Hi scotty and fellow members,
While I already own an 02 infiniti, I don't have the time to drive it cross country when I fly back to colorado and am looking to buy a second car to use as my main driver where I live at high elevation among twisty roads and highways. I am looking at three options with a private party purchase - first is an $1800 2002 ford taurus with 255k miles, but appears unusually well maintained cosmetically (have not test drove it yet or gave it the scan tool treatment), second is a $4200 1988 F150 Lariat XLT automatic with 132k miles 2wd also cosmetically nice shape, and lastly I am looking at a $2000 1990 buick hearse with 32k miles, mechanically maintained but cosmetically seen better days. Any advice on which is the better option for somebody who only cares about the mechanical and safety aspects of their car? Anything to look out for as possible issues when test driving them? Specifically with the hearse, any pluses or minuses related to this specialized type of vehicle that you wouldn't normally consider?
{black}:starryeyes:
Despite it being old as dirt, I'd go F-150 out of those. That Taurus is done at that mileage and I don't touch hearses at any price, miles, anything, ever.
Thanks for the response! Anything you would keep an eye out for when taking a look at/ test driving the F-150? Also, just for clarity as I couldn't quite tell from your message, is the advice to avoid the hearses a personal preference, or because they are notorious for problems?
It’s best you got such an old vehicle checked out by a professional mechanic, rather than doing the final inspection yourself.
A mechanic inspection would DEFINITELY be mandatory on a vehicle of that age. Just too many issues that could be present.
Sorry, just to clarify, I meant in terms of a first line of defense - ie if you see this when you show up to look at it/ test drive it, don't bother taking it to get checked out by your mechanic . 🙂
I would check the tire condition, brakes, HVAC, oil, compression....to be honest, in my case, it would require a mechanic inspection. I wouldn't even bother checking it over because literally anything could be wrong with it.