thinking about buying an eagle, wondering about parts

[tuf]

hello there,
I am new to the nest and new to amc eagle's as well.
I have been looking for a AWD wagon. Subaru has been my main choice, but parts and maintence is more difficult on these vehicles. I was wondering If AMC eagle wagon parts are easy to get a hold of. example: advanced auto easy. Or would I need to order any parts i may need.

Also I am in colorado and there isnt many amc eagles up for sale at the moment, well at lease on craigslist. So if anyone is semi-near denver and have a 4d AMC Eagle wagon up for sale, feel free to let me know thanks

[thereverendbill]

the parts are availible, but some of the other nesters have had problems with getting counter help to realize that these are AMC cars and not the dodge/chrysler "eagles".

[Whuntmore]

Some parts are still available (drivetrain, suspension, starters, alt, etc) as they are related to Jeeps.  Some of the parts are not available, so sometimes you might have to supplement with jeep parts, have them rebuilt, or do your own repairs.

Some parts are not available, and you have to either scrounge them from junkyards (or find a parts car) or make other parts work, or fix them.

For example:  you can't get seats, but you can get them redone (foam, coverings, etc), you Can't get a new dash, or interior plastic trim, etc.  You can however, still get Carpets that fit, so that's good. 

If you're handy and resourceful, have access to a big junkyard, or ask here, it would be a project. 

Hopefully I haven't turned you off, cause there's a total upside:  If you're really handy, can weld, and would feel comfortable rebuilding a motor, or changing over a motor, there's a stroker motor mod where if you swap the bottom end internals from the original motor (the 258 cid or a 4.2 liter) and put it in the common '90's jeep straight 6 block (a 4.0 HO engine) they will fit, and top it off with the better head from the 4.0 (hopefully FI) and make some other mods (computer, sending unit, some of the gauges, etc) you would have an eagle that could get mid to high 30's mpg, and from what I keep getting told, probably over 250 hp (I've been told around 300).

Now, that's gotta be worth the time and effort.

[IowaEagle]

Many mechanical parts still available.  Most body and interior parts only available used unless you happen across a rare NOS part.  That does still happen from time to time.

[duane2171]

Welcome to the Nest Tuf!!

I own an '02 Subaru Outback, and an 82 Eagle wagon.  I'll tell ya right now the Eagle wagon is WAYYYYY easier to wrench on and parts
are a LOT cheaper.  Also diagnosing just what the heck is wrong on the Subie is confusing in itself.  Most parts you can only get at a
dealer I've found, so you know that means $$$$$  don't misunderstand me though, I love my Subie and if you're into creature comforts
its the way to go.  But for ease of workin on and $$$  the Eagle would be my choice.

[twoslowinwyo]

welcome from Wyoming! if you need parts and don't mind a little drive there a few yards with a lot of eagles around. one yard is right on I-25 just north of colorado national speedway,(can't remember the name),  the other is seven sons auto salvage just north of brightion on us85. hope this helps, LAZ

[tuf]

thanks everyone for all the information. Now the only problem is finding a AMC eagle 4d wagon.

[eaglefreek]

thanks everyone for all the information. Now the only problem is finding a AMC eagle 4d wagon.

Good luck on your search. I used to live in the Denver area and it seems to be the place with the most Eagles for sale typically. Be a little patient and don't jump on the first one for sale if you don't feel comfortable with it's condition.

[vangremlin]

Welcome!  I'm in the Denver area, and availability of Eagles seems to go in cycles.  This spring, there were six listed on Craigslist at one time.  But I don't think I've seen one advertised on there for about a month.  Make sure you check Craigslist in CO Springs, Fort Collins, etc.  There is a wagon for sale in CO Springs right now.  Good luck, ask if you have any questions!

[milliard431]

Welcome to the nest, They come up quite frequently out there. Go to jaxed . com and put in amc eagle in the drop down. you can then choose just a state , region, or the blank space which will give you all eagles on all major internet sources

[Kyle G.]

Hi, I'm a few days late here but welcome to the nest.  Finding a good Eagle for sale can try your patience, but don't be discouraged.  All of the sudden you will find one out of the blue, probably sitting in someone's yard with a hand-made for sale sign taped in the window.  As for parts, have you checked out our links section?  There are some good sites listed there.  Also check out our Eagle Nest Store:  http://amceaglenest.com/enstore/index.php
Good luck finding that Eagle!

[Whuntmore]

Hi, I'm a few days late here but welcome to the nest.  Finding a good Eagle for sale can try your patience, but don't be discouraged.  All of the sudden you will find one out of the blue, probably sitting in someone's yard with a hand-made for sale sign taped in the window. 

I was on the nest for about 6-7 months before I found my first one.  Then like a month later, someone pm'd me (a new member from my area) and said I could have one if I got it off his property by the next day.  The first one is parts for the second one.

As Kyle said, ya just gotta be patient.

[hodayoda]

Hi my husband and I were riding he actually saw the Eagle for sale and said" i just saw the ugliest car and you are going to want it" I jumped and said yesssss!!!! A lady ran the mail in town had one when I was a kid 20+ years ago. Best car we ever bought just get ready for people saying what is it can I buy it all day everyday parts are available online I get some at Autozone and places like that. They aren't overly priced main problem I have had is mine is an  88 so I have to tell them 87 to get parts but hope you get it:)

[chiboy]

Re: parts
I have never had difficulties getting for them here in Minneapolis/Saint Paul MN. I have an 87 wagon that just had the tranny go out, no problem finding another because I am using a 727 tranny from a grand wagoneer my old one was also a 727, lasted ten years.

Lately i have been thinking about selling my honey
You can read about my mods in my posts

 Chiboy

[tougeagle]

Tuf, I'll be picking up a wagon later this month, 83, auto, manual windows, locks, seats (I think manual seats) with spotless interior, very clean straight body, excellent engine. It needs very little work, just a good 80k mile service and possibly a torque converter, all of which I will do myself. I will make sure the car is completely daily driver ready before I sell, which shouldn't take me long, if you're interested. I don't have pics up right now, but I can show you the general idea with the old pics from my car, as this one has the identical interior mine originally came with, and identical exterior color. Though, this one has ac and mine doesn't.

[shanebo]

Welcome to the nest..I live just west of colorado springs. Subaru outbacks are great cars...but theres just something about an Eagle. Youll know it the second you sit in one. It feels like no other car you have driven. Mechanical parts  are fairly easy to come by. Ive never had a situation where a part was not available...mechanical parts atleast. Body trim and interior parts are a little harder to come by, still not all that bad especially if you get a wagon...sx4's and Kambacks are quite a bit harder to come by. Good luck which ever direction you decide to go.

[shanebo]

Theres another thing about Eagles i forgot to mention that any potenial Eagle owner should know. They are a unibody vehicle. They did have the tendency to rust in certain areas. Before buying make sure to look the car over top to bottom for any seriuos underbody rot. If You are looking at sedans look under the vinyl top if you can ...because those were huge hot spots for rust. Rust is these things worst enemy..

[doneagle]

             HI     well  Shane you covered every thing pretty good.well done. I egged you...............Don

[shanebo]

Thanks Don...I love eggs