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Should I buy this car?

Blogs > EsX_Raptor
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1 2 Next All
EsX_Raptor
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States2801 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-02-08 20:59:17
February 08 2013 20:54 GMT
#1
This weekend, I will be buying my first car.

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]

[image loading]


Thanks in advance!

***
Grombidal
Profile Joined May 2011
Sweden49 Posts
February 08 2013 21:06 GMT
#2
Its hard to tell if the car is worth buying with so little information.
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.
Flatout all the time
jsemmens
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
United States439 Posts
February 08 2013 21:14 GMT
#3
What's the mileage on the new engine? What's the mileage on the car before it got the new engine?

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.
Check out the Flash Fanclub! http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=336995
_fool
Profile Joined February 2011
Netherlands676 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-02-09 16:00:27
February 08 2013 21:18 GMT
#4
Regardless of whether the car is good value for money, I'd be seriously weary of getting into a seller-buyer relation with your boss. Say the car breaks down on the highway, are you going to step up to your boss and ask for your money back? Money that you never payed in the first place but that was held back from your salary? Sounds iffy. And if the car is in fact proper value for money, it won't be hard to find a similar offer.

My 2 cts, glgl
"News is to the mind what sugar is to the body"
slam
Profile Joined May 2010
United States923 Posts
February 08 2013 21:19 GMT
#5
Hard to go wrong for $1000. If the car moves then that's a pretty good deal.

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.
I get it.
DarkPlasmaBall
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States44184 Posts
February 08 2013 21:44 GMT
#6
I had a green '95 Ford Escort. It was nice

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.
"There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a crowd of people and helping them get what I love." ~Day[9] Daily #100
MountainDewJunkie
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States10341 Posts
February 08 2013 23:26 GMT
#7
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?
[21:07] <Shock710> whats wrong with her face [20:50] <dAPhREAk> i beat it the day after it came out | <BLinD-RawR> esports is a giant vagina
farvacola
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States18824 Posts
February 09 2013 00:34 GMT
#8
Listen to MDJ, he knows a thing or two about buying cheap cars. Keep in mind though, he is a junkie.
"when the Dead Kennedys found out they had skinhead fans, they literally wrote a song titled 'Nazi Punks Fuck Off'"
MountainDewJunkie
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States10341 Posts
February 09 2013 00:56 GMT
#9
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
[21:07] <Shock710> whats wrong with her face [20:50] <dAPhREAk> i beat it the day after it came out | <BLinD-RawR> esports is a giant vagina
Aerisky
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States12129 Posts
February 09 2013 03:41 GMT
#10
Whoa lol, somehow I don't think this car will stand up to MDJ's scathing examination. Listen to the guy though.
Jim while Johnny had had had had had had had; had had had had the better effect on the teacher.
T.O.P. *
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Hong Kong4685 Posts
February 09 2013 04:08 GMT
#11
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.
Oracle comes in, Scvs go down, never a miscommunication.
MountainDewJunkie
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States10341 Posts
February 09 2013 04:24 GMT
#12
On February 09 2013 13:08 T.O.P. wrote:
Show nested quote +
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.

The question is whether or not the car is even drivable. I'll TLDR myself: TEST DRIVE THE FUCKER
[21:07] <Shock710> whats wrong with her face [20:50] <dAPhREAk> i beat it the day after it came out | <BLinD-RawR> esports is a giant vagina
I_Love_Katheryn
Profile Blog Joined February 2013
United States41 Posts
February 09 2013 04:55 GMT
#13
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.
You've been here in the dark for way too long, do you remember how it felt in the sunlight? You're still smiling through the pain you're hiding in, but everyone can see that something's just not right.
DarkPlasmaBall
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States44184 Posts
February 09 2013 05:28 GMT
#14
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.
"There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a crowd of people and helping them get what I love." ~Day[9] Daily #100
Eben
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States769 Posts
February 09 2013 09:23 GMT
#15
I have a ford escort, 2 door manual transmission version though. Nice car and has held up for quite a while.
Teodice
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Sweden641 Posts
February 09 2013 09:31 GMT
#16
Make sure that your income really supports having a car. I don't know about your rules in the US but in Sweden there are so much fees around for just owning a car. Will you use the car daily?? Do you really need the car?
You will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not
Megaliskuu
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States5123 Posts
February 09 2013 09:57 GMT
#17
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
|BW>Everything|Add me on star2 KR server TheMuTaL.675 for practice games :)|NEX clan| https://www.dotabuff.com/players/183104694
pebble444
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Italy2497 Posts
February 09 2013 11:32 GMT
#18
Like other people said, TEST DRIVE IT.

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.
"Awaken my Child, and embrace the Glory that is your Birthright"
iTzSnypah
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
United States1738 Posts
February 09 2013 12:00 GMT
#19
No it's ugly. Asking the internet if you should buy a car is almost saying that you got raised by your mother. Don't you have at least 1 friend who knows anything about cars besides they have wheels?

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.
Team Liquid needs more Terrans.
0x64
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
Finland4545 Posts
February 09 2013 15:05 GMT
#20
With the lack of information you are providing us.
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.
Dump of assembler code from 0xffffffec to 0x64: End of assembler dump.
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