Buying another J

[unlimited]

I had a question about buying a car that's had a crucial component replaced. Should I be wary about a J30 that's had it's engine replaced? I'm looking at another J to buy and found one that says its engine has been replaced and has 45,000 miles on it and the car itself has around 190,000. Is this usually a sign that other parts will follow behind?
Modified by unlimited at 4:20 PM 10/15/2009

[driverdriver]

Is the engine rebuilt or replaced? If it was replaced how much mileage does the replaced engine have?

I have owned vehicles with rebuilt engines before. The engine has outlived the body.

Does the seller have a receipt/invoice (for proof) of the rebuilt/replaced engine?

[unlimited]

Is the engine rebuilt or replaced? If it was replaced how much mileage does the replaced engine have?

I have owned vehicles with rebuilt engines before. The engine has outlived the body.

Does the seller have a receipt/invoice (for proof) of the rebuilt/replaced engine?

Not quite sure. Also right now I'm looking at another J30t but has 230,000 miles on it. They claim it has a brand new water pump, timing belt, belts and hoses, spark plugs, new lower main seal, and 6 top motor seals and oil sensors have been replaced (don't what the last two are.) Said he replaced everything since the car has 230,000 miles on it. The car is clean and seemingly near mint on the outside and in. Just iffy about the 230,000 miles or is that irrelevant? It's a 1996

[yodawill2000]

Totally depends on the OCI ,, And transmission maintenance.How much is he asking ?

[unlimited]

Totally depends on the OCI ,, And transmission maintenance.How much is he asking ?

What's OCI? o.OHe's asking for 2,000

[yodawill2000]

Oil Change Interval ..These engines will last a LONG time if the 3000 Mile or 90 Day oil change is done religiously.transmission flushes as well but that's a LOT of miles for even a well maintained transmission.

[GerryO]

Oil change interval?

That's a lot of work done on a car to be sold.

A sales contact of mine recently sold his wife's one owner '94 CA J30 with 87K miles on it for $2,900.

My son bought a '92 MR2 with 258K miles on it. It's now parked waiting for new valve guides, clutch, timing belt, water pump, etc.

[driverdriver]

Always ask the seller if he/she has got service history/receipts in a nice way (to back up claims).

unlimited, I've always liked your avatar pics and your sig. It obvious that you got some artistic flourish.

[unlimited]

thanks driverdriver!! i try, lolI'm guessing it's a no on the Jt? That's fine, lol. Don't want to make a mistake and get caught up in repairs x.x. I appreciate all the responses!

[gbpdx]

Unless it is a near give-away, I recommend looking elsewhere. I just sold my 96 J30 for $4500, with only 62,000 good miles on it. I feel that was a bargain, but it is what the market is. I bought it 3 years ago with 30,000 for less than twice that amount, and kept it in tip-top shape.

Why sell? Needed a car with seating better for a new Medicare recepient, so found an 03 M45. Another fun car, with fantastic power compared to the 2 J30's I have had.

[Outkast]

Could have been the engine just let go ro the timing belt broke. One one hand the motor may have had it's life even though the maintance was regular. Or if the belt broke they just kept putting it off. So if they did the belt that way the others stuff isn't too far off. Look at the transmission fluid, if it's dark crimson ask for a lower price or keep looking.

I kinda got lucky on my J30. I wanted one cause I love the VG engine series (TTZ owner) for a daily. I got mine with right over 100K from a little old woman that didn't know you had to change the timing belt but kept everything else up to date. I got it for $300 and I just put some TT heads from a blown engine I have in the shop with the TT intake (bigger TB's) on it and only spent another $300 for gaskets.

Moral of my story is you get what you want to spend. If you look for cheap but reliable expect some post purchase maintance cost. If you want perfect you'll need to spend more initial funds but in the end the costs equal out between either decision.