What do you think of this M.Y.94 Ghibli?

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Gandini

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I am based in Switzerland and am looking into LHD Ghiblis. An interesting one has lately appeeared on mobile.de.

Positive: Price, mileage (50k miles), and partly looks; dealer seems legit based on feedback
Iffy: Recaro seats, auto box, car is now based in Latvia...
Neutral: Japan import

The car:

The video, including engine running and driving:

The car was registered in '96, but per the VIN on Enrico's it's a MY94.

Question: It's got ABS, but has it also got the new differential and rear subframe?

Are original seats obtainable, or would I be stuck with the Recaros?

The wheels aren't MY94, or are they?

Does anything else strike you about the ad or the video?

Many thanks indeed.
 
Ewan

Ewan

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6,801
Looks lovely to me, and well presented. Good colour, mileage and price.

The wheels are wrong (non original and too big) so would need changing. As would that steering wheel. But I’d keep the Recaro seats, as they are way better than the originals. Indeed, I often wanted to fit Recaro's in my old Ghiblis.

Overall I’d see it’s worth a serious look. As long as you are okay with an auto...
 
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Gandini

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That's the thing, the auto... how good or bad is it, as autos go?

And I can't go look at the car. Even in non-Corona times I'm not going to fly into Latvia from Switzerland. So there is that risk.
 
Ewan

Ewan

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The auto is actually quite good. Just more of a fast cruiser than a sports car.
My best pal has one that I’ve used frequently and always enjoy.

It looks like a nice example and has clearly been cared for. So if you are keen, go with the intention of buying it and driving back, but with the ability to change your mind at the last minute if you have to. Okay, this might mean you waste a day and a few hundred EUR, but I’d see the journey as a risk worth taking.
 
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Gandini

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Thanks. I have to say I am tempted. I'm actually looking for a cruiser-type Ghibli because I already have a sportscar and need some practicality.

Anorak fact: The wheels are part of the Kit Sportivo, which was briefly available for MY94s.
 
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gemini

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144
This car was imported from Japan (not a bad thing, just an information, we can say it's a japan car by looking at the front lenses).
It seems to me that the car lacks of boost. When you check the video, the boost gauge never pass twelve o clock, it should go to about 2 o'clock (start of the yellow zone).
Probably the solenoid valve (amal valve) is dead, not to expensive, very easy to replace, and once done, it will allow full boost.
 
dt95aac

dt95aac

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I think there's always a risk involved when buying an older car, especially from a smaller manufacturer.
The price is attractive, but these cars now are showing signs of corrosion especially around the bulkhead area which is next to impossible to check, as it's covered by insulation.
I would go in with open eyes, setting aside a budget of 3-5k for possible repairs.
Otherwise Ghiblis, even automatic ones, are lovely cars to drive and surprisingly practical.

Gandini said:
Anorak fact: The wheels are part of the Kit Sportivo, which was briefly available for MY94s.
Click to expand...

These are not kit sportivo wheels, look at them more closely and you'll see that both size and design are wrong.

gemini said:
Probably the solenoid valve (amal valve) is dead, not to expensive, very easy to replace, and once done, it will allow full boost.
Click to expand...

I wish that was true, amal valves are out of production for many years and sourcing a new one at any price is next to impossible.
I agree though that boost pressure should be at the start of the yellow zone in the gauge.
Lower boost could be for any number of reasons including leaking hoses, blown blow-off valves, weak turbos, etc.
I see an electronic screen inside next to the driver window switch, maybe it's an electronic boost controller limiting the boost??
 
Ewan

Ewan

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6,801
You'll want to fit 16" wheels, as per the originals. I had the Mille Miglia wheels on my 1995 Ghibli, which are tricky to clean but look fantastic.

(As mentioned above, those ones on the car now are not actually the Kit Sportivo wheels.)
 
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Gandini

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Thanks for these pointers. So the non-KS wheels need to go, and possibly the Recaro seats...

