Possible purchase of a 88 ix - Brought back from the dead!

[AdironRider]

So an 88 ix is up for sale locally here in Exeter. The car has almost 200k on the odo but the body appears to be in great shape. Some ricer wheels are on it now but nothing that cant be changed. Is there anything I should look for that would be different on an IX? Its for sale at a local dealer so I doubt theyll know about the tcase. Should I be worried about the miles? Do Ix's have the same reliability as normal i's and is'? Thanks guys. Oh yeah theyre asking 2200 so it looks as if the price is right

[bwanac]

Can I get some info... in case you cant come through.

PM me please.

[nando]

88's are tanks, 5 speeds seem to last a lot longer for some reason. definetly have the drivetrain checked up though, $2200 is pretty cheap for an ix, and the drivetrain can be expensive to repair.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Just picked up my new e30 from Exeter :) rock on.

[Sean]

They are just as reliable, identical engines.

Only weak point on the IX is the transfer case if it wasn't cared for very well.

If it was, the car would be golden! SPECIALLY for that price! :shock:

[kansas-ix]

My 88 has 250k on it and runs like a tank also. Can be a bitch though if something in the drivetrain goes bad.

What's the color combo?

[AdironRider]

ha hope it wasnt the same car! I also have seen an 87 e with 17" Millie Miglia's, Remus Exhaust, and dropped nicely (I think its Bavautos kit). Havent seen the price. Im going to check em out tomorrow, so well see how it all works out.

[AdironRider]

Ok so I finnally got to test drive the car today as the owner had been out of town for a while. The ix has 215k on it and is currently owned by a local mechanic. The car comes with some ricer rims with brand new tires as well as a set of bottlecaps with new snows on em (used one season). The only problems with the car is that the exhaust manifold seals need to be replaced and the sunroof wont open. It sounds like the motor is running when I try to open it so Im assuming its just off the track (THe sunroof will still flip open forward that little bit). Also their are some traces of rust forming mainly on the passenger door and the trunk lid, but nothing more than surface rust. The owner has already priced out how much it would cost to fix and the local bodyshop and it came out to 300 bones. The exhaust is all new and the car has a solid suspension all around with relatively new Bilstein HD's that feel awesome. The car also comes with a Momo steering wheel and a pretty nice Panasonic CD player. The interior is in great shape with little wear showing, even on the drivers side bolster. And yes it has sport seats. Overall I got the price wrong originally and he wants 2500 for it. I drove the car today and it runs beautifully. Pulls strong to redline with no disturning noises and handles great. I think I can talk him down a bit but does it sound worth it?

[Bimmerfanatik]

Ok so I finnally got to test drive the car today as the owner had been out of town for a while. The ix has 215k on it and is currently owned by a local mechanic. The car comes with some ricer rims with brand new tires as well as a set of bottlecaps with new snows on em (used one season). The only problems with the car is that the exhaust manifold seals need to be replaced and the sunroof wont open. It sounds like the motor is running when I try to open it so Im assuming its just off the track (THe sunroof will still flip open forward that little bit). The exhaust is all new and the car has a solid suspension all around with relatively new Bilstein HD's that feel awesome. The car also comes with a Momo steering wheel and a pretty nice Panasonic CD player. The interior is in great shape with little wear showing, even on the drivers side bolster. And yes it has sport seats. Overall I got the price wrong originally and he wants 2500 for it. I drove the car today and it runs beautifully. Pulls strong to redline with no disturning noises and handles great. I think I can talk him down a bit but does it sound worth it?

Any rust?

If you need help with the sunroof motor, let me know, I've messed with a few of them, and I'm local (to NH, that is.)

If it runs nice and you're willing to keep it up, negotiate as low as you can, but if its clean, snap it up. Sounds like a nice car man.

PS - I've got a brand new set of exhaust mani gaskets I wont be using... :)

[AdironRider]

See my post, I realized I hadnt mentioned the surface rust and edited it in

Oh yeah hes including the manifold gaskets with the car as well as a few random maintenance items (Tbelt, waterpump, wheel bearing, etc. for the next time they need to be done)

[Bimmerfanatik]

See my post, I realized I hadnt mentioned the surface rust and edited it in

Oh yeah hes including the manifold gaskets with the car as well as a few random maintenance items (Tbelt, waterpump, wheel bearing, etc. for the next time they need to be done)

As everyone said above, if it's been kept up, its a steal. If it hasn't, it's still a good price, just be ready for stuff to break :)

Small surface rust is ok - so long as you get it fixed before it gets worse. At least its on the door and trunk lid (replaceable parts).

Go git 'er man.

[nando]

if you can talk him down, it's definetly worth it, especially if you get a lot of bad weather. these cars tend to hold their value pretty well so if you decide you don't like it should be able to sell it pretty easily.

btw, did you have the drivetrain checked out? have them remove the front driveshaft and check for rust on the splines, transfer case leaks, CV boots (on all 4 halfshafts) etc.

[AdironRider]

Im having my mechanic look the car over tomorrow just to be safe so Ill make sure he looks at it. Not sure if hell have enough time to drop the driveshafts and whatnot though, but well see. I think Im going to start making offers either way, the car really runs well

[nando]

well there is a cover on the front driveshaft (just where it comes out of the transfer case). you can pull that back and you should be able to tell if it's rusted or not from there. just be careful because sometimes the plastic becomes brittle and the cover will break.

[Hatchman]

sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me... but then again i havent driven or seen the car