Going to look at a car tomorrow...

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Actually, going to look at 2 cars..a 94 cavalier wagon, and a 95 ford escort wagon..don't know the particulars on the Cav, but been researching the escort for a while, have seen quite a few, but always walked away..I don't mind paying a FAIR price, but I a, not going to pay DOUBLE then what it is worth.

So, wondered if any one here has a ford wagon, and if you'd buy another...I had an 84 wagon Caviler and LOVED it!!! the escort is the closest thing I have found in comparison...

thanks, I am going to cross post, and check this thread, before I leave tomorrow.

Oh, they are asking 4495 for the ford..Blue book is 3600-4700 depending on varibles.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Answers

Ford ...baaa humbug .......Found On Road Dead !

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Why don't you save up some more money and get a used Honda or Civic?

I ran an Escort (hatchback) to 170K before the repairs cost 2x what the car was worth. But it needed "tinkering" every other week. I hated driving that car because I never knew whether I'd be able to get where I was going or would be stranded somewhere.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001


SAR, I believe the trick is to find out how the older models do, not how happy people might be with the newer models.

I was fortunate for many years to have a trusted garage which fixed up cars for resale. I knew there wouldn't be much in the way of lurking problems for which I'd have to pour out more money. When that shop closed up it was one of my incentives to go for a new car.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001


SAR, have you checked the Frequency of Repair section in the December Consumer Reports? Maybe it's the January one. Anyway, they have a paperback book instead of the magazine format and it contains all the previous year's reports. There's a section on used cars--I can look up last year's if you like. (I mean last year's issue--the FoR records go back over ten years worth of models.) Lemme know, send me an e-mail!

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Sure, Git, will send you email...

I didn't go..it is snowing and icy, talked to Dan, the rds were bad this morning, and not any better now. I do not drive my OWN car in this weather unless it is an emergency..so I called the guy, and waiting for his return call to tell him I won't come today....(I hate that he is waiting, so I called and left a message, and waiting for his call.

the Cav is not in the runnng...I called, Sheeze...94, 78000 miles, and they want 7,000.0000

NOT from me they don't!

Anyway I go to Edmunds.com and I have read all 260 messages on the 95 escort wagons. over all, they are good little cars, but it seems 60,000 is the point they do have problems. So I'd like to see more on what Git has. I have been looking at subaru (sp) wagons, but they are few and very far in between to find. and I have seen NO civic wagons in the last yr that were for sale.

I have watched the horizontal snow all day, and the temp has not hit 20 all day....naw...think I would be better to wait for a better day.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001



SAR,

Why don't you put some free ads around? Post in the laundries, library, around campus (married student housing if it exists). There might be the right car sitting in someone's garage, and someone might be interested in your vehicle.

I still recommend waiting until you have more money and getting a decent used vehicle. You're in an area where you really can't afford to be stranded on those isolated, rural roads. Also, if you'll expand your search to the larger communities, you'll find more used cars and more of a chance getting what you want. Lots of people are going to be laid off in January/Feb/Mar and I'll bet the used car market in Cleveland will be a HUGE buyer's market.

A small, used pick-up (esp. Toyota) would be better than most wagons, mechanically, and you can put a hitch on it and rent trailers for when you have to start hauling out your father's house and moving stuff around. You can help finance it by selling stuff from your "stash." (;

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001


As of CR's last year's data:

95 Ford Escort - worse than average problems with brakes, most everything else about average.

94 Cavalier - Don't do it! Far worse than average problems with cooling, ignition, brakes, integrity (aren't we all?); worse than average re electrical, A/C, hardware. Most everything else average, except bit better than average for transmission, fuel and exhaust.

I'm with Brooks, we're on our third Honda Accord. Love Hondas! The Hungarian drives a 10-year old Volvo wagon which seems to be very reliable. Plus it has heated seats--a major selling point for your part of the country, lol!

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001


I bought my Accord new in '92 (it was one of eight "fleet cars" that a company didn't end up buying, so I got a very good deal -- paid cash.)

I have 143K miles on it and plan to put at least another 100K.

That depends, of course, what I see on sale -- I'll be following the advice I gave SAR. Lots of yuppies are going to be laid off in the next couple of months. If I see last year's special edition Accord offered privately, I'll check it out. A friend got a Lexis from a laid-off Lucent manager that way.

Of course, it helps to have a lot of cash saved up. (:

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001


*****************BRAINSTORM!!!!!!!!!!!*****************

Just have the little ol' Amish harness maker fashion some kitty-sized harnesses. Have Dan build a sleigh, and you're all set! In the summer, you can put rollerskate wheels on the runners.

To entice the cats to run, you can dangle a catnip toy in front of them on a fishing pole.

Would that I could draw. What a picture! Mush! Mush! Or is it Fresh Goolies, Kitties. Fresh goolies. . . . . .

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001


ROTFLMAO about the kitty sled!!!! oh what a picture that conjures!!!!

well didn't go look at the car, but still might go look. Been looking for neigh on 3 yrs...I don't like to part with my money...but I sure miss my wagon. See I am a chevy "fan"..the where I sold my wagon, (snifff) I picked up this one owner ford tempo from a guy that worked at Ford...this is my first ford. and KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on wood, I have had it 6 yrs....and only put in a heater coil, and a speedometer cable clip. bought it with 114,000 now it has 126,000. no leaks no drips, hate to say it, but it's been a damn good car for me....has always started, even at 15 below.

it is an 88 tempo...Dan bought an 89 tempo lx since I had such good luck with mine...ah-hem...what a piece of Sh*t...he was always putting something in it, or going throu batteries, and I know he put in 3 power window units..... so I think it is how the car is driven, and the milage, ect.

Meemer, eventially, we will have my dad's chevy s-10 96 with only 30,000 but it's a 5 speed, so it's dan's. of course The van comes to me, too, just haven't made up my mind if that is something I want....and haven't a clue how long probate will take.

I can be very patient..I have been looking for a wagon since 98. Must go out to the barn..brrr..have to break up ice for the night.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001



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