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EsX_Raptor
United States2801 Posts
It is a 1997 Ford Escort that my boss wants to sell to me (discounting it from my pay) for $1,000. It has a new automatic transmission and engine (2.0L, 4 cylinder). Would this be a wise purchase? Here are some pictures of the vehicle (it's not the actual one): ![[image loading]](http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/escort/1997/oem/1997_ford_escort_sedan_lx_fq_oem_1_500.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/escort/1997/oem/1997_ford_escort_sedan_lx_ri_oem_1_500.jpg) Thanks in advance!   | ||
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Grombidal
Sweden49 Posts
but I will give you some general tips. Check the cars service history. has it had the engine oil changed on the recommended time/mileage. Google the car model to find some specific things to lookout for, like if it the car model has some common problems associated with it, (rust, common engine problems or electrical problems) Basically do some research about the car before buying it. | ||
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jsemmens
United States439 Posts
You hardly gave any information to go off of. However, my gut says that this is a bad idea. I know it's your first car, so you're excited to buy quickly, but patience is a virtue when it comes to buying cars. You need to shop around more. Find a bunch of cars that are in your price range and compare them. Don't get "tunnel vision" on one particular car. | ||
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_fool
Netherlands677 Posts
My 2 cts, glgl | ||
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slam
United States923 Posts
Also, it's not like you're buying it from some stranger on craigslist. You're getting it from your boss so he or she is going to see you everyday and probably isn't trying to rip you off. From experience, I had a 1998 ford escort station wagon as my first car and it was a great first car. | ||
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DarkPlasmaBall
United States44256 Posts
 You need to check its background though. Previous accidents? Previous damage? Mileage? Don't get it *just* because it's cheap. A cheap piece of shit is still a piece of shit. | ||
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MountainDewJunkie
United States10341 Posts
Make sure you drive at speeds where you can hit all 4 gears (I assume the AT is a 4 speeder). Test the brakes, listen to the idle, and drive long enough where you can observe the thermostat. Another thing is check the oil cap. If you find a little bit of whitish pasty stuff on the underside of the lid, it likely has/had a blown/bad head gasket (water in your oil), in which case do not touch the thing with a ten foot pole. Observe the engine block for oil leaks, which are usually manageable if light enough. Other issues: all lights work? Is the check engine light on? If so, NO GO. Not for someone who doesn't know their stuff. Are the tabs current? Is the title in his name? Is it a CLEAN title and not a salvaged one? Also, this whole "NEW tranny and Engine" thing... Ask to see the paperwork. Is it really new or does he just mean rebuilt? And by whom? Professionals or just his word-of-mouth (NEVER BELIEVE THE WORD OF MOUTH)? Why did this previous engine and tranny need to be replaced? How many miles are on the vehicle anyway. And there's a difference between rebuilding and engine and tranny professionally compared to just taking a block out of the junkyard and dropping it in. Engine rebuilds/works are usually quite expensive! Why is he only selling for 1k when professional engine and tranny work add up to well over that amount? And how "new?" 5k miles ago? 50k miles ago? Overall: you don't have nearly enough info to even consider purchasing this vehicle. You need paperwork, a long test drive, and some investigative work. Oh, and if it has bad tires, you're going to have to immediately eat another $300 - $450 bucks, so if the car isn't all that and a bag of chips, is it worth paying effectively 1400 for a bucket on wheels? | ||
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farvacola
United States18825 Posts
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MountainDewJunkie
United States10341 Posts
On February 09 2013 09:34 farvacola wrote: Listen to MDJ, he knows a thing or two about buying cheap cars. Keep in mind though, he is a junkie. You're just jelly of the Chariot of Fire + Show Spoiler + ('89 Yota) Understandable  | ||
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Aerisky
United States12129 Posts
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T.O.P.
