Off topic- Anyone ever owned one of these cars?

Kiwibird

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Never mind, viewed car again and noticed a large puddle from some kind of leaking fluid under it. No-go.
 
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SailBoat

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Depends on what is leaking and where! Oil or Transmission fluid could be a problem, but could be little more that a pan seal or loose drain bolt. Coolant leak could be old cracking hoses, seal at the water pump water pump or something more of a problem. Brake or Steering fluid is more involved, but once again, what and where.

A five year old car with serious leaks, that is concerning. A ten year old, less of a concern more important is what and where.

You guys need to find a Mechanic that you trust and tell them what you are looking for! Take a look at the National brand car rental sites for cars /vans /trunks for sale. Say away from the highly specialized ones, like high horse power units or the really small cars that kids will rent and trash. Target run of the mill cars, Vans and Trucks.

Have fun!
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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We test drove and parked the car last night. The puddle that had developed from then was bigger than a dinner plate! Coming from something near the front right of the car (saw a drip while looking under it but couldn't identify exactly where it was coming from). Definitely wasn't oil and didn't have the 'sheen' transmission fluid does. Think it was possibly coolant. In any case, not even worth it. There's tons of other cars around in the price range, and while I'm sure they all have issues, this was an iffy one anyways due to the guy asking over KBB and being uncommon and old, probably not as many parts floating around to repair it with!

We do have a mechanic, but for a car in the $800-$1500 price range we only plan to keep 6mo-year, it hardly seems worth a $100-something inspection. We're looking to get a car in the 5-8K price range in the next year or so, and that we would DEFINITELY have inspected first! I'm pretty car knowledgeable and for a car in the context of what we're looking for, I think we can pick one that isn't ready to die tomorrow but we also don't need it to run for years to come either (if it did, bonus, but doubtful for what we're willing to spend here).
 
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wrench13

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I totaled a car during a test drive. I should say someone else totaled it. After all the police work and stuff was done, the lady asked me if I still wanted the car. I said no,it been in an accident.
 

SailBoat

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Great thinking on the uncommon part! As you know, for a driver, you want super common, every corner type.

The bottom hose is very common leak point for coolant leaks! Cheap fix, but you have to properly ID it. A failing freeze plug would be ugly.

Enjoy the hunt!
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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I totaled a car during a test drive. I should say someone else totaled it. After all the police work and stuff was done, the lady asked me if I still wanted the car. I said no,it been in an accident.

That sucks!

Worst I did was being so involved in whatever I was talking about with the salesman I got out without pulling the brake and the car rolled forward and hit a planter:34:No damage, except perhaps to my pride:54:
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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Great thinking on the uncommon part! As you know, for a driver, you want super common, every corner type.

The bottom hose is very common leak point for coolant leaks! Cheap fix, but you have to properly ID it. A failing freeze plug would be ugly.

Enjoy the hunt!

Yup. Love my Mustang for that very reason- old enough it can still be repaired at home (new cars are big complex computers!), parts can be bought cheap anywhere and easy to fix most minor issues (with videos on how to fix all over online). I do leave major repairs to the mechanic, though there have fortunately been very few of those needed in the 10-ish years I've owned the car.

Ya, we only looked at this one because it was parked with a for sale sign near where we live. We live in a big city, so lots of old beater cars for sale. No particular rush either, but my husband is actively looking for a new job and will need a temporary commuter car that can carry him through until we can save up for a decent car after getting the new job, ideally within 6 months but at max a year so it doesn't need to hang in there for too long! We only buy cars cash and don't want to make that big of a ding to savings ATM to get a nice one. Need to start a dedicated car fund for that!
 
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gracebowen

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My last car I bought 3 or 4 years ago. I didn't want it but my brother said I did.

When we first saw it all transmission and oil was in puddle under car.

My brother put it up on the lift and tighten everything up. Dealer put oil and t fluid in and off for a test drive we went.

I still didn't want the car. We get back. I still don't want it. Salesman walks away and comes back with a 1500 dollar offer. That's what I had for a car.

My brother said buy it. I said no. He said yes. I finally caved. It still runs. It's in bad shape but it runs.

My new to me car is a 2000 Taurus in very good condition.

The old car is for sale.
 

wrench13

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My mechanic ( of 25+ years) swears by Honda or Toyota, with Honda preferred. I been taking his advice and would have no problems buying a 2003 Honda whatever. THats all we have owned ( except recently went with a vintage BMW - NOT a cost effective car, but I love the Z3 looks). Older Hondas run like a top as long as you change the oil & filter every 5K miles. My last one, a Del Sol, has 260K miles on it, and the new owner was happy as a clam with with it. It was my 3rd Del Sol and before that had a few CRX's. All had over 200K miles, and only reason I get rid of them is because children either crashed them or did not change the oil! For commuter cars they cant be beat, and older ones are pretty easy to work on ( except oil filters - ugh, Honda puts them in the back of the engine by the firewall ). New ones? I wouldn't touch one for fear of messing up an electrical connection - all new cars are like that.
 

