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newbie needing advice

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guitarmonkey

newbie needing advice
« on: January 23, 2007, 02:24:04 PM »
hi guys, my name is gary and i'm in denver, co.

i've been looking into getting a used sideckick and today i found a 93 sidekick JX with 94,500 miles.

it is in fair shape... seats are ratty, exterior body molding is loose in a couple of spots, paint is a bit dingy and has some scratches, wheels have lost some of their chrome coverings, glove box won't stay shut, needs new tires, check engine light was on...

but, it runs great, four wheel drive engaged nice (you could hear a slight "whir" sound once the front wheels were engaged, but it sounded pretty normal), no body squeaks or rattles when going over bumpy roads with 4x4 engaged, idles nice and quiet, no leaks as much as i could tell...

it is at one of those "broadway" kind of dealers that have a ton of cars for under 4000.  they said they'd let it go for 3199.  that seems pretty high to me.

any advice?  anything in particular i should look out for on the 93 models?

also, i'm assuming the timing belt hasn't been replaced and i would need to do that... any idea on how much that'd run me?

thanks for your time...

a hopeful 'zuki owner...
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Offline ack

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2007, 03:05:45 PM »
Tell 'em you'll take it off their hands for 2200.

It does have low miles.  My '93 JLX 4-door had 87k when I bought it.  It was Blue-book valued at $3100 two years ago.  That Sidekick (unless it's a 4-door) is going to be less as the JLX is the "it's got EVERYTHING!" model...

Check Edmunds and that other big used car pricing website ( I fergit the name...) to get an idea of what that critter would go for.  You'll probably find out that under 3000 is more realistic - even for a dealer sale.

Good luck and I hope you find the deal of your lifetime. They are out there!
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Offline bentparts

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2007, 03:08:51 PM »
That is quite over priced for a 93, even if it was in much better condition than you described. I bought a 95 16valve ( much more desirable), in pretty good cond with only 63k for $2400. If you take your time and look around I'm sure you could do better. Try and find a 94/95 or later with the 16 valve motor. Much better performance.  Beware of used car dealers who try and gouge you, and check the book value. IF it's a manual, watch for worn clutch, check brakes, look for smoke, check all fluids, smell the oil! Try to find someone to take with you if your not that experienced a mechanic. Beat up on the inside is a good indicater of neglect. You think the previous owner took any better care of the things you can't see?  Good Luck, and welcome aboard! Ps, timing belt replacement should be no more than a couple hundred if that, and if you go that far, replace ALL the belts and hoses. They're 14 years old, and I'm sure, dry as hell. I really would keep looking, or offer him $1500 and see what they say. It's not worth any more really.
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Offline ROSS

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2007, 03:11:54 PM »
go to www.nada.com thats an online blue-book its free . cars trucks suvs boats rvs. 
you can look up your own car if you want to sell one.
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guitarmonkey

Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2007, 03:54:16 PM »
yeah, the more i've looked i realize that is quite high...

thanks for the input... i think i'll hold out for one from a private seller...

and FYI, i do believe it said that it was a 16 valve on the sticker above "JX" on the back hatch...

later,
g-monkey
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Offline daddyizzle

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2007, 05:39:15 PM »
I lived there for 30 + years. You have a major advantage. There are a ton of sidekicks, trackers, and samurais  all over the frontrange as well as the mountains. You should have no problem finding a better deal.

There aren't so many around here, however a friend of mine inquired about a 90ish samurai here. It was fuel injected, 49k original miles, tintop, and in mint condition. The old guy that had it said he was considering selling it and would call him back with a price as soon as he checked the blue book.

MY FRIEND  GOT IT FOR $900.00!!!

I was sick. Just goes to show you that there are deals to be had.

-Adam
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Offline jdouc

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2007, 08:45:36 AM »
Sounds like good advice from everybody!  I just picked up my first 95 JX 4wd for $1350.  NADA had about 1600 or so but it has an oil leak.  When I got into it it has at least 4 oil leaks, my father-inlaw has a 91 track and says they are easy to work on, he lied.  Things are so tight and to get to one thing you have to take like 3 things off, right now I am sturggling with the oil pan, book says you have to take the front end off to get it down to replace the friggin gasket!  Sorry guys, just venting a bit.
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Offline daddyizzle

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2007, 10:34:46 AM »
I don't know about the trackers and sidekicks, but I think the samurais are pretty easy to work on. I guess it depends on what you were expecting, the tools you have, and the experience you have. Try changing the plugs on an aerostar and you'll learn to appreciate one of these.

