I was firm on my budget (no more than $15k, I didn't care how pristine it was, I just wasn't going to throw that much money into an unpractical toy). I also took my time, I looked for one for roughly 6 months.

Of course I had my preferred color combination, but my priority was the most mechanically sound car my money could buy.

When one popped up for $7,900, I jumped on it immediately and that was it.

 

Current thread running about the failure of a new build Inline Pro engine isn't giving me any confidence in them. For now anyway. Success rate rebuilding our engine(s) seems very low.

-- Chuck

 

The pages of this board are filled with reports of failed rebuilds, most by mechanics who have little or no experience with this engine and who are using practices that work fine in most engines, but not with this engine. I would not touch an engine rebuild for this car with a 10 foot pole. I'm sure there are a few success stories. But, failed attempts are the rule. Best thing is to do good maintenance, don't do stupid stuff as far as mechanical over revs, etc. Hope for the best. If you treat the engine right it will last a long long time. This is one of the reasons I buy low mileage examples. It lowers the risk of problems from practices or mistakes of prior owners/drivers.

I'd say if you buy a high mileage S2k, especially a DBW, check the motor out very carefully. Compression test at a minimum. But, if you have an ear for this stuff, you can probably hear a problem if there is one. The history of use is important too, so a one owner car where you have a high trust level from the prior owner can certainly be fine. There are one or two folks on here who have had good luck with high mileage cars in those kinds of circumstances. Some of these engines have lasted well north of 300K miles.

 

I wanted a turbocharged Ap1. l Looked on the forum for several months. Finally found an S that had a blown motor and 38K on the chassis. Car in great condition, new top and great paint. Paid $5,500 fdor it and had it shipped to me. &680. Bought this in Oct. of 2015. Shipped the engine to Golden Eagle and had the block sleeved. Did my build with BC rods, CP pistons, ARP bolts, all the good aftermarket parts, new oversized valves, BC double springs, Ti keepers, etc. New wheels, 18" Rotas, Bilsteins, new Power stop rotors, Haltech ecu, Hard Dog rollbar, Nice streetable Ap1. I have $18,700 into the auto todate. I don't drive it much except the nice spring,summer,fall weather. Mileage is now at 45K. Only 7K in 4 years, build took about a year, no hurry. What ever you decide have fun with it. Good luck.