Just bought a 92 STS

thespirit · #1 (**permalink**) 03-04-07, 11:43 PM

I just bought a 92 STS with 162k miles on it. My brother in law sold it to me as he is buying a newer truck. I was in need of a vehicle as my 91 saturn is going through a quart of oil every 160 miles.

I paid $700 for it. It's in decent shape, just has some minor issues like the horn doesn't work, interior lights are not working right, and the drivers seat is really messed up. He told me I need to replace a strut joint too.

I drove it home tonight and I love this car. He put a new flowmaster exhaust on it and it sounds excellent. The instant gas mileage reading was around 25 - 28 on the freeway doing 75, so I am hoping that is what I will get long term with it on the freeway. This will be my work car and I drive 80 miles a day 5 days a week.

He told me about putting the tablets in the radiator.

Is there anything else that I should make sure that I do to keep the car running as long as it possibly can?

The price was excellent and as long as it lasts a year, it will be way cheaper than a car payment for me. However, after driving it, I would like to see it last a lot longer than that.

Thanks.

**Ranger** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-07, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Is there anything else that I should make sure that I do to keep the car running as long as it possibly can?

Change the coolant every 2 years.
4.9 or Northstar?

thespirit · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Change the coolant every 2 years.
4.9 or Northstar?

4.9.. I'll have to ask him if he had it changed/flushed.

jadcock · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 11:54 AM

Yes, the Northstar wasn't available until 1993.

The 4.9 is a great engine. Keep the coolant changed and it should be good to you. And yes, they will get great mileage. You'll probably see a true highway average MPG over 25 mpg. City, probably between 17 and 20.

thespirit · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:22 PM

So far it's really handling the highway well. I did notice a little vibration at 65 - 75 but it seems to go away around 80.

I was told to put premium in it. Does this engine normally require premium?

thespirit · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thespirit

I was told to put premium in it. Does this engine normally require premium?

Nevermind. Did a search. No knock sensor = run premium only.

jadcock · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:54 PM

Yeah, I'd run premium. I have a '97 with the Northstar and even though it does have a knock sensor, it really doesn't like regular. It runs okay, but throttle response is off and it just doesn't run as nice. Hard to describe. More of a "feeling" than objective performance differences I guess.

So yeah, I'd be sure to put premium in it. Depending on how much you drive, that may or may not be a big financial difference. You could also try midgrade and see how it runs, and if you get any spark knock.

thespirit · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 09:36 PM

This will be an 80 mile per day car.

I commute 40 miles one way to work 5 days a week. I hate to rack up the miles on this car, but I am loving the ride now. As long as I get around 25 MPG, it won't dent my wallet too bad. I was used to get 26 MPG on regular in a 94 Beretta Z26. I was driving a 91 saturn for a while, but the quart of oil per day was getting expensive... and scary.