March 13, 2010
Wrecking yard or dismantler. And, make sure that you inspect the pieces carefully for overstressed or broken mounting tabs and stuff like that.
Interiors are `almost the same` from `87-`93.
Be aware that there are differences in the door panel inserts from one year to another, especially in the map pocket style on the driver`s door.
The early 1990 cars had a bizarre lower console, without the big junk bin at the back end of it. Instead it was just short at the back end. Or was that `89?
You probably won`t find a console ashtray or a map light that isn`t broken. You can usually repair the ashtrays - there are kits. Or at least there used to be kits that let you fix the door hinge.
The 1990-1993 cars have slight differences to almost all the parts. They have a metal brace behind the part in front of the drivers knees (anti-submarine panel). They have different anchor points for the rear seatbelts (which include shoulder belts). They have different bracing under the rear seat. They have round covers over the rear shocks (on a hatchback) instead of square. There`s something different about the retractable rear hatch area cover (it mounts different to the sides). AND, all of the colors are a little different than the other colors. The `88 style light grey isn`t available - instead, there`s a different light grey with a brown tint (`titanium`). The parts will interchange, but you have to do some extra work to make it all come out right. Make sure you get the later style seatbelts, and plan to refinish plastic parts to make them all work (with that spray paint stuff).
I`m pretty sure the HVAC control panel has the knobs in a different order on the `90-`93 cars too. But it generally looks the same otherwise.
The seats are all interchangeable, but beware of the slightly different colors on the `90-`93 seats. The earlier seats have very nice frames made by Lear (like `jet`). Also, they have the giant alien head headrests. They are the only style that have the adjustable support that goes behind your knees.
I`d recommend that you check a site like `www.car-parts.com` and search parts in your area to get contact info for different yards. Plan to have the seats recovered or somehow steam cleaned, because they will be filthy by now.
Good luck!
SoCal94