Should I get rid of my current car to buy this used car? Mazda vs. Ford?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ressiegirl
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ressiegirl

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My friend is selling their Ford Explorer 96' for $400 dollars. It has roughly 96,000 miles on it. It is a gas guzzler and has few minor problems....He took it to a mechanic and really nothing major is wrong with the car (at least for now ;) Anyway, I own a Mazda Protege 99' with about 215,000 miles on it and it sounds like it has major problems. I need new brakes, may need new calipers, I know a ball joint is out in the front right and god knows what else (sounds like the bottom will fall out every time I go over a bump), check engine light is on, and I hear a belt squeaking that I know will need replacing. I would take my car into a mechanic, but have to make a quick decision whether or not I want to buy the Ford. My friend has someone else very intersted and he needs the money asap to get his new car to pay for title transfer, etc. Normally, I would take my car in and get an estimate, then base the decision off of that...but again, lack of time. In your personal opinion, what sounds like my best options?
 
Your going to have a lot of car troubles either way.

Your best bet would be to drive your car until it dies completely then invest in a used car that would be more reliable. A lot of used car dealers offer warranties now so if something does happen it would be covered.
 
Sounds to me like a total lack of routine maintenance has put the Mazda is on it's last leg. Nothing you mentioned isn't normal wear and tear for any vehicle.

But I would not sell it in order to buy the Explorer. For just $400 I'd take my next pay check and buy the SUV. If it turns out to be a decent vehicle them dump the Mazda later or keep it around for a spare vehicle. If the truck is a dog at least you know what's wrong with the Protege. If he's only asking $400 there must be something wrong with that Ford that he's not disclosing.
 
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