HI I am looking at purchaseing a 1994 montengo Blue with about 70K miles on it and according to the person I would be purchaseing it from It had an engine rebuild about 2000 miles ago and had Brand new turbos put in as well. He says that the shop that did the Work was "Firts Off Imports" somewhere down by Auburn. I have heard that They are and off-shoot of Hays Rotary. I would like to know if this sounds like the engine is a good one or a bad one. Please let me know ASAP!!!!!

Thank you

 

Receipts? Warranty? What kind of paperwork does he have on it? The only person I know who has a Hayes engine has had no issues with his raceport and BnR Stage 3's...

 

he has all the paper work and it is a 2year/24k warentee and I talked to first off they said I could transfer it over... So I think it is good.

 

Sounds like a good deal. Any proof of mileage on the rebuild? Odometer reading on the paperwork at time of rebuild and mileage now? What does the warranty cover?

 

VIN

Check the pedigree of the car

CARFAX

Take it to a reputible shop (Pineapple Racing) and pay a littl cash to have them go over it with a fine tooth comb, it may cost you 150 - 200 bucks but its better than getting taken for a couple thousand.

If possible contact the prevous owners and talk to them and see if they had any gripes about the car.

Thats it from me.

Good luck.

 

Pineapple is a LONG way from Lynnwood. There really aren't any "reputable" shops in the Snohomish County area. Carfax is a must with any NICE car being purchased. Mazdatech (will be recommended by the Atkins family) on Mukilteo Speedway might be an ok place, or there's Stage Performance in Kirkland; if you choose to have it inspected. Those guys are great with my FD, especially troubleshooting and that kinda stuff. Problem is a lot of Japanese or rotary specialists won't touch the FD because of the Sequential twins =(

Another thing to do is take someone who isn't into FD's or rotaries, like you, and have them look at the car and tell you EVERYTHING that's wrong with it visually/mechanically, if possible. An honest, unbiased opinion. That's what a DAD is for lol. Or at least mine.

Also, what, if any, mods have been added to the car? Other than the new engine, turbos, and such.

 

The guy I just bought my power fc from, had a Hayes rebuild, ask me why he is parting out his car, or maybe he will chime in. I was visiting Jeff Clark who is an awesome rotary engine builder. He had a Hayes rebuild motor at his shop, guess what, again. The owner hired Jeff to reuild his motor the second time. FD are great if you have deep pockets, and tons of time to kill, personally I like my bmw's much better. Seriously I wouldn't touch it for any more than ten grand. Also more than likely if there is a warranty the likely hood of it transferring over to you is very slim.
Choose Wisely.

 

Have somone do a compression test on the motor to see how good of condition it is in

 

If they really an off shoot of Hayes Rotary and if it was built by the same guys that used to do the engines for Hayes, then walk away from it. Don't even touch that car if it has a Hayes engine.

 

Buy it if you can get it for a price where you feel you can afford to put another $4K in it for a rebuild. If you cant afford a rebuild, walk away. Sooner or later all of these engines will need a rebuild, warranty or not. If you dont have the $ to do the maintanence, you'll just be back on the forum selling a car you cant afford to fix....
my 2 cents.