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Is this a good deal?? (detailed advice appreciated)
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cargoman
New User
Apr 7, 2008, 3:32 PM
Post #1 of 3
(1428 views)
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Is this a good deal?? (detailed advice appreciated)
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Hi,
I am thinking of buying a really cheap van to get me through the summer. I need to do labour work and need a van.
A guy is offering me $1000 for a 1996 Ford Windstar GL with only 175 000km. It is the 3.0 engine (Uncertified, no emmision test)
The only problem with the car is that the AC does not work, back breaks need to be fixed and there is a whole in the muffler.
he said he will fix all of this except the AC for 1000. Or i can go to my mechanic and fix them and i would have to pay 750 for the car.
ALso, he is letting me keep his remote starter and cd deck.
I took the van for a spin, and it was an ok ride but for a 1996 van my expectations weren't that high.
The body is fine, with a dent here and there. Overall the exterior and interior looks great.
Now i did alot of research and found out that ford windstars epecially between the years of 1995-1998 break down really easily. The head gaskets blow and the transmission is garbage. I don't want to drive it for a month then spend about 1200 on a new transmission.
I told the guy that, and he said he will give me a 3 month guarantee. If there is any problems i can return it and get my money back.
Now this other guy has a 1995 GMC cargo van. Big engine i think 3.8 v8 something like that. It has rust, but i can easily hide that. The interior looks worn out. but i can sacrafice looks in the inside. It is a big cargo van with 300 000km on it. I heard these things can reach 600 000km and more.
I would have to buy new tires for them which is pretty expensive, and it is not certified or emisiion tested.
He was originally offering this for $800. He dropped the price down for me for $500.
In the end, im probably going to spend about 1500 after fixing which ever car i pick. After emmisions, certification and all the small little things.
Now my question is. Which is the best buy???
Thanks for your time.
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dave284
Enthusiast
/ Moderator
Apr 7, 2008, 4:54 PM
Post #2 of 3
(1422 views)
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Re: Is this a good deal?? (detailed advice appreciated)
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Well...everybody has got their own opions,....I'm thinking the GMC ....... people need work vans more than plain transportation and with comparing it to a windstar,I know the problems they have had....my opion between the two would be the GMC, But a word of advice....I'd would look some more....these vehicles have some high mileage and is very questionable on their reliability
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brbettge
User
Apr 9, 2008, 7:45 AM
Post #3 of 3
(1410 views)
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Re: Is this a good deal?? (detailed advice appreciated)
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both are priced right. the windstar is a fairly good van and the 3.0l engine is the best ford made. the head gaskets have no problems on this engine. the bad engine was the 3.8l...those head gaskets blew regular and are very difficult to change. 3.0 head gaskets are much easier and rarely blow. as for the transmission. pull the dipstick and observe the fluid. does it look brown? if so it should also smell burned. if this is the case, flip a coin as to when it will fail. if not the case you can extend the life of the trans by taking the truck to somewhere that does a TOTAL trans fluid change (sometimes called a trans-tech service) it's where they hook up a machine to the lines at the radiator(cooling lines for the trans) and run the vehicle which forces all the old fluid out and new fluid in. As for the gmc cargo van, i would think that it would be ok too. there was no 3.8l engine in those vans. they used a 4.3l engine which is pretty much bullet proof for around 500k miles otherr than the usual oil leaks and such. it may have a V8 which would either be a 5.0 or a 5.7l engine - a 305 or 350 respectively. if the van had semi regular service it should be ok. the trans on these vans were most usually the 700R4 which is a 4 spd overdrive trans. they were good trannys unless abused. same checks here as with the ford for trans problems. people tend to neglect trans service because no one ever tells them it is needed every 30k miles. with the mileage on the gmc i would guess that it has either had fair service or recent extensive repairs. good luck
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