Need some advice on buying a Ram Air WS6

[theorangeguy]

Some say the sail panel issue is every year from 1999-2002 "1998 was not supposed to be effected" but I personally *knock on wood* have never had the issue and I have owned quite a few camaro's and TA's over the past 10 years...so it is hit or miss based on my personal experience. Try to keep it out of direct sun light when possible because that can obviously make it pop its head up.

I would be more worried about the fuel lines than anything else when it comes to sitting for an extended period of time but thats just me...fuel will eventually start turning into a gel like substance if it sits long enough and 8 years in my opinion is more than enough to start gumming up lines and injectors. BUT if they have been starting the car over the years then it will keep stuff moving around and prevent that from happening.

If you are ok with the sail panel paint bubbles then go for it...my current car sat for over 2 years when I bought it because the only previous owner was in the military and was over seas for years at a time and I was perfectly fine with that. I knew I would just fix it if something went wrong.


Just for clarification, when you say the car has been sitting for 8 years has it literally been sitting not being started or have they been starting it once a month or something like that?

[boxergirl]

the car has a new fuel injector, just last month. she told me started it 3 times a week for the past 8 years and also lightly drove it but not much, I know she did start it often as the battery never died and she kept it registered and insured so it was started often.

[theorangeguy]

the car has a new fuel injector, just last month. she told me started it 3 times a week for the past 8 years and also lightly drove it but not much, I know she did start it often as the battery never died and she kept it registered and insured so it was started often.

I wouldn't worry about it then. If she's been keeping the fluids moving it should be ok.

Has she been changing the oil even though she hasn't been putting miles on the car? Oil also has a shelf life.

[boxergirl]

I didn't ask her about the oil, but the mechanic said it needs to be changed. I am thinking she did not change it if its dirty. I just found a 2002 same car same millage for 13,500 B/O and original owner, with record. but its RED. I want black, red is going to stick out like a sore thumb, but it is gorgeous but its a 6 hour drive for me so I have to think about it. interesting that he's asking less for a newer car same mileage and condition.

[raynor139]

Prices on these cars are all over the place. Some people are more realistic then others. Alot of it is sentimental attachment so people think it's worth more then they are.

If she did start and drive it every once in a while it's probably ok and you shouldn't worry too much. The way you talked I thought it sat for 8 years as tends to happen when the owner dies and they don't sell the car.

Theorangeguy is right the sail panel issues just seem to hit certain cars. Had a guy at a car show the other weekend with a 8800 mile 2000 ws6 black garage kept and his was riddled with bubbles. Mines a 02 pewter with 114k and not a single bubble. Mines always been maintained very well but was outside for several years straight. Paint color does have alot to do with it.

I would just keep looking if she won't budge. 14k with 56k miles just seems too high for me. They are out there you just have to look and be willing to travel for a good price.

[35th-ANV-SS]

THANK YOU to everyone that has responded to me. And I have to say that I LOVE the red ram air you have on your profile photo, that is one beautiful baby.

Thank you. She just turned 25,000 miles this year and runs like a cheetah chasing dinner.

[35th-ANV-SS]

If you get the car, any used car for that matter, change all the fluids as soon as you can....oil, coolant, transmission fluid, rear end gear oil, etc. It's relatively cheap insurance and nobody really knows how well previous owners kept up with stuff like that unless they provide official documents/records. It sucks, but people lie about shit...

[boxergirl]

thanks Moderator your car is just amazing. I want to see more photo's of it, I will go to your profile and admire it. that's very good information about the fluids.

I remember when I sold my 1999 Ram air. it was a sad day for me. I remember it well, my ex husband driving it 100 mph to the Hyundai dealer to trade in our T/A in 2004 with 20,000 miles on it, so it was 6 years old and flawless, it was black and beautiful AND it was paid for. So we pull up the dealer to trade it on a Hyundai elantra. the manager saw us pull up and he was all over our car. Apparently he bought it, and it never even made it on the sales lot, we had all records and took perfect care of it. I remember by ex husband driving to the dealer so angry at me in his beautiful T/A looking so hot! and than I saw him driving home in that Hyundai with only 124 HP. LOL I felt so bad and to this day I regret selling it. But really, he drove that car so hard and so fast I was always worried he would get in an accident or get killed it was that bad, he was so aggressive in it and he already had road rage tendencies . he got 2 tickets in it and pulled over many times and got off the hook, he just couldn't keep from speeding and driving it hard, he used to love that traction control in the rain, he would always get nuts with it, so we had to sell it. He is not going to be happy when he finds out I Bought one but were old news now and times have changed.

[boxergirl]

funny, the lady called me back today and wants to negotiate for the car again. so with it needing tires, a sail panel, and the possibility of engine issues due to sitting for 8 years, even though my mechanic picked it apart and didn't find anything for a 2000 WS6, 56K, I am thinking 10k as were going to need to put 2k into it right off that bat. does that sound fair or should I do 11K still not sure b.c the car is beautiful. UGH, decisions decisions.

[speedyWS6]

Hope it all pans out!

Obviously you want it as cheap as possible but remember...

What I told a bud who bought a '64 mustang and shipped it home,
just negotiate hard as "You are buying a car not forming a lifelong
friendship". I know there is emotional stuff muddying these waters
with her son and all, in this deal, but......


Good luck!!