Well, here's the latest:
I took the SC for a test drive today...dynamically,it's very similar to driving (in my mind) my Mom's old 1986 Buick Station wagon("floaty" soft feeling; definitley not a responsive as a short-wheelbase car)-compared to a Contour, it feels BIG! That being said, the drivetrain reminded me of my old 5.0L lot's o low end torque with the T-5 doing the rowing.
The brakes were abysmal!!!! The ABS light was on, along with the "brake" light the whole drive.....They BARELY worked! I know some have said that it could be the accumulator, but, I couldn't tell whether teh brakes were "turning off or on" or not. The funny part is the guy who's selling it told me he's willing to work out a price, as he feels "stuck" with the car because everyone who's come to drive it doesn't know how to drive a manual!!
The other car i found on Craigslist is a 1988 T-Bird turbo coupe:
"Hi Cris,
Here is a list of parts I purchased and installed on the T-Bird.
Item
Date
source
Starter Solenoid
10/10/2004
Autozone
Fuel Injector Cleaner
10/10/2004
Autozone
Battery
10/10/2004
Walmart
Heater Hose Clamps
10/22/2004
Autozone
Heater Hose Clamps
10/22/2004
Autozone
Molded Heater Hose
10/22/2004
Autozone
Molded Heater Hose
10/22/2004
Autozone
A/C line Hose Tool
10/22/2004
Autozone
Flush and Fill Kit
10/22/2004
Autozone
Heater Hose
10/22/2004
Autozone
Heater Hose
10/22/2004
Autozone
Molded Heater Hose
10/23/2004
Autozone
DH High Heat
10/26/2004
Autozone
Molded Heater Hose
10/26/2004
Autozone
Molded Heater Hose
10/27/2004
Autozone
Molded Heater Hose
10/27/2004
Autozone
Oil
10/31/2004
Autozone
Oil Filter
10/31/2004
Autozone
Molded Heater Hose
10/31/2004
Autozone
Heater Hose Clamps
11/1/2004
Autozone
Manifold Gasket
11/3/2004
Autozone
Code Scanner
11/6/2004
Autozone
PCV Valve
11/6/2004
Autozone
Air Filter
11/6/2004
Autozone
Spark Plug Wires
11/6/2004
Autozone
Distributor Cap
11/6/2004
Autozone
Distributor Rotor
11/6/2004
Autozone
Spark Plugs
11/6/2004
Autozone
Starter
11/7/2004
Autozone
Anti-freeze
11/7/2004
Autozone
Battery Post Connector
11/7/2004
Autozone
Battery Cable
11/7/2004
Autozone
Radiator Fan Motor
11/10/2004
Autozone
Brake Hose
4/20/2005
Pep Boys
Power Steering Pump
4/20/2005
Autozone
Brake Hose
4/24/2005
Pep Boys
Drums Turned
4/14/2005
Pep Boys
Brake pads and Rotor Turn
4/4/2005
Pep Boys
Tires
5/4/2005
Sams
Brake Hose
3/11/2005
Autozone
Not all the items on the list were actually broken. In some cases I replaced the item, because it was convenient to do at the time. The car has 106k miles on it.
The state of CT did not have an emissions program for a long time in CT. The sticker on the windshield shows about 5 years since the last emissions test. I just got a notice for emissions in the mail about 3 weeks ago.
The one thing I have been planning to do on the car was to replace the exhaust. I have held off because I would just put a simple single exhaust system in that would be quiet, but I suspect others who buy the car would want something different. I have a muffler shop who would do the job for about $ 200.00.
My one unknown on the car regarding emissions is the catalytic converter.
The car is here at my house in Manchester. You can come here or I can meet you someplace in between.
Bobby"
Thoughts guys???? The Turbo coupe seems like a better deal to me IMHO.....He did W/B to say he drives it regularly with no issues.
