Do You Think I Should Go For This Ford Car?
By divineathena
@divineathena (1746)
United States
January 16, 2010 1:04am CST
I found a Ford Contour on craigslist. Its model is from 1998, has 43,000 mileage and its price is $3700. I saw its pictures and immediately called the owner. He told me its history and soon I found myself uneasy. Nothing is wrong with the car. Its just that whoever owned the car ended up with something bad. Its real owner is the seller's sister. She bought it,but within a year passed away. So it was passed on to their another sibling. Soon this guy ended up getting his license suspended and he can no longer drive now. Then it went to the seller's daughter. She drove it a bit, but at one point handed it over to the seller. In short, its mileage is less because no one was able to drive it much. It seems that this car brings bad luck. My intuition is divided. One part of me says that I should go see this car and the other part asks me to let it go. What do you feel? Would you have been still interested in getting this car?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@cranehuang (682)
• China
16 Jan 10
yes, don't care so much , i don't think a second car can bejinxed
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@divineathena (1746)
• United States
16 Jan 10
A part of me says yes, but at the same time it seems no one was able to drive it much which is unusual. Bought in 1998 and still it has 43,000miles, that is very strange!
@GsxrKing2009 (73)
• United States
21 Jan 10
Be careful about how good a car sounds though. Because there will always be that underlying possibility that the car is too good to be true. And you really need to be wary of how that car was maintained in that short while. A car that's been really well maintained and has over 100,000 miles on it is a much better buy than a car with 15,000 miles that hasn't seen an oil change or tire rotation or ever been looked at. Get it inspected before you buy it. If the buyer doesn't agree to a pre-purchase inspection, it's most likely a lemon.
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
16 Jan 10
For a car that old to have such low mileage, either as you said, it's been driven very little, had the odemeter altered (illegally) or at some point, needed a whole new engine.
I just began a discussion on "gut instincts" and what happens when I do not listen to mine! I would go with your instincts and NOT buy this car.
Karen
@GsxrKing2009 (73)
• United States
21 Jan 10
I agree with this. When looking at the car, first, order a carfax. Trust me, if you are going to buy a car from a private seller, the few dollars for a carfax is way more worth it than saving a few bucks and having expensive repair costs down the road.
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Hi, Divine!
I think that, if you have any qualms about it at all, you should avoid it. I've always found it to be a mistake when I act beyond my better judgment. Used cars are tricky, so if you have a negative feeling at all, avoid it and keep shopping!
@divineathena (1746)
• United States
17 Jan 10
Yes, it is hard to trust used car, but I am on budget since I am a student. That ford had really crippy history though.
@Jae2619 (1483)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Buying a used car can be a task with in it's self. I think if it's feasiable you need to go look at the car, get a feel of it, ask to drive it around the block or even take it to a local shop to get it checked out. Many people have cars from that age that don't have many miles on it. My mom owns a 1995 Buick that only had 80,000 miles on it, because she doesn't drive it but back and forth to the store, post office, which are all with a 5 mile radius. So go and check it out, if you don't feel safe after you've checked it out, at least you know. I know if i come across this deal, i'd go check it out because I'd kick myself in the bottom if my next door neighbor come across it and bought the steal of a life time.
@GsxrKing2009 (73)
• United States
21 Jan 10
All I can say, in my experience as a mechanic and a used car buyer, be very aware of the condition of the car. Doesn't matter the story behind the car. You have to check every nook and cranny of the vehicle no matter what and don't forget to take it on a test drive. Listen for any loud or quiet rattles or unknown sounds. Small rattles can quickly turn into very big repairs.