I was prepared to pay almost double the price of this one, so the difference could be my slush fund for the unexpected.

This is a VAT-deductible sale, which would take care of Swiss import tax and Swiss VAT (which is less than half of Latvian VAT).
 
dt95aac

dt95aac

Member
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116
Not much to see from these photos unfortunately.
Level of rusted bits and bolts looks high but it's a northern European car, so that is to be expected.

Exhaust is clearly not standard and is missing the cats.
I don't know what the acceptable level of modifications in the exhaust department is in Switzerland, but I think you will probably need to add a pair of cats.

I would ask for some photos from the car on a lift, showing the front subframe forks, as these tend to crack.

Also photos showing the engine bay bulkhead area and some showing the wiper motor area, as these are known rust hotspots.

You could also inquire about the low boost issue.
 
Frog3200

Frog3200

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M

Maser73

Junior Member
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Generally looks like a nice spec car. Normally JP cars are known being free of rust so good to check why this one has pretty much rust underneath. Maybe it comes from the North of Japan with less good climate...Would also advise to check mileage through i.e a site like japancarhistorycheck.com. For couple of Euros you can get a copy of export report leaving Japan with its mileage and also the 2 last service intervals (MOT kind). This way you can check to some degree the mileage. Normally when they play with odometer is during export period.

I have had a MY94 automatic and fantastic car. Bear in mind to get it a bit to standard specs like correct headlight (these might be RHD glass lights), correct seats, MM wheels and some other bits and pieces cost will go significant up. Also strassenverkehrsamt in CH are a bit more rigid on non EU import. When you need also Cats you might end up with all parts above 20K and then this car needs to be really perfect compared to EU cars to go through effort.

Have to say, like the wheels but good to have the standard ones as well with the car.

Anyway sometimes better to not look at it to analytical and go for it. Not guts No glory...
 
G

gemini

Member
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144
The headlights are exactly the same as the ferrari F40/355/348, you'll be able to find the cavallino on upper left corner. Japanese lenses doesn't have the correct beam pattern, you'll have to replace them.

TVf3fZj-fVbSOJFBk_3hsggoKQ4-ybMhYxhxcTy47tIKGJ3PYwyWZGcDKO1kjqi4ggnXFVt-9AME8RjPq-kQyzckbkBXLw


You can either buy the original from Ferrari (probably a little bit expensive) or the exact same lenses from Hella (I have fitted these on my japanese ghibli cup), they are very cheap, but without the cavallino.
Ref are : 1DL 007 739-021 and 1DL 007 739-011, around 110€
 
dt95aac

dt95aac

Member
Messages
116
Frog3200 said:
Hi, just to add that the amal valve is the same than on the porsche 924 turbo we are a few in France to have ordered it at rosepassion

P40476 - 95160611700 - Soupape à périodes pour Porsche 944 / 1986 / 944 turbo m44.51 / Coupe / Boite manuelle 5 vitesses

P40476 - 95160611700 - Soupape à périodes pour Porsche 944 1986 944 turbo m44.51 Coupe Boite manuelle 5 vitesses > Turbo > Schéma: Tuyau d'injection
www.rosepassion.com www.rosepassion.com
A one way ticket to Latvia seems a good option:D
Click to expand...

This is great info, thanks!! :D
 
G

Gandini

New Member
Messages
24
Thanks for those detailed comments, y'all!

20k+ sounds realistic for sorting all the bits and bobs. That's still not bad given the silly money which dealers in Western Europe are asking. But I was surprised by the amount of rust on the underside.

I don't think it's currently legal to travel to Latvia and back for test driving a car, so this would have to be a remote buy. Which is exciting because I am 6'3" and have never even sat in a Ghibli...

Anyway, I emailed the Latvian dealer some questions, including about turbo boost.
 
G

Gandini

New Member
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24
Where there's a will, there's a way. There's this YouTube video of a giant American who's using an Elise as his daily driver...
 
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