[Shotimes] please help, possible purchase

[Leigh Smith]

George;
2 Biggest issues on a SHO are engine and clutch condition. Check to see if
it makes any rattle type noises or smoke puffs at start-up. If so it could
need a set of rod bearings, or the valve guides could be worn out. Rod
bearings can be easily changed. These motors are very durable, and many have
lasted 200k-300k miles, but one that smokes needs a lot of work
..
2nd issue: SHO's can be very hard on clutches, depending on how well they
are driven and maintained.  A good clutch has a light pedal, shifts easily,
and has no clash between gears. Reverse (which is not synchronized) can be
selected without a lot of trouble by waiting 2-3 seconds. Any deviation from
the above probably means the clutch was overheated / abused at some point,
and there is no fix other than a new clutch. $300 in parts and $300 in
labor. Big repair job.
..
The 60K maintenance means replacing all the belts (including the timing
belt) and checking the valve lash and adjusting it by replacing the shims
with different sizes where required. Not a lot of $ required for parts, but
a lot of labor, which a shop would charge you dearly for. You could check
the timing belt for cracking to give you an idea of how long it's been on
there.
..
The brakes in general on SHO's seem to be a weak point, especially the
earlier ones, 89-93. The brakes are a little small, and it really requires
rreally good brake pads. Semi-metallic or better. If someone put on standard
type organic brake pads, the lack of stopping power can get really scary.
That part is easily fixed. But the brakes are also prone to caliper pins
that rust & seize up f&r, brake cables that do the same, rubber brake hoses
that wear out and swell shut, particularly on the rear, leaving them not
working, and which could give you an odd problem where only one wheel
overheats. The calipers seem to act up less than these other brake parts I
mentioned.
..
Those are the main weak points you should look at on any old SHO you may
want to buy, that are specific to SHO's. Any thing else is just normal wear&
tear like any other car.
..
If you like the type of car a SHO is, don't buy the first one you look at.
Shop around a little until you find one whose condition fits you, your
mechanical abilities, and how much work & effort you are willing to put into
it.
..
Good luck;
Lee
12th year in a SHO, now on my 2nd
260K in an 89, only 100k on my 94