What to look for?

Wed Aug 21, 2013 1:12 pm

Going to look at a 2005 ZX4 for my son tonight. Anything that I should look for that would be a red flag? They say the title is clean, but I will check the crumple zones for damage, the price seems to be pretty good too.

Wed Aug 21, 2013 2:19 pm

Leaky clutch master if it's a manual, fire up all the electrical stuff including flashers and see if the gauges flicker which indicates a weak alternator.

The Duratec cars are pretty solid, like most Foci.

Wed Aug 21, 2013 8:51 pm

Well, we picked it up. It has 141k on it and needs some TLC. It looks to have been in a fender bender at one point, but I checked all the sheet metal and it looked clean as well as the crumple zone up front. It is dirty though, like Roman would be freaking out dirty. I got it for $2500. It is an auto, but doesn't have A/C, cruise or electric windows. I drove it home about 40 miles and it needs the exhaust shield put back in place and some brake work. I think it will run a while.

focinite · Thu Aug 22, 2013 12:58 am

Louis Zerr wrote:Well, we picked it up. It has 141k on it and needs some TLC. It looks to have been in a fender bender at one point, but I checked all the sheet metal and it looked clean as well as the crumple zone up front. It is dirty though, like Roman would be freaking out dirty. I got it for $2500. It is an auto, but doesn't have A/C, cruise or electric windows. I drove it home about 40 miles and it needs the exhaust shield put back in place and some brake work. I think it will run a while.

Should buy mine. Perfect for a young man. Mine is 100% mechanicly sound, get it and drive. Its also clean and the a/c blows cold and the cruise works. And the stereo will drown out any other concerns

Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:09 am

focinite- If he could drive a stick and was willing to learn your car would have been sold a long time ago. He is not willing to learn though.

Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:43 am

Mine aren't geting a choice, they'll learn to drive a stick or they won't get a license until they move out.

My son has driven several manuals a fair bit but has only driven an automatic across the yard.

FocusMech.73155 · Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:47 am

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:Mine aren't geting a choice, they'll learn to drive a stick or they won't get a license until they move out.

My son has driven several manuals a fair bit but has only driven an automatic across the yard.

Funny. I learned to drive a stick in a 1966 jaguar e-type (when I was 14). Took my driver's test in a 1990 bmw 535i (stick). I had my license for 3 years before I ever drove an automatic

Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:50 am

FocusMech.73155 wrote: Funny. I learned to drive a stick in a 1966 jaguar e-type (when I was 14). Took my driver's test in a 1990 bmw 535i (stick). I had my license for 3 years before I ever drove an automatic

Kind of bizarre, I learned in my dads '64 Austin Healey 3000 and took my test in his Audi 3000 (pretty sure it was a 3000) with a four speed, that car NEEDED a fifth gear.

Macky21 · Fri Aug 23, 2013 9:49 am

I learned by watching my Dad drive a manual for many years then officially learned in a 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Turbo, then had my auto Jeep, then SVT and now ST

Redlineracer12 · Sat Aug 24, 2013 7:34 pm

Louis Zerr wrote:He is not willing to learn though.

focinite · Sat Aug 24, 2013 9:14 pm

Louis Zerr wrote:focinite- If he could drive a stick and was willing to learn your car would have been sold a long time ago. He is not willing to learn though.

my wife refuses to learn as well, she says there is too much going on and she cant figure out which gear to have it in... i say we all had that at first, just get in and drive, who cares if you smoke a clutch... then you get to learn how to replace a clutch

we ll that inhales with great force.

endblockclip8 · Sun Aug 25, 2013 8:27 pm

Learned to drive on a 69 ford bronco with a 3 on the tree.

Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:53 pm

Anyone know of a proper fitting steering wheel cover for these cars? Ugh, smokers car.

FocusMech.73155 · Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:09 pm

Louis Zerr wrote:Anyone know of a proper fitting steering wheel cover for these cars? Ugh, smokers car.

You could probably get a used steering wheel from a junk yard for about the same price as a cover. Then you wouldn't have to deal with having a cover on it.......or you could go with a MOMO wheel with quick disconnect.......should add about 200hp at the wheels

focinite · Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:38 pm

Louis Zerr wrote:Anyone know of a proper fitting steering wheel cover for these cars? Ugh, smokers car.

i got one...four grand and you can have the car it comes with.....