Okay, here's the Cliff's Notes version of the story:

My mom's 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis is showing signs that it's entered the final stages of it's life (barring some significant TLC and probably a thorough overhaul). It's just not reliable and she doesn't have the money to have it in the shop all the time and I don't have the time or expertise to fix it well enough to make it properly reliable for her.

Besides, with the price of gas getting under 20mpg sucks big time.


So she's thinking about buying a new car and I'm helping her look.

I found this: http://wichita.craigslist.org/car/376895298.html

From the ad it looks like a phenomenal find. However, I don't really know what to look for when I go see this car (well beyond the obvious stuff a shade-tree mechanic like myself knows).

What I need to know is what specific things would you look for if you were thinking of buying this car? What are/were the common problems this model faced? What signs should I look for that the car might not be worth buying?


I really hope this car is as good as it looks, but I don't want to rush into having an all-Accord family if it ends up with my mom having a car that is plagued with problems.

We need more info.. Does your mum enjoy driving? What sort of milage does she cover per year? Does she carry lots of stuff -- people? Is she in good healh i.e. able to get in and out of a fairly low car ok?

Buying a cheaper car for cash is far better than having to pay interest on a loan, AND run a car... :paranoid:

Erm looking at the car you chose, you sure it's your choice for your Mum? Not that you fancy it personaly?? :naughty: heh heh .. ;)
.

geezum even if you had to put some money into it, thats quite the deal. i wonder why theyre selling. definitely worth looking at. see what kind of services its had. despite the mileage, its probably ready for the 7yr 105k tune. also the original automatics dont hold up well and that would be my main concern. see if it shifts smoothly, doesnt rev particularly high in any gear before shifting (once its warm) or slip under load. im sure you've seen the threads on tranny trouble here. i bought my coupe a couple months ago with almost twice that mileage for 3 grand and i figured even at that price if it blew up on the way home i'd still be doing alright. fixed a number of little gremlins but i like projects. move quick, i doubt its going to be around for long! does it have a recent inspection?

We need more info.. Does your mum enjoy driving? What sort of milage does she cover per year? Does she carry lots of stuff -- people? Is she in good healh i.e. able to get in and out of a fairly low car ok?

Buying a cheaper car for cash is far better than having to pay interest on a loan, AND run a car... :paranoid:

Erm looking at the car you chose, you sure it's your choice for your Mum? Not that you fancy it personaly?? :naughty: heh heh .. ;)
.

Actually, you don't need to know any of that stuff. Why? Because absolutely none of it is important.

I'm trying to get advice on what to look for in the car that would suggest that it is or isn't in good condition. I'm not looking for or asking for help determining whether my mom will like the car. I have access to my mother, I have no difficulty speaking with her, and therefore it it not remotely challenging for me to point to a car and say, "Mom, do you like that car?" and receive a reasonably precise answer.


DonutLimo: thanks, I'll put transmission on the list. As far as it's service history or inspections, I don't know any more than you do - I only know what I've seen in the ad. I'm just looking for advice on what I should check on when I get to see the car.

Be ready to spend 1 grand on having all the belts, seals, fluids etc. replaced. (Have you replaced your belts? I know your car has low miles, but they're due every 5yrs/60k on cars like yours).

Also, I'd assume it's been wrecked before. Common sense knows a deals too good to be true every now and then.

Oh, and as Royal Honda says down here in Metarie, the transmissions are due every 10yrs/130k miles :lmao: .

In all seriousness though, I would look over every panel of that car for vin tags, I'm willing to be there's a few missin. :yes:

Those cars also had horrible transmissions, they seem to fail at or around 100k on most. If they make it that long.

Hi Spek..

Sorry, seems I totally missunderstood the purpose of your posting.. :blush: I thought you wanted help - advice finding a nice car suitable for your mum..:)

Had I realise you only wanted info on that particular car, I would not have replied as I know zilch about cars - car values, specific to the US.. :paranoid:
.

Be ready to spend 1 grand on having all the belts, seals, fluids etc. replaced. (Have you replaced your belts? I know your car has low miles, but they're due every 5yrs/60k on cars like yours).

Yeah, the car was meticulously maintained by my grandfather prior to me getting it.

In all seriousness though, I would look over every panel of that car for vin tags, I'm willing to be there's a few missin. :yes:

Where are they supposed to be?

Those cars also had horrible transmissions, they seem to fail at or around 100k on most. If they make it that long.

