What do I need to know when buying a used car from a private party?

[NuclearFusi0n]

An acquaintance offered me a 1993 Ford Thunderbird LX for $800, and I'm seriously considering taking him up on the offer. What should I look for to avoid getting a bum car? I have seriously no idea what I'm doing since I've never even gone car shopping before. I haven't seen the car yet (only pictures), but that should happen sometime this week.

Help

 

[rmrf]

first, how old is the "acquaintance" that is offering the car?
second, how old are you?
third, how many miles are on the car?
fourth, don't buy a ford.

 

[acemcmac]

http://autos.msn.com/research/...delid=1039&src=vip

first thing you want to do is learn more about the car in question

A Common problem on this vehicle is failure of one or both Head Gaskets . Failure of theHead Gaskets applies to 3.8 Liter EFI Engine Only. Occasional problems on this vehicle is failure of the Pressure Feedback EGR (PFE) Sensor and the Idle Air Control Motor.The cost to repair the Head Gaskets is estimated from $1500.00 - $2000.00 for parts and labor.The cost to repair the PFE Sensor is estimated at $40.00 for parts and $30.00 for labor.The cost to repair the Idle Air Control Motor is estimated at $80.00 for parts and $52.00 for labor.All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax

Occasional problems on this vehicle is failure of the Blower Motor Speed Control.The cost to repair the Blower Motor Speed Control is estimated at $100.00 for parts and $75.00 for labor.This vehicle was originally charged with R-12 refrigerant which is no longer being manufactured. The refrigerant is still available, but it is very expensive ($25.00-$50.00 per pound, 2-5 pounds per vehicle). Conversion to the new R-134A refrigerant is possible, at an average cost of about $200-$300 parts and labor.All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.

An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Headlamp Switch.The cost to repair the Headlamp Switch is estimated at $30.00 for parts and $32.50 for labor.All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: rmrf
first, how old is the "acquaintance" that is offering the car?
second, how old are you?
third, how many miles are on the car?
fourth, don't buy a ford.

I have a used Mustang and it's been nothing short of a dream. Kill yourself.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

Originally posted by: rmrf
first, how old is the "acquaintance" that is offering the car?
second, how old are you?
third, how many miles are on the car?
fourth, don't buy a ford.

1. i don't know; young.
2. 18
3. Chassis has roughly 110,000 on it, the engine was replaced last year with one with 60,000 miles on it, so the engine probably has around 75,000 on it right now. It's a 3.8 L V6.

 

[rmrf]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: rmrf
first, how old is the "acquaintance" that is offering the car?
second, how old are you?
third, how many miles are on the car?
fourth, don't buy a ford.

I have a used Mustang and it's been nothing short of a dream. Kill yourself.

Ok, I admit that mustangs have a good reputation. However, all of the people that I know that own fords, or have owned fords have had nothing but problems with them, me included. Their diesels are good though. I'm glad you have had good luck with yours.

 

[rmrf]

Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n

Originally posted by: rmrf
first, how old is the "acquaintance" that is offering the car?
second, how old are you?
third, how many miles are on the car?
fourth, don't buy a ford.

1. i don't know; young.
2. 18
3. Chassis has roughly 110,000 on it, the engine was replaced last year with one with 60,000 miles on it, so the engine probably has around 75,000 on it right now. It's a 3.8 L V6.

If you suspect that the person has beat on it, I would walk away. If you have gotten by without a car, or can get by without a car for longer, save your money and get something else. I had a honda accord that was fairly decent, right now I have a wrx that is wonderful, but I'm guessing that would be a little out of your range right now.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: rmrf

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: rmrf
first, how old is the "acquaintance" that is offering the car?
second, how old are you?
third, how many miles are on the car?
fourth, don't buy a ford.

I have a used Mustang and it's been nothing short of a dream. Kill yourself.

Ok, I admit that mustangs have a good reputation. However, all of the people that I know that own fords, or have owned fords have had nothing but problems with them, me included. Their diesels are good though. I'm glad you have had good luck with yours.

Thank you.

OP- look on the bright side..... 900$ is pretty cheap for a car like that, especially if you subscribe to the "getting from A->B and to hell with everything else school of car ownership"

It's 900$, what do you have to loose?

 

[amdforever2]

the 3.8l v6 is weak, and the headgasket will fail inevitably

mine failed at 113k miles

engine never worked the same again

had it repaired at 113, engine threw a rod at 126k

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: amdforever2
the 3.8l v6 is weak, and the headgasket will fail inevitably

mine failed at 113k miles

engine never worked the same again

had it repaired at 113, engine threw a rod at 126k

wait a minute, that v6 would be the same engine in the mustangs from the generation ending in 1998, right?

I've heard that those things were way underpowered.... but hey.... this is A->B transport, right?

 

[vshah]

i wouldn't get it....11 year old ford...

 

[vegetation]

Nope, if it had the 4.6 then maybe, but the 3.8 is just asking for trouble an d as everyone said it's slow as a dog.

