Dear Gravitt,

Hope you're well. To hanacaptain's sound advice I'd add only that you should not drive the car even 10 feet, until you have changed the timing belt, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley and water pump. If you want a shop to to this work, DO NOT drive the car to the shop: have it towed or put on a flat-bed truck.

The reason: the 960's engine is of an "interference" design. If the timing belt breaks (or if there's a failure in one of the other items above-listed) valves strike pistons. Bent valves require a head re-build, which costs about $2,500, if done at a shop. If a valve should knock a hole in a piston, the engine is ruined.

This may sound alarmist. But I've read too many posts from those bewailing the nasty results of failing to be sure that the timing belt (or tensioner, idler pulley, or water pump) had been changed.

If the prior owner does not have documentary proof that the key parts have been replaced - a receipt with date, mileage, and a list of parts changed - get these parts changed and do not drive the car, until the work has been done.

If you do not know well the shop at which this work is done, ask that the replaced parts be returned to you, along with the boxes from the replacement parts. In this way, you can be "sure" that your car has new parts.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook