I asked the same question when I was going to look at a specific V. ;-)
I had studied the forum thoroughly at that point, and have a good understanding of the mechanical aspects of an automobile, so may have a head start.
A lot of it has to do with the mileage of the vehicle. Stuff wears out over time and mileage, so you need to be checking to make sure it was maintained properly and that items were replaced as needed.
Check for how hard it was driven. These cars beg to be driven hard, and that wears them out. Listen for a whine from the diff, for clunks in the transmission, for clunks in the suspension, for a firm break pedal, the way the doors shut, and for rattles in the interior. How is the steering wheel side to side... is it tight?
If you have any of these, those would indicate that the integrity of the parts is beginning to diminish.
Look at the door jams, the trunk, the engine bay, all the seams in the body panels, and make sure everything is square. That will tell you that the body integrity is good. Listen for wind noise when you drive it, that helps you understand how straight it is, and if the rubber seals are OK and doing their job.
Check the fluids... are the clear and show that they are fresh?
Again... all of this is a factor of mileage. Only you can tell if it seems normal to the car.
Get a carfax and get a dealer to run the service history on the car! There is a wealth of information there, and it helps you understand and evaluate what you are seeing in person first hand.
If you are not comfortable with all of this, grab someone to go with you. It is hard to be objective, when the emotional thrill of buying the car is affecting you (it was for me).
I'll bet there are guys here that will help you, if you asked.
Maybe look up my old thread... there was specific items suggested in it, that you could use as a checklist.
I had studied the forum thoroughly at that point, and have a good understanding of the mechanical aspects of an automobile, so may have a head start.
A lot of it has to do with the mileage of the vehicle. Stuff wears out over time and mileage, so you need to be checking to make sure it was maintained properly and that items were replaced as needed.
Check for how hard it was driven. These cars beg to be driven hard, and that wears them out. Listen for a whine from the diff, for clunks in the transmission, for clunks in the suspension, for a firm break pedal, the way the doors shut, and for rattles in the interior. How is the steering wheel side to side... is it tight?
If you have any of these, those would indicate that the integrity of the parts is beginning to diminish.
Look at the door jams, the trunk, the engine bay, all the seams in the body panels, and make sure everything is square. That will tell you that the body integrity is good. Listen for wind noise when you drive it, that helps you understand how straight it is, and if the rubber seals are OK and doing their job.
Check the fluids... are the clear and show that they are fresh?
Again... all of this is a factor of mileage. Only you can tell if it seems normal to the car.
Get a carfax and get a dealer to run the service history on the car! There is a wealth of information there, and it helps you understand and evaluate what you are seeing in person first hand.
If you are not comfortable with all of this, grab someone to go with you. It is hard to be objective, when the emotional thrill of buying the car is affecting you (it was for me).
I'll bet there are guys here that will help you, if you asked.
Maybe look up my old thread... there was specific items suggested in it, that you could use as a checklist.