[johntaurus]

Power windows, locks, etc. Said "67494" but I think it was 167K. Car was missing rear bumper, power steering made wierd noises, smoked after it ran (from the engine, valve cover gaskets were virtually gone, oil was leaking down on the exhaust manif), had mis-match tires, and the car would not reach normal opperating temp no matter how long it ran. The heater worked though, so it had coolant in it. I dont get it. I offered them (Hyundai-Suzuki dealer) $500 for it but they said they wanted $995.

It drove ok, made a clicking noise when turning (didnt sound like CVs, more like tie rods very loose). It made me want a Taurus with this engine in this body style but I'm sorry, its not worth $1K for crying out loud. He said they paid $800 for it when it was traded in but even if thats true, they over paid, so why should I? If I were them, I'd cut my losses and get that thing off the back lot. It needs at least $1K to be in good condition, around $500 worth of work just to be decent.

There is a 1993 SHO advertised for $1,000- says it runs great. Now that sounds awsome but you've got to think: Why is it only $1K when every other comperable Taurus is selling for $3500+? Its green with black leather. I've e-mailed the guy a few times but no responce yet.

I'm also checking into two 1991 Honda Accords, a 1992 Ford Aerostar, and a few others. I bid on a 1996 Buick Skylark on Ebay but evedently it sold locally so they canceled my bid. It was in cherry condition with only 65,000 miles.

 

[johntaurus]

I got an e-mail saying "the 1992 Taurus is sold" and the SHO is no longer on the website (I can only assume it was from the SHO guy). The ad said it was a 1993 but thats all I can figure. I e-mailed every Taurus owner on there whos car was a 1992+, ran and drove, and was under $1500.

One Accord guy called back, it was sold but I found another one for $1600. Its a 1991, EX (which, in case you dont know Honda trim levels, is the highest level and includes power roof, windows, luxury interior, alloys, etc, etc). 4-door, auto, tan with grey cloth. The guy said it may need CV joints soon, one boot is torn but it isnt making the notorious clicking noise. I'll see about that for myself. He says the engine was replaced at 140K miles, and the car has just over 200K on it now. I figured I'd drive it and offer him a grand. If he takes it, so be it, the car is worth at least $2500-$3500 in WA where I'm taking it to. Thats plenty of money to fix my 1988, have it painted, 96 GL wheels (alloys, I love those on the older style Taurus), etc and money left over to re-up on another reseller car.

I also talked to an owner of a 1996 Saturn SL1. I dont like Saturns, but the price is right and its a fairly new model. Its a 5-speed, no options (outside cassette player, if that wasnt standard), says it runs/drives great. She said they just got the tires and brakes done and were going to give the car to their son but he bought a newer Hyundai himself so now they're stuck with it. I dont know, its located in close proximity to the Accord so I may test drive them both tomarow afternoon.

I am awaiting a return phone call from the owners of the following cars:
1992 Taurus - $1150
1998 Grand AM - $1500 (?!)
1995 Ranger- $799
1996 Corsica- $1150

I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[johntaurus]

I just placed a bid on a Ford Taurus on Ebay. So far, I'm the winning bidder but there is three days left before the auction is over.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...7&category=6238

 

[johntaurus]

Read that again man, I refused to buy the car, I only test drove it. I didnt get ripped off, they did when they paid $800 for that wore out Taurus.


I placed a bid on a similar Taurus on Ebay (in MUCH better condition, with 10,000 less miles, a cleaner interior, no missing/damaged body parts, etc.

 

[johntaurus]

I dont know. I called the number for the Ranger three times now, left one message. No returned phone calls.

I am only considoring the Corsica and Grand AM because of their attractive price. The Grand AM is pretty damn new for $1500 but alas, they havnt returned my calls either. The Corisca has the 4 cyl (which I've found to be pretty reliable) and only 96,000 miles. Of course, they havnt called back!

I know my phone is working because I was called back by the Taurus' owner. He doesnt seem to know much about the car. He doesnt know if its a L, GL or LX. He says its "just a 4-door". By that, I'd assume its an L but he says it had power windows, door locks, mirrors, and cruise control. Those options might have been avalable on L but its more likely a GL.

I went down and test drove a 1991 Honda Accord EX today after discovering that I lost the bid on the Taurus on Ebay. The Accord needed a fair amount of work (all of which I can do myself) mechanicly but I got it to run (as in, it didnt run when I got there). I could have kicked my own a$$. I should have offered him $400 for it non-running, and then made it run and drove it away. After I got it to run and test drove it, I offered him $800 for it but he wouldnt budge below $1100. The paint was really faded, the odometer read 256,550 miles, one fender was crunched, a tail light lense was cracked, a marker lamp was broken, the drivers interior door handel was un hooked, and so forth. $800 was a fair price, he'll be pissed in a few weeks when its still sitting in his driveway because no one will pay $1100 for it.

EDIT: I just bid on another T/S on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...1&category=6343

 

[johntaurus]

Well either way, I'd love to have it, but the reseve is much higher than what I could have spent on the car.

I guess I'm going to have to keep searching.