Mase intercooled CTSC refresh - MT002543
Background: about 18 months ago, after searching for a few months and being close to giving up, I tracked down a beautiful black/onyx 99 in LA on eBay, 67k miles, bone stock except for lowering springs and some Antera rims. I have run this since then, put 5k on it but I have it in my head that it will start to depreciate if I put a lot more miles on it. So it has also become a bit of a garage queen. A $50k ornament as 'er indoors is fond of saying.
Back to the present. Kinda. So back in the fall, I started thinking about finding a higher mileage car in less than perfect shape so I can basically enjoy it without worrying so much on resale value (which is important to me). Maybe even an FI car. But, entry level prices for non-auto non-salvage 'serious' cars seem to be a good $5k higher than last winter, so basically my half hearted (nationwide eBay and Craigslist) search went nowhere as trying to keep this well under $30k. I even considered buying a cheap auto and getting Shawn to convert it. Couldn't even find one whereas last year they seemed to be more or less unsellable.
That is until I decided to spring for an almost brand new Comptech exhaust from Prime. Stick with me here.....
I started installing it but ran into a stud that was a) completely and utterly stuck and b) right by an O2 sensor. On my birthday a few weeks ago I gave up and called the local dealer (Orange Park Acura, very happy to say: great guys so far and I am no fan of dealers typically, hey Dan, Khalil, Logan, Alin!) for a quote for the install. $100. Result!
Two hours later I am there, they swap over the exhaust, all good and I am chatting to Dan (BUGS2K) who just bought Nabil's (First Class Auto in Orlando) 91. I mentioned my plans to him, asked him if he knew of anyone selling and he said, no, but I guess you know about the BB CTSC car locally right? Me: NOPE!!!!!!
10 minutes later I am on the phone with the seller, get all the info, VIN etc. and arrange to meet him a few days later to view the car.
Meanwhile, Google the VIN and find that seller was less than cooperative last summer with regard to PPIs......alarm bells.
I go see the car, and from 10 feet, awesome! From 3 feet, oh boy. half the panels have been touched up and badly, and clearly both bumper covers have been off and not refitted properly, all signs of cheap body work. But car was sold in 2008 with clearcoat issues so I think that would account for some of it, hopefully all.
Car was slammed on H&R springs on stock 94-01 rims, sat very low, rubbing the fender liners something rotten but basically drove pretty well and pulled really hard. Mechanically all I see is a very fast idle, 12-1400rpm. Tranny seems to shift fine.
Custom interior with "expensive stereo" - more on that later.
145k miles, 25k put on it in 6 years. Binder full of all history since new, clean Carfax and Autocheck
So I pose the question: OK to run it over to OP Acura, expecting a big fat "no". Seller: "Sure, how about now?". OK!!
Once at the dealer, up on ramps, things look pretty good....
Car advertised with non-working AC and the compressor is clearly leaking badly. Oil pan gasket, cam seals, valve covers all have slight seepage but nothing bad. Two torn tie rod boots, one torn steering rack boot, and that was about it. And most of all, all the subframe marks line up and all looks straight underneath
To cut a long story short, we strike a deal, stop at the bank, I drive the car home.
Lots more to follow. Keep reading.... ;o)
Background: about 18 months ago, after searching for a few months and being close to giving up, I tracked down a beautiful black/onyx 99 in LA on eBay, 67k miles, bone stock except for lowering springs and some Antera rims. I have run this since then, put 5k on it but I have it in my head that it will start to depreciate if I put a lot more miles on it. So it has also become a bit of a garage queen. A $50k ornament as 'er indoors is fond of saying.
Back to the present. Kinda. So back in the fall, I started thinking about finding a higher mileage car in less than perfect shape so I can basically enjoy it without worrying so much on resale value (which is important to me). Maybe even an FI car. But, entry level prices for non-auto non-salvage 'serious' cars seem to be a good $5k higher than last winter, so basically my half hearted (nationwide eBay and Craigslist) search went nowhere as trying to keep this well under $30k. I even considered buying a cheap auto and getting Shawn to convert it. Couldn't even find one whereas last year they seemed to be more or less unsellable.
That is until I decided to spring for an almost brand new Comptech exhaust from Prime. Stick with me here.....
I started installing it but ran into a stud that was a) completely and utterly stuck and b) right by an O2 sensor. On my birthday a few weeks ago I gave up and called the local dealer (Orange Park Acura, very happy to say: great guys so far and I am no fan of dealers typically, hey Dan, Khalil, Logan, Alin!) for a quote for the install. $100. Result!
Two hours later I am there, they swap over the exhaust, all good and I am chatting to Dan (BUGS2K) who just bought Nabil's (First Class Auto in Orlando) 91. I mentioned my plans to him, asked him if he knew of anyone selling and he said, no, but I guess you know about the BB CTSC car locally right? Me: NOPE!!!!!!
10 minutes later I am on the phone with the seller, get all the info, VIN etc. and arrange to meet him a few days later to view the car.
Meanwhile, Google the VIN and find that seller was less than cooperative last summer with regard to PPIs......alarm bells.
I go see the car, and from 10 feet, awesome! From 3 feet, oh boy. half the panels have been touched up and badly, and clearly both bumper covers have been off and not refitted properly, all signs of cheap body work. But car was sold in 2008 with clearcoat issues so I think that would account for some of it, hopefully all.
Car was slammed on H&R springs on stock 94-01 rims, sat very low, rubbing the fender liners something rotten but basically drove pretty well and pulled really hard. Mechanically all I see is a very fast idle, 12-1400rpm. Tranny seems to shift fine.
Custom interior with "expensive stereo" - more on that later.
145k miles, 25k put on it in 6 years. Binder full of all history since new, clean Carfax and Autocheck
So I pose the question: OK to run it over to OP Acura, expecting a big fat "no". Seller: "Sure, how about now?". OK!!
Once at the dealer, up on ramps, things look pretty good....
Car advertised with non-working AC and the compressor is clearly leaking badly. Oil pan gasket, cam seals, valve covers all have slight seepage but nothing bad. Two torn tie rod boots, one torn steering rack boot, and that was about it. And most of all, all the subframe marks line up and all looks straight underneath
To cut a long story short, we strike a deal, stop at the bank, I drive the car home.
Lots more to follow. Keep reading.... ;o)
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