wrote:

> Fellas, if you're on line, may I please ask a few more last minutes
> questions about this 86 Spider Veloce that I'm about to purchase here
> in Arizona.
>
> Background:
>
> $5000; the car is excellent condition (visually). 55,500 miles on the
> odometer. Lots of new parts, new tires, new battery, new exhaust
> system, etc.. Body and interior not pristine, but certainly excellent.
> I reviewed all his repair bills (quite a few of them) and he put lots
> of money into the car. Main repair was 3000 miles ago he spent about
> $5000 when he brought the car in complaining of oil leaking. They took
> the engine out, apart, patched things up, re-assembled, re-installed.
>
> Now, for some reason I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger but I
> went early this morning, had a look, took a drive, and here is what it
> boils down to below. I'm wondering if my concerns below are
> show-stoppers that you would tell me to stay away from this car or
> whether they are pretty much what all of you/us deal with when owning
> an older sports care so I should just not worry about it and have fun:
>
> 1. I notice that when I drive the car and go over a speed bump, the
> front shocks or suspension is pretty rough. He said that the rubber
> engine mounts were replaced so I'm guessing it's some other part of the
> suspension system. Pretty normal? Expensive to fix if I really had to
> do it?

May be the shocks on the way out. May just be it's an Italian 'sports' car
if you're not used to them

> 2. The transmission seems to be pretty good but I do notice that going
> from Neutral to 1st there is a slight grinding. When I go from N to
> 2nd and then to 1st it seems to be ok. I think I remember years ago a
> standard transmission that I had was similar. Is this something I
> should worry about? Expensive to fix if I really had to? What does a
> new tranny cost for this car and can I even get one if I really had to?

'They all do that, sir'

> 3. This may be normal for all (older) sports cars but I sense a certain
> amount of "fumes" .. maybe gas, maybe oil don't know . when I drive the
> car. Is this probably ok?
..

Not sure about this. It's unlikley (IMO) to be serious / expensive but if
it were mine, I'd take a good look to sneure not fuel leaking or cracks in
the exhaust manifold. If the good doctor reckons it's OK, I'd probably
trust him.

Last time I knew of something similar was when the sound deadening material
under the bonnet came loose and was gently toasting on the engine


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