XB problems - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

davway · 08-13-2003, 01:31

hi guys! doing abit of research on XB GT's as im looking to buy in the near future. wanted to know of things to look out for when im ready to purchase....ie: rust, leaks, anything shonky really so i dont get a dud.

XBCoupe2Boot · 08-13-2003, 06:33

Hey Davway

I can tell you a little about the coupes.

Rust:
rear window sil and parcel shelf (coupes have a bad habbit of rusting in that area) cheek along the bottoms of the doors, cheek in the boot around the lights etc....... i think these are the main areas

Leaks:
Cheek the rear window seal, because of the shape of the window water tends to build up their and can leak through

and of course cheek the numbers so you know you are getting a real GT and not just a replica

XB fiend · 08-13-2003, 07:20

RUST

I hate that word

Yeah the coupes love to rust it up like there�s no tomorrow, but hey most cars that have been around for 30 odd years would do the same I guess.

One thing I suggest you do is take a small fridge magnet with you when looking at the car. One of those annoying advertising ones you get in the mail for your local real-estate agent. You know the type.. slim, small, with their number printed all over it. Mainly because this magnet is rather weak and for what you are about to do with it is a lot better.
Place the magnet on various parts on the quarters of the car, if it sticks nicely you can tell its metal, if it falls off in parts or doesn�t really stick strongly then you more than likely have bog in that part.

Also make sure the body is straight. Things like interior and motor parts are replaceable, but to find a nice straight clean body is almost as rare as hen�s teeth these days. How much are you willing to part with for an XB GT?

Anyway, happy hunting mate.

Tripper · 08-13-2003, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by XB fiend

RUST

I hate that word

One thing I suggest you do is take a small fridge magnet with you when looking at the car. One of those annoying advertising ones you get in the mail for your local real-estate agent. You know the type.. slim, small, with their number printed all over it. Mainly because this magnet is rather weak and for what you are about to do with it is a lot better.
Place the magnet on various parts on the quarters of the car, if it sticks nicely you can tell its metal, if it falls off in parts or doesn�t really stick strongly then you more than likely have bog in that part.

Thats the best advise ive heard about checking for rust repairs a mate was looking for a car and he done the same thing except he used a stronger magnet one that could move a nut through 10mm of wood had a look at a car looked nice the owner told him it was rust free as he had just cut it out and welded panels in place my mate put the magnet on the lower sills and it wouldnt stick

davway · 08-14-2003, 00:59

yeah heard about the magnet test before. want to know of any other common defects with this model as well. looking at parting with about 10k for something immaculate ( i mean immaculate)

davway · 08-14-2003, 01:00

prefer 4 door but if the right hardtop came along then so be it

smciner1 · 08-14-2003, 02:27

As everyone has stated, check for rust in the usual spots and get someone who knows what they are looking at to check that it is what it is claimed to be. The rebodies are getting cleverer every day.

Happy Hunting!

EBXR · 08-14-2003, 02:39

Check for correct model numbers - There are a lot of copies getting around.

A matching chassis/engine number car would be worth more in the long run.

xacoupe · 08-15-2003, 18:30

if you are looking at paying big bucks look for a few other things too
Unless the engine bay has been repainted, check for new rivets in the ID plates, check that the shocker tower hasn't been grafted in from another car ( I have seen it !! ), look for proper dual exhaust hangers at the back, not exhaust shop hangers. The tramp rods bolt top the chassis, the bolt hole is reinforced by the use of a tube being welded in. I am sure that there are more things and that if the car has been completely rebuilt/reprayed that some of the stuff won't apply but you have to check.