Take the car out for a drive for at least 30 miles, both in town starting/stopping a lot and out on the open highway. Check transmission shifts for any 'clunking'. A Ford dealer can adjust the trans a little to 'dial' this out. I have noticed that if I religiously drive mine for 10-12 mile once a week that this small amount of this 'clunking' I was experiencing has gone away. Sitting for long periods on these newer cars is not good for them.
When out on this 30-mile drive with the top up and windows closed do you get any burning oil odors inside the car which would indicate valve cover gaskets might need replacing. If the engine starts missing at any time (a noticeable 'clunking')
COP's may need to be replaced.
About 8 to 10 years ago (before non-ethanol gas became available) my 2002 Tbird sometimes sat in the garage for weeks at a time before getting driven. I only drive it in good weather. I had one episode where the engine started missing badly which I thought was a
COP. I switched to non-ethanol gas and never had that problem again. Find out what type fuel the seller is keeping in his tank. Ethanol fuel absorbs moisture and if that is 'eaten' by the engine it will run rough.
Check that all dash lights and the tunnel shift light come on when you turn the headlights on. If not, either the bulbs are burned out which is a big hassle to pull out the dash instrument unit and individually replace all bulbs - OR - there is a circuit board that controls these lights (plus other things) that needs replacing.
Sitting this long, especially if the engine has not at least been started regularly, if there has been moisture in the exhaust system there may also be
rust issues in the exhaust pipes. When started do you see any moisture being blown out of the exhaust?
A pristine '02 in great condition (mechanically too) could sell for up to $22K. You would have to start subtracting the cost to fix all the items this car needs from this price. I recently had my valve cover gaskets and the circuit board for the dash/trans tunnel lights replaced by my Ford dealer (plus oil and some other small things done) for a bit over $5K. With NO service on the car you are looking at since 2013 you would also need to do transmission/brake fluid/
power steering fluid flushes too, and this all adds up quickly. And new tires.
You would be safer at $12-$13K max. You did not say if this has the
hardtop.
Good luck -- these are fun cars to own and drive,
Randy
