I realize this thread is a few months old,but I came across it while searching for some stuff.
In 1997,my aunt and uncle went out and leased a 1998 Mystique GS Sport with a 4 cyl and automatic. It was a lemon from the first day they brought it home. The car spent more time in the shop than on the road,yet they still managed to rack up a ton of miles. The only reason they kept the car is because my aunt just loved the styline (plus it was black,so it looked even better). After the lease was up,they bought out the car for $5000. At about 155 000km,the original engine died and they had a new transmission and engine installed under warranty. Later they sold the car to their son who drove it for 2 years and racked up lots of miles on it. I bought the car last summer for $1000 with 211 000km on the body. overall,for it's age and milage,it was in good condition. I modified the looks and the stereo,but left the engine stock. I owned the car for 10 months and didn't have a single problem with it (only routine maintenance,new tires and new brakes) until 3 days before I sold it,when I needed a new thermostat and plug wires. When I sold it,I had 253 000km on it,and it was running well,but the body was starting to need work,and I was getting tired of the 4 cyl and automatic. I loved the car so much that I decided to go out and buy a Pre98 with a V6 and 5 speed because I always liked them.
So,I traded in my '98 Mystique,with 253k on the body,approx. 100k on the engine and drivetrain,newish tires,recently done brakes,and a bunch of aesthetic mods. The dealer gave me $1000 for it,and ended up selling the car for $650.
The Contour I traded it in on,was a '95 GL,V6 MTX. It had 260 000km on it,and they wanted $1200. The body was in good shaoe. No rust,no dents,but the fuel door was missing and the paint on the hood and bumper is chipping. However,I bought the car with the intention from day 1 to modify it. It was a 1 owner car,and I later found out,that somehow,everything lasted 260k because not a single item on the car was ever replaced.
Since I've owned the car since May 3rd,2005,and today is July 31,2005,I have replaced,in order:
For safety inspection:
-Both rear struts and springs. Both struts were shot and one spring was actually broken.
-Both rear rotors and pads.
-e-brake cable
-3rd brake light was inoperative and replaced
-lower balljoints replaced (ripped boots)
After safety came:
-Transmission. 3rd gear synchro was shot when I bought it. I bought a used tranny and had it put in. So far so good.
-Plug wires. Upgraded to Ford Racing 9mm.
-Upgraded piss poor headlights to Silverstars so I could actually see...but I still can't.
-Front brake pads
-Both front wheel bearings (one was shot)
-Both CV shafts (both went within 2 days)
-Rims & tires (my tires on the car were worn out,and I had crappy steel rims,so thanks to a CEG'er,I got a deal on some SVT rims with Potenzas on them)
-Water pump and belt
My car currently has 276 3xx KM on it as it sits in my driveway. I bought it with 260 800km on it. In almost 3 months I have put almost 16 000km on it,and I've spent over $4000. I'll never see my money back out of this car,but I bought it as a project car,and I love this car and it would take a lot for me to get rid of it.
This car really could have gone to the wreckers,and you know,had someone else bought it,it could have already been there with all the work I've needed to do on it. If I turned around to sell my car right now,I bet I wouldn't even see $1800 for it.
