Keep the MX-3.. or get a newer car?

[xXx_OTEP_xXx]

Hey whats up guys, haven't been posting here much lately as I've been pretty busy with my new "project" car.. picked up a 95 neon that I've been wanting to try out for a while and hopped it up a little bit, its actually pretty damn fast. I'd estimate it running 14.5-14.9 in the 1/4 based on SOTP dyno and what other people in the neon community have run with the same or similar mods..

so anyway, I'm about to sell the neon now (don't ask, I get bored quickly with cars), and I'm stuck with a dilemma. I never sold my MX-3 when I got the neon and now I have the chance to make it my daily driver again..

Its a 95 RS (DOHC), MTX, with only 67,000 miles on it. I've also got some nice white 16"s for it, gauge pod, altezzas, cat-back exhaust, intake, etc.. so it would save me some money on modding.. all I need it to finish up the audio with some subs..

Problems? It has a water leak that I can't find the source of, the passenger side door is messed up, the locks are all kinda screwed up, the alarm is malfunctioning, I think my clutch is dying, and when the car is very cold its grinds going into 2nd gear so I'm afraid the tranny might be in bad shape.

So what do you think? I love the MX to death but I dont wanna spend a fortune trying to repair this car if it dies on me. I would need a mechanic to do the clutch and tranny if need be, so labor is expensive too.. Or you think I should sell it..? I'm kinda leaning toward keeping it, taking my time, and doing the repairs the right way

-Dean

[mitmaks]

maybe trade it for another mx3 in better shape or just start on it, fix it bottom up. with new engine.

[lakersfan1]

Keep it. Have a locksmith look at the locks, a stereo shop put in a new basic alarm, have a tranny place do the clutch, and have a good auto place that specializes in heating and cooling track down your antifreeze leak, and get a door from someone parting out thier car on the For Sale forums and get it repainted at a MAACO or something. Oh, and for the tranny, have you tried some good synthetic tranny fluid marketed towards good synchro lubrication?

[xXx_OTEP_xXx]

Havent tried that. I'll bring it to my shop and see if they'll flush the tranny fluid and put in the new stuff.

I think I'm gonna baby the car for the most part from now on.. I've raced it a lot in the past, but its not even an extremely fast car or anything (obviously) and doesnt enjoy the beatings

The clutch should hold out for a while, as it slips rarely, and only when I beat on it. The door and locks, however, will need to be checked on soon lol.

Thanks,
-Dean

[GeO]

I would definitely keep it and repair the list od things which need to be fixed. Just do bit by bit ! Remember necessity over wants!

[lakersfan1]

Originally posted by xXx_OTEP_xXx:
Havent tried that. I'll bring it to my shop and see if they'll flush the tranny fluid and put in the new stuff.

If your goal is to save money, I'd say do it yourself. Any of Jerry's Kids could do a manual transmission fluid change.

You drop the plug. Let fluid drain. Put polug back in. Then, stick a long hose into the fill hole. Squirt in 3 quarts of the new fluid.

For fluids, try a mix of either 2 quarts of Redline MT-90 and one quart of Redline MTL, or two quarts of Royal Purple Max Gear and one quart of Royal Purple Synchromax.