When buying a Northstar powered car....

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

When one is buying a Northstar powered car, what are the things you definetly have to look at? What are the things that should tell you not to buy this car?

[eldorado1]

on your test drive, pull over and pull the codes.

overheating would be a "bad sign"

Check the general maintenance stuff for good measure.

[zonie77]

Take a loooong test drive. Stop several times. Go uphill or on the highway if possible. Put a couple of dollars gas in it.

You are checking for overheating. Especially uphill or at high speeds. Watch for any spitting out the overflow tank. THe rest of the time watch for any obvious problems. You should take enough time...at least a half hour...to get used to the car and notice any problems.

A ride around the block doesn't show up anything but the most glaring problems.

[AlBundy]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

When one is buying a Northstar powered car, what are the things you definetly have to look at? What are the things that should tell you not to buy this car?

Your finally going to bit the bullet and purchase one or are you just doing your homework. Either way good for you.

[itsabughunt]

Isn't the salesman going to think you're nuts if you want to test drive it for half an hour? Not that it matters I guess, but I'm just curious if its normal to test drive for so long. I wouldnt really know since so far I've only bought my cars from family members.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Originally Posted by ALBUNDY

Your finally going to bit the bullet and purchase one or are you just doing your homework. Either way good for you.

Just doing my Homework. I really like ETC's and DeVille Concours


It's a bighunt, I took that '84 SDV out for like 35 minutes. Owner didn't mind at all.

[zonie77]

Originally Posted by itsabughunt

Isn't the salesman going to think you're nuts if you want to test drive it for half an hour? Not that it matters I guess, but I'm just curious if its normal to test drive for so long. I wouldnt really know since so far I've only bought my cars from family members.

Who cares what the salesman thinks! You are going to live with the car, not him. The dealers here usually give you an hour to test drive it.

Most people are foolish and don't take the time to really test drive the car.

[codewize]

Apparently in addition to

oil leaks (mostly pre 2000) and temp problems

we need to look at the front motor mount. Very commonly broken even with extremely low mileage. Not a cheap repair. Take the time to check this out.

[STS 310]

Originally Posted by codewize

Apparently in addition to

oil leaks (mostly pre 2000) and temp problems

we need to look at the front motor mount. Very commonly broken even with extremely low mileage. Not a cheap repair. Take the time to check this out.

Motor mount is an easy fix, and would be probably fixed by a "tech" at the lot if pointed out. Long test drive and use you nose after the the drive and actually during. Pull over and lift the hood with the engine running. Smell the whole compartment. Onle reason you should smell coolant is if it was just changed, and then be leory. Collant smell is not some thing you want to smell, and if someone is trying to get past a hg or pump, they will say "Oh some coolant just spilled on the heads " or something like that.

Be prudent, and suspicious.

Shame we have to be so militant, but......

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Originally Posted by zonie77

Who cares what the salesman thinks! You are going to live with the car, not him. The dealers here usually give you an hour to test drive it.

Whoa! An hour?! I always thought he'd think I was stealing it if I took it out for more than like 15 minutes.

Originally Posted by zonie77

Most people are foolish and don't take the time to really test drive the car.

I agree, but sometimes it's hard to take it out for a while if the salesmen is pressuring you or if the car has a low tank of fuel like that '77 Town Car I drove last week. I wanted that car for longer but the damn low fuel light was on at 1/4 tank!