Hi all,

My 20 y/o son is real interested in a low miles (88k) Sport with the 6 speed manual. It's at a used car dealer who's a friend of a friend, so I checked it out with him and drove it and it runs great. But I was concerned when the dealer told us that while his wife had driven it a few days prior it brought up an error code which turned out to be the O2 sensor. The dealer said he'll get it replaced, and when I expressed my concern whether there might also be a problem with the catalytic converter, he said he'd have them check that as well.

Another issue is that the there are dark areas in both the tach and speedo that aren't illuminated, but I was told this was a common issue and an easy fix. Is this true?

The car seems in good condition, but with that many miles are there any major repairs on the near horizon like a catalytic converter replacement, timing belt, clutch, chassis parts, etc? He's in college and we're helping him pay for the car so if we'd be looking at some major expenses in the near future we'll probably want to go another route.

 

I'd consider myself lucky to have it as a first car. It's becoming more common as the car gets older. I wouldn't stress about the O2 sensor. The tachometer lights aren't necessarily common but my tachometer light is dim. The more common problem is the gas gauge not reading correctly. Either issue and you usually have to remove it, ship it off, then have it returned and installed again. There is no timing belt but it's a timing chain. If you're lucky it should last the life of the car. Once you hit 100k you will be looking at a suspension overhaul which could be $800 in parts alone. It's a reliable car, but the only real cheap way of owning it is keeping up with maintenance and doing it yourself

 

Thanks. His best friend is a car guy who's dad manages a dealership. And the friend is also friends with a 350Z mechanical wiz, so since my son wants to learn DIY stuff these guys should be great resources.