Possible purchase, advice requested

[KCsBird]

Hello, and thanks for any input you folks may have on a possible purchase. The subject is a 2002 Premium with hardtop and around 66000 miles. Dealer is not a Ford dealer. I asked for history on the car and they tell me of a few minor items and only one major (cooling fan and pump). Internet reports many complaints re: valve covers, coils and spark plugs, none of which appear on this cars history. So the question is really, how common is this problem in your experience (or of those you are familiar with) and, in your opinion, should it stand in the way of buying this car? I do not know a reputable mechanic to check this out, can only go by service department of a sister dealership which sells Lincoln. Thanks again for your time and advice.
Barry

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[wah64apache]

Hello, and thanks for any input you folks may have on a possible purchase. The subject is a 2002 Premium with hardtop and around 66000 miles. Dealer is not a Ford dealer. I asked for history on the car and they tell me of a few minor items and only one major (cooling fan and pump). Internet reports many complaints re: valve covers, coils and spark plugs, none of which appear on this cars history. So the question is really, how common is this problem in your experience (or of those you are familiar with) and, in your opinion, should it stand in the way of buying this car? I do not know a reputable mechanic to check this out, can only go by service department of a sister dealership which sells Lincoln. Thanks again for your time and advice.
Barry

Hi Barry, I see no responses so I'll give you my 2 cents worth. As I said to another new buyer, check the member list or request on this forum for those who live nearby and info on who they use for maintenance.
Are you mechanically inclined, have tools, and are willing to tackle the issues that may arise. If so, get the maintenance manual and wiring diagram off eBay or Amazon or from somebody on this forum and buy the car. Take a good look at all the areas of the car, engine, trunk, spare tire/battery area. Wear old jeans and crawl around it with a flashlight an see what you can of the underside. Look for unusual wear in the interior, be picky.
Drive the car spirited, using the gears. Don't be bashful with the accelerator or the brakes. Go to speed , 55 to 85 to see what the front end feels like. Don't need to stay there for long.
Nothing is cheap to have fixed on this car and Don't take it to Ford if you buy it. Find a good local shop and compare their parts prices to those on RockAuto.com or Amazon or EBay. I use the all.
Good luck, cheers, Frank

 

[KCsBird]

Hi Barry, I see no responses so I'll give you my 2 cents worth. As I said to another new buyer, check the member list or request on this forum for those who live nearby and info on who they use for maintenance.
Are you mechanically inclined, have tools, and are willing to tackle the issues that may arise. If so, get the maintenance manual and wiring diagram off eBay or Amazon or from somebody on this forum and buy the car. Take a good look at all the areas of the car, engine, trunk, spare tire/battery area. Wear old jeans and crawl around it with a flashlight an see what you can of the underside. Look for unusual wear in the interior, be picky.
Drive the car spirited, using the gears. Don't be bashful with the accelerator or the brakes. Go to speed , 55 to 85 to see what the front end feels like. Don't need to stay there for long.
Nothing is cheap to have fixed on this car and Don't take it to Ford if you buy it. Find a good local shop and compare their parts prices to those on RockAuto.com or Amazon or EBay. I use the all.
Good luck, cheers, Frank

Thanks for the reply Frank, much appreciated. We are picking the car up tomorrow, and pleased that the dealer (Lincoln) has gone over the car pretty well and replaced rear brakes, four wheel alignment and a few other minor items. No sign of valve cover leakage so we are good to go at this point. Will certainly take your advice on repairs/parts! Would like to hook up with anyone from SW Florida who has insight on local suppliers.
Best regards,
Barry

 

[wah64apache]

Thanks for the reply Frank, Would like to hook up with anyone from SW Florida who has insight on local suppliers.
Best regards,
Barry

You're welcome Barry. My car came from just south of Tampa. Flew over there and drove it back to Arizona. Great traveling car and it got a best of 30 mpg at 4 mph over the limit on cruise control.
Good luck. Cheers, Frank