alright, so i checked it out and i think i broke multiple rules of carbuying... like looking at a black car at night, or howabout considering a nonregistered car i plan to DD? plus it was literally buried in snow when i got there.
i'm conflicted on this one. i checked every area you guys mentioned and couldnt find a spot of rust anywhere, it reminded me of our southern jeep XJ-R.
the good:
the engine sounded good, ran smoothly, and felt really strong (at least around the block)
all new brakes, front end bushings/BJs, rear TA bushings, recent stock muffler,
stock suspension to start from
surprisingly good unpitted glass headlights that worked really well
mostly new hoses everywhere in the engine bay
new timing belt, water pump, heater core
the bad:
sounds like a vacuum leak very high idle ~1800rpm, then surges from 800-1800 when trying to idle warm. he said idle increases when sprayed with carb clean, so probably just a leak.
leaks a lot of oil, so much that i couldnt follow it anywhere because its everywhere
3rd gear feels a little crunchy going in at normal-quick speed, fluid change to help?
there was moisture in the hatch area, dampness around the probably original taillight gaskets, he said it may drip water from the shock prop bump? just a slight beginning of surface rust in the wheelwell though, nothing bad.
sunroof opens, but only manually with a socket.... bad motor/switch/wiring?
CEL is on, he says its a single ecu lead from the p28/distributor swap to turn it off that he didnt get to, but he says it throws codes properly right now.
the indifferent:
its been repainted black, and is a little coarse feeling
clutch pedal engagement feels low, but it has a new cable and somewhat recent clutch so i'm guessing its just not set right.
there's a small bit of wiring i'd want to redo, and i'm not a big fan of that, but it doesnt really scare me
i'm mixed though because ive never seen a car this rust free up here, andi its got a ton of new stuff in it, but i couldnt take it for a long drive, see it in the light, and theres the engine/ecu/oil/trans stuff that worries me.