Little car purchase advice needed

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I don't need a 4th vehicle but situation has presented itself that my little brother is selling his 2011 focus 55k miles for $6800. A dealer offered him that in cash and he's doing it today if I don't buy it first. It does need a major detailing as he has messy kids, plenty of dings, and the AC has went out (mechanic said $70 egr valve). I would need to sell one of my vehicles eventually but it seems like a smoking deal. Would I be crazy to pass it up?

[Jimzz]

AC and EGR are not connected. The EGR is emissions, not part of the AC system.

The AC system can be over a thousand or a simple switch. In all my years as a mechanic I always said that but its usually a major leak or the compressor itself. I think I have only replaced 1 bad AC switch in all my years.

So yea may be a good deal or very costly.

[satyajitmenon]

If it's a 2011, is it still under factory warranty?

[chin311]

Originally Posted by satyajitmenon

If it's a 2011, is it still under factory warranty?

doubtful if it has 55k on it.

not really that SMOKING of a deal, wouldn't lose sleep over it if you don't jump on it.

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Originally Posted by Jimzz

AC and EGR are not connected. The EGR is emissions, not part of the AC system.

The AC system can be over a thousand or a simple switch. In all my years as a mechanic I always said that but its usually a major leak or the compressor itself. I think I have only replaced 1 bad AC switch in all my years.

So yea may be a good deal or very costly.

I could be wrong on what the valve is called. This mechanic that looked at it is the real deal. A real life Macgyver. Every time he works on a vehicle of mine I'm in awe of how he can diagnose a problem in a few minutes and he's always dead on. So yeah I'm going with whatever he tells me.

[dbk]

wow that's cheap for a 2011

[Cepak]

I'm curious as to the reason your brother is selling it. His family needs a bigger car or is he tired of the mechanical issues he's dealing with? One lesson I've learned in life, don't buy cars from family. If something happens with the car, whether it is your brothers fault or not, there could be some hard feelings, anger, and resentment. Does the potential benifit out weigh the potential turmoil? From what I can tell from your description, your brother hasn't maintained this vehicle well. I'd pass on this deal.

[Murloc]

Originally Posted by Cepak

I'm curious as to the reason your brother is selling it. His family needs a bigger car or is he tired of the mechanical issues he's dealing with? One lesson I've learned in life, don't buy cars from family. If something happens with the car, whether it is your brothers fault or not, there could be some hard feelings, anger, and resentment. Does the potential benifit out weigh the potential turmoil? From what I can tell from your description, your brother hasn't maintained this vehicle well. I'd pass on this deal.

this, it doesn't matter if it's not anyone's fault, emotions don't work that way, a bad car will cause negative emotions and those emotions will be directed at the previous owner. That's why it dangerous.

Make sure you know the reason he's selling it for. It's a good deal if you can be sure you won't waste money on repairs. Some people drive like asses and destroy the transmission, clutch etc. (if it's a manual).

[Zivic]

sounds like your brother doesn't take care of his car... I personally would pass on the deal

[JulesMaximus]

Originally Posted by Zivic

sounds like your brother doesn't take care of his car... I personally would pass on the deal

That was my thought as well. If it is full of dings, messy, needs a detail it kind of makes me wonder if he has done other things like change the oil.

[Arkaign]

It's worth looking into at least. I'd risk the supposed ~$70 part (as long as it's not the EGR, lol) to fix the AC before laying the cash down. Also a drive-around by a trusted mechanic.

Those Foci are pretty darned reliable. I'm not a big fan of the 4-speed auto, but those 2.0 Duratecs are rock solid motors, and they are very light in their class with good safety ratings. I have an '08 5spd Coupe that I'm going to be selling next month (need sedan for baby duty, my '12 TC is too small really). If it's saying anything, I actually liked my '08 S Focus 5spd better than my '12 TC 6spd. The TC has more rattles and weird issues, and although some things are nice, some things are also inexcusably cheap considering the price difference. The fuel economy on the TC is also horrible in real world use, while my Focus handily beat the official numbers.

[iamwiz82]

Why do you need four cars?

[PricklyPete]

Originally Posted by iamwiz82

Why do you need four cars?

Financial prudence?