Faults:
During the second year of owning this car, the passenger side front brakes wore down and a scraping noise forced me to replace the pads. The fault was caused by corrosion on the slider.
Year three saw the cruise control stop working, which the dealer found to be from corrosion.
The MAP sensor failed in about 1998, but the car allowed me to cripple into a service station about 12 miles away. (Cost about $100)
Had to replace the muffler for the first time after about 10 years.
The driver side back seat window cable broke in about 2002 and cost $900 to replace. (I did the replacement myself)
Windshield wipers lost their intermittent function, at about 15 years old. I find that this will work after about 15 minutes of use so it must be corrosion again, probably the ground wire.
The radiator has had to be replaced or rebuilt about every 7 years.
Presently I am having trouble with rough idling, have replaced the plugs, wires and rotor but to no avail. Next will be to check out the EGR valve and the MAP sensor. This is how I found this site (looking for advice).
The first brake job, other than previously mentioned, was done on the front brakes this past March. The mechanic says the rears are still good (oh how I wish we could still get asbestos brakes).
General Comments:
I bought this car new in November 1987, when I ordered it and took delivery on the first working day of 1988.
This has probably been the best car that I have ever owned, mainly due to the fact that, although I live in Southern Canada where they use a lot of salt on the roads, this car has never been Winter driven and is always parked in a none heated garage.
The car has been well cared for and never experienced any type of accident. The integrity of the body is immaculate, although I did have body repair done to the lower door sills on both sides.
I have never replaced the top and it is still in showroom condition.
All in all, it has been a pleasure, and it still is to drive this vehicle, which I plan on doing for many years to come.
I have done mainly all my own work on this car unless it gets into areas out of my own knowledge.
The main advice that I can provide is that should you be looking for your dream car, then always protect it from the elements and have a beater vehicle that you can use for the days you are unable to use and enjoy your dream.
You just wouldn't believe the compliments that I still get when driving this car!
10th Jun 2012, 20:53
You must have had a GTC... J body Lebaron GTS do not have motorized headlights.