Looking at an '88 AW11

[Ebiggs]

Hello all, newbie here.

Quick introduction: I'm 17 and have wanted an AW11 before I was 16. I happened to see a guy with one where I work a couple of days ago, and after a little conversation I found out that he wants to sell it. It is a red 1988 five speed with 98k miles. He told me he paid $2500 for it, but I didn't think to ask when he bought it. Kelley Blue Book values it at $1460. It looks to be in pretty good shape (could use some paint, but what 1988 car couldn't?) and the owner is middle-aged, so it probably hasn't been overly abused.

Are there any problems I should check the car for next time I see him if I do end up deciding to buy it?

Also, it has what looks like a factory graphics package. On the indentation on the hood it has a gray/silver decal that starts as some bars but then to a bigger rectangle, filling the shape of the indent. It has a similar decal on the sides and says MR2 on those. This is the only MR2 I've saw those on. Has anybody else saw one like it?

[toyotaspeed90]

i've seen some pictures of the early 85/86 mr2's with similar graphics....

if it's a t-top, check to see if it leaks

check for rust in the wheel wells

[22redlined]

my step dad has my old 89 mr2, like the man said check the t top seal and rite behind the rear wheels on the wheel wells, other than that try to look at the block on each side and make sure the valve covers or head gasket arent leaking. not everyone actually does put the recomended fuel in there cause its cheaper and wont do any damage. wrong!
other than that make sure the clutch grabs well cause they are not the funnest car to change the clutch in.
i know what grafics pack your talking about, mine has the grafics with the little pheonix, ...
yeah i know its the "fire bird" of the east