Need car advice (sell, fix, drive off cliff)?

Question

Heres the story of an idiot and car...

I needed to buy a car asap and for cheap. Through a friend I found a 92 probe (130,000 miles) and bought it for 650 after a friend of mine (who i THOUGHT knew about cars said it wasn't a bad deal)

Within days of driving it I find that it needs a new fuel filter (fix about 400-450) and it needs 4 new tires. That is all i KNOW that is wrong with it. Right now it sits in my apartment parking lot needing that work plus an oil change. I am very broke right now and won't have the money to fix it for awhile.

Should I
a. try to sell it for ANY amount as is
b. fix it, its a good car in the end and worth it
c. donate it and learn my lesson
d. some other option I don't know about

If your answer is get rid of it can you offer any advice on someone with little money and NO car knowledge buying a used car (even a good place to look for one).

Thanks

in my quest for knowledge and a BS degree I sadly forgot to learn about cars...

FUEL PUMP...not fuel filter!!!

...sigh...

Answer 1

These days if you only paid 650 for the car and it runs at all is a good deal. A fuel filter is not that expensive and I am sure you could go to a salvage yard and get 4 tires for that car for about 25 each. There are also used tire places listed in the yellow pages of most any local area. They buy tires off late model wrecks. We do that all the time if a client takes out a tire on a curb or something and the other tires are not new. The fuel filter for parts and labor should cost under 125. The tires with mounting and balance should be 150 or so. The Ford probe is a decent car. It is a mazda with a different body. In todays market the 2 doors, the hood and the hatch on that car are worth more then what you paid for the entire car. Keep it fix it. you know what you have and it sounds like you can't afford much more anyway. What ever you buy in thrat price range will need something. I saw an ad the other day for a 1992 taurus that needs a transmission and brakes and they wanted 1100 for it.. The biggest question is what would you buy if you did sell it. The car is worth between 700-1800 depending on condition of the body. 130K is low mileage for a 1992 car. The car should have on it almost 300,000. Heck we have 2 year old cars with that mileage

Answer 2

The fuel filer is rather cheap, its less than $20 for most cars. Tires are a little pricey depending on what kind you get. The price for each tire can run you anywhere from $50 up to $100 a tire. Also, with 130k miles on it, I couldn't tell you what else was wrong with it. For example, do you know when the timing chain/belt was last changed. Or when the transmission filter was changed or even the radiator has ever been flushed out at all. Without a detailed maintenance history, this car could be more trouble than its worth. But what do I know, I only play with cars for fun.

Answer 3

400 for a fuel filter???? First think you should do is get the mechanic off your backside, because he is trying to screw you big time for that price!!!! Do yourself a favor, go to autozone and buy a filter ($10) a hanyes manual, ($15.95) and put the fuel filter on. While you are there. get the $12 oil change special and change the oil. Then, drive the car to the used tire store, and spend $20 on the worst tire replacement. The next time you have $20, go to the tire store, until all for tires are decent.

Answer 4

you got a BS degree...ha.....for 650 what do u want? shop around for the filter and why do u think it needs it..iv worked on 100s of cars and almost NEVER have to put on a fuel filter...usually a tune up and some injector does the trick.if u like car put 1000 into it..after having GOOD mechanic check brakes ,suspension and other things.

Answer 5

Fuel filters don't cost $500 installed, so I presume you mean fuel pump, which is in the tank.

Four tires may not be too bad, you could go to one of those used tire places all over, and get four put on pretty cheap. They may be mismatched in looks, but will get you through inspection...

The fuel pump may be the tough one for you, but you say it's nice otherwise...try to keep it if you can get it driveable...it may just be reliable with some care...

Answer 6

You need a competent mechanic to look at the car and tell you what else is wrong with it. It's impossible for someone to do that over the net.

Go to the cartalk website below, and enter your zip code. This will list shops in your area that have been recommended by listeners. Tell them your story, and ask them to evaluate the car and let you know what it needs to run and be safe, and what needs fixing sometime, but not now.

Answer 7

Cars rarely NEED a new fuel filter. In 5 years in the repair industry and thousands of cars serviced I've never seen a filter that was so bad the car was undrivable or even had particularly bad symptoms.

The tires I can believe. Not being able to see the car I can't say how bad they are but keep in mind, any car bought for less than $1,000 is probably going to need at least a G in work to get it really working right.

Answer 8

Hey Guy!!!!!!!is the best car, for practicing mechanics.

pay a visit to auto zone store,talk to the guys there,the fricking car may not be broken at all.( You don't know)

by the service book,chilton or haynes.
look for a friend ,whom is already walking in the mechanic field.,to get Your first steps.
cheers man!!!with the money You pay for that car You can brake out and reattach the parts, and only You will know the difference,

MAKE IT RUN!!!!! that sucker!!

why ? because of Your bbbbbbbllllllllllllllllll

life is a challenge,grab Your balls and beat the task!!!

someone say is a lemon?
make a pink lemonade out of that sucker!!! (the car)

after You get Your BS degree,You gonna laugh about how You also beat(repair) the fricking car,and You gonna use that experience in Your field of work.

any question? Yahoo answers.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, when you buy a used car, you can expect to spend some money. The person that previously owned the car probably put off repairs in anticipation of selling the car. Average cost of repairs in the first year of ownership of a used car can range from $500 to $1000.00. Sorry!!

Answer 10

if someone told you 400-450 dollars for a fuel filter they are trying to screw you over . they are less than 10 bucks and easy to change.