Quote Originally Posted by GP Modder View Post
I would suggest that the "bow" out on the plastic ground effect under the door indicates that the rocker panels and maybe some of the body maybe rotted away. Ask me how I know lol. Just saying if you have not had it on a lift yet to check out underneath it may be a good idea to do so before sinking money into it for a winter car.
Good call--but oddly enough, the plastic bits just fell off, and now it sits in the trunk. I was actually surprised that the car is rust free since it'd seen every winter for the last 15 years. I'm also amazed that the motor has 268,000 miles on it, and yet it doesn't smoke (or rattle) a bit! Not at start up, Not on a full throttle pass in 2nd (only gear that really works besides R) all the way to redline and even then Not on overrun! Makes me think it might be a good candidate for freshening up. Also my buddy was full on 100% "AR" regarding oil changes, and he used the car almost exclusively to commute about 70 miles a day. He blames his AR on being a Machinist's Mate in the Navy--the only reason the car looks dirty is that it sat under a tree for 3 months before I rescued it from the Breakers yard--they were going to give him 150 for it...So I figured even as a parts car it'd be worth it. Luckily I have a nice secluded corner in the back yard and an easy going Woman that understands the compulsive nature of Men and their motorized obsessions...