[glastar]

Hope someone can help - my granddaughter and i are looking at used cars for her "first". We have found a 99 escort se sedan with 60000 miles on it and it seems to be in very good condition - EXCEPT - when it is idling - either in park, neutral, or in gear it has a pretty noticeable vibration of the steering wheel and whole car, actually. There are no vibrations when the car is actually moving, so I don't think it's alignment or a u joint. The salesman of course said all Escorts vibrate because of the mtotor mounts. Is it worth taking this otherwise "perfect" car to a mechanic to have it inspected before we buy? Or should we just keep looking?

 

[TitoElSpicco]

From what I can tell from other Gen3 owners on this board, that's pretty normal.

No matter WHAT the condition seems to be, I'd take it to an independant mechanic and let them check it out before I bought it.

Good luck!!

 

[siragan]

The salesman of course said all Escorts vibrate because of the mtotor mounts.

Bull.

It's normal to get some cabin vibration, but if it's enough that it arouses your attention like that, there's something wrong. I've been in 3rd gens, and they shouldn't vibrate too much.

I think you'd be wasting your money if you go get it inspected. Escorts are everywhere, just keep looking.

If I were in your shoes, I'd buy from a private party (unless you really want financing options). There are steals to be had out there, the trick is knowing how to shop. You've got to be pretty comforable with knowing what to look for when test driving, and much of that just comes from having experience working on cars.
Also, it makes a big difference WHERE you shop. As of now, I refuse to buy cars in the north east. If you're shopping for cars, go south. Makes a HUGE difference, trust me.

 

[TitoElSpicco]

I think you'd be wasting your money if you go get it inspected. Escorts are everywhere, just keep looking.

It's usually free to have a mechanic to check everything over one time and make sure everything's in working order.

 

[glastar]

re: vaibration at idle

Thanks for all of your advice. We called to ask the salesman when we could take the car to our mechanic. Guess what! He said the car was going back to the auction - because it has (quote) "a terrible transmission problem.". Gave us a sob story about selling it for a loss. We're still looking. Would like to have a Ford because I have a 96 Taurus SHO that has 96000 miles on it and has only needed abattery, tires and brakes. Hoping we can find a similar Escort or Contour. Thanks again.

Glastar