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Transmission and tires might suggest he had some "fun" with the car before handing it off to the new owner (you). Since, of course, it wasn't his problem if anything popped afterwards! I'm thinking irresponsibility.

Went to a local shop referred by a friend's father. I have to say A+++ on their customer service. After taking the car for a test drive he told me to take to the shop where the engine was rebuilt. Called them and it's going in on Friday... *Yay for Warranties*

I'll update as soon as I find out some more info

Update:

Wow, this is gonna be a long one.

Brought my car to Engines & Components (warrantied there) in Beverly on Friday July 8th and left it there for the day to get it looked at. I came back, 8 hours later, to an "unexpected" bill of $75 and a rather unprofessional write-up of necessary repairs. This "crappy write-up" also lacked an estimate for parts & labor. They also told me the "warranty" became null & void the day I bought the car. Stuck with a $75 bill and a few middle-aged men staring me in the face, I wasn't sure what to do besides pay up. *sigh* That night the shop closed down for vacation until July 25th...

They gave me a write-up as follows >

1) rear sway bar bushing
2) possibe bent valves
3) clogged cat
4) bent rear sway bar
5) needs 2 new tires
6) fuel filter
7) front suspension?


Not only did I leave there really pissed but I wasn't sure what to do. The next day I gave Mr. David Webber (the guy who I bought the car from) a call. He didn't get back to me right away so I began the necessary procedures to Lemon-Law the vehicle.

1) Had to pay $29 to get a rejection sticker (obviously wouldn't pass inspection) CEL codes showed Misfires in Cylinders #1 & #2.

2) Needed a written estimate of all repairs. Had to fork over another $75 to have another shop look at the car.

They found >

2x Sway bar bushings
1x Sway bar
2x Sway bar links
"Major" Tune-up
6x New spark plugs (Motorcraft Plat)
...Apparently E&C got CHEAP and used p.o.s. plugs. 2 of them were burned up. (Cylinders 1&2, big surprise)
2x O2 Sensors
1x Fuel Filter

Total Estimate of Parts & Labor = $700

I asked the 2nd shop about the whole bent valve issue. They said it was highly unlikely on an engine with only 2000 miles, but still possible. They also did a compression test and got 175 PSI across the board, on all 6 cylinders. From what I understand, the compression test and the valves are unrelated, but the compression at least reveals that everything else is in tact. Please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm definitely not a car expert, haha.

After countless hours of stress to myself and my mom, I was 100% prepared to Lemon Law the vehicle. I even had all of the paperwork ready.

Monday July 11th, Mr. Webber made a "personal visit" to the shop owner's (E&C) house. I have no idea what exactly was said or done, but he was glad to say that my warranty is going to be honored. It will cover plugs + plug wires + O2 sensors + (bent valves??). I do NOT want to give them ANY excuse to rip me off, or even charge me $1 for that matter. I intend to have ALL of the other work done elsewhere. (Struts, Sway Bar?) Well this is all good news but still leaves me in a bind. Right now it's July 17th and they don't open until July 25th. I've been carless for quite some time now, making it very difficult to score rides to and from work, etc. The whole ordeal is also taking a toll on my personal relationships...

Well, the story gets even more interesting.

Tuesday July 12th I walk out of my house and find the tires slashed, all 4 of them. Called the police and had to wait an hour for them to show up. *sigh* Then had to call my insurance company. *sigh* The adjuster came over on Wednesday morning. They only recompensate based on tire wear... and my front tires were almost bald. I also have a $500 deductible, so I get diddly squat. Friday morning I went to Town Fair Tire to order 4x new tires. Yoko ES100s + Road Hazard + Installation + Balance + Alignment. Sunday night (July 17th) I'm dropping my car off and I should have it back in my hands on Monday evening. As far as the vandalism goes, I have no idea who or why it was done.

Through all of this, I'm trying my best to keep sane. I'm sure there are a few details that I left out but I hope you get the gist of it.

Assuming that everything else goes as planned, (which it probably won't) I should have my car in GOOD working condition with new tires and struts (www.batinc.net ??) by the end of the month.

I am a little on the nervous side about July 25th. I'm fairly certain that the shop owner won't be too thrilled to see me, because they're entitled to do all parts & labor for free. I'm 20 years old with a very small build... probably the least intimidating male you've ever seen. I live with only my mom and she doesn't know anything about cars. I'm hoping that I can get a friend's father to come with so I don't feel so f'in uncomfortable, heh.

Wish me luck... <3

Now that's a whole lot of drama!

If they continue to refuse to honor the warranty, go with legal recourse. If there is no statement saying the warranty is non-transferrable, you're golden.

I'm not sure what it's mobility is at this point, but, there's a very good mechanic in Somerville who does a fantastic job, and charges incredible rates. Check out Al's Auto Engineering on Somerville Ave. He's a great guy, and does some really solid work.

Does anyone know a shop where I could get a new paint job? The kid I bought this vehicle from lived down a dirt road... 'nuff said. Also, I really have no idea how much this would cost, could anyone give me an estimate?

Not too sure about paint, but, I can give you a quick example of how Al's is...

I dropped the car off on a tuesday morning. Gave him a quick overview of what was happening.

Four hours later, I get a phone call.

"Ok, your speed sensor I can replace, your brake line was rubbing against something, and frayed, dumping all of your brake fluid all over the street. I can fix that, but, thanks to how Ford built the car, there's a bit of labor involved.

Oh, and that 420 code? Your O2 sensors are fine, the cat's fine. There's a sizeable hole in your exhaust, and it looks like a stud came out. So I'll need to weld you a replacement stud and replace that section of pipe."

I'm shuddering in fear at this point, expecting to get rolled under the bus in $$.

"How much?"

"I haven't nailed it down, but, I think it'll be right around $500 for all of it, total."

$525 for all of that work, and I had my car back the NEXT DAY.

Class guy, great work.

*edit* the brakes had failed two nights before I brought it to him... my original post made it sound like it happened while he was looking at the car*

welcome. congrats on the car purchase

GO RED SOX!

ugh that's a lot of crap to deal with!

I'd say forget about the paint at this point and toss all your money toward getting it it driveable.