I would love something basic but practical like a CR-V or Outback - anything that would give me a significantly larger cargo area.
Regarding the C30 - I have put a good bit of work into the car. Full disclosure, the previous owner was not the kindest to the car but I have been blowing a lot of money to rehab it back to full health.
The Good:
- Clutch and flywheel installed March of 2023 by specialty shop
- Transmission feels great
- Brand new Vredestein all weather tires (October 2023)
- Front end completely rebuilt with all new sensors, one knuckle, tie rods, some bushings, both wheel bearings, and alignment (October 2023)
- Oil changed meticulously since I've owned the car
- Bilstein B8 Touring struts
- Everything in the interior works and is in great shape
- Relatively fresh rotors (summer 2022) and pads kept up with
- Swivel headlights (I love them!)
- Sunroof works great and does not leak
- Volvo/Thule roof rack with Thule bike rack (I have a thru-axle adapter for this as well). This rack does not fit plus/fat MTBs though
- Elevate aluminum pedal set
- Garage-kept year round
- Mechanically perfectly sound as far as I and the specialty shop I use can tell
- Clean title
The Meh/In-Progress:
- Bodywork is rough around the edges. Passenger rocker is cracked and sagging, driver rocker front cap I managed to catch on a landscaping paver and remove. I have a new rocker panel for the right side and rocker panel front cap for the left that I am sending to be painted very soon. Some other trim pieces need new clips (I have them - just need to install them) as the clips aren't holding tight (ends of wheel arches pull away from the body)
- An engine mount seems to squeak if the temp goes below 70F.
- Wheels fell prey to the previous owner's shenanigans - not sure if it's wonky homebrew curb rash repair or something like Plasti-Dip that just won't come off. Basically a very small amount of black crud around the very lip of each rim. Going to work on this somehow soon.
- Due for a timing belt. I am planning on tackling this in spring but cannot get to this now - work is at it's peak over winter for me. Previous owner claims to have done it at around 50k but I do not trust this without a receipt and will do it anyways.
The Bad:
- Hood paint is bad - small clear coat chips + cold winters have made many little spiderweb cracks in the clear.
- Front windshield just cracked with the cold snap. There was a tiny chip at the very bottom by the vents/wipers below the visible area that I did not catch.
- Driver's seat leather started to split, again with the most recent dip in temperature.
- No OEM jack - replacement I bought does not fit in the little bin in the spare tire area so it had just been floating in the rear footwell.
- No spare key. Has a second fob but the actual key is missing and I have come up short finding someone to make a new one.
- In cold temps, one of the struts makes some noise on bumps. My shop can't seem to figure out which one as it's hard to replicate being so temperature-dependent. Only lasts for the first minute or two of a trip until things warm up. If I get through the timing belt, body work, and engine mount before anyone bites I will make this a priority.
- Weather stripping around hatch opening has been damaged by me placing large items into the back repeatedly - hence my desire for a larger car.
- Carpeted cover for the passenger footwell fusebox will not stay put so it is not installed. Can't even see it unless you put your head into the footwell but just something to note.
Other things to note:
- Car has a muffler delete. It is not absurdly loud by any means, but it is louder. Think BMW M or similar loud.
- Shift knob was replaced by previous owner with a really nice wooden one. I think it's zebrawood but not certain.
I am being pretty hard on my assessment of the car but I don't want anyone to be surprised by something. I daily drive the car and it is immensely reliable in every condition. Most of the issues with the car are just annoyances for me personally, and I have a feeling that they are not as big of a deal for less detail-oriented people. I will be taking better photos the next sunny day and will upload them at that time.
Please feel free to shoot me any questions you have.
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