I've got a '94 with 59k miles, it's always been babied (some say too much!) and I have several people interested in buying it. I'm just wondering what to expect in the way of future problems with it. I've heard that with care and luck I could get 90 to 100 k on it with out a major rebuild -- but, it still will require tweeks and possible 'smaller' problems to get there. I 'love' the car but being limited with funds to spend on it I'm undecided. There would be nothing greater that being able to drive it for the next couple of years, but close to a major disaster if I had to shell out big bucks (over $600. !?) It boils down to have some fun, gamble it will go for another couple years , or be a logical adult and sell. Who the hell knows!? Who's got the crystal ball?

 

As you suspected, no one can accurately answer that question. However, you can determine some likelyhood of future reliability based on your knowledge of the car's maintenance since new.

For, instance, was the coolant replaced regularly (maximum every 3 years, preferably every two)? If not you have a good chance of having a coolant seal failure.

Have you done this plus basic preventive maintenance (change fluids regularly, new radiator, replaced hoses, AST, water pump, etc.)? If so, you can probably expect it to live for several more years. If not, any 13-year-old vehicle can suffer component failures, leading to having to spend $XXX (you name the amount) for repairs.

OTOH, if you keep it and you do have problems, you can sell it then (obviously for less $), and, meanwhile, enjoy it until it breaks.

Just something to think about.

 

If the car is pretty stock, I would check things which should be part of your normal maintenance routine:

1. Check the rubber under the hood. i.e. coolant hoses, piping couplers etc.
2. Check your cooling accessories. Make sure the fins aren't all bent up on your radiator and oil cooler(s). If you have the stock radiator, make sure the end tanks aren't showing any signs of cracking. If you have the stock plastic AST, make sure it's not brittle and showing signs of cracking.
3. Check your brakes. Make sure the brake lines are in good shape as well as your brake pads.
4. Check your tires, make sure you have good rubber on the car.
5. Check your suspension. Make sure you don't have any access play.

Replace any parts necessarily from your checks. Other than that, make sure you have your other maintenance up to date:

1. Coolant flush
2. Spark plugs and wires
3. O2 sensor
4. Oil & filter
5. Air filter
6. Fuel filter
7. Tranny & diff fluid

 

You could get to 100k miles or a coolant seal could die tomorrow and you will be out ~$5k-$7k. There are people here that will tell you that if you are **** about maintenance that this will not happen but there is no predicting coolant seal failure.

And any 15-year-old car (or even 4-year-old car) can need a $1-$2k of repairs at any time. If you want the sort of reliability you are talking about I would buy a new Camry or Civic.

 

if you consider $600 "big bucks" in repairs for this car then sell immediately.

 

.........the unexpected. DUH!!! HAHA

 

could be anything...you can really only tell the health of the motor by getting a compression test. check engine parts for wear, pretty basic things...

one of the bigest things is the previous owner. does he have any service records, recipts for bought fluids, parts, ect. this helps in determining if it was maintained properly.

 

Lots of good advice in this thread. The most important thing to decide, is how much you like the car. If something goes wrong, are you willing to pay an expensive repair bill in order to keep the car you love.

I have 63K on my 94 FD. I have taken pretty good care of it, but cannot say for sure about prior owners. I have had it 6 years. Cosmetically, my car is in excellent shape. It always ran great. A couple of months ago, it suddenly blew a coolant seal. The turbos turned out to be very worn also:

Rebuilt street ported engine with new rotor housings: ......... $5500
New 99 Jspec turbos .................................................. ..... $2700
New PFC .................................................. ....................... $700
Tune .................................................. ..............................$300
Other Misc stuff .................................................. ..............$500

Total money (well spent) for the car I love ........................ $9700

If you don't want to risk a big repair bill, you really should sell the car now.

 

...is it under warranty? lol...jk... perhaps the stock radiator will begin leaking badly while you're hammering it on 395 in Mojave....