Hi Folks!
Say, I just bought a "Toy" today discovered it from craigslists here in
Minnesota from a wholesaler/independent dealer for $2,250.00 which I think
it was a great looking car teal color great shape new tires but has
1,142xxx miles on it...now, I double check everything no leaks, ac works,
heat, new tires/wheels...pretty much of electrical works that I noticed,
then test drive for 1 hour it runs great! Then I check under the hood
seems clean, but I noticed the manifold muffler had a crack in the middle
of it that I could see through the heatshield holes which i verified the
dealer, is it important/expensive to have it fix/change to a new one and
how soon do I have to have-it-done????...I talk him down to 1,500 for it
then 1,6 nogo, 1,7, nogo, 1,8, 1,9 still did'nt go for it....got to 2,000
dollars...is that a deal you think? I've noticed also that the steering
wheel does'nt lock when park...is that how it supposed to be? Do I have to
buy a steering lock bar for it?....once it was bought anyways...we (my
brother's) ask where was the car/owner from???? nobody knew...we opened
the trunk where the spare tire was...there was walnuts here in there...we
suspected it was from somewhere south...did more investigation to where
this car was...opened up the back rest to see if it flips open to see if
just incase if it's one of those compartment you could flip open the
backseat...finally we found a reciept 1 from walmart 2002, gas station
2003, walmart 2004, and a "Alabama College Library Card" !!!! where else
walnuts would be coming from huh?
Question: 1. Upon opening trunk notice, there were walnuts and receipts
not known to be from Minnesota, should I be concerned if this car can
withstand winter weather? and how would I know, looking under the hood
what should I looking for??
2. Steering wheel does not lock when key is out of the ignition?
3. The crack on the Manifold muffler, would it effect the
performance/engine?
Comment: Distinguishing marks/spots no rust inside door panels, foot
panels and wheel wells under the car not found on vehicle, skeptical about
knowing rust spots in typical Minnesota weather!
Ray O - 29 Sep 2006 04:49 GMT
> Hi Folks!
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> withstand winter weather? and how would I know, looking under the hood
> what should I looking for??
The car should be able to withstand winter weather if the coolant is less
than 2 years old and mixed properly, if the engine oil has been changed
routinely, and if the battery and battery connections are good.
> 2. Steering wheel does not lock when key is out of the ignition?
The key may be worn, make sure you turn it to the lock position before
puling it out.
> 3. The crack on the Manifold muffler, would it effect the
> performance/engine?
I'm not sure what you mean by "manifold muffler" but if you mean the exhaust
manifold, the car may not pass emissions tests, and fumes may get into the
passenger compartment. I'd get it fixed sooner rather than later.
> Comment: Distinguishing marks/spots no rust inside door panels, foot
> panels and wheel wells under the car not found on vehicle, skeptical about
> knowing rust spots in typical Minnesota weather!
I wouldn't worry about a lack of rust!

Signature
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Fishface - 29 Sep 2006 15:28 GMT
I'm not sure how far 1,142xxx miles is. I'll assume that it's not
over a million as it appears. Depending upon the exact location
and length of the crack, and the thickness of the manifold, it may
be possible to repair it, maybe even in place. Automotive machine
shops drill out both ends of the crack to keep it from growing and
use overlapping and interlocked tapered threaded cast iron pins to
fill the crack. http://www.irontite.com/crack.htm There's probably
a bunch of exhaust manifolds in the salvage yards, or check eBay!
Alabama. How far is that from New Orleans? Make sure the car
wasn't flooded with sea water!
Truckdude - 29 Sep 2006 15:47 GMT
> Hi Folks!
>
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
> panels and wheel wells under the car not found on vehicle, skeptical about
> knowing rust spots in typical Minnesota weather!
I would avoid a 1995 car with over a million miles on it. Our '95 Prizm has
about 220,000 miles on it and I thought that was a lot!
davi - 29 Sep 2006 16:14 GMT
Thnks fellas for responding, Here I am just wondering/investigating tryin
find out how far it was from New Orleans.....you think it's worth
finding/carfaxing history of the car?? I meant 141,000 miles, SEA
WATER?<<< what would it happen if it was??? well I didn't see any beads in
their, just five walnuts in the casing where the spare tire was, I'm sure
they cleaned it first bef. selling..radio seems working and it does'nt
smell a mold to it..it seems it's running fine, no rust but just a
hairline width crack on the exhaust manifold. Oh yah, check the radiator
overflow reservoir/container it's kinda dark, I hate to say it but looks
mirky/dark green, Every body here thinks it's a LEMON now...should I
resell it? Although, it seems working good condtion.
Ray O - 29 Sep 2006 16:52 GMT
> Thnks fellas for responding, Here I am just wondering/investigating tryin
> find out how far it was from New Orleans.....you think it's worth
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> mirky/dark green, Every body here thinks it's a LEMON now...should I
> resell it? Although, it seems working good condtion.
If the car runs fine, just take care of the relatively minor problems and
enjoy it!

Signature
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Reasoned Insanity - 30 Sep 2006 00:37 GMT
>> Hi Folks!
>>
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
> I would avoid a 1995 car with over a million miles on it. Our '95 Prizm
> has about 220,000 miles on it and I thought that was a lot!
Ha, I thought the 141,000 that I have on my prizm was a lot. I just got back
from a trip from Fort Collins CO back to Wichita KS and my baby performed
flawlessly. I look forward to being able to brag that I have the 220K that
you have in about 7 years.
davi - 29 Sep 2006 16:34 GMT
Thnks fellas for responding, Here I am just wondering Was'nt to sure how
far the car from Alabama to New orleans, good thing we did some Forensic
investigation with proof of walnuts and receipts (should of done that
before buying!) but it's cheap, I guess just hoping last through the
winter here in Minnesota...Do you think I should carfax it? kinda too late
since i have the car but sure nice to know the history of it...maybe I
could resell it?
Reasoned Insanity - 29 Sep 2006 20:53 GMT
> Thnks fellas for responding, Here I am just wondering Was'nt to sure how
> far the car from Alabama to New orleans, good thing we did some Forensic
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> since i have the car but sure nice to know the history of it...maybe I
> could resell it?
Resell value on such a car would be so low I personally am just going to be
driving mine until it dies. At over 30 miles per gallon it's easily
affordable as someone's second mode of transportation or main form of
transportation for a single guy such as myself. I'm especially encouraged to
keep it for the simple fact that it is in great shape other then the paint
fading in spots...wouldn't mind finding some good touchup paint for that
though.