first car for my nephew. i have a few questions.....?

Question

he cant get much. probably some beat up car like a 67 mustang.

all he needs is for it to run and be RELIABLE.

so what would he need to replace to make it reliable?? just basic stuff. and how much will it cost him?

he also wont hotrod it or anything

Answer 1

Well, as long as it is reliable mechanically, you'll be fine.

Just do this:

1) Oil change
2) Radiator flush and refill with coolant
3) Replace distributor cap, points (OR convert to electronic ignition), spark plugs, and wires
4) Replace the brakes and/or shoes/pads
5) Bleed and replace brake fluid if necessary.
6) Have someone check the front and rear suspension for wear
7) Good tires all around

Finally, if you can, have someone weld a light steel plate into the front part of the trunk. Older Mustangs had a problem with the "Pinto" syndrome as a hit in the rear that ruptured the fuel tank would let gas come DIRECTLY IN to the rear passenger compartment.

Hope that helps!!!

Answer 2

Have you or your Nephew considered buying a Classic VW Beetle.
They are very reliable cars if maintained well, and are relatively cheap to run and maintain.


Anyway, I will list a few things you should keep in mind and look for, when buying any used car:

1) Buy either from a reputed used car dealer, or a person you feel is being honest. Ask him/her a few questions about the car, and judge him/her on the answers.

2) Check all maintenance and Service records, bills etc..., and make sure the car has been maintained well, and Serviced regularly.

3) Check the body for deformations (which may indicate that the car has been in a bad accident), rust and corrosion.

4) Check tyres for wastage and irregular wear patterns.

5) Check Brakes - Very Important.

6) Get a Mechanic or a friend who is conversant in the mechanics of a car, to check the engine out.
Start the engine and listen for any unusual noises, vibrations etc...

7) Check lights, wipers, horn, air-conditioner/heater, radio/cassette/CD, power windows/mirrors/door locks etc... (if so equipped) and any other electronic options, to ensure that they are in working order.

8) Check seats, seat belts, and the general condition of the interior.

9) Make sure that the car has been Licenced and Insured for the current year.

10) Negotiate the price in keeping with the overall condition of the car.

Buy a car that is cheap and easy to run and maintain.

Do not allow your Nephew to go alone. Either you or another adult (preferably someone who is knowledgeable about cars) should join him, and get their opinion as well.

I hope the above will assist you, even in a small way.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Good luck finding a cheap running 67 Mustang! I have been looking for one for years!

Go for something with 4 cylinders and 4 doors, it will be better on gas, insurance and maintenance.

Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Chevy Cobalt
Dodge Neon
Toyota Corolla

Those are some good choices.

As for what he needs to check - see how many records the previous owners kept on repairs and oil changes, etc. That will let you know where to start.

If you have spotty or missing records, start with the basics:

Change:
All the spark plugs
Oil and oil filter
Fuel Filter
Air Filter
Flush/drain the radiator and refill
Flush/drain the transmission fluid and refill
Flush the brake fluid and refill

Those are the basics, and can be done at home for cheap. (everything above should cost less than $100, even if you have to buy the tools)

You might want to get a mechanic or dealer to look at or fix:

Timing belt wear
Brake pads/rotors
Oddly worn tires
Safety equipment (seat belts and air bags)
Electrical problems

Good luck, have fun!

Answer 4

I wouldn't look for a 67 Mustang. Too old, more likely to be driven hard.

Look for something a little newer. If he likes Mustangs there may be some more recent models available at reasonable prices. Assuming he wants a domestic vehicle, look for a vehicle as old as perhaps a 1990 Chrysler standard sedan. Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler are all fairly reliable vehicles. You could even go back to 1980 in these types.

GM also built some pretty good sedans and two door coupes around that time. Pick a price range and see what you can find.

Plan on buying tires, and changing all fluids. You need to look for signs of excessive front end wear, bad shocks, excessive oil consumption and leaks.