You make good points. But so do the other two posters behind you. Just to clarify a bit:
The fuel filter - the general dingy appearance coupled with "Motorcraft E7XX-XXXXX-XX" told me all I needed to see. An aftermarket Motorcraft filter normally carries a Motorcraft P/N, not a Ford P/N. The transmission clutch material - when I wipe a dipstick on a white cloth, and get a dark black streak....that's too much clutch material floating around. I already know to expect a nice little pile in the pan. AOD bushing recall not done - What else did they neglect? This car was supposed to be owned by a VERY meticulous old man. Transmission pan seeping - yeah, it's minor. But I also went to FULLY inspect the car. Front main seeping - I'm not adverse to turning a wrench, but this is not acceptable to me at this price point. Rear main seeping - I'm not pulling an engine or a trans on a car THIS high over market value to fix this. Struts and steering rack knocking/expiring - This shows a general lack of maintenance, and that is concerning, once again, for a car that was "meticulously maintained".
As best I can determine, that car is worth somewhere in the $3700 neighborhood. At almost two grand higher, I expected better maintenance, and less labor intensive issues to sort at that price point, lest we forget some of the other issues I found - like the interior issues. If I had to throw a dart, I'd say, all in, with everything fixed, including the interior you're talking another couple grand. I also wasn't certain it would even make the trip back to Wichita on the tires it was wearing, or the coolant in it.
Also, I posted all of that just in case someone else runs across this car, hopefully, they find this thread, and can review my inspection to help their buying decision....it is on that basis, I left out NOTHING.
Well, I suppose everyone's dying to know what I found...
I didn't buy it.
After finding a set of BF Goodrich Touring T/A tires installed, I knew these hadn't been made in several years, so I checked the date code.....2002 date coded tires. Then, I was told that the car had only been started a few times a year, and driven around the block a few times a year since 2006. Ouch!
I went over the car with a fine toothed comb, and even put it up on ramps at both ends and got under it.
As far as real, actual problems went, I found the following:
EQ power button not staying engaged (here's a surprise, right?) Chime Module pretty much mute (another shocker) Struts and strut mounts knocking Steering rack expiring AOD throttle lever bushing recall not done Transmission fluid showing a high amount of clutch wear Front main seal seeping Rear main seal seeping Transmission pan seeping Original 30 year old Ford fuel filter still installed Driver's seat had two rips, one in a spot that would rip further with time Cloth covering on sunroof slide panel missing Headliner water stained from someone having left the sunroof in the vent position while it rained Engine had a slight miss, and was down on power (I figure the fuel filter to be a good bit of the problem)
These are the high points:
Tires showed nice, even wear Brakes were new Catalyst, mid pipe, and ler all new VERY minor paint chips All alloy wheels in nice shape, with no clearcoat checking, crazing, clouding or peeling. Worst rust I found was on the rear sway bar, the car was very nice underneath Carpets were in nice shape, no real wear, only very minor stains No evidence of a sunroof leak or water intrusion Door hinges were sound, and in good alignment Everything worked except the EQ power button, and the chme module, this includes all windows, locks, seats, sunroof, power antenna, frigid air conditioning, you name it. Engine oil and dipstick looked very nice Recent tune up and ignition module replacement
But the largest issue I found with this car, and it will keep me from buying ANY automatic Thunderbird or Cougar.....my size 14 double wide foot gets caught under the brake as I press the accelerator.
Gentlemen, I want to thank you again for helping me with this!
Yeah, if I remember correctly it would be 4 or so years maybe longer, but 5 grand is more than almost anyone will pay for it. He is still asking 5 for it right?
Quote from: mcb82gt;462877
That is what I thought also. It sure looks nice every time I see it.
Yeah, the CL ad I saw said $5500. However, that's why I was asking what the current value of these cars are. That seemed strong to me, especially after seeing a black 64K mile '88 XR7 for $4500.
Of course, I always figure that some people price way high for various reasons, and as such, I'm prepared to make him a very reasonable (as per my research and everyone's help here) offer, however, it won't be a $5500 dollar offer...UNLESS....the car is unbelievably nice, with service records, etc.
