Looking at 89 automatic, need advise
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 940
Likes: 242
From: Fruita CO
Looking at 89 automatic, need advise
Hello fellas. I drove an 89 automatic yesterday. 2 owner, 51,400 miles. Completely stock. From a cold start, the idle was surging after it settled from fast idle. Once it warmed up some, 160 degrees, it was OK. While this was going on I was checking gauges, windows, locks, etc for proper operation. I drove it for about 45 min. During the drive temp ranged 208 to 220, Oil pressure was 51 pounds at cold idle, hot idle 17-18, 1500 rpm 38-40. Except for the horn, everything works. Clean carfax shows local GM store serviced it 4/25, "Maintenance completed, driveability/performance checked, induction system serviced, fuel injection system flushed/serviced. I'm going to touch base with that service dept to see if I can get any more info. Its on a local new car dealers lot. They've had it since 5/1. Starting price $9,500, now $7,000 .I think $6K to $6,500 will buy it. Besides the horn, it has a set of Goodyear Eagle GSL, good tread no weather checking but at least a 10 year old tire. So they would be replaced after purchase. Any opinions/observations would be appreciated.
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Louisville, Ky
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Hello fellas. I drove an 89 automatic yesterday. 2 owner, 51,400 miles. Completely stock. From a cold start, the idle was surging after it settled from fast idle. Once it warmed up some, 160 degrees, it was OK. While this was going on I was checking gauges, windows, locks, etc for proper operation. I drove it for about 45 min. During the drive temp ranged 208 to 220, Oil pressure was 51 pounds at cold idle, hot idle 17-18, 1500 rpm 38-40. Except for the horn, everything works. Clean carfax shows local GM store serviced it 4/25, "Maintenance completed, driveability/performance checked, induction system serviced, fuel injection system flushed/serviced. I'm going to touch base with that service dept to see if I can get any more info. Its on a local new car dealers lot. They've had it since 5/1. Starting price $9,500, now $7,000 .I think $6K to $6,500 will buy it. Besides the horn, it has a set of Goodyear Eagle GSL, good tread no weather checking but at least a 10 year old tire. So they would be replaced after purchase. Any opinions/observations would be appreciated.
HTH,
Joe K
Last edited by Joe K; Jul 18, 2019 at 04:16 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
$6000 is more than I would spend on a car that isn't checked out INDEPENDENTLY. I'd want a qualified tech to go over it and do compression testing and see what the trans pan looks like. All that "blah, blah, blah" they print out doesn't impress me. I have been to lube services where they checked off things that they greased or checked that I KNOW they couldn't have since it wasn't there and things that they didn't even look at because I was there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 940
Likes: 242
From: Fruita CO
Sounds good. As always YMMV. What color and interior? Seem garage kept? I would check the cooling system and make sure it is in good shape. Also the rear dog bone bushings. I would be concerned about a dirty cooling system. Bad bushings not so much. Price sounds fair though I would try to negotiate as low as I could.
HTH,
Joe K
HTH,
Joe K
