[sf stang]

So I'm thinking of getting a 1996 mustang v6. It has 130k miles on it. I turned the car on, and it sounded good. This car is at a local dealership. He's asking $5,000, but I'm only looking to pay up to $4,000.

Advice please?

[Stanger98]

Originally Posted by sf stang

So I'm thinking of getting a 1996 mustang v6. It has 130k miles on it. I turned the car on, and it sounded good. This car is at a local dealership. He's asking $5,000, but I'm only looking to pay up to $4,000.

Advice please?

Find things wrong with it and get as much information as you can out of him.

Look at the oil filter, if it looks relatively clean that means that he's either recently changed the oil because he's selling it or he actually takes care of his car. If the oil filter looks old stay away from the car.

Is the undercarriage of the car dry? Or is their oil/tranny fluid on the pans? Check underneath the car to see if any antifreeze is leaking as well. Do a visual inspection of the brakes, you can feel the brakes through the rims, if their are grooves in them they're worn down. Before you check the brakes though, ask him when he last changed the brakes to see if he's actually being cooperative and honest about the maintenance.

If you test drive it, floor it to see how well it responds, if it sputters before it goes wide open throttle, there's something wrong. Do a brake check as well (just watch out if it doesn't have ABS!!!). Also of the most important, check to make sure that all the gears work. Go through 1st, 2nd, Drive, then try turning the overdrive button on and off.

Make sure to check all the electronics (Power windows, Power seat, Power mirrors, etc.)

Make sure the A/C works. If it just blows hot air, there's something wrong with the A/C.

Check the mirrors for any major dents or scratches (Usually a tell tale sign of abuse).

Check the oil, trans, and anti-freeze levels to make sure they're correct. Also make sure when you check the oil, that the oil doesn't look like a chocolate milkshake color, that's usually a internal problem.

How does the interior look? If there are spots and just looks disgusting you can talk him down.

Just find stuff to talk him down, there's always something wrong with a car, whether major or minor that can lower the price.

My car was originally for sale for $5800. Bought it for $3700 + Registration fees (Came out to $4200 total).

[sf stang]

I get two hours with the car. My dad has to come in with me though so we can test drive the car. But 2 hours? That's a long time. The guy at the dealership guarantees that nothing is wrong with the car. He said I can even take it to a mechanic and have them check it and see if anything is wrong with it. So I think that's what I'm going to do.

But thanks for the advice.

[Stanger98]

Originally Posted by sf stang

I get two hours with the car. My dad has to come in with me though so we can test drive the car. But 2 hours? That's a long time. The guy at the dealership guarantees that nothing is wrong with the car. He said I can even take it to a mechanic and have them check it and see if anything is wrong with it. So I think that's what I'm going to do.

But thanks for the advice.

Sounds like a good idea. Keep us posted and make sure to post some pics if you come home with the 'stang!!!

[sf stang]

Actually that's what i'm trying to do now. How do you put pics up?