What do you guys think about a 2002 ford windstar with 160000 miles for $1100. I test drove it and it seemed ok. But I am no mechanic. I dont know any mechanics in new england. The rear bumper is a little banged up and there is surface rust on one rear fender. It is not as big as I would like, so it will be my starter mobile home. It is a 6 cylinder, can it tow my little aveo? The van is from an auction and the guy drove it briefly, put new tires on the front and put a sign on it.
Need opinions
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Donedirtcheap
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Google problems for that year as some were know for blowing head gaskets. I had one but cant remember the year and it did it. I used a sealer and sold it at auction. When I told the auction company what was wrong with it they said all items sold as is, would you like to list it sir?
Fearnoevil
Well-known member
There's really no way to give you a meaningful opinion because there are far too many possibilities. Really the only way to know if it's a good deal is to take it to a mechanic and pay for a cursory inspection. If you are not mechanically inclined you'll have no way of spotting any serious issues which could end up costing you many times what you paid for it. 160,000 is a lot of miles, but if they were well maintained miles it's not so bad, but since the guy you're getting if from bought it from an auction and then immediately turns around and sells it, that could be a red flag right there (unless it's what he does as a biz or side work).
If you don't have money to burn (who does these days) then you want to be very careful in your choice of vehicle, imo. Don't rush and really try to find a good deal, scour CL, and even check out eBay for local cars (say in a 100 mile radius). I'd suggest hitting the auctions yourself, but yeah if none of your friends are really mechanically inclined, then that's not a good option. Just my 2 cents and that and a buck fifty will get you a cup of coffee, lol, but good luck, hope you get a great vehicle to start your new journey.
;?D
If you don't have money to burn (who does these days) then you want to be very careful in your choice of vehicle, imo. Don't rush and really try to find a good deal, scour CL, and even check out eBay for local cars (say in a 100 mile radius). I'd suggest hitting the auctions yourself, but yeah if none of your friends are really mechanically inclined, then that's not a good option. Just my 2 cents and that and a buck fifty will get you a cup of coffee, lol, but good luck, hope you get a great vehicle to start your new journey.
;?D
LeeRevell
Well-known member
Can the Aveo be towed 'All-four-down' or will it need a dolly? That could add weight. Towing an auto-trans car in neutral can damage it.
The aveo is a standard transmission.. I will probably get a dolly that raises two wheels off the ground so I can use on other cars in the future.I realize I am taking a chance. I need to find something soon, as it starts getting cold in vermont early, and I am currently still in the tent. I have been looking for the right vehicle since I got here in May. If I do not find something and get set up within a few more weeks, I will have to fork out way more than $1100 for rent or hotel. I have to stay in vermont until mid November. I will take another assignment some where south or southwest after this on ends.
stude53
Well-known member
Kapp,
Check this one out.
http://burlington.craigslist.org/rvs/4565523983.html
Bob
If it was near me, I'd likely buy it.
Check this one out.
http://burlington.craigslist.org/rvs/4565523983.html
Bob
If it was near me, I'd likely buy it.
Zil
Well-known member
If stude53's find runs, buy it.
I called the guy. Cant look at it until early next week. I actually saw that one on craiglist but it was before he lowered the price. Tires are weather cracked and will need replaced and it needs new hoses and so forth. Typical age related stuff.
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There have to be auto repair shops near you! Nearly all will give a pre-purchase inspection for about $100. I know that is a lot of money right now but it really will be money well spent.
If the seller won't let you take it to a mechanic, run, don't walk, away!
Bob
If the seller won't let you take it to a mechanic, run, don't walk, away!
Bob
Zil
Well-known member
If it runs, buy it.
looking at the odometer, I am willing to bet it has "turned over". meaning thats 130,000 miles. with that being said, my guess is it's highway miles, thats good. How was the maintenance on it? Pull the oil dipstick and smell, is it burnt? black? I'm talking about the dipstick itself. Do the same with the transmission dipstick. Look at the engine from underneath, LOTS of oil everywhere? them 318s are pretty tough engines. Test drive?, not around the block. Drive for a half hour, let it heat up to operating temperature, listen to it, feel it. 1500 dollars?..............CONSIDER this one. Good Luck.
Fearnoevil
Well-known member
Yeah I really like those old 318's, good motor. My dad had one, drove it for many miles, then let my sister drive it and she promptly rolled it into a ditch, fortunately no serious injuries, but totally crushed the back end. So he just had a shop cut everything off from the cab back and then closed it off with plywood and gave it to me. At 17 I was NOT thrilled to have this ugly beast, lol, but with 400 lbs of sandbags over the rear axle that thing ran and cornered great, even on ice (scared the shit out of several friends/passengers:angel
.
At 19 I got a job in Valdez working on the pipeline and the first year I drove that round trip to Anchorage and back, 600 miles every weekend, just to see my girl and get laid, lol, (yeah talk about young, dumb and full of...). So about 30,000 that one year alone, but it eventually died of neglect, most likely cuz I never changed the oil, lol, but hey that was the 70's and I was stoned during most of it
Anyway, 318 = GOOD ;?D
. At 19 I got a job in Valdez working on the pipeline and the first year I drove that round trip to Anchorage and back, 600 miles every weekend, just to see my girl and get laid, lol, (yeah talk about young, dumb and full of...
). So about 30,000 that one year alone, but it eventually died of neglect, most likely cuz I never changed the oil, lol, but hey that was the 70's and I was stoned during most of it Anyway, 318 = GOOD ;?D
LeeRevell
Well-known member
The Dodge 318 is a good reliable motor. I had one in my first car, a 1971 Polara Brougham. A real tank and not very economical, but near impossible to kill.
Belinda2
Well-known member
Kapp,
I would double check the towing capacity again. I see on the internet 2000-3250 lbs for the towing capacity. Some of the minivans, like Toyota are just extended Camry chasis andf can only tow 1200 lbs!!! NO kidding! Winters are tough there. I would double check so you don't tax the engine.
Belinda2.
I would double check the towing capacity again. I see on the internet 2000-3250 lbs for the towing capacity. Some of the minivans, like Toyota are just extended Camry chasis andf can only tow 1200 lbs!!! NO kidding! Winters are tough there. I would double check so you don't tax the engine.
Belinda2.
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Manufacturers fudge those towing ratings as to be worthless. What they mean is you can tow it once a year and it won't destroy the van.
Tow that much weight on a regular basis and just plan right now to take that Windstar to the junk yard pretty quick because that is all it will be worth.
Bob
Tow that much weight on a regular basis and just plan right now to take that Windstar to the junk yard pretty quick because that is all it will be worth.
Bob
I just about have my mind set on the big ole dodge, unless she spews oil everywhere during the test drive. I think the dodge can handle the aveo. It will be hard on gas, but for the most part, I will only be driving from one job to the next, with a couple weeks of adventure in between. Once I get to the next job, the van will be pretty much parked for 3 or 6 months. Thanks everybody on the information and opinions. I really didnt like the idea of a minivan. I am 6'3" tall and would have to sleep long ways and curled up. Only time I would be able to straighten my legs would be sitting down or outside. I may end up with one though, if the dodge doesnt work out, as it is getting cold here at night. All the locals say it is the coldest summer and earliest fall they can remember.
highdesertranger
R.I.P HDR
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wow fearnoevil we found out allot about you in that last post. ha ha . peace brother. highdesertranger
Welp, I am now a van dweller, instead of a tent dweller. The old Dodge purrs like a kitten. No leaks. Shifts well. Just needs new tires and hoses and belts. I will pick her up as soon as I can get a ride back up there. I pretty much don't know any one except my co-workers and we dont have the same days off.
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