Alright, i just did a search on "service light" and nothing came on...
I'm about to buy a 2001 cavalier with a full body kit, (needs some bondo work and paint), 3" drop, and one @!#$ty interier for about $5,000. (I planed on doing the interier up myself anyways) It's a decent deal, but my only question about it is the fact the "Service" light is on along with the "Check Engine" light.
The car has 38,000 miles on it. The guy that's selling it says the service light is nothing, just needs an oil change, and the check engine light is becuase he took the catilytic converter off. Is he lying? I don't want to buy this car and have it junk on me a few weeks later. I test drove it, and it seemed fine. Ride sucked becuase the stiff suspension, but I'll live. I know i could get it coded at auto-zone, but there's not one near me. Any ideas?
Oh, and I already own a 2001 Cavalier with 88,700 miles, so I do know a little bit about them.
Thanks!!
Me personally, I would never buy a modified car, so I would stay clear of it, even if it does have low miles. If the service light is on to me that means that he doesn't service the car on a regular basis, an oil change is like what 20 or so bux. if the problems are simple fixes, then make him fix them before you buy it if you are really interested. The body sounds to be in rough shape also, I would say screw it and not even buy it. But that IMO.
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=1&i=333805&t=333704#333805
Have him drive the car with you to Autozone or someplace similar and check the codes it's throwing.
I would never buy a modified car.. i mean the guy could have done a totally n00b job on it and it could be damaged goods which is why he's selling it.
The only way i would buy this is:
1. if it's a z24 of course.
2. if he has the catalytic converter put back in & the CEL turns off. I wouldn't worry so much about the service soon light.
Either ways this doesn't seem like a good deal. I'd try to get him down closer to $4000 if you are still insistent on buying it but.. i would not buy a modified car. it seems like the work he's done is shoddy from what you say.
Sadly, no more..
$5000 for a shot interior a few codes and needing bondo work is pricey, when you can pick up a mint condition Z24 for around the same price or cheaper.
If the interior is crap I'd hate to know how badly he maintained the rest of the car. Never buy a car with the "intention" to replace something its a bad idea because you may never get around to it.
It just sounds to me like he hasn't taken care of it. Check out the struts if they arn't Koni's than I can give you a near 100% confirmation that the struts are blown, thats another repair. Also check and make sure those coilovers say RKSport/H&R or Eibach on them.
I would buy a modified car, but you can be sure has heck that i'd be all over it up and down to check for quality parts.
Also get it inspected. I know in MD you have to pass inspection before you can sell a car.
-Chris
Quote:
Never buy a car with the "intention" to replace something its a bad idea because you may never get around to it.
SO TRUE... I bought my car with the intention to buy a new rear seat bottom to fix the cigarette burns and a couple of other things. I have looked for these things and have fixed some of them, but there are still other things that need to get fixed. Plus theres other things that break during the time too.
Heres my opinion... DON'T BUY THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!! Find yourself a mint shape Z24 (look it over really well, test drive it). I know for a fact that you can get a good deal on a used Z24. If you start off with a perfect blank slate it'll be easier to mod and sell after if you decide to convert back to stock.
