Noob Looking for Car Buying Tips

[VicCrownVic]

Yikes.

I'd be interested to see what others think before basing a decision on what a random guy on the internet like me says.

I would be starting to get uncomfortable at $2500 maybe $3k but apparently used car prices are way up at the moment so I might be out of touch with the unfortunate reality. Still, the asking price is nowhere near what I would be willing to pay.

Edit: Did not see Derek's post before I posted, but that's 2 votes for the $2500 range. No way a seller would come down that much.

[sly]

Yeah... they're asking high end money for a low end car. The rockers are GONE. The frame looks okay though. The body rust however makes it "fair" condition in my book. I wouldn't pay more than 2k for that one. Especially with the bad oil leaks. It may just be valve covers, but a rear main seal would suck.

[Mainemantom]

No way would I pay the seller's asking price. $2,500 would be max. Even with used car prices high, The rust issues would make me pass on that car. IF you plan to repair the rust properly and fix the oil leaks, you could get a few years out of the car. Add $1,000-$1,500 at least for the cost of repair to a reasonable purchase price. If that vehicle was in the west, and in excellent shape, maybe the asking price would be acceptable. Low mileage does not mean well cared for.

[JPG]

Wow guys. Thanks so much for all your advice. It's all very reasonable. You saved me a bundle of $$ because I was going to take it to a mechanic - unknown to me - to have him tell me the same thing.

THANK YOU ALL!!

[DerekTheGreat]

Yeah, with how fresh that oil looks, I'm betting that's a rear main seal and a very bad leak.

Rust repair is expensive, and it always comes back faster and harder than it was before. My advice is, don't repair rust unless the car will never see salt or excessive moisture again.

[Mainemantom]

There is a round rubber plug on the bell housing. If you pull the plug and shine a strong light up there, You will know if it is a rear main seal leaking. Agree with it being a bad expensive leak. Agree also with fixing rust. Even with cutting out the rusted area and putting in new metal, It seems like the repair doesn't last but a few years if that. The brine that use on the roads eats everything quick.

[P72Ford]

$5K is absurd for that car. On the high end I would expect to pay 2000-2500; he is out to lunch. Honestly the body rust is enough to turn me off. I purchased a pristine (and I mean pristine) '06 with 76K on it for $4800, from a used car dealership.

They are great cars, but you can find a much better example for your money.