I really need some help before I begin this project. I found this ST185 for sale locally and I intend to purchase it. It's going for sub two thousand and if you saw the pictures (which aren't online anymore because the post expired) you'd probably see the reason why. The clear coat is trashed and I noticed that a lot of the grey ST185s have that issue. The other issue which the seller stated in the ad was the car's leaky head gasket. Now I've been doing tons of research on forums and google trying to feel confident and able to replace the gasket. I found the repair manual and a video of a guy replacing his MR2's head gasket (which also has the 3SGTE). Needless to say I feel like I can do fix the gasket issue.
Here is where I need help. I have never considered buying a 20+ year-old car before. I drive a 2000 Tacoma and I love how all it needs is gas and oil to run for eternity. It's my trusty steed and I wish for this ST185 to follow suit. However, I will have to walk if I find more potential problems with the car. The thing that worries me most is rust. The car has been in NY for a fourth of its life and I am worried that rust has plagued vital components under the body. *Being that this will be the first car I am set about buying that is 20+ years-old, I am extremely worried about running into problems which will turn the car into a 'white elephant'. My question to anyone who reads this is; What, if any, are the typical problems which ST185s have? What do I need to look out for when I checkout the car in person?
The car I am looking at is a 1990 ST185. 160k on the body, 60k on the engine (it had a JDM swap for 100k of its life). Standard 5 speed, no accidents on the VIN and the title was not branded. The owner is in the military and used the car as a daily driver for 6 months and then had to leave for 3 months and when he came back, he said the head gasket "dried up."
I really appreciate the helpfulness and closeness of this community. I am a WRC fan and I realize the heritage which the ST185 has and I want to protect and bring this car back to its glory days.
-Collin
Here is where I need help. I have never considered buying a 20+ year-old car before. I drive a 2000 Tacoma and I love how all it needs is gas and oil to run for eternity. It's my trusty steed and I wish for this ST185 to follow suit. However, I will have to walk if I find more potential problems with the car. The thing that worries me most is rust. The car has been in NY for a fourth of its life and I am worried that rust has plagued vital components under the body. *Being that this will be the first car I am set about buying that is 20+ years-old, I am extremely worried about running into problems which will turn the car into a 'white elephant'. My question to anyone who reads this is; What, if any, are the typical problems which ST185s have? What do I need to look out for when I checkout the car in person?
The car I am looking at is a 1990 ST185. 160k on the body, 60k on the engine (it had a JDM swap for 100k of its life). Standard 5 speed, no accidents on the VIN and the title was not branded. The owner is in the military and used the car as a daily driver for 6 months and then had to leave for 3 months and when he came back, he said the head gasket "dried up."
I really appreciate the helpfulness and closeness of this community. I am a WRC fan and I realize the heritage which the ST185 has and I want to protect and bring this car back to its glory days.
-Collin