So if the transmission hasn't been replaced/rebuilt yet there needs to be money budgeted for doing so. Any idea what it costs on average to have that done? (whatever is cheapest and/or most reliable between having a rebuilt transmission swapped in, or having the existing transmission rebuilt.) And failing at 100k is comparatively "horrible". For many other manufacturers, that's about as long as they expect the car to remain on the road in the first place. (We're not looking for a car my mom can drive for the rest of her life, necessarily. 50-100k miles of reliable life would be just fine.)


It sounds like even if the transmission needs replaced right away the car would still be a good deal (assuming there aren't a host of other problems).

Gosh Spektyr, your were pretty harsh with James.uk. He wasn't trying to pry into your personal life. I thought his questions and comments were reasonable, and he had a sense of humor in the process.

If you want to ask for advice on this or any forum, you can expect a wide variety of responses. As long as they're not done hatefully or disrespectfully, there's no reason to be rude. I'd suggest a modicum of grace and civility will go a long way in helping you to get answers to the questions you ask.

Gosh Spektyr, your were pretty harsh with James.uk. He wasn't trying to pry into your personal life. I thought his questions and comments were reasonable, and he had a sense of humor in the process.

If you want to ask for advice on this or any forum, you can expect a wide variety of responses. As long as they're not done hatefully or disrespectfully, there's no reason to be rude. I'd suggest a modicum of grace and civility will go a long way in helping you to get answers to the questions you ask.

I won't get into a public discussion of this. Suffice it to say that there is more to this than appears on this thread.

I see. Fair enough...I'll let sleeping dogs lie.

:wave:

Hi EX-L thank you for springing so gallantly to my defence.. And I agree entirely.. We are all here to help each other.. :)

Spektyr ..As regards this strange comment you made....

>>>I won't get into a public discussion of this. Suffice it to say that there is more to this than appears on this thread.<<<

Would you be so kind as to make it quite clear that your above comment is totally unrelated to me, as I have no idea what you are talking about.. I just replied to your posting in good faith.. Your reply was rather rude, and a simple apology would have been nice. :)

I just want to make it quite clear to everyone that I have no idea what you are on about.. nor do I - we.. need to know whatever it is you are referring too.. :dunno:

Thank you..

James.UK..
.

Clearly there is some form of miscommunication.

I cannot begin to fathom how to state things more clearly than I already have.

Hi Spek..

I simply asked you to make it clear to all concerned, that your odd remark has nothing whatsover to do with me, as in context (ref was about me) it looked as though it was aimed at me personaly.. i.e. it rather implied that I was somehow involved. And that being rude to me was somehow justified..

Is pointing out, that that's not the case, so hard to do?

James.uk..
.

back to the OP:

Grab it! It seems like a good deal.... even if by chance you had to have the tranny replaced in the near future & it cost 2K, you'd still be under the car's value!!

If you don't run & get it, someone else will very soon at that price & condition!!

Things to look for on used cars:

smell the oil: as you look under the hood with the car off, remove the oil cap & take a wiff. It should just smell like oil....not like something is burnt. Burnt means poorly maintained & even in low mileage, rings.

peek at the coolant: again, with the engine off. Take a peek in the raditor. It should look like coolant & not water. Check for rust too. Sometimes they just put coolant in to sell it & never had it in before.

Underneath: look for signs of oil leaks, cracked CVboots & dented gas tank.

Most people look at tires.

As far as the tranny goes, you probably won't know that on a test drive. either it's OK or not. Most are fine, but as I said....for the price......

If the oil smells funny, walk away. If there's too much rust in the raditor, walk away. Both will mean major work later. Oil leaks, cracked CVboots & dented gas tank can help reduce the price. They are repairable.

I hope this helps.:D

I think it's a scam.

The last time I replied to an ad like that I got junk mail forever.

But I'll hold my final opinion until you've seen it.

The vin tags would be on every door, the hood, the trunk, the rear bumper cover, and on the fenders inside the engine bay.

dont forget to check if its a flood car.

dohc,

i was thinking the same thing....

could be salvage title on it..... :paranoid:

Good advice, everyone! I hadn't thought of the flood thing - that very well could be the case.

Seems to me that there is something wrong with the ad. Have you talked to the person yet?

For 2.9k...I'd buy it before you got ahold of it. It is a great deal. Yeah...it may need a new tranny....but for that money...you can afford to make it new again and still be under what you would pay in KBB prices.

Well so far I haven't heard back from the guy and I just saw another 2000 Honda Accord EX listed that's a different color, for $2950.

So I'm guessing this is some kind of scam. I baited that guy, replying to his ad with too much enthusiasm and innocence from a different spam-collector email account.

Personally I don't care much whether the guy is a scammer or not, I just want the bugger to reply so I can find out the answer.

