Hi everyone! Little help?

[devanrules]

Hello everyone,

My name is Devan Jones, I'm a 19 year old Automotive Engineering student in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and here is my story...

In 1988, my mom bought a brand new Arctic White Chrysler Lebaron Turbo. I grew up with that car, and when I turned 16, it became mine. I love that car. It's stylish, it's unique it's reliable and it's fun (well it was, until the engine went). I also fell in love with my Uncle's 1983 Shelby Charger, which he won't sell (believe me, I've tried <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ). Anyway, the point is, I have become a huge admirer of 80's- early 90's Chryslers ad have swore that I would own one again. Anyway, winter is coming and I need to find myself a car, as my 1970 Beetle won't quite cut the Canadian winters. Being a huge car guy, I knew I needed to find the perfect car for me. For me it's not just basic transportation, it's love. During my search, I came across the holy grail of 80's-90's Chryslers... That's right, a TC.

FOR THE RECORD- I did know quite a bit about the TC before I even knew one was for sale or saw one. I've dreampt about one day owning one... that's how much of a 80's Chrysler nut I am....

As you can imagine, this came as quite an overwhelming shock to me. Not only did I find my absolute dream car, but I found one in MANITOBA, CANADA none the less... I immediately took the first bus out to see it and I fell in love. It's a 91, Arctic White/Black/Black, obviously with the 3L/4spd. It is NOT safetied, but we took it for an inspection and it won't take much. I told the guy that I won't buy it unless it's safetied As much as I absolutely love it, I still need a proper, useful vehicle. Most of it is just simple stuff, lights need replacing, some screws tightened, etc, so he's going to get it done. The main problem facing this car however, is it's milege. It's got 158,000 Miles on it, which is quite substantial. The engine purrs, and everything is in great shape, but this is my first real car, I need it to be reliable and I need to trust it.

The guy selling it has no idea what he has. He knows it's a rarer car, but nothing more. He didn't even know it was a convertible!?!?!?! I asked him how the soft-top was, and he said that it was missing. We took the hardtop off, I popped the Tonneau and pulled out the softtop (in perfect shape by the way). His re-action was "oh I guess it does have one"!!!

He's only had it for a few months, he bought it in British Columbia from a guy who drove it in from Florida. He's selling it because he's going back to school and needs the money. He's asking $7500 Canadian for it.

I REALLY want this car, but the miles are high and I'm scared of the astronomical repair bills. Any advice you guys would have would help SO much.

A few of the more pressing questions:

How rough is that milege for a 91 with the 3.0?

How astronomical are the repair bills?

How good is the hardtop for use as a winter car? (Think -30 degrees C here folks)

Am I still going to love this car a year from now?

Is the price decent?

What should I make sure to look at before I buy it? (problem spots)

and obviously the main one, should I buy this car?

Any other advice you could give would be amazing. I'm really glad I could find some people who know about the car, have experience with it and can tell me what it's really like...

Thanks so much in advance guys,

Devan Jones

[Guest Anthenium]

Hi Deavan,

I would pass on this car. I have 2 cars, including a 16V/5Spd with under 63K Miles. I paid $7,000 for BOTH, and both are better than the car you are looking at. I bought both off of Ebay, and have had very good experieince buying cars there. I've bought 5 cars there, and sold 3. To be straight up with you, these are NOT ideal car to have as your only car. They are a considerable amount of work to maintain, expensive to make reapirs on, and have some Quirks that might not make them the most reliable car, especially in the Canadian Winter. I live in the Metro-Detroit, MI area. I would not consider driving either of my cars in the winter. I have driven Shelby Chargers in the winter. Not Fun!

I'll address your questions now:

A few of the more pressing questions:

How rough is that milege for a 91 with the 3.0?

*****

That's pretty high milage for the money. My '89 TII had 112K Miles on it, but was maintained very well. Everything worked, and even had the original umbrella/tool kit/manuals/window sticker, etc...$3000.00

How astronomical are the repair bills?

*****

It depends on what goes wrong, and if that part is available. Drive-train wise, it's not that bad.

How good is the hardtop for use as a winter car? (Think -30 degrees C here folks)

*****

NOT Good! These tops won't even keep you dry in a Spring Shower. And you are talking about an Arctic Balst.

Am I still going to love this car a year from now?

*****

If it's your only car, and you have to start doing a lot of work just to keep it going, maybe not. On the other hand it IS a TC!

Is the price decent?

*****

No. It's Very High for the miles/condition. I've bought a Canadian car and "Imported" it into the USA(From Ebay!). An '87 Maserati 425. It was a 2 hour ordeal at the border satisfying the DOT, IRS, EPA, and Treasury departments requirments. It cost about $100 in fees, and away I went. You may want to consider looking into Importing an American car. I'm not sure about having it shipped in, accross the border, but you could probably find a better car, at a better price, even factoring in shipping costs. I had my '90 TC delivered from Eugene, Oregon for $925.00.(3500 miles)

What should I make sure to look at before I buy it? (problem spots)

*****

I'll leave that to the "Experts".

and obviously the main one, should I buy this car?

*****

At that price, and in that condition, I would say no. Also, considering this is going to be your only car/Daily Driver, You may want to get something a little more practical. My "Other Love" is a very practical '91 Subaru Loyale Wagon, affectionatly known as The Bandit Wagon.( I play bass for the Speed-Punk band Smashbandits). It has 4WD on demand, gets 30+ MPG, Super easy to work on, and about as reliable as an anvil. There is a web-site for Subaru's, similar to this one, that you may want to look at. http://www.ultimatesubaru.net . There is a HUGE support network for buying and maintaining these Incredabely practical and reliable cars. You may want to consider a Pre-1996 Legacy AWD sedan or wagon. These cars can be had for much less than you are considering to pay for the TC you have found, and are good for 300K miles with minimal maintenance. 500K+ if you put some effort into keeping the car Tip-Top. Then when you have the problem of Basic Transportation solved, start looking for your Dream-Car!

Best of Luck in your TC pusuits,

[Guest Jeffn]

Cars in canada are much higher than the US but you should be getting 2 TCs at that price/condition.

And I drove mine all last winter on winter tires w/o a hitch and then the ABS was down for the whole winter(fixed now). And mine's has about 30 hp over stock and I still am looking forward to it this winter(unless $$ situautions(med bills) change and I get that A3).

Look for another car. I'd sell mine with a new trans, 64k on it in decent shape for 3800.US for an example.

[blmay]

Hey Fat Tony.......What a great and informative reply you gave. Hats off to the "New TC Guy". I wish all us "Old TC Guys" would take the time, the effort, and the research to give such replys. Welcome aboard!!!!!

Bill

[skydad]

Hey Devan, The TC is a good car and fun to drive and my '89 4 cyl w/auto gets about 26 mpg on the highway. Mine has 49,600 miles on it and I didn't pay anywhere near $7000 Canadian for it. Although you were told in a previous post that the hardtop is subject to leaks, mine hasn't so far in our heavy south Louisiana thunderstorms. Maybe I'm just lucky. My cloth top looks brand new as well and I have the umbrella and tool kit also. Man, you could by a Suburu and a TC for what that guy expects to get from you for his probably worn out TC. With that many miles, I wouldn't even look back as I ran away from that "deal". Good luck with your hunt.

[TimW]

Offer him $1500 US.