looking for shopping advice

[timothyr]

Okay, so every now and then I get this itch and decide I NEED a new toy, so the quest has begun.

I know I want a phase 2 car, I am not worried about getting a hard top, but I know I absolutly do not want a car with a red exterior or interior.

I do all of my own mechanic work, and getting intimatly involved with an allante does not scare me in the least, however specific parts availabiility does. Knowing the ABS system these cars have, and being very familiar with the 4500 I am big on making sure that the maintenance is done correctly (to make this point, I have owned at least 5 4.x cars, all of them with the original motors, all of them have lived past 200k).

So my internal debate is going like this:
1. Buy a low dollar high milage car that I know I will have to put some money and sweat equity into...going this route the biggest concern would become rust. body panel, and weatherstrip. the bottom line - spend $3500 on something somewhat drivable, and spend $10k building it into what I want.
2. Look for perfection, inspect every element of it, hope all of the maintenance has been done properly and take the plunge - the bottom line - spend $15k on a car thats almost 20 years old, and pray for no big surprises.
3. Accept the fact that I am nuts and should walk away from this endevor (it wont happen, but it would make the wife happy).

At the end of the day I would like to limit my first year of ownership to not more than $15k (and less is always better...time is no object, money is), and not run into the problem of having to take the car of the road because a part necessary to drive it is not available.

I think a big part of my concern is there is so little information available on these that I have not been able to find anything as far as mechanical interchange.

FWIW, I already know I absolutly do not want a 93....My luck hhas been way to good with 4.x cars, so I am VERY biased (to the point that if there was a 92 & 93 side by side I would pay $2k more for the 92)

[wcoates]

Timothy

Spend some time and buy the correct car. The chase is half of the experience. There is absolutely NO reason to spend $15K on an Allante. None, zero,nada! The market is DEAD. the garage queen '93 are now regularly less than 10k. These cars absolutely need driven. The 4.5 cars have been known to go 300k easily with proper maintenance. The ABS must be maintained or get ready for $1000 repair or more.

These cars are split into the six years of production prior to the Northstar year of the '93. You have already said that you must have a pre-'93 model. That makes it easier. Lots of pre '93s out there. The 200hp vs.295hp debate will go on forever. I think my 200 horse 4.5 will cruise at 90 mph all day long. Yes our wives all think we are nuts,but they know where to find us --not in the bars but on the Garage floor. fix 'em yourself or prepare for major $$$every year on sending your mechanic's child to college.

The $3500 dollar car is also a mistake. Am parting out a 90.5 that I paid $2750 for and hauled from California. Long story-but will more than recover with parts sale. (Save 'em --don't scrap 'em).

Pre '93 with less than 100k on the clock are out there. Arizona has a active club. Should be lots of advice there. Us northern guys have searched long and hard and have brought our cars from California, Arizona, and Florida. Premium metals were used and most northern cars are put to bed in November and awakened in April so rust isn't generally a problem. If driven daily in the north, I'd stay away!

These damn cars are infectious. Get one quick! google Dick Hussey, Tom Rohner, and Johnny Monzo and you will have access to the three major parts suppliers in the whole USA. Will find solutions to all your questions. (More importantly these guys are Allante junkies--)

Good luck and let the hunt begin. Keep us posted!

[danstarley]

I've got a beautiful '90 that I'm thinking of selling, but it's a Phase I. Everything works...just drove it to Oklahoma from Arizona where it spent its entire life. Interested? danstarley@cox.net

[c5 rv]

Last summer I sold my 81 vette and went in search for a 91 or 92 Allante that I could use as a summer daily driver. I found a 91 nearby that was originally an Arizona car. My mechanic and I inspected it and factored the repairs into the purchase price. (Maybe my mechanic saw new braces for his kids in that car.) A lot of the issues have been fixed, but it will take another grand to solve the A/C problem. I'm happy using the car as a top-down summer fun car, so I don't think I'll spend any more big bucks for a while.

If you've been down this road before, you know to inspect and drive plenty of cars so you'll know the right one when it comes along.

[timothyr]

Thanks for all the responses,
Dan, sent you a PM, I may be interested...I am not so much consumed with it being a phase 2 car as I am with wanting the 4.5.

wcoats: I would love to hear the long story of what made you decide to turn the car into parts if not for anything other than my research.

