It'll cost me money, but it's a victory.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
It'll cost me money, but it's a victory.
3
Mon, 08-03-2009 - 3:15pm

Back in 2007, my best friend bought a 2000 Ford Taurus. After a few months of having the car, she found out that it was a Hurricane Katrina car (unfortunately, we received a lot of these kinds of cars in this area). The car had some issues - which she dealt with. In late 2007, she left a bad relationship. During the time she was trying to get her life under control the car began having issues. In early 2008, the car stopped running. It has been sitting since. She was dating a new guy and they work the same shift, so they were sharing his car. Two months ago, she decided to go ahead and buy a new car. She got a great deal on a 2003 Grand Am. I asked her what she was planning to do with the Taurus. She said she wasn't totally sure, but she had a couple ideas. A little while later, she calls me and tells me that she is giving me the car free and clear. Signing the title over to me. I told her I couldn't accept the car without giving her something in return. She told me that yes, I could because when it died I allowed her to borrow a car we had at the time for quite awhile.


So. I called around and found someone who will work on the Taurus. A new motor with only 40,000 miles on it and completely (100%) warrantied for one year - for $1800ish. This will include everything - removal of the old motor, installing the new motor, alternator, starter, plugs, wires, etc. Everything. It will need new tires for sitting and the guy said if he does the motor, he'll give me a deal on the tires. So, I will be able to get all of the current issues taken care of for roughly $2000!


Everyone keeps telling me I'm stupid to put $2000 into this car. I tell them "Find me a car with only 40,000 miles for $2000. You won't be able to do it. I've looked and cars in the $2000 range are going to need a ton of work - including some that needed new motors!".


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008

Hey, it's worth a try.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007

We have a 1994 taurus It runs all the time except for the other day it blew a battery but that can happen in any car. Battery was 3 years old.


I

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008

we have a 1999 Taurus for our kids, and it is running great. We gave it a tune up and just did brakes and tires this year.

If you have to put $2000 and get even 1 year out of it, that is less than $200 a month, and there are no car payments out there for that. Also, you will probably be able to sell it or trade it in for about $2000 when you are done with it on Craig's list.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

-Marie