If you could bring only a few things before you drove 400+ miles

[ramielm]

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping and praying that everything works out tomorrow. I have my sights set on a clean, 1 owner, low mileage, 91 vert that is just screaming my name.

The car is in Arizona, and I'm in San Diego. I would really love to drive it on the highway with the top down but I'm afraid something will get damaged in this crazy heat wave the country is having.

All I know is that the timing belt was changed about 40k miles ago.

My question is: What supplies should I bring with me and what should I check before I do this?!

[NotColtonOrr]

Before you go do all that driving, why don't you see if someone on here who lives relatively close to the car you wanna buy can go check it out for you. 1 owner and low mileage sounds nice but it doesn't hurt to get another persons opinion on this car before you head up there. I'm sure someone would be willing to help you out.

[Dustn525]

duct tape.

[SedanSandwich]

tripple A premium member card. you get an up to 300 mile tow for free (1 time per year limit)

[ramielm]

Before you go do all that driving, why don't you see if someone on here who lives relatively close to the car you wanna buy can go check it out for you. 1 owner and low mileage sounds nice but it doesn't hurt to get another persons opinion on this car before you head up there. I'm sure someone would be willing to help you out.

I wish I knew somebody in Arizona :(

[ramielm]

tripple A premium member card. you get an up to 300 mile tow for free (1 time per year limit)

Now this is some good advice.

I'm gonna get some tape and tape the front of the car and prevent those rock chips..

[JinormusJ]

Fuses, Fuel Pump Relay, Crank Position Sensor, Idle Control Valve, All tools needed to pull your valve cover/head.

That about covers it

[stamar]

I would worry moost about the tires driving across the desert, and then nexxt the hoses and cooling system.

So check the spare and the equipment for that obviously.

Look at the hoses and maybe buy the 4 hoses after you buy the car, youre gonna put em on eventually anyway.

I do this all the time, and the main thing i sweat is tire rot.

Its not exactly like Im going to buy all new tires right away. but tires that have sat for years arent really ready for a 500 mile trip.

I just sweat it normally. Its got a spare, its got a jack and a tire iron.

Id also drive it back at night so youre not boiling the tires.

And in a heat wave youll have the top up or youll get a sunburn.


the car doesnt need an idle control valve to get home. HOWEVER, i do think thats a good peice to have on hand to diagnose a m20 engine because a lot of people get rid of them when the idle is messed up. However whats normally bad is the whole intake thing is leaking and thaats what the valve is adjusting to. The valve itself is well made but the intake accordion is made of cheap plastic.

[ramielm]

I would worry moost about the tires driving across the desert, and then nexxt the hoses and cooling system.

So check the spare and the equipment for that obviously.

Look at the hoses and maybe buy the 4 hoses after you buy the car, youre gonna put em on eventually anyway.

I do this all the time, and the main thing i sweat is tire rot.

Its not exactly like Im going to buy all new tires right away. but tires that have sat for years arent really ready for a 500 mile trip.

I just sweat it normally. Its got a spare, its got a jack and a tire iron.

Id also drive it back at night so youre not boiling the tires.

And in a heat wave youll have the top up or youll get a sunburn.

GTL baby, and I forgot to add that it has new tires.

[ramielm]

Fuses, Fuel Pump Relay, Crank Position Sensor, Idle Control Valve, All tools needed to pull your valve cover/head.

That about covers it

I would rather not pull the valve cover or head in the desert on a 110 degree day haha, let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[Dustn525]

tripple A premium member card. you get an up to 300 mile tow for free (1 time per year limit)

Excellent idea. When I bought my last 'vert, it had a bad transmission. The average estimate to get it towed to my house was about $160. Joining AAA with a premium membership was somewhere in the $80-$100 range (can't remember the price details), which included 5 free tows, up to 100 miles, per year. So I joined AAA, waited 24 hours, then got my tow. 3 months later I moved, and got another tow for free...

I told the b*** on the phone that it would be easier for the tow truck driver to bring a flatbed, since the car was backed in with the rear end towards my house. She said it would be an additional $30 charge. I said "ok just send a regular truck...", so the guy shows up, says "oh man fuck this, I'm not working this hard today. I'll get you a flatbed.", and I wasn't charged any extra :).

[stamar]

ya bring the top radiator hose and the bottom, just famous for leaking on this thing.

and a gallon of water.

watch the temperature guage. stop a lot to see if oil is leaking.

[5Toes]

If it was me, Id pack my craftsman 96 piece whatever socket set, my metric wrench set, screwdriver set, and then bring a quart or two of oil and a gallon of tap water. Also a bundle of wire and a wire crimpers with like a dozen butt joints.

Dont need a spare fuel pump relay when a wire jumper works fine

400 miles isnt much really.

[mikeedler]

a pipe, an 1/8th and maybe a 12 pack in a cooler for when your waiting for the tow truck. No matter what you bring, you will not have the correct thing for what you need.

[TimKninja]

When in TIME was the timing belt last done?

Within 5 years I hope? Or that things gonna Snap on the way home.

Rubber deteriorates.