Questions on the 5kCSTQ

[murari@cfar.umd.edu]

Dear fellow Q-fans,

I've been debating owning a 5kTQ for a while now, and will 
be looking at an 88 TQ this weekend. The car has 

o 110k mi
o new radiator + fan
  [Must have been the well documented problem of the
   plastic-aluminium radiator leaking]

o Timing belt (a year old) 
o Electricals work fine (according to the owner)
o Climate Control unit works fine
o Original clutch
o Original shocks/struts
o New Brake pads on the rear

I've tried to go over the archives and collect
problems common to this beast. In this regard, I
have a few questions :

1. How would I be able to detect any problems with 
   the steering rack ? Would any leakage in the rack
   or the ps pump manifest itself in the response at 
   the steering wheel ?

2. How would I check if the turbo were on its last legs ?
   I remember reading something about checking for an
   inordinate amount of oil somwehere in the vicinity
   of the turbo. Could someone please elaborate ? 

3. Are there any ways to check if the CC solenoids
   all work fine ? 

4. The owner seemed to know nothing about the Pressure
   Accumulator. Am I correct in understanding that the 
   PA maintains power steering and brake assist if/when
   the engine cuts out ? I'm unable to find the usual
   "stomp the brakes twenty times" test - Could someone
   let me know how exactly I should check the PA ?

5. Is there anything else that is a usual/major source
   of problems on these cars that I should be looking out for ?

Some questions on a slightly different angle..

I'm a graduate student and can't really afford to sink much
money into repairs (apart from regular maintenance) if I were
to buy this TQ. Is there a list of things that I should 
realistically expect to fail/replace in the next 40k miles ?

Finally, the owner wants $4500/bo for the car - what would
be a reasonable offer to make ?

I look forward to your thoughts and comments - thank you very
much.

Murari.