low mileage questions
 

Hello. I have come across a '83 300dt with 69k; accurate according to the owner. The paint is a little sun weathered (Arizona location), and the seats have a little sun rash but... I have not seen the car but have talked a little with the current owner. He has replaced the brakes and tires and says there a couple of oil leaks. My own experience with low mileage Arizona cars is that one has to replace all the rubber components. I am very interested in the car. What elese would you recommend looking at? Any major concerns? Thanks for your help.

Make sure the odometer still works.

Well you could have a find there than almost any of us would like. Thats if the price is within reason and the claimed milage is authentic.

Take a person with you that is really familiar with these models if not certain. Good things happen to people once in awhile. Most are not knowledgeable enough to seize the moment.

Also adopting rose colored glasses is another issue we can suffer from. Staying objective pays off . Basically we want to see what a more sober mind would not see. All the best and hopefully it is what it is represented to be.

Each new mercedes comes with a factory supplied oil change booklet. In this are recorded the oil changes and milages and times they were done at. When you get to look at a claimed low milage model the booklet should be present in the dash. It is good up to 125k or some simular figure. If present they usually will provide some indications. If not should raise some questions unless other evidence is very strong.

Ask about oil changes, etc. Cars with very low mileage often do not get serviced frequently enough -- the tendency is just to let them sit. Ask about service records. More = better.

Also consider how the car was driven over its life, with special regard to mileage per year. Was it driven 2500 miles a year, every year since new? Or did the original owner driver it 10,000 a year for 7 years and then park it for good? The first extreme obviously better than the second.

A consistently driven 300k car may very well be in better shape than a hardly driven 100k car, especially in Arizona.

Check the exhaust really well. If it was driven for only a few miles at a time then the moisture may have built up inside of it.

For an Arizona car, I'd wouldn't worry about that very much at all.

I would find out if the car has been driven frequently recently. Low mileage does not necessarily translate into low maintenance (my lesson). Regardless go through as much of the car as you can.

Thank you for the comments. I appreciate the help. A couple of years ago I picked up a '73 dodge dart with an original 66k in Phoenixfor my daughter. I thought what a deal...$4000 in parts later I realized my mistake. The car must have sat unused for quite some time. Every piece of rubber was detriorated or rock hard. Thanks for reminding me of the problems associated with unused vehicles.

How can you get $4000 in rubber parts on a Dart?

I see how easily it starts, how it shifts, what body work needs to be done, is there obviously excessive blowby, are fluid levels in spec, check the interior and look in the trunk and floor for rust. Does heat & AC work?

Next plan on $500-$1,000 in parts and estimate install pita for what I don't see. Then ask the gut if I'd be happy with the car for that price. If AC not working, pass or add $1,000 to my expected cost.

Alternatively, ask the owner to drive 2 hrs at hwy speeds to meet you saying you'll buy with cash if it is as described. Few will drive an unreliable car that far to try to unload it. Few will drive that far and lie to you. Some will drive because they are uneducated and don't know what they have.

apparently you've not priced vintage mopar stuff...:eek:

*although I'd be hard pressed to value a 73dart that highly...

Look at the steering wheel, is it smooth, or does it have the leather embosed grain still in the rubber? at 69K miles, it should look good.

The spedometers are known to slip and not record the correct milage with the odometer or trip meter. to check to see if it is working, jack up the car, remove the spedo cable from the transmission. (use a 1/4" wratchet and 10mmsocket with extention) remove the 10mm bolt and pull out the cable, then connect a battery operated drill to the cable and run it in reverse. spedo should run at least 40mph. (my drill ran it at 42mph) run it until the last # of the 6 rolls to the next#. then zero the trip meter. (black knob on left side of cluster. push in) now run it a few miles and see if the trip and odometer flip at the same time.

Check in the hinge pockets for rust, and or are full of debris. there are some drains in this area.

Under the battery is a known rust area from acid. If the owner will let you remove the battery and tray, it would be good to inspect this area. I have seen some big rust holes in the sheet metal.

Look behind the rear wheels under the body where the 1/4 panel rolls under the lower edge. the wheels throw water, sand, rocks and it chips the paint and rust will start. there is a seam on the flat part and rust will bet between these 2 pieces. also if the trunk liner is removed you can get a good look of the top side of this area. there is a drain that gets plugged up with debris and any water leakage from the rear window will pool and not drain.

With the trunk open, use a mirror and a flashlight, look up under the ledge to see if the back glass has been leaking and has caused rust to start. good indicator that the seal is leaking.

How is the fabric trim on the right side of the drivers /pass door opening? people for some reason like to rub against this gettin in and out, and the rubber piece will be exposed and flopping loosley.

Check the rear axle boots to see if they are torn, cracked or look new.

What condition is the brake fluid in the reservor? clear or look like cofee?
How is the coolant in the Expantion tank? what color?

Pull the trans dip stick and look at the color. Red, or dark brown? should be red and not burnt smelling.

How is the carpet where the driver gets in and out? or the cloth trip where shoe`s kick it getting in and out.

Look at the brake peddle for wear. How is the drivers seat? broken springs, saggy, seat Bolster is a good wear spot.

Is this the original owner? how long has he/she owned it? why are they selling it? I agree with this low of milage, there should be records of maintenance. you really can`t take a persons work for it w/o a paper trail.


Charlie