Son's 1st Car 2015 SHO?

[DocSHO]

I am looking at a 2015 SHO for my son. It would be his 1st car. He is a mature driver but I have some reservations so I am here for wisdom and advice.

Should I buy this car?
2015, with the Performance Package, 1 owner car, 119k, needs TPU ( quoted $1400) and brakes that I will do myself. It also has a fan noise, not sure how much that will be.
Seller says the turbos were replaced at 100k. No water pump leaks I can see. No other major issues I know of.
Some rust (Northeast Car) but nothing crazy that I can see, going to get it checked over on a lift next week.
Seller was asking 5k but is a friend of a friend and reduced the price to $3k after meeting with us and my showing him all the oil leaking out of the TPU.
I know these book for about 8k in fair conditon so 3k plus TPU and Brakes puts me as having maybe 6k into the car when said and done.

My son likes the looks and the trunk space (for putting skis and snowboards in) and he likes the amenities (heated/cooled seats and the stereo). I feel he is responsible and won't be too stupid with the car but sometimes parents are blind, lol. I did some pretty crazy stuff as I kid with my car and it wasn't a 360hp car.

1. Would you buy the car knowing what is wrong and how much may need to be put into it. If not for my son I may just buy it for me.
2. Would you buy this for your son?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Zpak]

Welcome

I’d say $3K is pretty safe knowing it needs a PTU as long as you realize the timing set and water pump are not far behind. Leaking now or not, it’s coming. Lately I’ve been hearing wildly varying prices at shops around the country anywhere from $4-8K for that job. Now you’re in the $10k ballpark all in. However, once that was done with fresh turbos and a new properly maintained PTU you will be in good shape with continued maintenance. 5k max on oil, 30K PTU, two years on coolant… and so on.

As for a first car… that’s at your discretion. This car can definitely get you in trouble. But man, only in my dreams was my first car an SHO. I did end up with an ‘89 though…Sable.

 

[Texas Marauder]

You don't say how old your son is but, if he is under 18, you can set up My Key to restrict certain things. You'll need at least two keys. This is from a 2016. 2015 should be the same or similar.

 

[kryptto]

For $3K its a good price, to @Zpak points, you are really all in about $10K with the fact that regular maintenance will be high for a car like this. There is also all those - crapola I didnt know I need to replace ***... Replacing the RDU (rear diff) oil, which I will say has never been changed - with the PTU failing, you might want to check that out. This car is a regular schedule of maintenance, after the PTU is replaced, every 30K on RDU/PTU, yes 5K no more on OIL, replace coolant every 2/3 years, check those plastic areas around the skirt for rust "especially" in the wheel wells, sometimes in salted states those can rust through to the frame. Get a brake fluid checker - maybe its really old, so you will need to change brake fluid - which then brings me to the specific instructions to change and bleed the system.

As a cautionary tale I would think through, the bigger the car - the more people he can fit - upside car has a 5 star crash rating.

Civic - Camry - Corolla - ....

 

[SM105K]

I would pass. If it is already showing these many troubles...they will only manifest more honestly.

 

[luigisho]

The problem with SHO's has always been enticing used entry price. The real cost is several multiples of that with initial and ongoing maintenance cost/time. If you want a toy for yourself that he can drive..ok. Just know in advance that this is a maintenance hog approaching 10yrs old and near the end of the expected lifecycle of many parts. Really it's just how much extra time and money you are willing to commit. If you enjoy wrenching.. maybe. I love these cars, but they can be a beast when you have other life things that compete with $ and time.