New to FOX cars....Buying question

Topic: New to FOX cars....Buying question (Read 1411 times) previous topic - next topic

New to FOX cars....Buying question

August 21, 2005, 11:46:02 AM

I am going to look at a car with this add...

"I'am selling a 1988 Ford Thunderbird V8 5.0 that has over 200K miles on it. It has Power Locks, Power Seats, Cruise Control, Power Windows, ORIGINAL FACTORY STEREO WITH EQUILIZER, it Red on Red and it still has some power. It needs work but starts right up every time"

The car needs tailights, the paint is "a little faded", and it may need trans work. He described it as the car un willing to go into drive from park. So it may be a simple fluid change, or cable adjustment, lets rule out major problems for now.

The car is also registered, inspected, and insured. I haven't seen the car yet, but there is a BO price tag. SO when I do see the car, I would like to make a cash offer since he is anxious to get the car out of the yard.

So with this little information, what should I be offering him?? (assuming the car turns out to be as described.)

Thanks
Jim

Also, I am new to Fox Tbirds, I own a 1993 TBird.

Re: New to FOX cars....Buying question

Reply #1 – August 21, 2005, 12:09:36 PM

I'd say as much as 500 if you can absolutely rule out transmission problems, but at 200K, you're likely going to have to get it replaced sooner or later. Defineately don't go more than 5, IMO

Re: New to FOX cars....Buying question

Reply #2 – August 21, 2005, 12:18:29 PM

yeah I have 3 cats and I only paid about $1100 for all three, also considering all of them ran drove and passed emmisions before I offered any money.

Re: New to FOX cars....Buying question

Reply #3 – August 21, 2005, 01:02:08 PM

Quote from: JSGAuto

He described it as the car un willing to go into drive from park. So it may be a simple fluid change, or cable adjustment, lets rule out major problems for now.

Could be the switch under the brake pedal. I had a friend with a 93 cougar who had this problem where after starting the car in park, it wouldn't shift out of park. She had to put the car in neutral before starting it and then had no problem shifting into drive.

I'd say if you go look at it and still am not sure, you could try to get some pictures of it and post them here. We might be able to help you more on the price. But for now though, I'd say between 400 and 500. Depends on the condition of the body if it only needs paint, or significant rust repair, dents, etc. Also depends on the condition of the interior and if the car is mechanically sound other than the tranny.
If you do suspect though that there is nothing wrong right now with the tranny and he believes there is something major wrong with it, let him believe that and it will give you leverage for a cheaper purchasing price.

Re: New to FOX cars....Buying question

Reply #4 – August 21, 2005, 01:49:19 PM

Quote

Could be the switch under the brake pedal.

Fox cars don't have that switch. :D

Re: New to FOX cars....Buying question

Reply #5 – August 21, 2005, 06:01:22 PM

Quote from: cougarman

Fox cars don't have that switch. :D

Really? I thought we did. Never looked into it for a fox car.

Re: New to FOX cars....Buying question

Reply #6 – August 21, 2005, 07:13:15 PM

Well we have a brake light switch, but it doesn't interlock with the trans. :D

Re: New to FOX cars....Buying question

Reply #7 – August 21, 2005, 09:27:03 PM

Yeah, her problem was first with the trans not shifting out of park and a few months later she didn't have brake lights when she hit the pedal. Changed the switch and both problems were solved.
Thought they'd be the same but hey learn something new every day!:drink:

Re: New to FOX cars....Buying question

Reply #8 – August 23, 2005, 09:10:57 PM

Hi everyone.
Thanks for all the help!

I went and looked at the car this evening. The body was very faded, had random patch pannels rivited onto the fenders, and had rust on the quarters. The interior was in poor condition. The engine did stat up, but leaked coolant from where the heater core was bypassed. The engine also had some "unique" modifications.

I decided not to buy the car. Hopefuly I will find one soom. :(

Thanks again
Jim