-Adam
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Offline Mikerpm4x4

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2007, 10:48:34 AM »
Quote from: jdouc on January 24, 2007, 08:45:36 AM
Sounds like good advice from everybody!  I just picked up my first 95 JX 4wd for $1350.  NADA had about 1600 or so but it has an oil leak.  When I got into it it has at least 4 oil leaks, my father-inlaw has a 91 track and says they are easy to work on, he lied.  Things are so tight and to get to one thing you have to take like 3 things off, right now I am sturggling with the oil pan, book says you have to take the front end off to get it down to replace the friggin gasket!  Sorry guys, just venting a bit.

Double check that oil pan gasket. Everyone Ive ever known that said the oil pan was leaking on a sidekick it was the front crank seal. Ive also seen the oil sending unit fail. Im a mech for a livin and these are easy to work on in comparison to just about everything made in that era.

Mike
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Offline bentparts

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2007, 05:17:31 PM »
If it is an oil pan gasket, don't bother putting  another on. A much better seal can be had with high temp silicone gasket maker. Also, when I did my oil pan mods, to remove the pan I had to remove the oil pickup and drop them both together. It's a Bitch! Replacing the pan is just the opposite, drop the pickup in the pan, and get them up in place, then bolt the pickup on, after the pickup is on then you can put your gasket maker on . Either way it's a messy job.
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2007, 09:33:38 AM »
Quote from: bentparts on January 24, 2007, 05:17:31 PM
If it is an oil pan gasket, don't bother putting  another on. A much better seal can be had with high temp silicone gasket maker. Also, when I did my oil pan mods, to remove the pan I had to remove the oil pickup and drop them both together. It's a Bitch! Replacing the pan is just the opposite, drop the pickup in the pan, and get them up in place, then bolt the pickup on, after the pickup is on then you can put your gasket maker on . Either way it's a messy job.

I agree.  Silicone is much better.
I just redid my oil pan gasket with silicone and I did have to drop the front axle housing out.  I did not need to remove the oil pickup tube though.  Once the oil pan is loose, spin the pan around half a turn and with some manipulation it will come out from the front.
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Offline bentparts

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2007, 02:36:49 PM »
I wonder why mine was such a Bitch to get out? I tried turning that thing every which way and still could not get it out, or in for that matter, without dropping the pickup. I wonder if body lift or susp. lift had anything to do with that? Or are 8 and 16 valve pickups different?
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2007, 05:52:59 PM »
Mine is a 16V.  No body or suspension lift.  Not that either would help with removing the oil pan, unless the suspension lift dropped the front axle housing down, so you might not need to remove it....nah, I still don't think it would make enough difference...the front axle housing would still need to come out.
I didn't think I was going to get the pan off either at first, without dropping the pickup.  But I just kept working and manipulating it and finally was able to get it in a position to come out.  IIRC, once the pan was loose, I slid it back a little so I could spin it 180*, then slid it back forward and twisted/tilted it a little to get it to come out in front of the crossmember, that the thirdmember brace bolts to.
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Offline bentparts

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #13 on: January 26, 2007, 04:14:49 AM »
 :) Damn, I wish you were around when I did mine! I ended up having to remove it twice! The first time to weld in a bung for my turbo oil drain, the second time to increase the size of the drain tube. All for nought, I ended up using a scavange pump anyway! I don't plan on removing it again thats for sure!
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: newbie needing advice
« Reply #14 on: January 26, 2007, 07:42:22 AM »
Quote from: bentparts on January 26, 2007, 04:14:49 AM
:) Damn, I wish you were around when I did mine! I ended up having to remove it twice! The first time to weld in a bung for my turbo oil drain, the second time to increase the size of the drain tube. All for nought, I ended up using a scavange pump anyway! I don't plan on removing it again thats for sure!

Unfortunately, I wouldn't have been much help at the time.  I just pulled mine a week or so ago.  And before that I couldn't have told you whether the pickup needed to be dropped with it or not.
Nice turbo setup, BTW.  You got me thinkin.....
I think I have found all your threads on here about it...and your flickr page.  Got any more info?  What did it end up costing?  You did all the work yourself, didn't you?  Do you have a "parts list"?  Are you having to run high-octane or an additive?
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