New SL1 owner
 

Just bought a 2000 soho 5 speed with 284000 miles.
It is my commuter to replace my diesel 4x4
So far wringing it out to get every ounce of acceleration
I have averaged 29.52 mpg... What will I get when I drive like a grandpa?

Welcome to the forum. Depending on what kind of shape the engine is really in, I'd suspect another 3-5 mpg at least. And I prefer the SOHC to the DOHC on the 1.9. They don't use as much oil!

Welcome.

Does it use oil?

Have you done a compression check (just for yuks)? Would love to know how the SOHCs wear when you get up that high in mileage.

Does it show signs of maintenance or neglect?

No I haven't done a compression or leak down test yet. I have only driven it about 500 miles so far and as far as I can tell it hasn't used any oil yet, however it does seem to be leaking atf, so I am assuming I am going to be doing axle seals in the near future.


I just retired from the Navy and all of my household goods have yet to be delivered from overseas, read I don't have my toolbox back yet.....

However it fires right up with the twist of the key, only minor burble at idle, hangs slightly when you blip the throttle..


All of the troubleshooting I have done so far tells me I need to see to the fuel system, axle seals, and replace the factory original cat.

I have already replaced the passenger front wheel bearing.

Understood.

Thank you for serving our country.

Take the center console off ( make sure you get the lighter AND the light) and examine the condition of the shifter cable bushing.

It is highly doubtful that whatever is in there is the factory original, although I did get to 230K on my 95 SC2.

The bushing becomes brittle and breaks, leaving you to manually pull the cables and work the gate while you drive (takes both hands) = put it in 2nd w the cables and limp home.

Alternative solutions exist for bushing replacement: steel cylinder, redesigned delrin bushings, etc. Point is you want to have one in the car w you if you've got an original in there. Either that or break the original on purpose and install a replacement so you don't get stranded.