it's just around the corner from us. I've suggested they take his Ford Escort 4 door 1.4 1998 with about 70,000 miles. 2 months left on MOT, no service history, door locks a bit wonky but runs really well together with £900. Currently he is saying he won't accept less than £1300 - £900 plus the Escort would equate to about £1,100.
Tell me what your thoughts are - do you think it would be worth paying this much? Ive had a quick look around and its very clean only on its second owner.
It doesn't look too bad from the pictures. Just as a guide Mums Fiesta (V reg, Same colour 70k) cost us £1600 so it doesn't seem like too bad a buy, Especially if he would be happy to take the 'scort for £400
What you need to check is that the cam belt has been done (from the top of my head, service interval is 75k) and check the rubber bushes in the wishbone as these start to fail around about 85k
Thanks Dan - I'll ask about those things. I very much doubt if he will allow £400 for the escort - more like £200 - so I'm sort of making an offer £200 under the asking price.
It's a buyers market at the moment and if he hasn't sold it in a week or two I expect he'll be more inclined to accept your offer, particularly as the highest bid he got on e-bay was £720.
That's what I was thinking! I don't really want it to get away but Dan's point about the cam belt is important - maybe a good negotiating tactic!! Sadly Robin doesn't want a Minor - he doesn't know the difference between a spanner and screwdriver (well maybe not that bad!)
Cambelt on the 1.25 zetecs is 80,000 miles. I think its about £250 for a garage to do one.
Have a good look at the bushes in the front wishbones and have a very good look at the sills for corrosion. The rear wheel arches also rot out. The seller is correct, the Zetec engines do need servicing when they are meant to be done other wise they can start to wear quickly. Having said that the only catastropic failures I have heard about have been cambelt related.
It seems a good price to me, BTW the V reg fiesta we have we got at 60K and cost £2000 2 years ago but its the ghia version and has all the toys fiestas came with. £1300 is probably a bit optomistic in my opinion. £1000 - £1100 is nearer the mark
Son number 2 is thinking of buying this and I've promised to get some advice for him:
(well maybe not that bad!)