing holding it in place right now). Slotted the PS bolt holes in the Engine Mount Adapter Plate to make the PS pump easier to install. Previous owner sorta messed up the front mount when trying to reseal the oil pan (which was not the leak) so I had to mess with that. Not perfect. He ditched one of the engine to engine mount helper brackets on the front when doing that. He pulled back the passenger side of the front mount bracket instead of removing the bracket. This resulted in me having to bend it back as best as I could, then loosen all the other mount bolts to get it to line up with the large stud that is in the transmission that you put an 18mm hex nut on.

Going to look at adding the car to insurance now. Then I need to get the windshield replaced. If life goes well I might get the Duster on insurance as well.