Urgent info needed on XD's - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Mother Nature · 04-15-2004, 03:20

Hey guys,

I have a mate who has just been offered a XD Fairmont Ghia for $1000. It has 12 mths rego & seems quiet straight.

I have checked it out & has bugger all rust & good tyres. It drives quiet well for no power steer & age of the car.

There is a few little probs with it but the guy has promised they will all be done on sale.

What do you guys think & what else other than the usual things should we be looking for ??????

:fairy

xdc351 · 04-15-2004, 03:29

A good price, fairmont ghias are always nice. Especially if the interior is in good condition!

Check with a magnet for bog repairs to the rear quater panels, pay extra special attention to the rear facing end of the wheel arch because they love to go there.

If the car has done 220,000 or below expect the head gasket to go anytime soon. If it has done more ask when the head gasket went and who repaired it.

If it passed a roadworthy it should hopefully not be leaking any oil from the rear main seal, another 6cyl favourite, and should have a decent steering setup. A lot of un-maintained falcons are dangerously loose in the steering.

I'd say its an auto so listen for slippage between gear changes or a reluctance to go into the gear you choose and listen for excessive clunking noises coming from the diff when getting on and off the throttle.

If all this checks out then you should have basically trouble free car to enjoy!

Cheers,
Greg

Mother Nature · 04-15-2004, 03:38

Thanks Greg,

The head gasket is one of the things to be done .... as is the rear main seal ...... even I picked it before he gave us the list of things to be done, lol its a little wet in those regions

I did the old toe tap along all the lower part of the car & checked the sills & in the boot/ under the spare ect & all I could find was a little surface rust near the upper part of the passenger rear side, but in the morning I will get the old magnet out

You are right it is an auto & the gear changes are a hell of a lot smoother than in my old EA :(

My mate wanted me to take it for a spin ..... lol like Im the best one to check things out ....... spose I knew more than her ..... she thought the cheap stick on rims looked pretty ...... gotta love Big W jobbys to make the unknowing like the rims ;P

I thought she handled quiet well for a car of that age, steering was heavy due to lack of power steer .... but I'm used to that

There was no hesitation when I put my foot down (on private rd of course

)

I think its quiet a good buy ..... but as promised I would ask in here for any recomendations

:fairy

Casper · 04-15-2004, 03:56

one other thing MN, turn on all the lights, high beam, aircon, fans etc. Get maximum load on the electrics then take it for a drive. Watch the speedo and guages when you hit the brakes to see if they flicker. XD's had crap electrics and often get a bad bug that causes the speedo to go nuts under heavy electrics load.

Mother Nature · 04-15-2004, 04:12

Cool thanks Casper

:fairy

TEguy · 04-15-2004, 04:24

You probably done this but if you forgotten, check tyre condition. Are they worn evenly? If not it may need wheel alignment. Has it been in any accidents and if yes is there any paperwork to show who fixed it? If it has been in heavier accidents and they've done a crappy job you may notice weird handling and steering vibrating at high speeds - again it could be tyres

TEguy · 04-15-2004, 04:25

Another thing - door handles. Check that all doors open from outside easily.

Mother Nature · 04-15-2004, 04:28

Top idea rrt802000,

The tyres are new so its a bit hard to see ..... but theres no shudders at higher speeds

I tested this on a private rd of course

:fairy

AUtoo · 04-15-2004, 06:10

Don't do it!! Don't do it!!

Can I have the guy's phone number?? hehehe

Phat XLS-ute · 04-16-2004, 01:17

Check all the fluids,
i bought mine and it didnt have any coolent or any power steering fluid,
hmm check head gasket, mine went after i bought it (about 2 months after)
check indicators work cause also mine didnt work, i wondered why i got the finger so much from people i was driving around with no indicatros, cause from inside they looked like they worked
cheers
eddie