Good buy?

[Aron in Toronto]

Originally Posted by js/sj

I was told the suspension on the 97's were horrible and you cant put bigger rims on them. Also was told the 97's had the biggest IMS failure rate. Also the highest sleeve slipping rate. So i am kinda hesitant on it. Let me know what u guys think. I will install the IMS guard soon.

True the 97s weren't designed to cope with the additional stresses associated with 18" wheels. This said I've been running 18" wheels on my 97 for the last 4 years w/o any ill effects, nor have I heard of any first hand problems with running larger wheels on the street. From the pics you posted it looks like either this car has 18" or aftermarket 17" wheels as this wheel style wasn't offered in 17" from the factory as OEM.

Regarding the IMS, Jake Raby has said that the 97's are among the least to be effected be failed IMS bearings.

The slipped sleeves were on the 98's and didn't affect the 97's, and honestly at this millage I doubt it's an issue anyway.

Originally Posted by Idaho Red Rocket 3

Too much money for a '97. Look for the better cars made in Stuttgart in '98 or '99.

Although I agree it's priced high for a 97, all 97's were built in Stuttgart. Starting in 98 and later roughly 90% of production moved to Finland. This said, I haven't heard any quality differences between the cars build in Germany Vs Finland.