Think it'll hold up? It does have 140k+ on it and I have to use the fuel pump cut-off switch when starting it to keep it from flooding. However, once it starts (which it does fine, I've got the trick of when to flip the fuel pump switch down pat), it runs good, I have to keep it running for a minute or it will stall (t-wax is inoperative to I have it disabled). After a minute it will idle on it's own. I have done a few short jaunts around the block in it, it doesn't stall after being run hard or soft, doesn't seem to cut back under power, pulls up to 6k pretty easily, boosts fine, stops fine, doesn't run hot. I have installed new intake gaskets (upper and lower) and spark plugs.

I can let it sit for a month and still start it w/ no problem. Starter has been rebuilt also. It does need shifter bushings or a shifter assy, I have to shift from 1st to 2nd in a crescent moon pattern I got on it hard in 1st and 2nd gears in the rain the other day, and it didn't spin or slide out or anything, barely spun when I hit 2nd. Didn't feel anything obviously loose or worn in the handling. It will need some good tires soon.

Is there anything else I need to check out before I start driving it? Any spare parts I need to gather up? The cat has been removed, I'm going to have a test pipe made up or buy one, until I can get a good turboback exhaust. Rest of the exhaust will be stock. I haven't noticed any boost creep w/ the open downpipe, although I haven't put a long hard 4th gear pull on it yet, and it also has the small precat on it still. I have an aftermarket boost gauge I can install if I need to, as well as an A/F gauge.

I'll also make sure it has new oil and filter in it. Should I run conventional or synthetic? I have no idea what it has in it now but I think it's probably conventional. Any thing you guys can think of might cause a problem or go bad?

 

Its a car that was sold for daily driving.

Its nothing special, its a car. All 20 year old car break at one point or another.

The question you have to ask yourself, do you have enough money to own a TII or you are better off having it parked all year long.

If the second option is your choice, sell it and go get a lease.

 

Ive daily driven my FC for nearly 3 years. Dont be a wimp, just do it.

 

If it wasn't for the high gas prices for premium I would drive my FC almost daily. As long as you maintain it, like you should anyway, there should be no issues.

 

Daily Drove the TII HARD and it was good to me as long as I took care of the maintenance. Don't be a puss or a neglecting SOB and you'll be ok.

 

Its funny how you guys down in the states complain about gas prices. I should be, and im happy.

Heck yes, drive the t2.

 

Cool, I was just wondering if I'd overlooked anything that should be checked before driving it a lot. Also I was wondering if there's any spare part I should carry in the car with me. I know I always carry a spare voltage regulator and ballast resistor in my old Dodges and I have a spare ignitor in the glove box of the Tercel, as I know those are common things to go out w/o warning on those vehicles. Anything like that that I should carry in the 7?

I'm going to drive it this summer, maybe even sooner. I'm getting very tired of driving around this gutless Tercel turd Even though it gets good mileage, it's still aggravating to me. I'm used to having either a V8 truck or a turbo car. Whether I have the money for it or not, we'll see I do all my own work, so that helps a lot.

I'll still have either the Tercel or the Diplomat tagged and insured for a backup car, especially since it'd be hard to fit me, the old lady and the kid all in the 7, the school might raise an eyebrow if I stuck the kid in the hatch area lol.

 

Hehe, well I'm in SC, which has some of the lowest prices in the country on gas, so it's not too bad. From what I've been reading on here, I probably don't have to run premium either since it's all stock at the moment. If I get 15-17 mpg, I won't be too perturbed. At least I'll have some boost underfoot when I want it

 

My spare alternator helped me last night. I tested it and it was weak so I bought another one during lunch yesterday and it crapped out on me last night in the middle of Downtown, 10 minutes later the car was on the road again without a problem. It all depends on the condition of the car though. If you test the components and everything checks out then spares won't be necessary in the car.

Spare thermostat necks, plugs, o2 sensors, coils, TPS, FUSES etc., etc. would be great to have in your garage in case anything happens in the future.

Don't forget to have 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm and 16mm sockets for any possible issues. Brake fluid, coolant, 2 Qts. of oil and premix (depending on your car), funnel, gloves, shop towels/old shirts, alternator belt, flashlight, voltmeter, TPS light.

That's all I can think of that's in the back of my car right now. I have 3 tool bags:
2 in the car and 1 at home;

1. The sockets, wrenches and tools 1 person bleeding kit.
2. Misc. extra fuses, parts, nuts, bolts,
3. has anything extra I don't need right away.

 

It's a great idea to carry things with you, just in case. I got a full socket set, screwdrivers, shears, bolts, nuts, screws, fuses, tape, tow straps, some wire for checking CEL's, and a FSM just chilling in the hatch for anything that goes wrong. Brake fluid, two stroke oil, 20w-40, and 50/50 coolant in the bins behind me too! Always be prepared!

 

Make sure you always carry the essential tools with you. Saved my *** a couple of times when I had an intercooler pipe blow off, and dumb **** like that.

 

I have never once need to carry all that B/S. If you fix your car right theres no reason you should need to carry a full garage in your hatch.

 

Agreed. I carry a nearly pocket sized 5 wrench set, a multi driver, and a knife. Soon I'll have my spare and tool kit back in. I also carry two stroke oil since I premix, but that's about it for toted tools. Oh, and right now there's an ice scraper in there...

 

i have a very large breaker bar, for both tire changes and traffic issues. brake fluid for brake issues and thats it. I needa find my tire pressure gauge though. car runs like a top, no need for stupid tools, drove to cali and back without any issues, and also drive to tucson (119miles each way) when i can.

 

Oh yeah, I do carry a tire pressure gauge, too. Most of the time.

Btw, I drive my TII right now daily. Snow, rain, sleet, whatever. I have to get to work, and I'm not walking/biking/running 6 miles in freezing temperatures.

 

i daily drive my T2, and the person before my daily drove it as well. It has 137,xxx miles on it and it runs like a champ. I'd say do it, as long as you maintain it the right way it will be good to you.

 

Its nice to have though, just in case!

 

Lol yeah I probably won't carry as much as that with me. I do need to make a basic set of metric tools to carry with me though. Having tools with me has saved me a tow call more than once before. And it seems every time I don't carry some w/ me, something happens. I drove my brother's lowrider Mazda for a while, no tools, forgot to cut off the compressor for the airbags and blew a line at a major intersection. Luckily the was a backpacker sitting at the corner, he loaned me a fork to use as a screwdriver to do the clamp back up lol.

Nice to hear there's a few high-milers out there still going strong.

 

I carry a screwdriver, a wedge, and my car cover! The first two, i dont know why, but you never know when you'll need a car cover!

 

You hope for the best. I prepare for the worst. No matter what it's still a 17+year old car.

 

Oh yeah..... another thing, I picked up small, cheap pairs of needle nose pliers and a normal pair. I guess I carry more than I thought, but I still keep it light. No need to carry tons of fluids. Maybe a couple hose clamps would be prudent.

 

I have a 12v air compressor I carry around w/ me to, plugs in the cigarette light socket. Although, the socket in the 7 kinda wants to pull out when you try to unplug it Looked it over again yesterday, it's gonna get a good set of brake pads too, the ones on it now are about used up. Probably get a set of Hawks or EBC's or something.

 

my point EXACTLY!