Sould I buy 1997 122k for $1000

[atcbeach]

This 1997 I found is Burgundy and it took alight hit on the front bumper from a ditch. It has a water leak from somewhere. Windows fogged up a little bit after driving and turning off but there was a lot of coolant leaking under the car from the radiator. Tires are fair. seems to shift ok runs good. No maintenance history. Couple small dings and a scrape on front bumper. The car smelled like burning oil but he has not driven it much lately. Could be from sitting?
Gray leather is nice. Aftermarket clarion CD mounted below steeering wheel.

Transmission seems to shift ok.
Not much oil if any under car, where it was parked for a year.
Car seems to drive ok, but there is some rubbing type sound when accelerating from a stop?
I am worried about CV shafts?
Hood is offset? maybe going in the ditch pushed fender in slightly?
and front bumper pushed out slightly on side where ditch impacted front bumper. Windows and sunroof work fine. Paint is slightly faded. no cracks in windshield.
What should I look for?
what is common on these to break? what is the cam problem? How do i know if this car could have a cam or tranny problem?
How much is the car worth??

Thanks!

 

[luigisho]

You won't know about the cam or tranny until you listen and drive it for a bit. The cams work their way loose from the sprocket. Best fix is to weld it. I would look for another car. That one sounds jacked up.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I would agree, let it go. You can find a nice sho with no isses for a couple grand more and that's not much in respect to what you may end up having to put into this one, nvm any aggrivation.

 

[atcbeach]

Still thinking about it

Yes, considered taking it to body shop and mechanic for a look over.
Was hoping maybe the hood hinges tweak easy on these?
I seemed to be able to push the hood over slightly, but the hood is still off set when I close it. I guess I am trying to be optimistic.
$1000! is lowest I have seen for a 97 with 122k however.
I am a bargain hunter and would consider driving it for 4 seasons and selling for a profit. However i am doing a major house remodel and can not afford to take on a large project such as a trans or cam weld.
No cam or transmission problems evident I was just trying to find out what the major concerns I would look for.
I really miss my 94 MTX & I do not like the AT, or acceleration of this compared to my old 94.

I will probly continue looking for a 98 99 or 94-95
But at a $1000 I am still gravitating

 

[kevinspann]

With an unknown history of the cams and trans, and the other problems, id pass. If the body were straight and clean, it might be a different story.

 

[atcbeach]

Thank you for the tips!
Did they fix cams or Transmissions? in 98 or 99?

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Thank you for the tips!
Did they fix cams or Transmissions? in 98 or 99?

no on the cams, pretty sure no trans change either.

 

[freakstatus]

I bought the exact same car in perfect condition with the cams welded for $2200. Sounds like you may want to steer clear. Another one will come up.

 

[kvm101]

The front end may be twisted, left or right frame rail is up from going into the ditch. If the gap, hood to fender is closed at the front of the hood by the headlight it could mean the front end is swayed. If it was a simple hood adjustment the owner would have repaired it themselves. Ask them if they had an estimate written at the time of loss.
The coolant leak, as long as it didnt at one time leak all out and overheat is a chance. Your right though here in the N east there plenty (really few) of $1000 blown motor or trans V8 SHOS around. Just count the cost to repair the issues before you buy.
Collision specialist by trade mechanic at heart
Snap on wrenches rule but my are they expensive !

 

[Siman]

just don't buy this one lolz but if you do it comes with a 4.6L V8 ROFL clueless people...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280592092146&viewitem=

 

[Vash]

i know this is a bit old but i got my SHO for 1k with brand new tires, plugs, wheel bearing, brakes, and a few other things. the cams were not welded but cost me only about 50 bucks in oil and filters. there is some body damage (just dents no structural) and a large amount of rust which i found after i bought it (rocker panels basically missing) though i have a car i can take them from for free. it runs and drives great after the cam weld! i have maybe 1200 total into this car as of now.

 

[sperold]

Have it checked out at a shop, pressure test the cooling system, get the codes, and make sure the heater core is not putting vapour in your interior.
And get a price for cam welding.
You will not be able to resell it without some proof of the cams being looked after.
Split the cam weld price with the seller, and if he goes for it, proceed (if the other things like the rubbing sound turn out to be small issues).

 

[Liquid_force]

I bought a '99 with 91.5k in October. Carfax showed regular dealership maintenance through '05. I think the book in good condition was around 5k, they were asking 2500. And from what little I researched almost NOBODY pays close to book on these.
I got it for 1600.

I would guess the book on the '97 would be 3 or 3.5, but as you describe it I don't think 1000's a steal.

From all the reading, searching, and asking I did cam failure isn't an if, but a when. If you don't mind doing the wrenching most any competent welder will do the welds for $100 or less. I had it done for $65. If you have any expectations of driving it for any length of time at all I think it's a must.

Body damage scares me mainly because I can't do it myself and it always seems to get expensive, and never seems as simple as you hope.
Rubbing noise from a stop sounds like a possible siezed caliper meaning at minimum new rotors and pads, probable new calipers.

$1000 seems like it should work out IF you're willing to do some work to find the water leak AND the front damage isn't structural.
I think the cam welds should be the priority for ANY '96-99 purchase.

If you DON'T do your own repairs you're probably looking at $500+ for the welds. 300 or 400 for brakes, ??? for the water leak and ??? for body repairs.
Probably not a good idea in that case.

 

[MARV87341]

I think if you are intent on buying this car, offer $400-$500.
Be firm, list reasons for low offer, and most importantly be willing to walk away.
This won't be the last SHO you will see.
Personally, I would pass anyway. Even if the cams are welded, the next biggest weak link is the trans. Even with proper maint. they can fail suddenly and without warning($2000-$2500). If you buy this car be prepared to spend the next few years and few thousands of dollars you earn repairing or replacing systems in this car. Ford made a huge mistake when they ended the Yamaha V6 program in the SHO, and it has taken 11 years to get back to the next successful evolutionary step for the SHO. And they lost many SHO owners in the process, primarily due to the many failures of the V8SHO package. If you are just wanting to own an SHO, gen.1or2 is best.