Originally posted by RogerB:
Originally posted by Snake2715:
Not only that the dash kit will run 300+ or so and is a bear to do without the glass removed.

The sideskirts could be used but take a look at the person who you are purchasing it from. Thats not always the best indicator but it gives you an idea.

Is the oil clean on the disptick? Does the distick have burned oil on it? Are teh pedals themselves really worn? Any of these and you can assume the owner may have neglected the vehicle or it has more mileage than stated.

Where are you located?

there are a few websites besides Autotrader.com....

Auto-Rv.com
automart.com
cars.com
Contour.org
fordcontour.org
etc.





The oil turns black fairly quickly. Doesn't mean the oil is "dirty" or that the car is "neglected." I would not consider this a reliable test, and I'd laugh at any potential buyer who tried to use this as a bargaining chip.

I'd show the buyer maintenance records and possibly even a recent oil analysis.

BTW, thanks Big Jim for the sideskirt advice. One of mine is a bit out of shape, by my own hand from a lift incident. Too bad I can't switch mechanics on that one.



Correct the oil gets dirty quickly. On the other hand my SVT and my sho for that mattter have almost a clean oil change everytime. I run synthetic but it held true to some degree without the full synthetic.

What I was really pointing at was the burned oil marks on the dipstick. Is your disptick really all burned looking? Mine sure isnt and neither are any of my 7 other cars.

A bunch of burned dipstick marks are not a good sign and can lead one to believe that the car was driven either with low/old oil or for extremely hot sessions.

None of what I said is sure fire way its just a general idea.

I mean some people prefer to see a spotless engine when buying a car and I dont. I personally feel as though they are covering something up. Whether that be fluid leaks or whatever.

Same thing goes with my first post its just some of the quick things I do when looking.