Things to be aware of when looking at cars to buy - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

NZ · 09-08-2002, 19:47

Add your comments here

Ill say beware of the new floormats that hide the rotted carpet underneath

speedy · 09-08-2002, 20:02

Damp smell inside the car

NZ · 09-08-2002, 20:48

Just to keep the thread rolling...

Whiteout Pen used on white cars to hide surface rust.

laminge · 09-08-2002, 21:04

rusty colored raditor fluid

MADNC_8 · 09-09-2002, 05:38

add poor panel fit, paint matching, light fitment check e series falcon wagons in the rain if they have been in a rear end prang they will leak at the top of the rear doors check under carpets for metal stress

check strut towers - look for cracks anywhere over the body

add to this people!

old_mate · 09-09-2002, 05:50

Check the car actually has a motor......

hehehe

Happened to me and a mate once when we went to look at an old XC Hardtop. Car was in primer, look nice and straight, got told it had a rebuilt 351 in it. Suspension was all new (it looked nice and low). Wanted to have a look at engine bay but bloke said cable was stuffed to pop bonnet, and ignition system hadnt been hooked up yet (unfinished project)

We just happened to look under the car (it was sitting on a driveway and the bloke had no jack) against all odds, only to find he had seriously cut the springs to get it too look nice and low and only had the sump sitting there......

The bloke had 2500 on it, we picked it up for 500 after telling him we were gunna check to see if it was stolen cos he was a dodgy idiot. He sold it to us, wasnt stolen as it turns out, he was just such a stoner he tripped out thinking he could sell us a car with no donk. All he wanted was some cash to buy a bit of the Green Gear.

500 for a straight as XC Hardtop wasnt bad though....meant my mate could spend more on the 347 Injected Stroker thats getting put into it....

MADNC_8 · 09-09-2002, 05:57

hahaha what a legend!!!

XR8MICK · 09-09-2002, 06:02

air con doesn't work . just needs to be regassed.

yeah right

JG33PY · 09-09-2002, 13:57

on later models all bolt on panels should have a barcode.
check for rust up under the parcel shelf from inside the boot.
red tranny fluid. same for power steering.

image · 09-10-2002, 23:29

Check under seat covers and dash mats. These are usually hiding suprises.

Also make sure that the engine and exhaust are still cold when you first start it up. If the engine is hot when you go to have a look, it usually means that the owner has been pre-warming the car because it has starting problems. ( eg. head gasket)