BlueSmoke

It's just a normal 1.6 1992 Escort Cab, but it's gonne be my first serious car now I've passed. I'm 23 so insurance isn't a prob. He reckons it's only done 65k and it has some history with it.

What should I look out for when viewing the car? I really don't want to buy a lemon and at £900 it's breaking my budget.

Really appreciate any help or advice here folks, cheers.

mattysxguy

need to edit the title 62 cabby

RSCAT

have a good feel round the floors, ive had loads of escy cabbys and if they leek then its a right nightmare, check in the rear footwells too.

Graceland

1 - lok for gay makeup and any sign of lubrication



seriously tho

rust and rot on back arches, sills and chassis legs - fuseboxes are a problem on mk5 escorts so make sure all the electrics are working properly.

the hood can leak around the windscreen seal - but thats common sence to check it with a hosepipe before you buy the car

engine wise - tappets can rattle, signs of an excessive mile engine is lots of blue smoke when revved. if its just blue smoke on cold start, valve stem seals - easy to change, about 30 mins work

if its the twin choke webber carb on it, it will feel to hesitate and then piuckup when the 2nd choke is opened at about 1/2 throttle - this is normal, providing the hesitation isn't undue.

worn front wishbones and the bushes are a problem - make sure the car doesn't pull to the left or right when accelerating as this is worn bushes and possibly a failed steering rack.

then its just the usual stuff for a ford of that age

matts1

Rott , sils, arches, all over really.

Make sure the roof shuts and opens properly and doesn't leak and get it upto some speed to make sure it's secure and in good condition.

Check all the electrics work.

Panel gaps around the car are even and that there is no overspray anywhere.

Ride is firm and not to boaty.

Engine from COLD is not smoking or knocking, expect a tappety noise on a CVH lump but no loud rattles.

Test drive it to make sure it goes well and changes gear nicely with no crunches, and leave it ticking over to ensure there are no over heating problems.

just general stuff really but at £900 notes if it looks tidy, is HPi clear, goes and stops and has a good hood then you can't really complain.

Get some pics up if you get it.

Escy

1991-1992 ones had alot of shit with the electrics. the fuseboxes are piss poor. not cheap from Fords either (over £200 i think) and they never refined their designs so it could happen all over again.

that said, i had a 1993 and it had the fusebox play up too.

basically check all electrics and anything that doesn't work will be more than likey down to the fusebox. even little shitty things like interior lights.

rot around the back arches. if its got 65k it shouldn't be too bad. look out for filler around the fuel cap/arches.

also, check the hood for leaks. check for tears starting in the corners at the bottom just behind the rear 1/4 windows.

good luck, there are plenty of shit bags out there.

TheBishMan

I had exactly that car...was great fun mate, hope you get a good 'un!!

Make sure all the electrics work and give the roof some exercise!

Check for damp anywhere inside and look out for water collecting around the spare wheel.

Look out for oil anywhere it shouldn't be under the bonnet

Other than that as above the obvious rust, knocking/tappet noises etc

Hope it goes well and get some pics up if ya buy it!!

BlueSmoke

Cheers for the helpful words so far guys. If anybody else wants to add anything, please do!

On the tappets, don't pretty much all the old fords have noisy tappets tho? And as for test driving it, where do I stand as I wouldn't be insured until it was mine and I took out a policy. But definitely need to see and feel it in action.

craig todd

just test drive it, fook insurance

Paddy

Get the owner to take you to a car park somewhere and sit in the passenger side while you try it round a bit

As has been said before, they rot, sills, chassis legs, strut tops and towers, fuse box and battery tray and round the fuel filler cap lift the bonnet and check where the outer wings meet the inner wings.

Roofs aren't cheap in relation to a £900 car, probably £400 fitted.

CVH engines always sound tappety but check for crank case pressure, take the oil cap off and make sure it still runs and there's no smoke coming out

Look around the carpets inside to make sure there's no damp, leaky fuse boxes and battery trays normally cause pools of water in the rear footwells

BillyCabrio

iTrader: (1)

If it is Bish's dont buy it, as B&Q's sell some good sheds too!!

Just be through and take your time, take a mate along who knows cars better than what you think you do.

BlueSmoke

God you've listed so much about hoe bad they rot that I'm not very confident now! But it does look very tidy in the ad pic so I'm gonna try and remain hopeful!

Escy

they all look tidy in the pic mate. i've seen 5 cabs lately with my old man. all were shit holes up close.

make sure you go in there with your eyes open.

re. the test drive.... fuck the insurance, take it out. if anything happens run like fuck . i took out insurance on my 200SX before i went to view it, just so i was alright to test drive it. that kind of makes you more inclined to buy it then, not sure if its a good idea. (i bought it and got stung )

BlueSmoke

I'll ask about having a drive then. Want a car so bad but I know I have to bite the bullet and walk away if all is not right.

Any way of being able to tell if the underside is sound just by looking at it? I'm leaving in 2 mins.