Even though I need another car like a hole in my head, I may be taking on a 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT. Due to my daughter being laid off this week, and her subsequent loss of storage, she is looking to sell her project car. I hate to see her lose it, so I'm thinking of buying it myself so she can get it back later.

I have not seen the car in person, just photos. It features everything I hate in a car: front wheel drive, expensive and hard to find parts, a home mechanic unfriendly design and a reputation for gremlins.

Known problems: driver's side window regulator is broken, the overdrive on the automatic transmission doesn't kick in, it stalls at idle (i hope it can be fixed by changing spark plugs which involves removing the intake manifold instead of the MAF sensor which costs $219) and it needs at least one new tire immediately (high dollar 225/65/16).

Bright side: For $800 she got a rust-free Oklahoma car with a nice interior, good paint, good suspension, good brakes, an engine that runs well with throttle and will pass state inspection here in Texas.

For you with experience here's my question: Is this going to be a $1000 to $2000 fix to a car that when fixed Blue Books for around $4000 or am I looking at a total moneypit?

What problems should I look for that are not obvious to a 23 year old with limited mechanical experience?

Should I take this on or tell her to try to sell it for $1000 and make a profit?

__________________
1983 300SD "Guderian"
1987 MR2
2015 Camry
2015 Chevy Spark
2006 Hyundai Tucson

Is it the twin turbo? I used to love this car and still do. Damn thing killed just about anything on the road during its day.

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Old vacuum hoses are a typical culprit of idle issues. I would inspect those first before pulling off the manifold...far cheaper to replace too.

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

I had a Stealth (same car) for about 5 years before it got totaled this past winter. If it is an auto, it is most likely a SOHC version, mine was DOHC and 5 speed. They aren't THAT bad to work on, certainly I have worked on cars that are much more difficult. Pulling off the intake manifold is very easy in those cars, I did it a number of times - you need to do that in order to change the back bank of spark plugs anyways. I will tell you one thing, that car was the most reliable car I've ever owned (more than my MBs) and was an absolute blast to drive. I've been looking for a twin turbo replacement ever since I lost mine in the winter. I fixed just about everything myself except for a clutch job and new axle seals (didn't have the time).

OD for auto trans: probably the end clutch
Idle problem: possibly engine computer, just need to resolder everything and check capacitors for bursts/leaks
I'd offer to take it off your hands, but no money right now...

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I'd tell her to sell it to someone on the forum, and make a couple hundred on it, instead of a thousand....

__________________
On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif