Also brand new from Georgia

[toerch]

Hey All,

Wife just had her little Mazda totaled while stopped at a red light, and the <insert favorite swear words> insurance company , of course, gave us nothing much to speak of...

Decided this time around to buy some real reliable steel (still trying to convince the wife), as we really need a reliable car, and while
hondas/toyotas etc are fine, at my price range ($5k or so) they all have 150k+ miles...

Would like y'all's opinion if you'd be so kind:

First contender is a 2001 Grand Marq w/ 52 k miles and asking $4900. Son is selling it for his father (88 years old!).
He assures me it has had regular maintenance, and it's been consistently driven at least every 3 days since
his parents bought it new. It's in great shaped, except for a ding in a fender.

Second contender (and more my speed) is a 2002 all black Ford Crown Victoria LX SPORT w/ 123 k miles ($3995 asking), and yet unknown pedigree...

and of course there are many more choices around including some nice Lincolns, these are just the ones that stood out...

Any advice on what you'd prefer and why, and/or what I should be looking for would be most appreciated!!

Thanks much in advance.

TC

[GM_Guy]

Welcome aboard!
I'd be inclined to take a closer look at the '01. Less miles, seats not as worn out if the passengers where normal sized. But a look at both is warranted, one may drive in a manner that suits you better (ie: rear gears its equipped with).

Alex.

[Mainemantom]

If someone has the maintenance records that is a big plus. Do a carfax on the final choices. That is not 100% accurate but it catches most of the bad stuff. Intakes on the 4.6 are a problem. New ones have the aluminum piece on the front.
If you know a GOOD mechanic who knows Ford products it would be worth taking your final choices to him. It is worth the hour labor to have the car checked out. Do some homework as to what the cars book for. KKBB or NADA are good resources.
Check for RUST and transmission problems.
Happy hunting

[87gtVIC]

Welcome to the forum. I'd go with the one with less miles an a supposed service history. Either one you end up choosing just try to go over it thoroughly.

[79lincolnlover]

Welcome! If these cars are listed on-line, feel free to post the links

[BuffaloRider]

Welcome to the forums! Although the crown vic sport sounds tempting I'd always have to go with the lower mileage car that was previously owned by an elder. I know even less about the newer panthers than I do about the boxes but there are a few key things to check, like something about a plastic something or rather on the intake manifold... idk maybe someone with more than half a brain will chime in lol but yeah, post some links if you can

I'd be inclined to take a closer look at the '01. Less miles, seats not as worn out if the passengers where normal sized.

Normal sized?...Come on now, this is America lol

[BigT]

Welcome!