Not to come off as crass (this is always difficult on line), but since you guys seem to have some history on this car, and I know I'm asking for a spit-ball......what do you reckon a fair offer is for it? I have my ideas, but I'd like t see if my idea agrees with your ideas.
Of course, when I get out there Sunday, and start going through this car, there's certain things that will blow this deal sky-high, and result in a no-offer. Everyone has those little no-fly zones, and after almost 30 years of turning cars for fun.....I sure have mine!
Wishing you a safe journey and good results. Be sure to let us know.
Quote from: thunderjet302;462847
Check for rust on the strut towers, torque boxes, and rockers before you buy. These areas can be fixed but the strut tower repair is $$$$. Torque boxes and rockers are easy to get at, hence the cheaper repair. Based on the photo you posted of the car in question I'd concentrate on checking the structure for rust more than anything else.
Gentlemen, rest assured, you will know, LOL. Thank you all for the advice, and the tips.
Thunderjet, I intend to look VERY hard for rust. I simply do not want any, LOL. I know that may be unreasonable, and I may have to settle for as slight amount a rust as I can get. I keep having to remind myself that these cars are now 30 years old.
I've been daily driving these cars for 14 years. My last one had 350k miles, original engine and tranny. Can't take credit for all of it though, i bought it at 290k miles or so. My current car is a 1986 tbird. I bought it at 131k miles in January and its sitting at 154k miles right now. Have a 200 mile drive planned in it tomorrow.
For the aod, make sure the tv cable bushing is good, sometimes the radiator trans copper fittings leak, but they are a $5-10 thing at any auto parts store.
You can daily these cars, i do pizza delivery in mine right now. You will have issues though. It's a 30 year old car and the parts are now starting to get scarce. Most common wear items are still available and there is a ton of parts compatibility between a bunch of other newer cars. You'll want a back up car incase issues come up, but they can be daily driven.
My car has needed tires, and ignition switch and recently my seat back broke on the drivers chair. But I am really, really hard on my cars. I might do 20 or more deliveries a day, constantly getting in and out of the car, sometimes driving on dirt roads and randomly i drive up to 1000k miles a week freeway in addition to that
Wow! That's an awesome testimonial there. I do have other cars, so I am not terribly worried about the occasional "it needs parts" thing happening. I'm usually pretty proactive, and downright meticulous about maintenance......my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 354,000 miles on it, and still runs perfect.
Sounds like I shouldn't have a lot of trouble with a 70 mile highway commute.
Welcome to the forum. Check out Kansas City Craigslist 1985 Thunderbird , no rust.
I saw your car, and looked VERY carefully at it. It's still on my list, however, to be honest, I'm really after a car that I can HO-convert and 5 speed swap. Not saying your car couldn't have that accomplished, however, the lack of the floor console makes that a bit trickier. This was the issue I ran into with the 30th Anniversary Thunderbirds. None had floor shift that I found, and I found a bunch of them. Same with the 20th Anniversary Cougars.
Don't think for a minute that I don't think you have a great car. Especially being in the book and all. Because you DO have a great car.
How many of you daily drive your cars? I'd likely put upwards of 80 miles A DAY on this car when I drive it to work and back. Pretty reliable for the most part?
I go to look at the car this weekend. Hopefully, it checks out good. If not, the search continues on, because I'm really thinking for what I am trying to accomplish, the Fox Thunderbird or Cougar is really where I want to be. I am also looking at Lincoln Mark VII's, but I think those can be a bit more tempermental, and I typically see those with pretty roasty interiors. I also understand a T5 swap in one of those is a little trickier...something about the hole in the floor not being quite in the right spot?
If so, it had been offered several times. My brother contacted the owner, and there was mention of needing an engine rebuild early in its life for a lower end knock or noise, he decided not to do it. Seemed strange, and he bowed out. Pics looked really good though. Good luck and let us know what you find out.
Edit, I just saw you posted the pics.
Mike,
Yes, we may be talking about the same car. I'll have to take particular notice of that when I go to look at it. The car now has 135K on it, so I will definitely take my stethoscope and a few other goodies.
