Overhaulin'

The new car I'm looking at.....?

Is it a good buy? 1996 Ford Probe GT, V6 2.5L engine rebuilt with approximately 11,000 miles on the engine after rebuild. 203k miles. Manual 5-speed shifter on the floor. Transmission works great, no problems. New air conditioning pump/system put in with rebuild, needs check and coolant, but works great. power windows. Power sliding sun roof, tilt wheel, cruise control but don't know if it works as I've never used the cruise control?, AM/FM radio with CD player, has remote, dual air bags, leather seats, allow wheels - special tires in excellent shape, special one of a kind exterior custom paint jobs. Windshield is cracked, but has been for 5 years and passes inspection fine as it's not in the line of sight for the driver (it's lower). Car runs great, great power and pick up. Attention getter, and unbelievable 'wow' appeal. Been holding on to this car for the past few years as it used to belong to my brother, but just isn't practical to keep - I need to go ahead and let this car go, so have changed the price to $2000. My brother took this car back and forth the country (SC to MO and back) many times with no problems, and he owned it for years. He finally did the engine rebuild after it reached about 190k miles just cuz he figured it was time rather than wait for problems. He finally got rid of it because he outgrew his 'rebel' stage - (the paint job) - he did the paint job himself after getting the car. He painted his motorcycle to match, and his helmet - and he even found a 'rebel' jacket and coat to match. He was quite the character in his youth. When he finally decided to sell the car my middle son couldn't stand the thought of Uncle Ronnie's car being gone, so he bought it - but my son ran into a couple glitches that made him crazy - one being he was heavy footed and got a couple tickets, but the other was that it kept stalling out on him and he couldn't figure what was the matter? So I bought the car from him - still not wanting to let go of my brother's car..... and it sat parked for a few months till I had the money to take it to a professional shop in St. Louis - they discovered a sensor error caused because my brother took the catalytic converter off to give the car more power - so I had a new catalytic converter put on as well as the sensor replaced - no more stalling! Woohooo! Then there was a problem with the battery, but it was just an old battery, so got a new battery July 2009. I really thought I'd drive the car more, but having it titled, licensed, and insured the past two years, I've rarely even driven it once a month. I finally have to admit that it's rediculous to hold on to, even for the memories, that's why it's for sale. We did go to start it the other day, and the battery was dead, but the car has been sitting for months (through the winter) - so we charged it and it started up, but if being dead through part of the winter damaged the battery at all - it's got a full no-cost replacement at any Walmart till July 2011. - and the only other thing I know is that my brother changed over the air conditioner to the new system, and it has a new compressor, but it was winter time when he did it, and then he sold the car so he forgot to check the system for seals/leaks - and while it does work wonderfully, it does seem to have a leak so needs serviced to find and seal the leak. I've never been one to worry with AC, so I just open the windows and sun roof it I drive it in the summer. That's honestly the ONLY things (besides the cracked windshield mentioned in the ad - that passes inspection) that I know is wrong with the car. It's truly a wonderful buy at $2000, and I figure if I don't get that, I'll just put it into the back shed when it's finished and leave it parked for a few years, and then the value will increase from it's age and condition as it'll be past the 20 year mark and still fully functional! Then I can license it as a historic vehicle. Back seat in like new condition as it rarely had back seat passengers. Has dragon floor pads in front, dragon decal on back lift window. - also remember that when I replaced the battery in July 09, I also had to replace the alternator as it has a couple bad cells - which the man said probably contributed to the battery having problems. Will try to think if there's any other work done, but just now, I think I have it all mentioned somewhere in this page. I'm just trying to be honest and open, and you'll know you're interested in the car before even asking to come see it. Just don't have enough spare time to worry with gawkers.

Public Comments

1. Sorry, but Ford...any Ford...is junk
2. i would pass