Purchase advice needed, FC T2
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 11
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From: Maryland
Purchase advice needed, FC T2
Hello! This is my first post, so I hope this is in the right place. Onto the main subject!
I have the opportunity to pick up a 1988 FC Turbo 2 for almost nothing. It’s completely original, except a set of s5 mirrors. Here’s the thing- it’s been sitting for +/- 14 years, and has 189xxx miles on it. The owner says he parked it after it started smoking some. From what I can see, he really cared about the thing. The interior is pretty clean for something of its mileage, and the rims are clean and free of curb rash. I have not spotted any rust underneath it, but there is a small patch on the rear right outer fender, though not all the way through. It’s slightly weathered, but the seals seem to have done their job and there aren’t any rust stains on the carpet. Paint isn’t flaking. Rear has a dent from a branch falling on top of its cover, hopefully that’s a spot that can be fixed. Other than that and a few door dings, the body is clean.
I really want to pick this thing up, but it would need to be driveable pretty quick. I’m going over this week to test compression, what do you guys think? Would this be something you’d be willing to throw funds at, and drive? I’m considering putting the funds I have for this into an RX8 if this isn’t going to turn out. I’ve heard great things about this community, and several people have directed me here.
Thanks for looking, and I appreciate any advice.
I have the opportunity to pick up a 1988 FC Turbo 2 for almost nothing. It’s completely original, except a set of s5 mirrors. Here’s the thing- it’s been sitting for +/- 14 years, and has 189xxx miles on it. The owner says he parked it after it started smoking some. From what I can see, he really cared about the thing. The interior is pretty clean for something of its mileage, and the rims are clean and free of curb rash. I have not spotted any rust underneath it, but there is a small patch on the rear right outer fender, though not all the way through. It’s slightly weathered, but the seals seem to have done their job and there aren’t any rust stains on the carpet. Paint isn’t flaking. Rear has a dent from a branch falling on top of its cover, hopefully that’s a spot that can be fixed. Other than that and a few door dings, the body is clean.
I really want to pick this thing up, but it would need to be driveable pretty quick. I’m going over this week to test compression, what do you guys think? Would this be something you’d be willing to throw funds at, and drive? I’m considering putting the funds I have for this into an RX8 if this isn’t going to turn out. I’ve heard great things about this community, and several people have directed me here.
Thanks for looking, and I appreciate any advice.
Full Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 89
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
Reading your post, I'm thinking you are needing a daily driver? Get something else.
But, if its next to nothing, maybe grab it anyway and come back to it when your situation is better stabilized. What's 6 more months when it has already sat 14 years. Stop any rust, turn the motor a little and come back to it when you can.
I got my T2 in October, running, and still had a few issues I had to deal with before it came close to daily driver reliable. I still don't drive it daily, she is thirsty!
Good luck either way you go!
John
But, if its next to nothing, maybe grab it anyway and come back to it when your situation is better stabilized. What's 6 more months when it has already sat 14 years. Stop any rust, turn the motor a little and come back to it when you can.
I got my T2 in October, running, and still had a few issues I had to deal with before it came close to daily driver reliable. I still don't drive it daily, she is thirsty!
Good luck either way you go!
John
Rotary Freak
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 599
From: Beeton, Ontario
Are you looking for a reliable daily driver, or a project? You said it needs to be driveable pretty quickly, and I can promise you it will take longer than you expect. Keep in mind that no matter how good the car looks, after it's sat that long, there will be more problems than you can see.
Considering you said it is available for almost nothing, I'd say jump on it if you're looking for a project. Or if it really is "almost nothing", just as JLS 89 T2 said, buy it and store it someplace until you have the funds to restore it to working order. Then grab a cheap car to drive around in daily.
If you do buy it, follow the steps at this link to make sure everything is ready before you try to drive it: Link
Should you jump on it, you're in for lots of fun (and a hole in your wallet; If not for the repairs, then for the gasoline).
Welcome to the forum
Considering you said it is available for almost nothing, I'd say jump on it if you're looking for a project. Or if it really is "almost nothing", just as JLS 89 T2 said, buy it and store it someplace until you have the funds to restore it to working order. Then grab a cheap car to drive around in daily.
If you do buy it, follow the steps at this link to make sure everything is ready before you try to drive it: Link
Should you jump on it, you're in for lots of fun (and a hole in your wallet; If not for the repairs, then for the gasoline).
Welcome to the forum
I bought a non running NA that had been sitting for 3 years and after digging into it, there was so much wrong it made my head spin. Vacuum hoses rotted/cut/broken/missing, wiring harness cut into, spliced, tapped into something else - I found 2 ECU's under the carpet lol. Random wires running from the front of the car to the back that were obviously added after the fact and used to jerry rig something. The engine itself was low compression but while taking it out I noticed that half of bolts on the intake manifold were missing. Brakes were seized, shocks rusted through the housing, spring coils rusted to the point of failure, gas tank coated in crystallized fuel and rust... and so much more.
If it's not running, expect it to need everything replaced or rebuilt, that way when you find a bolt or wire or hose that's good, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
If it's not running, expect it to need everything replaced or rebuilt, that way when you find a bolt or wire or hose that's good, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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