what to check on a used car? 3000gt

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TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
A local 94' 3000gt with 120k miles... eek.. but its for only 7500 bucks... how much does an engine rebuild on one of these cost? Im almost willing to get the car cheaper and put a little money into it later on if it starts to die. What all should i check for when i look at teh car? If im seriously interested in havin a mechanic look at it.

-bob

 
minendo

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
They wanted $2000 to rebuild the engine in my 85 blazer. I sold that car immediately with a thrown rod in the transmission. I sold it to a guy for $350 and he just put a spare Chevy S10 engine in it.

I could not justify $2000 for a car that was worth no more than $1500.
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
well.. if it was 2000, that puts the total cost at 9500 bucks.. which is still cheap for that car... as long as thats all thats wrong with it (if its even wrong in the first place.. it might be running great at 120k miles)
 
N

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
More important than what kind of car it is, is what kind of engine is it?

A turbocharged DOHC V8 will cost more to rebuild than a carbeurated straight 6.
 
apoppin

apoppin

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
34,890
1
0
alienbabeltech.com
If you are asking this question, seek professional help . . . PAY to ask a trusted mechanic to examine the car. The $50 or so you pay for his diagnosis and opinion is far better than getting stuck with a $10,000 lemon.

Depending on the car, you might be able to do an engine swap which is often cheaper than a rebuild . . . EDIT: Rebuilding costs vary wildly depending on what needs to be rebuilt. And don't forget the costs of rebuilding the transmission . . . etc.
 
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Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
71
You haven't told us what kind of car, what year, or why you think it may need an engine rebuild. 120,000 isn't particularly high, but to me $7500 is, until I know what the hell kind of car it is.

EDIT, OK you've told us what kind of car, now why do you think it needs an engine rebuild?
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
not saying that it will need an engine rebuild... just wonderin how much it would cost in the even that it needed one down the road
 
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Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
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OK, definitely get it looked at, perhaps at a Mitsubishi dealership (that's not selling it) if said dealership's reputation is good, otherwise with a trusted mechanic.

At 120,000 miles, you're looking at a lot of things that are ready to wear out, and assuming proper maintenance and 3000-4000 mile oil changes, the engine isn't one of them.
 
apoppin

apoppin

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
34,890
1
0
alienbabeltech.com
not saying that it will need an engine rebuild... just wonderin how much it would cost in the even that it needed one down the road
Click to expand...
Ask a mechanic who has looked at the car you are considering. He can give you a ery good idea based on that specific car.

Free advice off the Internet is worth every dime you pay for it. :)

EDIT: A rebuild is gonna cost $1,000 to $10,000 . . . most people can get away for around $3K. . . does this help? Don't be a cheapskate when it comes to buying a car now - get a professional mechanic's opinion.
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
i know i know.. just seein what i can actually check in the first place... btw.. i just talked to the girl.. yes... a girl driver... so thats probably good.. she just got a maxima and thast why shes sellin it.. it just had its transmission rebuilt... gonna go look at it later if it stops frickin raining out here
 
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Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
71
Originally posted by: apoppin
it just had its transmission rebuilt...
Click to expand...
This is a VERY BAD sign that the car was not well-cared for.
Click to expand...
Very true! And where was it rebuilt? Bubba's "we beat every estimate" garage? Idealy, it was rebuilt at the dealership, with all new genuine Mitsubishi bands, clutches, seals, etc. Where was most of it's service done? At one trusted, loving mechanic's garage? The dealership? Or was it all over town, at wherever, whichever, whoever?
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
ok.. well deal on the tranny was that he didnt go to el cheapo place.. he actually paid more to have a better job done... now.. there was some physical damage.. some paint specks gone and one of the headlights had a broken glass cover... one ripped seat (really ugly interior anyways)... and a few paint defects on the center console... also sounds like a belt is off and chirping under the hood. I can probably talk the guy down to 6750 or 7000 for the car.. and put about 500-1000 into it right away for the physical problems.... but now i gotta get a mechanic to look at it very thoroughly.... it might be worth the buy if its very easily fixable stuff... i'd have to take a big "NOS" sticker off the front windshield, and a big sticker on the back too.. all while dealing with my bitch of a mom complaining about cost
 
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Angrymarshmello

Lifer
Apr 5, 2000
13,256
1
0
It was probably driven pretty hard too

Quick question - don't mean to interrupt bob's thread - but is it better to buy a used car that has had everything replaced/rebuilt (engine, transmission, clutch, etc blah blah) than buy a used car that has had nothing replaced/rebuilt except for basic parts? (Timing belt, etc...) At least since it's been replaced - you know it *probably* won't go out for a while, unlike something that hasn't, which could go out at any time
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
no pics of it yet.. gotta figure out if i can buy it first financially.. then if so... gotta figure out if its even mechanically sound
 
M

mAdD INDIAN

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
7,804
1
0
Just a question, why do you want to go for the 3000GT SL anyway? They are extremely slow! The only 3000GT worth getting is the 3000GT VR4 which moves decently fast and has AWD, however you do not want a 3000GT VR4 with 120k mi unless you are willing to spend money on the tranny.

I'd suggest you find a forum for 3000GT owners and ask them, they will tell you any problems that are common to 3000GT of your vintage and mileage.

Unless you really want to have a 3000GT for personal reasons <ie: always wanted one since you were a young child or you have some sentimental reasons for one> then buy it or search around for a better deal for a 3000GT...maybe you can find a VR4.

Else, you can do better for a sporty car. The base 3000GT are extremely heavy (pushing 3500lbs) and pretty slow with a 200hp engine. The VR4 is twin turbo and makes 300hp and is AWD. However their trannies are known for their weakness. A base 3000GT is not a fun car to drive, atleast not to me.

Did you test drive the car? Don't go buying it because its relativly rare and you want one cause it looks cool and is a sports car. The VR4 is a sports car...not the run-of-the-mill 3000GT.

I'm not flaming you, just trying to warn you before you get into something that you can't get out of. Think sensibly, don't fall into the 'getting a rare sports car' thing like many others, who later realize it didn't meet up to their expectations and/or they can't afford it.
 
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Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
71
After reading what you describe from seeing the car, I would not buy this one. It sounds like it's in horrible condition for an 8 year old car, let alone a car as expensive and as deserving of TLC as a 3000GT. These people did not know how to take care of a car. They were probably offered very little in trade (far below book) due to it's condition, so they are trying to sell it themselves.

BTW, Don't buy their Maxima in eight years either. ;)
 
ed21x

ed21x

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 2001
5,411
8
81
wasn't there suppose to have been some huge problem with the 3000 GT that made Mitsubishi stop selling them? I vaguely remember that cuz it use to be my dream car.
 
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