Helping a kid's classmate in a tough situation... She has no car, no familial support (dead father, deadbeat mom) so budget is what it is ($3k).
The 2013 Ford Focus SE Sedan has 121k. Owner is disclosing a ton of stuff (I know him as an acquaintance).
Using 5W-30 instead of 5W-20 to eliminate engine noise. Never burned oil, doesn't burn oil now.
Overheated with a cracked coolant line. He did a cooling system pressure check (although not a block test).
All she needs is something to hold her over for 3 years/30k until graduation. I have to cut out my gut feelings because this isn't my money... I cannot find a definite engine, but the duratec 2.0 liter with flex fuel appears to be it. Probably Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI)
San Diego, California pricing. There is an 08 Yaris with 201k with a crash history for 3k too...
I'll hook up a scan tool, check the tailpipe, might even scope cylinders but worried that I might miss something.
Considering budget and limitations any tips with this Ford?
Only if it passes a pre-purchase inspection and it has a manual transmission.
The Yaris is definitely the better bet though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU_P9YTseFU
pass.
probably better off with the Yaris. But get a PPI. It'll be worth the $100.
Gut feelings included, I concur. I mentioned to her to budget $200 for the PPI. Around here, they have been running $175 + tax. I also mentioned that she should make sure she can buy auto insurance in California because, if you haven't heard, most companies are no longer selling new policies AND many companies delay new full-coverage policies by 2-3 weeks between payment and implementation.
Taking a look at an 07 Yaris now. The Ford, in person, what a poophole money pit! A $100 laser cut key for a $100 car.
Have seen the worst of people during this search. Rolled back odometers are way too common on Toyotas around here, but I saw two Civics rolled back over 10% over years old mileages...
As a final nail in this coffin. The person selling the Ford Focus contacted me. My diagnosis of the shake (I thought caused to be a torque converter) turned out to be a torque converter. $6,000 job. The seller stated he was glad he did not sell it to me. Of course, it was a poopfest when I saw it.