New Member Mid Atlantic

rshippee · April 3, 2012

I have always liked the 318TI hatchback style. While I live in Baltimore I travel up to Connecticut almost once every three of four months to check on my parents, so I decided to find a 318, rebuild it and then leave it up in New Englnd for my use on my visits. Attached is a picuture of a 318Ti I purchased in Rhode Island and carted home to Baltimore this weekend. It is now tucked away in my gargage and I am surveying the level of neglect it has sustained over the past 17 years. While over all so far I am pleased with the car for what it is, I do however regret not spending the $34 for the carfax history. The car had the same owner for the first 16 years until the owner gave it to his brother in law who ran it as a daily driver for three weeks and it died on him. My initial diagnosis is the fuel pump which I have ordered. The poor car has sustained flood damage in 1999, stolen and recoverd in 2001, and an accident (appears to have been hit near the drivers door post given the evidence of bondo in that area) in 2010. It is registered in Mass at the moment on a salvage title after passing Mass saftey inspection, so I guess I can plan on a little more hassel than ususal when I go for a Maryland title.

While I believe I would have still purchased the car even if I had the carfax informaiton, it would have given me significantly more bargaining power to get the price down more than I did.

I have not had time to spend with more detail diagnostic work on the car (compression etc etc) my initial look over as it sits in the my garage is that it has survived pretty will after so much trauma. All suspention attaching points appear sound and there is no abnormal wear showing on the tires. The engine is dry with no leaks showing. Except for a wear spot on the drive seat, the interior is very clean for a 17 year old car and all the gages work and there is no pieces missing.

Plan is to replace the fuel pump, and get it running then begin some restoration:

A. Completed front end on the engine, ie water pump, belts, timing chain, hydralic valve cleaning.

B. Complete suspension refit, ie shocks, springs, brakes, bushings.

Then use it as a daily driver for a few weeks before taking it back up to New England and leaving it for my mom to use and for my use on my visits.

I would appreciate any comments and susgestions from the group.

I am looking forward to interacting with the group members on these forums. I purchased a 1992 Miata about two years ago that need complete rebuilding just short of engine rebuilding. The Miata owners club forum was extremely valuable as I worked through the rebuilding so I hope this forum can be just as valuable

Thanks

Ron Shippee

Cell: 202.409.8173