Originally posted by LegacySHO:

I will definitely get the car certified/e-tested before buying. I'm still up in the air though on whether I should even pursue this car. Say I take it to a dealership and they say it's just the starter motor that needs to be replaced, or worse, it's just a "normal noise" (which I've been told before and ended up being a damaged part). Then I buy it from the guy and eventually it ends up being the flywheel/starter after all? I don't even know how I could eliminate that risk other than by telling them to inspect the flywheel, which I suspect is a big job in itself, and definitely not something I'd want to pay for up front.



Yeah, unless you can take it to someone who's familiar with this specific problem, it's probably not going to help much. However, you should adjust your offer accordingly - tell the seller of your concerns, that other owners have experienced similar noises which turned out to be starter/flywheel problems.

If you do get this car, set some money aside so that you are prepared in case it does become a problem. This is good practise when buying any used car, in fact. Problems often rear themselves in the first little while of ownership. This is the risk you take when buying a used car that's out of warranty.

Is this car to be your primary source of transportation? If so, have you considered getting an SE or GL/LX V6 instead? I don't know what your time frame is, but if there aren't any SVT's in good shape in your price range then it might be a good idea to look at non-SVT's as well. You can probably find one in good shape for under $5k. In addition, your insurance will probably be lower if you go this route, especially if you get a GL. My insurance company doesn't distinguish between Zetec and Duratec, only by trim level (GL/LX/SE/SVT). On the other hand, if you're not pressed for time, you can be patient and find a nice SVT. You had mentioned that you'd planned on getting a Mazda 6 or Legacy GT (both very nice cars, btw). Keep in mind that any money saved now and in future repairs means you'll be able to get that new car sooner.

Anyways, these are just some thoughts. I almost forgot, it's only been a couple of days since the accident. You must have so much on your mind still. Why not give yourself more time to relax and clear your mind before putting yourself through the stresses of buying a car? It'll be easier then, I guarantee it.

'98 GL V6/MTX (Plenty of mods... in my basement) '88 ST165 (mild mods, stock 8psi)