there is a car i'm thinking about buying it's a 1996 dodge stratus selling for $800 obo the owner says it needs struts a wheel bearing and linkage .... basically i'm looking for a cheap car to bring me from point a to b for a couple months. i don't mind putting money into the car in the long run because the car does look decent. but my question is it worth it and how much do u think it would run me. and is it something i need to fix asap when i get the car?
2007-04-05 13:20:36 · 14 answers · asked by lolanbugs87 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
I've been in the auto business since I turned 18 Im 28 now and I'm a auto wholesaler now. don't buy the car it is a piece of junk and it is not a $800 car. thats just what the owner wants. you will end up paying at least another $2000fixing it within 2 months.
take this advice if your buying a cheap car buy foreign. not american. you will be glad you did.
2007-04-05 15:21:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wheel bearings are a potential show stopper, so I'd definitely get them replaced. That shouldn't cost much, maybe $40 for the parts, plus whatever the mechanic gets for an hour or two of labor. Struts - do a parts search online. Linkage - I don't know what that means. Could be transmission linkage, which shouldn't cost much if you can find used parts in a wrecking yard.
As someone else said, have the car checked out by a mechanic before you buy. That might cost $200 for a good going over but he should give you a report that could save you a lot more than that if it needs something big like an engine or a transmission replaced.
2007-04-05 13:33:17 · answer #2 · answered by James M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buying a car in your budget range is a longshot getting value going from A to B, but it happens every day somewhere.
The key is going to be you doing a little homework and not wasting your bucks, for starters go to this webpage http://www.usedcartips.org/TESTDRI.html , I dont expect you to become an expert overnight, but you will pick up a few pointers , from there should you still want the vehicle, make deal subject to an independant inspection by a mechanic.
The mechanic will tell you what has to be fixed right away or what has to be fixed down the road....You can then decide if total investment is worth the bucks.
After the test drive and mechanical inspection its time for you to take on the seller for size, offer $ 500. and walk away, if he lets you walk you can always come back and try $ 600.
Another angle...if mechanic says $ 300. to fix car, then deduct that amount from asking price.
The vehicle has got a wholesale value of no more than $ 100. good luck.
2007-04-05 22:07:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One thing I do recommend my friends to do is first is to check on the radiator, any oil leaks, alternator, motor oil and the motor it self. The struts and wheel bearing and linkage yes are important but not as important as the the other stuff i mention. What good is it if you change all of those them the car's radiator or(alternator, oil leak, motor oil, or motor) breakdown and you just replaced all the struts and what not's then pretty much you got a car thats sittin in you garage doing nothing, so again take someone with you to actaully see the motor and the other things I mention to you. Trust Me on this one.
2007-04-05 13:27:57 · answer #4 · answered by s_a_m_7@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for all four things you are looking at 1000 to 1200 a strut for that car is going to be like 350 too 400 dollars
2007-04-05 13:29:03 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the wheel bearing needs to be fixed now, the struts can be left go as long as your not doing any curvey road racing and linkage I have no idea what linkage your talking about.
2007-04-05 13:27:26 · answer #6 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
must be starter.. ought to your gas gauge possibly be broken and you do no longer know? Are you specific there is gas in there? yet another excuse... the timing must be off, yet you will possibly nonetheless get an engine turn over with that. you won't be getting any spark... or no longer sufficient spark. I had this concern recently with my yukon... possibly examine into the engine cylinders too, i think of thats what replaced into incorrect with mine. I had a cracked cylinder. It replaced into the comparable subject to, no turn over, basically a click.. had to tow the dang subject. lol. could no longer bounce it or no longer something.. i'm no longer thoroughly loaded with motor vehicle awareness, Dianne, yet i replaced into raised by ability of mechanics and married to a kinfolk of 'em. i've got additionally had this actual concern quite a few circumstances with my darn yukon. wish this facilitates you.
2016-11-26 21:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you buy the car fix it right away, it should cost 500 or less to fix and the car is worth more than what they are asking plus the repair, not fixing it could leave you stranded with a towing bill
2007-04-05 13:26:47 · answer #8 · answered by Russ S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
uhh dont buy it if the strut and wheel barring are already going out at that age it is going to caust more down the road keep looking
2007-04-05 13:27:03 · answer #9 · answered by john M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably $500-$1000. I'd pass and find a late 80s or early 90s Honda Accord/Civic/Acura Integra in good condition.
2007-04-05 13:25:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