I am not worried about spending countless hours on my garage floor, I thik my biggest concern is things like C5 said about the $1k air conditioner....is the cost so high because of scarce parts, or is that parts and labor. Like I said, I do all my own labor, 1 because i dont trust anyone, and 2 because if theres going to be a shortcut I want to know where it is and be able too blame myself.

as far as the 200 vs 290, like you said, and from my experience 300k is totally doable, without a head gasket....it has enough grunt to keep up, and when maintained right, they are workhorses. for out and out speed I have my motorcycles.

[c5 rv]

The A/C needs a new condenser and the price the quote from my mechanic for parts and labor.

One of the great things about the Allante is the comfort, room, and cargo space compared to other 2 passenger verts. (Important for us since my wife uses a wheelchair.) It's a great summer cruiser.

[timothyr]

Good to know....not that I am a cheap ass, but I would do the labor myself, so I am totally cool with that. I think you nailed it right on as far as my reasons for wanting one (besides the fact that it is just a classy car overall). I love drop top driving, and when you look at the passanger and trunk space it cant be beat, combine that with aerodynamics that eliminate the buffeting and allow you to have a conversation and I am sold.

[c5 rv]

Originally Posted by timothyr

... combine that with aerodynamics that eliminate the buffeting and allow you to have a conversation and I am sold.

Yes, this is a real bonus. Although, now I don't have a valid reason for not listening to what my wife is saying.

[timothyr]

Originally Posted by c5 rv

Yes, this is a real bonus. Although, now I don't have a valid reason for not listening to what my wife is saying.

that was why i liked the trunk size

[c5 rv]

Originally Posted by timothyr

that was why i liked the trunk size

Naah, that doesn't work. She makes even more noise back there.

[timothyr]

Originally Posted by c5 rv

Naah, that doesn't work. She makes even more noise back there.

do you have the 200 watt sound system?

[danstarley]

Hi Timothy:

I don't have any pictures. I need to get the car washed first, and my health doesn't alow me to do it myself. There is no place in Guthrie that I would run it through, so I have to figure out how to get pictures. OF course, it looks just like every other Allante!

Beautifull condition; no body damage or dings; top like new; no rips or tares inside; trunk and spare like new.

Everything that needed to be done has been done including 4 rebuilt bose speaker/amps installed by Tom Rohner in San Diego; new radiator, new front brake calipers/rotors/lines/pads; new A/C evaporator and lines; redyed armrests and shifter boot; installed those $100 things to keep visors

from falling....and much more.

Drives perfectly, fast and powerful. Brakes great and strong. Tracks straight, no vibrations. CD player and radio fine, don't know about the cassette player. Tires at about 60%.

Has clear Oklahoma title. There is no state inspection in Oklahoma, but passed Arizona inspection and emissions test last year.

I have the owner's manual and various booklets.

I'm thinking of selling it because my back is getting so bad that I can hardly get in and out of it.

All you would have to do is give it a good cleaning inside and out.

It's located in Guthrie, which is about 25 miles north of Oklahoma City. I don't know where you are located, but I would help you arrange shipping, but would be much more fun to drive it home!

I haven't thought about price yet, but I'm a reasonable guy!

....Dan



Daniel Starley
912 Mimosa Ter
Guthrie, OK 73044
405-293-9470
danstarley@cox.net
WA2AVI

[danstarley]

Hi Tim, it's Dan in Oklahoma. My computer fried itself, so I lost your eMail address.

Wondering if you're still interested in my '90? The radio quit this week so it probably needs a new radio chassis, which is behind the glove box.

I'll let you have it for $6K before I put it on eBay.

Let me know.

Anyone else out there interested?

....Dan
danstarley@cox.net

[hogdaddy]

TIM,Run! not walk away.......Look for a Chevrolet Camaro Convertable.....These Allante's Suck.

[c5 rv]

Originally Posted by hogdaddy

TIM,Run! not walk away.......Look for a Chevrolet Camaro Convertable.....These Allante's Suck.

Some of us can no longer grow a mullett, so we have to settle for an Allante.