Scott

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My mechanic ( of 25+ years) swears by Honda or Toyota, with Honda preferred. I been taking his advice and would have no problems buying a 2003 Honda whatever. THats all we have owned ( except recently went with a vintage BMW - NOT a cost effective car, but I love the Z3 looks). Older Hondas run like a top as long as you change the oil & filter every 5K miles. My last one, a Del Sol, has 260K miles on it, and the new owner was happy as a clam with with it. It was my 3rd Del Sol and before that had a few CRX's. All had over 200K miles, and only reason I get rid of them is because children either crashed them or did not change the oil! For commuter cars they cant be beat, and older ones are pretty easy to work on ( except oil filters - ugh, Honda puts them in the back of the engine by the firewall ). New ones? I wouldn't touch one for fear of messing up an electrical connection - all new cars are like that.

Between me and my sister, we've owned 6 Hondas, and I am not impressed! One of my two had a terrible engine, the second was just a lackluster vehicle. Three of my sister's have had premature engine issues, and in one case a tranny that failed at 130K. She still loves them, though, and currently drives a 2014 Civic. That said, some of hers were used, and she wasn't overly prompt with oil changes.

I had a Z3 Coupe about 12 years ago. Love, love, love the looks, but it a very polarizing style!
 
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Scott

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Whatever you choose, April, pay special attention to the Muffler Bearings. They tend to corrode in damp climates.









:D:D:D
 

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I've had to sell old Toyotas that I was only going to drive until they died, and they wouldn't die. The Consumer Reports annual car issue lists the best used cars in different price ranges and classes going back ten years. So if you want the best compact sedan, look in your price range and see what they list. They also list the Stuff Most Likely To Go Wrong for each car. They list the worst ones, too. I have a copy around here somewhere if you want a page scan.

If the puddle looks and smells like water it could be condensate from the air conditioner. The water just drips down, usually near the front of the car.
 

SailBoat

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Whatever you choose, April, pay special attention to the Muffler Bearings. They tend to corrode in damp climates.
:D:D:D

Scott is that anything like the problematic flucker valve, which so commonly leave cars on the side of the road with their four-way flasher, flashing so very slowly and faintly?
 

Scott

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I've had to sell old Toyotas that I was only going to drive until they died, and they wouldn't die. The Consumer Reports annual car issue lists the best used cars in different price ranges and classes going back ten years. So if you want the best compact sedan, look in your price range and see what they list. They also list the Stuff Most Likely To Go Wrong for each car. They list the worst ones, too. I have a copy around here somewhere if you want a page scan.

If the puddle looks and smells like water it could be condensate from the air conditioner. The water just drips down, usually near the front of the car.

I'm a huge fan of C.R. to research durability, safety, and features of various autos. Over the years they have given some weight to "sportiness" and enthusiast features with the appropriate vehicle class.
 

Scott

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Whatever you choose, April, pay special attention to the Muffler Bearings. They tend to corrode in damp climates.
:D:D:D

Scott is that anything like the problematic flucker valve, which so commonly leave cars on the side of the road with their four-way flasher, flashing so very slowly and faintly?

Flucker valves and Blinker fluid leaks are key areas of concern on older vehicles!
 

PetoftheDay

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I have only had Toyotas and Hondas as an adult - grew up in a Ford family, so didn't want Dad to feel he'd be responsible for fixing my cars any more. Loved - adored our Honda CRV, 2003, only let it go when my mechanics refused to fix it any more - it would have cost more to get it up to snuff to pass inspection than the car was worth. It had 201,147 or so miles on it.

Now have a Toyota Scion, seems good so far, got it used for $1000 under bloom book, as the guy was moving overseas.
 

Inger

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Scott is that anything like the problematic flucker valve, which so commonly leave cars on the side of the road with their four-way flasher, flashing so very slowly and faintly?



Huh huh you said flucker.

Sorry. I’ll go put myself in the corner now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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OMG! Like the universe has bestowed it's 'blessings' upon us getting a second car at this time! Yesterday, completely unexpectedly we got a check for a good chunk of money from my husbands prior employer. Apparently, there was a class action lawsuit brought against the company and he was entitled to a payout because it pertained to things that happened while he worked there. We knew nothing about it as he hasn't worked there for several years. NEVER have we just had money "fall out of the sky" (so to speak) like this. Usually, it would be the exact opposite and some massive expense would come up or something, not enough money to actually buy a decent car randomly show up in the mail. I truly can't believe it! SO excited now that we don't have to look at total junkers.
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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Scott is that anything like the problematic flucker valve, which so commonly leave cars on the side of the road with their four-way flasher, flashing so very slowly and faintly?



Huh huh you said flucker.

Sorry. I’ll go put myself in the corner now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gotta wonder where they came up with that name:rolleyes:
 

YUMgrinder

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was a/c used? you will get puddles of water after running the A/C...
 

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