[jacobsmom99]

Hi I have a opportunity to buy another 1996 Escort it is white 94,000 miles with a new motor with 40,000 miles runs good a few squeaks and such.Interior is really good tires are like new wheels are not peeling at all it is an LX with aluminum wheels and the spoiler.Rear fenders are starting to rust a little would need very little or no body putty to fix fenders.The guy was asking 2,450 but said he would go to 2,000 I got from KBB 1,385 good condition or 2,185 in Excellent condition from a certified dealer.I don't have any idea what this car is worth it does need some body work but has an engine with 40,000 miles any ideas??Is 2,000 reasonable?? Thanks Mary

 

[FordMan59]

I'm not sure how the second generation Escorts are selling, but $2000. sounds a bit high to me. I bought an '88 Escort GL back in the summer that had 78K actual miles on it with a new set of tires, near perfect body and interior for $800. and an '02 Escort SE about 2 years ago with 79K miles and the only body damage was a small dent where the guys father accidentally backed into it for $2000. I was able to pull out most of the dent myself using a Ding King.

 

[juggalo]

i've seen some 2nd gen's being sold for under $500 due to a lot of them having problems such as dropping valve seats(unless it's the GT model and 94-96 LX r more common to do so), bad ignition switches, fuel pump failure, starter solenoids, ect.

 

[denisond3]

I would worry more about the condition of the transmission (if its automatic), since that could go bad by 130,000-150,000 miles. If its got rust AnyWhere visible, you might want to look under it at the brake lines running to the rear axle. If you see rust on them - I would offer him about $1200, and spend the money you save getting the brake lines replaced. Also, ANY rust on the undercarriage (and its likely there will be some on the rear suspension components) is a valid reason to argue the price down.
If the seller really believe his car is worth $2000, its not likely he would agree to drop much though. He would look for a more receptive buyer instead.
My viewpoint is that a seller typically has about zero knowledge of what is really wrong with her/her car.
I bought an Escort that needed the transmission' to be rebuilt, and the engine block and head to get machine shop work, and two weeks worth of other corrective fixing -- but the seller probably honestly believed 'it might need a seal for the transmission'.

"Denial is not just a river in Egypt".

 

[ronmallison]

In MY opinion Mary, this is a call strictly on you. Offer $1500.00, see if he wants to "split the difference" for $1750, maybe less, something to that effect. It does seem a tad high, but then again, around here, you buy a car for 2K, you can't expect perfection. 2K doesn't go like it used to.

As others have mentioned, check things. Ask him if you can take it to a garage for inspection. pull wheels, check brakes, ect.

You will get several people tell you "great deal" and you will have others who will say " you got ripped off! " Either way, if you like the car, and you are happy with it, it's not our money. If you pay 1K, or 50K for a car, as long as YOU feel satisfied, that's the important thing.

If he is not willing to let you take it in to be checked out, then I would look elsewhere. Ask for proof of this 40K engine as well. Why did it need replaced? Where and what did the other come out of? Why?

what has his maintenance been? was he original owner? does he know the original?

ask a lot of questions, and good luck!

 

[zzyzzx]

I would want more info on the "new motor" in order to more appripriatly evaluate the car. If it's a Jasper rebuit engine, then it's definately worth what they are asking for. If it's a used engine from a junkyard that's likely to drop a valve seat, then i's maybe only worth $1000.

 

[jacobsmom99]

it is a used engine from a salvage yard I would guess where else would a used engine come from??It is spotless though wish my engine looked like that!!He said it has 40,000 miles on the engine.I was just told the old engine was bad that is it.How do you guys have so many problems with your Escorts I have had mine for 8 years replaced brakes,struts,timing belt water pump and headgasket that's it no other problems in almost 9 years best car I ever had and I had 2 other Escorts that never caused a day of trouble my 96 left me sitting once when the timing belt broke and I was a few blocks from home after driving it all day!!I never heard of them dropping a valve seat or having tranny trouble till I came on here just blowing up the motors from driving them with a bad headgasket!!

 

[Dave94LX]

i've seen some 2nd gen's being sold for under $500 due to a lot of them having problems such as dropping valve seats(unless it's the GT model and 94-96 LX r more common to do so)

yet again, WRONG. 94-96 CVH engines are NOT more prone to drop a valve seat than a 91-93(or 97-02 for that matter). I am not sure where you have gotten this information, but you have posted this all over this message board the past few days, and it is totally inaccurate.

 

[jacobsmom99]

Thanks I know I haven't had any trouble with mine my motor and tranny just turned 90,000 they are factory I never heard of them dropping a valve seat what is going on with these poor little cars are you torturing them or what mine is my baby I would have a stroke if something major happened to it I didn't like even having body work done to it.I don't even know what a valve seat is but mine better keep all of it's valve seats where they are!!I hate a garage to touch it knowing someone mean could torture it and drive it freaks me out!!I know it is a car but how many normal people do you know that keep a car for 8 1/2 years and counting???

