First off, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but I checked them all and didn't see anything similar, so I put it here.

Note that I haven't yet had a chance to get a look at the car, as I am at college. I'm planning on going to see it this weekend, and I would like some of your input, as you guys know what your talking about.

Ok, so this guy (kid actually, hes 18) is selling his '99 tibby for cause he needs to pay of some debt to some hardcore guys. He has done lots of body and engine work(engine work is assumed b/c of his 30+ mpg) 19" rims and such.

The miles on the car are "high"(don't know exact). He's only asking around 3 grand for it. I am wondering how reliable the engine is, meaning how many miles it will it last for. Please assume the worst, cause most kids do just flat out beat the shit out of their cars. I would also like to know about how much basic repairs for a car with "high" miles would be, with new brakes/pads, clutch, tranny and all that jazz.

Thanks for any input in advance.

 

WELCOME TO RD!!!

1st off.....please....we DO have size restrictions on avatars.....go to your account, change info and reduce it. It takes up half the screen.

3k isnt that bad......but 30mpg...my ass. thats the EPA's rating, NOT the actual, theres a thread about crappy mpg. search for it. most of us are getting between 20 and 27. I just posted in that thread to Im getting 21 mpg. If you dont beleive it, come sit in DC traffic for a week and then let me know what you mileage is. ;-)

Body work.....what kind??? damage repairs???? There really arent that many good fitting bodykits available In the US for ANY RD tiburons. and the ones that are are extremely expensive (veilside). so the choices of body kits are very slim.

I have not had any major (or minor,really) problems during the 76k I have put on my 2000's engine.

If you are weary about buying it b/c of the mileage, get it anyways and buy an engine off ebay (around 300 w/ shipping), that way at least you'll have an extra should anything serious happen, or you have one to build for some serious performance.

But search around here and you will see the few problems that seem to pop up for the majority of us......

I will name just one (expensive if the warranty is up) Wheel Bearings.

 

I would check on the size of those rims. I believe you really only should go as large as 17's without problems. I have a 99 tib fx with 71xxx miles on it. No real unforeseen problems yet. They are not known for frills as far as interior goes, i have had to seek and destroy a lot of weird noises as far at the interior goes. the car does dent very easy so be carefull when you park next to people in lots. I just park in back to be carefull. Is it the FX level with the 2lt engine? If you are into stereos' it's a pretty easy install with lots of space in the dash for your deck depth wise. a little narrow for some decks though.

 

Yeah sorry bout the avatar . . . oops.gif

As I said, I haven't seen the car in person yet, as I am doing that this weekend.

tibwrcsbj: are you sure about the whole engine cost thing? I mean, 300 sounds really low for a new/semi-new engine.

For mpg, i mostly drive country/back roads, with a very little city, so I think it's very possible to get 30. I've been all over this forum, so I've read just about every recent and some not-so-recent posts about anything on this site.

Thanks for the input and speedy replies.

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Yeah he's right engines aren't that expensive for our cars. I agree with tibwrcsbj wheel bearings will probably have to be replaced. They might be already done if it's a 99, all four of mine are replaced and it's a 98.

When you take it for a drive, hopefully you will, listen for some howling or constant rubbing sounds. That will indicate whether or not there is a problem there.

I don't believe he's got 19's on there cause they are a lot of work. If they are in fact 19's tell him you don't want them, the ride will be shit.

Keep in mind it's a fairly old car and there will be things wrong with it, if it's a legit deal he'll safety inspect it for you, if not don't buy it. That is probably why he's selling it. Just look for dings, scratches, things that might warrant him a bad caretaker.

You're making a good choice I love my tibby. Just be serious about it and ask questions, that's honestly the only way. Good Luck laugh.gif

 

3 grand is not bad, try to go lower on the price to see if he bites..you better ask him specifically what engine work he has done to the motor..it'll come in handy later on. Go see the car first..check out the body and look at the tires..they'll tell you alot about how the car was driven.

 

so that's what that squeek is?! i just noticed it doing that within the past week or two to my 99..where do you go to get those replaced? how much?

find out if it is the FX version (the one i have, those are better)

i got my 99 for $2900 with a lot of stuff wrong with it (only MINOR things though: broken sunroof, a few scratches, windshield crack, a few upholstery tears, the sunglass thingy was broke damnit i still need to find a new one of those...broken foglights, an air bag is out it wasn't a salvage title but obviously there was a small accident to the front end cuz of scratches on bumper and the fogs, oh and it needed new tires BAD) i drove to virginia to get it and im from wisconsin, so if u add up gas, the cost to fix the stuff (180 sunroof, 300 windshield, 400 tires) and the licensing....grand total is about $4000. oh and it had 93k when i bought it, now it's got 104k.
i believe the 99 tib's bluebook at like 4400 with 90-100k. (?)

oh yeah, and my studie kit looks nice :-D

as far as gas mileage...i only get about 20-25 mpg, i DOUBT that you will get 30+.
also, 19s would be really bad on these tibs.