Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Need Engine - Or Need someone with an engine to buy my car

Either Edmunds is full of dung, or the used car dealers I've been at are full of it too.
I have been looking for an inexpensive work car, say a mid 90s Escort. Several in the past few weeks. They wanted over $3,000 for a couple of 93/94 Escorts with over 130K on the clock! $2,000 for a 94 Tempo with a broken speedo (miles?). A local Ford dealer wanted $5,500 for a 95 Escort w/ about 80K!
I didn't even want to bargain with these bozos; some sucker will pay the asking price, however!

Of course they price 'em high. If you are selling, you can make the customer feel good if they think they just got the car for $1000 off.

So you price it for $4500 and sell it for $3500, because you took it in on trade for $1500 to $2500 in real money. (Not an over allowance to show a payoff on the tradein.)

TB

Engine: V6 2.5 Liter
Trans: Automatic
Drive: Front Wheel Drive
Mileage: 141,000

Buy a Used Car

JavaContour - I don't know what you punched in at Edmounds, but KBB says the private party value would be closer to $4625, If the engine were good. (See options and quote below)

I am not ready to sell it for $1000 quite yet, bu t I would seriously consider $2500.

The mechanic says my front cam was not getting oil and bound up, popping the caps off the cam shaft. It needs a new head and cam shaft at minimum. I am not willing to put any more money into this engine. Otherwise, the car is in good shape, and it has a brand new "rebuilt" transmission with less than 20 miles on it. The bill from the transmission shop says they paid $2435 for the transmission and they charged me $475 labor to put it in. I am just trying to get some of my money back. This would be a great by for someone who has a similar that needs a transmission, because there are a lot of other good parts on this car.

Equipment
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
AM/FM Stereo
Compact Disc
Dual Front Air Bags
ABS (4-Wheel)
Leather
Power Seat
Moon Roof
Alloy Wheels


Consumer Rated Condition: Good
"Good" condition means that the vehicle is free of any major defects. The paint, body and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes, and there are no major mechanical problems. In states where rust is a problem, this should be very minimal, and a deduction should be made to correct it. The tires match and have substantial tread wear left. A clean title history. A "good" vehicle will need some reconditioning to be sold at retail; however major reconditioning should be deducted from the value. Most recent model cars owned by consumers fall into this category.


Private Party Value $4,625
Private Party value represents what you might expect to pay for a used car when purchasing from a private party. It may also represent the value you might expect to receive when selling your own used car to another private party.

Engine: V6 2.5 Liter
Trans: Automatic
Drive: Front Wheel Drive
Mileage: 141,000

Buy a Used Car

I don't know what you punched in at Edmounds, but KBB says the private party value would be closer to $4625, If the engine were good. (See options and quote below)

I am not ready to sell it for $1000 quite yet, bu t I would seriously consider $2500.

The mechanic says my front cam was not getting oil and bound up, popping the caps off the cam shaft. It needs a new head and cam shaft at minimum. I am not willing to put any more money into this engine. Otherwise, the car is in good shape, and it has a brand new "rebuilt" transmission with less than 20 miles on it. The bill from the transmission shop says they paid $2435 for the transmission and they charged me $475 labor to put it in. I am just trying to get some of my money back. This would be a great by for someone who has a similar that needs a transmission, because there are a lot of other good parts on this car.

Equipment
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
AM/FM Stereo
Compact Disc
Dual Front Air Bags
ABS (4-Wheel)
Leather
Power Seat
Moon Roof
Alloy Wheels


Consumer Rated Condition: Good
"Good" condition means that the vehicle is free of any major defects. The paint, body and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes, and there are no major mechanical problems. In states where rust is a problem, this should be very minimal, and a deduction should be made to correct it. The tires match and have substantial tread wear left. A clean title history. A "good" vehicle will need some reconditioning to be sold at retail; however major reconditioning should be deducted from the value. Most recent model cars owned by consumers fall into this category.


Private Party Value $4,625
Private Party value represents what you might expect to pay for a used car when purchasing from a private party. It may also represent the value you might expect to receive when selling your own used car to another private party.

That's a big if. I'll quote from what you posted


I really don't think this describes the condition of your car. If you deduct the cost to remove and replace an engine, then you are very close to the figure I offered, site unseen. I may not have had all of the equipment in my calculation, but from the buyers side, it is alot easier to start with a low price and move up. (It is really hard to open a $2K and then bargain you down to $1K )

I'll post the link http://www.edmunds.com/used/1996/ford/contour/4drsesedan/prices.html?submit=Cu stomized+Appraisal

I couldn't quote damaged (The real condition of the car because they won't quote it, so I quoted rough)

Remember not to include equipment that was standard with the model, otherwise you are getting credit twice. According to Edmunds, the standard equipment for a 96 SE was: 5-Speed Transmission, 6 cyl 2.5 L Engine, Aluminum/Alloy Wheels, AM/FM Stereo Tape, Center Console, Dual Air Bag Restraints, Fog Lights, Intermittent Wipers, Leather Steering Wheel, Lighted Entry System, Power Brakes, Power Mirrors, Power Steering, Rear Spoiler, Remote Trunk Release, Sport Suspension, Tachometer, Tilt Steering Wheel, Velour/Cloth Seats


Please don't take it so personal (if you are) I don't. It is simply business. People make offers and you can accept or reject. Happens every day. A low offer by me does not mean that I think any more or less of a person.

I hope you can get your money out of it.

But if you can't, I promise I won't say I told you so if you want to discuss a sale.

And as I've said before, these are just guides. If a guy comes by with $4K in hand and must have that car, well then $4K is the price of that car today

I wish you well.

TB
Who has lost a whole bunch of $$$ on his SVT

No problem here; I was just saying that IF the engine were good, that is what the car would be worth. I know that it is only worth something to someone who needs it for parts.

Hank, not sure if this is an option but I've got several ways available as far as parts go to fix your engine. I have a complete SVT engine and the necessary wiring and such to run it, or more economical I've got a set of SVT heads you could put on that car. Let me know via PM or email if you're interested.

Thanks,
Rick

I just sent my project money to Chris Hightower's operation, so I probably won't be interested in the car now

I wish you well.

TB
got boost?

or you could buy my car! it has a new tranny and engine!!! i know....im sad....