[krayziefresh]

my girlfriend wants to buy a car. It has only 51000 km on it, they are selling it for 4200 and its a 1993. It had been sitting for 4 years and i don't know if its been started or run in that time but the guy said he took it through aircare and its flew through. Would it be a bad idea to buy a car that has been sitting for so long? it was his moms car and his mom died but im wondering if its haunted?? no seriously tho im wondering if, because it has been sitting for so long, if maybe theres a chance that the frost plugs corroded and headgasket could fail before long... what do you guys think?

 

[SPEED-DEMON]

Cars are made to be driven. As you say once they are run in and left there, it can be harmful.
Personally, I'd go for one which is in daily running order and at least this way you know its going to last.

 

[TheDeadRabbits]

Sounds like a high asking price for an old car that's been sitting.

have you seen the car yourself? The condition of it? Does it start? If it does take it to a local mechanic and have him check it out. That should be okay with the seller unless he has something to hide.

I took my car to a local mechanic and told him i was gonna buy the car so he checked EVERYthing out for me and told me what was wrong right in front of the seller.

Good time to talk price too =D

 

[my1999gsr]

The best advice here is to take the car to a mechanic you trust and have him/her go over it. I see the odd "hasn't been driven in 2 years" where I work and they vary greatly in condition. Be sure to tell the mechanic the circumstances ie. that it hasn't been driven in a long time, how it was stored, et cetera. Having a car looked at by a reputable shop prior to purchase is ALWAYS a good idea.

 

[integraguy1]

I wouldn't touch it. There's so much out there in the used car market. Don't ever settle.
Sitting for too long is not good for the tires. Leads to flat spots. I'm no mechanic, but I'd guess that the AC and battery both need to be run once in a while to keep things in good shape...Definitely pass.

 

[92BLKINTEGRA]

The best advice here is to take the car to a mechanic you trust and have him/her go over it. I see the odd "hasn't been driven in 2 years" where I work and they vary greatly in condition. Be sure to tell the mechanic the circumstances ie. that it hasn't been driven in a long time, how it was stored, et cetera. Having a car looked at by a reputable shop prior to purchase is ALWAYS a good idea.

Exactly What he said. also make the mechanic tell the owner of the car what's wrong with it right in front of you and the seller.

 

[95scteg]

my girlfriend wants to buy a car. It has only 51000 km on it, they are selling it for 4200 and its a 1993. It had been sitting for 4 years and i don't know if its been started or run in that time but the guy said he took it through aircare and its flew through. Would it be a bad idea to buy a car that has been sitting for so long? it was his moms car and his mom died but im wondering if its haunted?? no seriously tho im wondering if, because it has been sitting for so long, if maybe theres a chance that the frost plugs corroded and headgasket could fail before long... what do you guys think?

with that many miles the motor is broken in. that is the most important thing. i would have the belts and fluids changed. along with purging and cleaning the fuel system

 

[KaBlookie]

if you do end up getting it, change every last fluid in the car before you start using it. After 4 years of nothing, the fluids will break down, absorb moisture, oxidize, separate, or otherwise go bad, which is a bad thing everywhere where there is fluid.

I.E. engine and transmission oils will not protect for **** after breaking down for 4 years, coolant will have left deposits everywhere, brake and clutch (if it's a manual) fluids will have oxidized and absorbed a lot of moisture thereby greatly reducing their effectiveness...

I agree also that that's a high asking price for that year and for the fact that it's been sitting for so long with no maintenance. Take it to a shop, ask how much it would cost to flush/change all the fluids and fix what's wrong, and take that price off the top and start offering from there.

*edit* hah Ryan, beat me to it!