1993C4LT1

Going to look at a car this weekend, most likely. A 96 in Houston. He's owned the car two years. What all should I lookout for-to determine if the car was in a flood or not? He says the car wasn't. But with all due respect, anyone can say that.

FAUEE

Look for a waterline in the car. The c4 has less electronics on the floor than later cars, so you're better off there.

You cant really go by oxidation inside because the car is pretty old and that will be normal. I'd check maybe for a really strong odor (bad or freshener). Check the title status, if it was in a flood it would have been salvaged, theres no reason to not salvage it.

Sometimes you just have to trust the title and intuition.

RIC96

Dead minnows in the secret door compartments!

3D-Aircrew

Why do you suspect a flood ... has there been flooding in that area?

RIC96

Houston flooded like crazy not long ago.

ChumpVette

There was this little storm that killed 103 people and caused over 100 billion in damage.

1993C4LT1

Thanks guys! I have the carfax on it. No flood damage reported, and no updates since April 2016.

rblakeney

Quick pic of the now closed Texas World Speedway -- as a flooded car storage lot. One of several lots. Estimated up to 500,000 cars in total. I understand there are some very sweet rides in that mess. Forklifts throwing around Lambos, Ferraris, Astons, Bentleys, on and on.

rblakeney

By the way, are you sure you are driving down? A few forum members in the Houston area might be able to take a look for you. Where is the car?

Benny42

Houston did get a lot of water in Hurricane Harvey but there are a lot of places that didn't flood. If the car is even a little iffy, walk away.
Is it a perfect (so he says) car at a really cheap price? Smell it. Its hard to get that riverwater smell out of them.

PatternDayTrader

Try to pull part of the carpet up. If its clean then you are probably good. Note where the car is parked. Lots of places didnt flood, although some did.

billschroeder5842

Yikes, looks like an automotive cemetery. However, I don't feel bad for the mini vans.

1993C4LT1

Thanks everyone for your insight. Will proceed with caution. But definitely going to look at it this weekend.

PatternDayTrader

Whats the deal on this one ?
Low miles ? LT4 ?
How much ?

1993C4LT1

54k mile CE, LT4, red interior.
Really wanted admiral blue. But the car looks great.

PatternDayTrader

Damn man that's a great looking car.
I wouldn't worry to much about the flood. The truth is most of Houston didn't flood. Its just that the parts that did, were really bad.

1993C4LT1

Yeah I'm keeping that in mind. My dad and I have bought and sold flood cars, but we knew that cause the title said "flood damage". Only things I remember from those cars were rusty bolts/nuts and dirt that would never fully come out of the carpet. But I figured i'd ask, cause it surely doesn't hurt.

Benny42

I bumped into the ad for that car. It looks very nice. I really like the color combo.

aklim

Why are YOU looking at it? Wouldn't a mechanic who can hoist it up and look at it from many angles be a better choice for a PDI? Since it is a 96, it would have OBD2. Have the mechanic do a PDI and an emissions test if possible. If he cleared the codes, I don't think it will pass unless it goes through the checklist of stuff. If the trans fluid is fresh, I'd be leery he might be hiding something. I'd ask that the PDI drop the trans pan. See if the oil is thicker than it should be. Bottom line, assume the seller is a crook and/or a moron. Get compression tests too. See if the mechanic can read any other codes besides OBD2 to see if he is hiding stuff by removing bulbs and bypassing things.

PatternDayTrader

Sure drop the trans pan, and compression test ….








Smoke another one aklim.