what to look for b4 i buy

[noopz]

Hey everyone, im buying another 240sx, its a 1989-90 240sx hatch, and i need to know wat to look for b4 i purchase it.. I dont want a bad engine, or somethin like that. The body is in alright condition, it has 240,000km on it. im going to test drive it tomorrow, also its automatic, which doesnt matter, i have a 89 coupe with a standard transmission that i can swap into it. :help

[Checkered-Member]

Make sure that the engine is running smooth without excessive vibrations.Look for a good brake feel, notice any doors or panels that are not perfectly alighted (a clue of a collision)Lastly steering wheel vibrations will tell you allot about the over Condition of that car

[Asleep Altima]

look for the usual, leaking seals and gaskets, rough idling, wear on the tires as well as the not-so-obvious things... look for wear on the drivers carpet and door sill as well as the drivers seat and the hinges on the drivers door. these are indicators of how much time the old driver spent in the car. check the trans fluid for color and smell. it should be red, not brown or black and shouldnt smell burnt. look at the struts for leakage and the tie rods and ball joints for condition. dont be scared to grab either bumper and give it a good shake too to see how well they are attached. check the core support for rust and corrosion. check the oil and filter to see if its been freshly changed. if the engine is cold and the oil is light, ask to start the engine and let it run for a bit. check the oil again and see if its keeping its color. sometimes people hide bad oil maintanance that way. there are also crumple points in the trunk area you can look at to see if the vehicle was in a wreck. when you drive it, look for play and sloppiness in the steering and suspension.... i know this is alot of things to think about, but its your money, why waste it?

[Altiman94]

Listen to the engine at the very start up, make sure you don't hear any "rattling" noises coming from your engine bay, this is an indicator that the timing chain needs replacement. Make sure to check compression, do a leakdown test if you have the time. Check for rust on the strut towers, as well as underbody rust. Check suspension bushings as well.

[Asleep Altima]

rattling from the timing chain may just be the upper guides still in place on a ka. you can remove those no problem.

[Altiman94]

this isn't a dohc, sohc's you can't just remove the guides on

[Asleep Altima]

opps my oversight. but the sohc's had that ****ty plastic style guide that wears out quickly. my uncle went thru two on his sohc in his truck. the first time he found the bad guide was when his cam broke in half.