 

[denisond3]

Probably 99% of Escort owners never have had a valve seat problem, and just ran the car till it was rusty, faded, and needed more work than they wanted to bother with.
I have only had problems with my Escorts because I got each of them in non-running condition. One was free, the other two cost $550 and $400; all three still a lot of fun to drive. Also I -expect- stuff to wear out on cars over 16 years old.

As for keeping vehicles a long time: I have had my BMW motorcycle since I got it new in 1968, all of my antique cars for over 30 years, my motorhome for 19 years. Its easy for someone who does his own repairs.

I might give my Escorts to my grandsons when they get a driver's license. (The oldest one is now 6). ...assuming they stop messing with my Tools!

 

[juggalo]

i've seen some 2nd gen's being sold for under $500 due to a lot of them having problems such as dropping valve seats(unless it's the GT model and 94-96 LX r more common to do so)

yet again, WRONG. 94-96 CVH engines are NOT more prone to drop a valve seat than a 91-93(or 97-02 for that matter). I am not sure where you have gotten this information, but you have posted this all over this message board the past few days, and it is totally inaccurate.

there's a valve seat droppin poll here somewhere and most of the posts there r 94 and up. i haven't seen anyone sayin anything about droppin a valve seat in a 91-93 on that poll but yeah i might be wrong.

 

[Dave94LX]

The majority of the people on that pole were people that owned cars with dropped valve seat issues. Pextor posted about a buddy's 91 with dropped valve seat in that thread, which I guess you overlooked.

This problem was more evident in the earlier 2nd gens back in the ERDT days. Those Escort owners either went on to different cars, or fixed their issues and moved on. Either way, it was years ago, and most of them probably didn't make the migration over to FEOA.

Does it look like it is more common in newer 2nd gens and 3rd gens? Yes. But that's because there are more 94-up Escorts still on the road due to people wanting air bags... and junk yards scrapping non-air bag cars.

I've owned several CVH/SPIs over the years(93,94,96,98,99) and I have never dropped a valve seat. Pextor has owned at least twice as many, and he has never dropped a valve seat on any of them.

 

[juggalo]

yeah i did overlook that one. i just hope it doesn't happen to me. i've had the car since 93 and it's at 142k miles. did u get any head work done?

 

[zzyzzx]

Sounds to me the "new" motor from the original post is now a used one from a junkyard. That doesn't make the car worth any more since it could still drop a valve seat. Certainly not $2000, but I can't look at it from here either, nor do I know the options.

 

[BOSS302man]

It is spotless though wish my engine looked like that!!

You can makes yours look spotless without too much effort and money. I always try to keep mine pretty clean. Makes it nicer to work and change oil on them. Also, keeping the dirt and oil off your engine is good thing also as it can create a thermal blanket around your engine and keep heat in. Radiators of today are just above marginal for cooling an engine and making it keep more heat in doesn't help. One reason why heads crack easier today. The other is they use as little metal on a head also...marginal.

Sounds high in price to me also even without seeing it.

 

[Jeffescortlx]

Do you NEED this car or is it just a spare?

It does sound like a clean 2nd gen, they are getting hard to find that arn'nt all beat up. But the price does seem a little high. My 93 Pony was $1200 and it was spotless, and when I got my 96lx it was only 5 years old, and paid $1900. Both were clean, but had more miles then the one your looking at.

If it's just a spare car, I'd offer less. If he does'nt take your offer, keep looking. If I was looking for a spare 2nd gen, I'd hit up craigslist for one that needs work or does'nt run. Could probobly snatch one for $400-800.

 

[BOSS302man]

but how many normal people do you know that keep a car for 8 1/2 years and counting???

I've had my Escort GT since August 30, 1990 (Over 19 years) and I bought my BOSS 302 in 1994 (15 years) and the T Bird our family bought new in 1991 (18 years). Are you saying I'm not normal?

 

[denisond3]

bos302man: Owning cars for 18-19 years is definitely not the norm. How are the big automakers supposed to stay in business if we-the-people dont run out and get another auto loan every 5 years, as soon as the previous car is paid for and it needs something other than fuel, oil, tires, and new wiper blades? How are the CEO's of GM/Chrylser/Ford supposed to justify their huge income?

My kids both live in the suburbs of the nation's capitol, in places where you arent allowed to work on your own car in your own parking spot, due to covenants and zoning restrictions. If it wasnt for me having an older house with an actual driveway, they would have to buy a newer car whenever their old ones bagn giving them trouble. As it is, they call 'daddy', & I tow it to my driveway and fix it up.

I dont think of myself as the 'owner' my cars: I think of it as more of a 'relationship'....

 

[BOSS302man]

I need to tell you, I bought an '05 Escape new and an '04 Acura RSX Type S A Spec new and still have both. My son works at a FORD dealership and I plan to buy a new truck/Ranger sometime in the near future. So I do my part in buying new vehicles. How about you?

 

[Jeffescortlx]

So BOSS302man tell me, what was it like to ride a dinosaur to school? Did you go for the T-Rex or the slower Triceratops?