Hey there, Lucky here.

I happen to find a good lookin' 1996 Dodge Avenger in olive, with 107,000 miles on it. Seems like it runs like a top. It currently is owned by a mechanic that accepted it as a payment on previous services. He is looking to sell it, and he offered to sell it to me at a price I couldn't refuse.

My question is: I've looked under the hood, I've looked under the car, I've looked through the under-side of the dash, I've road-tested it, I've done everything my father ever taught me to do to check a car prior to purchase short of giving it a psychological test (small car-joke)....

SO... Is there anything I should be paying any special-close attention to before I make my final descent?

It's not the upgraded version, although it does have cruise control and an aftermarket CD player.

There is also a wire with an adapter of sorts, hanging a little on the left side of the drivers foot-area... (What is that, anyways?)

There is only SLIGHT paint damage above the rear license plate, where it has started to come off from age most likely.

OH! And the original owner already replaced the drivers side door handle. I did notice quite a few websites mentioned that as a problem.

Other than that, It's pretty plain and simple. But again, it seems like it runs like a top! Clutch is great, lights are all cool, wiring inside and out all looks in premo condition... Is there anything I might be missing?

Any guesses of the cars value, while you're at it? Kelly Blue Book quoted me 1,200 to 800 depending on the condition. Thought maybe you'd all have another opinion.

But again, my key point, is there something I should be looking for or something I should expect to have to replace shortly after purchase?

Thank you SO much for your time & input!

-Lucky

 

Since it's a clutch it's a four cylinder , do you know when the timing belt was replaced ???

Picture of wiring adapter ??? It might be a remote start that was removed

 

No, I don't know a thing about the timing belt, and neither does the mechanic.

And no picture of the wiring adapter that is hanging down, nor did I get a chance to ask the mechanic. Any ideas what else it may be, if not a now-removed Remote Start? I can't find anything in my Haynes Repair Manual, about any kind of wiring like that, that would be there.

Thanks again!
-Lucky

 

With out a picture I'd just be guessing

 

Darn Darn Darn....

I guess I'll have to go pop by the guy's shop, and snap + post a pic with my blackberry on the way to work. Thanks for the help so far... I'll keep you up to date as things progress.

And of course, there will be photos of this thing once I get it!

-Lucky

 

I GOT THE PICS!



Those are the pics. Hanging down to the left of the steering column, from under the dash.

Oh... And these are in the trunk... Are these the wires for a powered subwoofer, or what?? I'm not into the car audio thing... Guesses even?
AND... if so... What are the different wires? Audio, Power, Ground? ...ectect.



THANKS SO MUCH for your time!

-Lucky

 

im no expert but the adapter actually looks like a plug on the back of the controls for the cruise, fogs, mirrors panel.

the wires in the trunk are left/right audio: the big plugs....
the red wire looks to be a power cable
the blue or purple are ground a remote wires it looks like.

All you need is a amp and subs and your set up to have some killer bass :P

 

Sounds decent MarvMan... I wonder what Bad Venge thinks it is.

 

he hasnt found the answer yet so he hasn't posted.

 

Iwas thinking it looks like the key in ignition relay thing , but not sure