 

[DaFinn]

*peeks in to the thread*
Did someone say party?

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: DaFinn
*peeks in to the thread*
Did someone say party?

Yep. In the back seat of the OP's new Furd!

 

[thedarkwolf]

3.8l as has been stated blows headgaskets. If it were a 5.0l or a 4.6l v8 it would be a no brainer to buy it but still for $800 if you need a nice beater its a really nice driving car. Just be prepared to junk it if the headgasket does let go.

 

[fenrir]

I have a 1994 and a 1995, but they have the 4.6L engine. You can do some investigating at TCCOA and ask some questions there. You will most likely get more informed responses there. At least you will not just get thread crapping from people who just want to say they think Ford sucks.

Edit: You may also find someone in California nearby that would go look at it with you.

Matt

 

[Papagayo]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
3.8l as has been stated blows headgaskets. If it were a 5.0l or a 4.6l v8 it would be a no brainer to buy it but still for $800 if you need a nice beater its a really nice driving car. Just be prepared to junk it if the headgasket does let go.

Stay away from the 3.8l Ford Engine..

We had to have it rebuilt. After 100k miles, it comes out of your pocket..

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: rmrf

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: rmrf
first, how old is the "acquaintance" that is offering the car?
second, how old are you?
third, how many miles are on the car?
fourth, don't buy a ford.

I have a used Mustang and it's been nothing short of a dream. Kill yourself.

Ok, I admit that mustangs have a good reputation. However, all of the people that I know that own fords, or have owned fords have had nothing but problems with them, me included. Their diesels are good though. I'm glad you have had good luck with yours.

I have owned about 7 fords and 5 Honda accords (father owns part of a ford dealership so get them for a good deal). I have had LESS problems with the fords then i have had with the accords.

right now we have, 93 Ranger (never have had a problem with it even though i do not take care of it), 97 escort for which we have only had to replace tie rod's (don't know if this is considered normal wear and tear), a 2002 Taurus which just has had recall work.

I have had a 99 ZX2 (was great until it hit a light pole!), and a few older escorts and a 95 F250 which we did have a LOT of trouble with.


A few years ago i bought a 2 year old Accord. I had the transmission fail and a master brake thing die. Granted both were covered under warranty.

though i did have a 80 civic that i had for a year. Put close to 40k miles on it. NEVER changed the oil and re-sold it for $400. I paid $50 for the car heh.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Hey, $900 and it runs. I don't see a problem here.

As long as you're not counting on it to haul your ass around for the next 5 years, why not?

Edit: Oh yeah, just to be on the safe side, check on brake pads / fluid levels / tire pressure, and make sure all the warning lights in the dash are functional. (They should all go on temporarily when you start the car, then turn back off. If they dont go out, the bulb is either burned or has been intentionally removed to conceal a warning light. Neither is good.) Ask about how regularly maintenance has been done on it (Oil changes, tire rotation, etc.). If the car hasn't been used in several months, that can have its own maintenance issues, and you should insist on him footing the bill to get it professionally serviced before you consider his offer (oil in engine starts to seperate, gas forms sediments, suspension breaks down from continual pressure, etc). If all of this looks good, you're probably not getting a bum deal.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Hey, $900 and it runs. I don't see a problem here.

As long as you're not counting on it to haul your ass around for the next 5 years, why not?

Edit: Oh yeah, just to be on the safe side, check on brake pads / fluid levels / tire pressure, and make sure all the warning lights in the dash are functional. (They should all go on temporarily when you start the car, then turn back off. If they dont go out, the bulb is either burned or has been intentionally removed to conceal a warning light. Neither is good.) Ask about how regularly maintenance has been done on it (Oil changes, tire rotation, etc.). If the car hasn't been used in several months, that can have its own maintenance issues, and you should insist on him footing the bill to get it professionally serviced before you consider his offer (oil in engine starts to seperate, gas forms sediments, suspension breaks down from continual pressure, etc). If all of this looks good, you're probably not getting a bum deal.

I was just going to say this. For $800, just make sure it runs properly. If it dies one year later, who cares

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Hey, $900 and it runs. I don't see a problem here.

As long as you're not counting on it to haul your ass around for the next 5 years, why not?

Edit: Oh yeah, just to be on the safe side, check on brake pads / fluid levels / tire pressure, and make sure all the warning lights in the dash are functional. (They should all go on temporarily when you start the car, then turn back off. If they dont go out, the bulb is either burned or has been intentionally removed to conceal a warning light. Neither is good.) Ask about how regularly maintenance has been done on it (Oil changes, tire rotation, etc.). If the car hasn't been used in several months, that can have its own maintenance issues, and you should insist on him footing the bill to get it professionally serviced before you consider his offer (oil in engine starts to seperate, gas forms sediments, suspension breaks down from continual pressure, etc). If all of this looks good, you're probably not getting a bum deal.

I was just going to say this. For $800, just make sure it runs properly. If it dies one year later, who cares

yeah pretty much any car that is running is worth at least $800. UNLESS it has major damage or needs some major work.