Looking at a festy in my area...advice needed

[lanemeyer14]

Hey guys, got another lead on a festy and need some more advice. The guy selling this one said the engine got hot and his mechanic told him it "might have a cracked head or cracked block". He's asking $400 or any reasonable offer. All I have to go on is a few pics and one email from the guy. Judging from the pics it looks to be in really good shape, 260k+ on the engine, along with whatever is wrong with it. It's a 1990 and i think it's an L plus model. I think it might have a/c, but i can't tell for sure. The windows look like they may have a slight tint to them, so that's a good indication. It also has the black pillars. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts on it are, and any advice as to what to look out for. Can anyone tell from the pic if it has a/c?

[lanemeyer14]

Here's another pic...

[Damkid]

In my opinion, if the body is in excellent shape, but the engine is shot, engines are cheap enough to buy and easy enough to replace, so i would buy it

[rancheeto]

i cant tell if it has ac or not, but the interior and body look in relly good shape.
offer him $200 find an engine, and get it on the road.

[benms79]

if you dont get it,let me know! i want it.im not to far from it

[Pocket_Rocket]

I'd buy it in a heartbeat...You US guys sure are lucky fellows...All the "should I buy this Festy" threads all show pretty much rust-free cars, with minor downsides such as faded paint or mechanical problems...For me, it's a no-brainer; I'd rather change parts than do rust repair any day!!!

[TONYCASH]

Buy It !!!

[Biglay5150]

I see it has the tach cluster. I would but it and just go straight for the b6 swap. Of course If I had extra cash all the time I would buy every Festiva I see.
I have a good b3 head in the garage if you get it and just want to put a good head on and drive it. Let me know Ill give you a smokin deal (no pun intended).

[edudu77]

Buy it...I'd offer a low ball though...does it run at the moment? I paid $500 for mine, and $100 for a new head...but I had to drive to Maryland to pick it up. Get it before I make a trip east!

[neanderpaul]

offer $200. he'll take it. You're way ahead of the game. even if he sticks to $400 you're still way ahead.

[stefan]

Its easier to replace a motor than do body work.

Go for it!

Pocket rocket is right... aside from maybe 2 or 3 festivas around here you wont find one without tons of rust.

[lanemeyer14]

Thanks guys! I think I'm gonna go for this one. The guy gets back in town on friday and I already told him I'm very interested and want to come check it out asap. Hopefully I can drive it home. Is there any way for me to find out for sure if it's the head or block that is cracked? I read somewhere on here that if you start the car cold with the rad. cap off and it blows coolant, then that means it has a cracked head or block...Is this correct? I'm willing to try anything to find out for sure. I wanted do a b6 swap anyway, so hopefully i can manage that.

[FB71]

it may only be a blown head gasket, but a cracked block or head is possible.

[Handyman]

You would be crazy not to jump on a deal like that. Engines are easy. I couldn't find any in NE Florida and the one I did buy for $450 is nowhere the car in the pictures. If you don't buy it,Tell every one where it is.

[freshtiva]

Appears to be a 90 L plus. Do what carbonvmax says. Good luck with it ! Ive never seen a 1990 L plus w/o a/c. 89s either. If it has factory tint it has a/c.