buying a car, need help

[Mopsie]

I want to get a male perspective on this.

I am a beginner car enthusiast. If I had been born a man I would be working in a garage!

:aha

A while back I was introduced to 88' Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupes. I have found one that I want to buy. Here is the ad:

http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/cto/807945109.html

I would ask my hubby for advice but that is where we are complete opposites. I love racing, he loves golf.

:aha

What do you guys think? What questions should I ask?

THANK YOU!

Kristi

[antitox]

He said it needs work. You need to investigate that- at least go take a look at it and give it a test drive.

If you are wanting a car to tinker with, then you might like it, but remember, turbos need to be adjusted properly so they don't blow your engine or burn themselves out.

If I remember correctly, at least one of the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe's won car of the year.

So at this low price, who knows what you're getting. But again, test drives give you an idea of it's stability, performance, and operation. When I test-drive, I get a real feel for the condition of the car.

[Mopsie]

:nod 87 was the Motortrend car of the year.

We wondered too why it was such a low price, especially when it seems the owner has already put so much work into it?

There is an engine shop in the town just down from us that the owner has about 5 or 6 of these things so I know if the turbocharger needed to be adjusted I could take it there.

Hopefully I will be able to drive it this coming weekend if they don't already have a buyer. When I do I will definitely take it to a mechanic shop that I trust and have them check it over as well.

If it works out, I think it will be a good car to invest some restoration in and then move on from there. For me, it just felt this might be a good place to start, get a feel for the whole restoration process and then move on from there.

[regionsteve]

This model is a great car, fun to drive. A friend of mine had one a few years ago, she absolutely loved it!
Like the others have said, have it checked out by a mechanic you can trust, evaluate the needed restoration, and go from there. Just dont let your heart decide before your mind can calculate the costs! :)

[Mopsie]

Yeah, I know. It's been cool to think that my hubby is supporting me in my car enthusiast journey. But, as you note, it is weighing heavy on me that a project like this is not only going to take time, but money as well.

God blessed us this summer financially and through which my hubby is allowing me to take a good portion of my income and use it for whatever I want to since our budget will allow. We do have remodeling that we will be working on during the fall and winter months but before then we thought I could take what I have saved up right now, purchase the car and then once we have the remodeling done that we want to get accomplished until next winter, begin focusing on the car during the summer months.

I've looked into a few shops in the area that work on engine builds and restoration for what I won't be able to do and once I get an idea from them what it will cost, that will have a huge impact as to whether or not I am ready to get into restoring a vehicle yet.

The good thing is it's not a done deal so if I don't see things lining up right or the car is not what it appears, I can back out and not have spent a dime.

I really appreciate the help so far! My husband has pretty much said the same things, just isn't so auto savvy so I wanted to get some back up defense on making a good choice here!

Thanks guys!

:thumb

[Wally]

Good luck with the car.

Of course what do you want a Ford for?
yes i have an f150 4x4 rust pile, waiting for this old truck to steal it.

I had a couple friends with turbos, one relative with a turbo charged Eclipse(i think that was it); all had motor problems - expensive. I know railroad diesels normally have water cooled turbos and that increases life but coolant is a must check. I think your best advice so far is have a really good trusted mechanic check out the engine and let you know if it's worth it. Also check if replacement parts are available should something blow in the next couple months.


Or you could just by a 2008 Challenger! dream.....dream....

[Biblenuggetlady]

No, No, No...owned this same model year, Turbo Thunderbird...see the amt he's invested in it...and yet selling for $1900. hint, hint, hint Don't buy that car, the turbo goes out, it's expensive to replace and the replacements are not even as long lasting as the original, at 3 mos no more warranty and if it goes out, you have to put in another one. ca-ching. Stay away from turbos, fine while it lasts, but they when they go, you are pretty much out of luck.

Find a Chevelle!!!!

[lostsheep]

No, No, No...owned this same model year, Turbo Thunderbird...see the amt he's invested in it...and yet selling for $1900. hint, hint, hint Don't buy that car, the turbo goes out, it's expensive to replace and the replacements are not even as long lasting as the original, at 3 mos no more warranty and if it goes out, you have to put in another one. ca-ching. Stay away from turbos, fine while it lasts, but they when they go, you are pretty much out of luck.

Find a Chevelle!!!!

As a mechanic for 17 years I have to agree, do not buy this car. If I remember right it is a 3.8L turbo V-6. You would definately be better off getting the same model with a 5.0 V-8 NA mustang engine. WAY MORE RELIABLE. You will have nothing but problems with the turbo motor.

[Mopsie]

I really want to thank all of you for your advice. I went to a Ford Forum on Sunday afternoon as well and in addition to talking to my birth dad who ended up having had one back in 88' and decided NOT to buy the one I'd found.

I have found another car, older that will need complete restoration but Mopsie isn't telling anymore just yet...:D