Hong Kong4685 Posts
On February 09 2013 08:26 MountainDewJunkie wrote: First of all, you're asking the wrong questions at the wrong time. You need to test drive this mother fucker before you even contemplate spending money it. Never EVER EVER EVER buy a car without test driving it. Make sure you drive at speeds where you can hit all 4 gears (I assume the AT is a 4 speeder). Test the brakes, listen to the idle, and drive long enough where you can observe the thermostat. Another thing is check the oil cap. If you find a little bit of whitish pasty stuff on the underside of the lid, it likely has/had a blown/bad head gasket (water in your oil), in which case do not touch the thing with a ten foot pole. Observe the engine block for oil leaks, which are usually manageable if light enough. Other issues: all lights work? Is the check engine light on? If so, NO GO. Not for someone who doesn't know their stuff. Are the tabs current? Is the title in his name? Is it a CLEAN title and not a salvaged one? Also, this whole "NEW tranny and Engine" thing... Ask to see the paperwork. Is it really new or does he just mean rebuilt? And by whom? Professionals or just his word-of-mouth (NEVER BELIEVE THE WORD OF MOUTH)? Why did this previous engine and tranny need to be replaced? How many miles are on the vehicle anyway. And there's a difference between rebuilding and engine and tranny professionally compared to just taking a block out of the junkyard and dropping it in. Engine rebuilds/works are usually quite expensive! Why is he only selling for 1k when professional engine and tranny work add up to well over that amount? And how "new?" 5k miles ago? 50k miles ago? Overall: you don't have nearly enough info to even consider purchasing this vehicle. You need paperwork, a long test drive, and some investigative work. Oh, and if it has bad tires, you're going to have to immediately eat another $300 - $450 bucks, so if the car isn't all that and a bag of chips, is it worth paying effectively 1400 for a bucket on wheels? Even at $1400, it's a good price to pay for a drive able car. Make sure this car is capable of passing the emissions test. | ||
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MountainDewJunkie
United States10341 Posts
On February 09 2013 13:08 T.O.P. wrote: Even at $1400, it's a good price to pay for a drive able car. Make sure this car is capable of passing the emissions test. The question is whether or not the car is even drivable. I'll TLDR myself: TEST DRIVE THE FUCKER | ||
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I_Love_Katheryn
United States41 Posts
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DarkPlasmaBall
United States44256 Posts
On February 09 2013 13:55 I_Love_Katheryn wrote: My dad recently donated his '97 Toyota Corolla and he got zero money for it, probably because it had like 10 thousand miles on it. But I don't know anything about cars so I'm no help. Ten thousand miles on it? That's probably not the reason why he sold it. | ||
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Eben
United States769 Posts
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Teodice
Sweden641 Posts
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Megaliskuu
United States5123 Posts
On February 09 2013 13:55 I_Love_Katheryn wrote: My dad recently donated his '97 Toyota Corolla and he got zero money for it, probably because it had like 10 thousand miles on it. But I don't know anything about cars so I'm no help. 10k is basically new lol | ||
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pebble444
Italy2497 Posts
I would discourage you from buying a car from your boss. Plus the fact that he would deduct it from your salary...he should at least give you a discount. Like others said CHECK THE WEELS, they are very important as weels of a car have to be changed after some milage (depends on weather, type of asplhalt you drive on, how you drive) The car you posted in pics seems pretty new, its a bad comparison. Also ow many miles does it have? I don t know you but i have always mechanics check used cars before buying them. But yeah right now you don t have enough info on the vehicule. To paraphrase your basically trying to do a build for the mid game when your opponent spawned random and you havn t scouted yet. And please don t just buy it cause you want a car asap be patient. A couple of days could save you a couple thousand. | ||
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iTzSnypah
United States1738 Posts
Also I'm willing to bet that car your boss is offering is going to have over 300k on the body and is going to drive like shit and the interior is going to be shit. Every Escort I've seen has always been thoroughly worn out, as they are commuter cars. | ||
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0x64
Finland4550 Posts
I'd consider buying it. But you have to assume there will be maintenance costs and that some pricier part might be at the end of their lifetime. If the car has been well taken care of, then it is good to know the owner and if it is such person who is serious then, you can buy it. Don't ignore other advice here, they are veeery right. It's not good to buy from someone you know if you get upset if the car breaks down. Old cars breaks, no matter from who you by, and if 1000$ is a lot of money, you just shouldn't consider buying a car. | ||
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