Looks like a scam when someone is trying to sell a car and they do not leave a phone number. Also if it is real you may want to have the alternator checked out..I believe they run about $300 for a new one.

Damnit, the guy's a scammer. My guess would be Nigerian, but with some kind of English coach. He doesn't make the normal grammar and spelling mistakes that a Nigerian would, but there's quite a few head-scratchers in his word and phrase choices.

Here's what he sent:

Dear Client,

Sorry for the delayed response, but I'm in Scotland right now and I have been very busy for the last couple of days.Anyway,thank you for your interest in buying the car. The car is located in US right now and has US papers.
Why is the price so low?
I am going trough a divorce, and I had to move out of USA. I cannot register the car here, as it is made for USA , according to USA standards.
So all that I want to do now is sell the car at this price, because I need to sell it fast.The title is clean and you will have absolutely no problems to register the car in the States. I will tell you a few words about the car.. My 2000 Honda Accord 4 Dr EX V6 S, CD, SUNROOF, LEATHER with Automatic Transmission, Vin# : 1HGCG1651YA053301 and 88,788 miles it is in immaculate condition ,rust free , no scratch and hasn't been involved in any accident. The motor runs very well.The interior looks great.This car needs nothing,The title is clear ,it is not a salvage one
I want this transaction to go smoothly enough as I am caught in the middle of some very important events and have little time at my disposal. I already have tones of emails so I hope you understand that I need to sort them out. The car is like new, in perfect conditions,accident free, no scratches, no special marks, no need for additional repairs what so ever. a genuine road runner ready to be yours, but only if you shall understand and you won't make me loose time as it has already happened to me.
The price is 2900 USD $ THIS IS MY LAST PRICE.I will
not negotiate the price.Also, I take in consideration only those buyers who are really interested
in buying the car ,to be sure that I don't waist my time with endless discussions.This way,I shall be assured of the serious intentions.
So if you are interested please email me.

Regards!! Brena Marga

All the bolding is his/her emphasis, not mine. Interestingly, the email account identifies itself as "Breena Marga" but that's not how they signed the email.

Just to be certain, I replied with this:

I'm certainly interested and I agree that the price is very good. However, I would like to see the car before I buy it. When can I see it?

- Josh

And got this back:

Hello,

Look how will do this:
Before leaving i had prearranged shipping with WorldPay so my presence in
US isn't necessary.
The car is in a warehouse of WorldPay in US, ready for
delivery. I will offer a 5 day period of
testing the car from the moment you receive it from the
shipping company.
So if you want to make this deal i will need the
following details from you:

full name and address
shipping address
phone #

After I will have all this details I will forward them
to WorldPay and I will proceed the order.
WorldPay will contact you with all the details that you
need to complete this deal and also to see that i am
covered by them and that i am legit seller.
Waiting your email with the requested details.

Regards!!




Scammers, particularly Craigslist scammers, ALWAYS have some sort of "shipping arrangement" so that there can be endless delays and fees to further milk you of your money without actually delivering anything.

I flagged all the similar ads (there's quite a few 2000-2002 Japanese cars for sale for $2900 or $2950 now).


Makes me sad, though... thought I was going to get a super deal for my mom. I don't suppose anyone here has anything very reliable that's for sale?

at least you caught it now, before someone unsuspecting became a victim.... :thumbsdow

Spektyr, I've formulated a well thought-out, clear, and cogent response for you to send to the seller. Based on his e-mails to you, I'm sure he will completely understand. Feel free to copy and paste if you like.

"Thank you you mail massage. Me like and to want but no car and the title it is but not and there you are. So when you and car with no boom-boom but is for rust and no and not for to look. When phone is there and clear but no title can reach to you. Understand is your divors but too hard to be for in Scottlund. Wurldpay will contact you when you kilt is at cleaner's for press. You 'um have 'um good day...me love you long time. Be sure and to tell yor mother thank her four last knight."

Cheers!

That is among the oldest scams in the book.

EX-L Kabong: That is hilarious!

"Thank you you mail massage. Me like and to want but no car and the title it is but not and there you are. So when you and car with no boom-boom but is for rust and no and not for to look. When phone is there and clear but no title can reach to you. Understand is your divors but too hard to be for in Scottlund. Wurldpay will contact you when you kilt is at cleaner's for press. You 'um have 'um good day...me love you long time. Be sure and to tell yor mother thank her four last knight."

Cheers!

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

:notworthy

i would love to see the reply to that e-mail..... :yes: :lurk:

He's changed tactics now. Now he makes up a name, puts "Sgt." in front of it, and says he's US military stationed in the UK.

In one of the emails I got from him he actually said it was too hard to get a BMW registered in the UK so he had to sell it in the US.