Ford Enthusiast

[ABE]

Hi Eric,

So the engine oil is up to level and clear yellow colour? And the coolant, how does that look? Don't buy someones junk because they say they looked after it. You be the judge, while you are holding the money; you will not see them afterward. Also, get some expert help, it doesn't cost much, but more on that later.

I don't know much about perimeter alarms. Is it a factory setup or after market. Perhaps the current owner will turn it off. After market units can be problematic due to poor installation compromising the car's electrical system.

The engine rpm is a function of gear, torque converter lockup and road speed. My 2000 Taurus does 2,000 rpm at about 60 mph, so 2,600 rpm would be about 78 mph. When the transmission oil is cold my engine will do 2,400 rpm at 60 mph because the torque converter is not locked up. Takes me about 15 minutes driving for trans to warm up enough in the cold for the PCM to lock the torque converter.

I don't know what the car would be worth, but at that age it is not much. Condition will be critical to price. Where I live in Canada the vehicle must be safety checked and emission tested before it can be licensed to a new owner. This does not cost very much (about $60 for safety and $40 for a tail pipe emission test), and you would get a very good appreciation of the condition of the car. I would recommend you get these tests done, even if your state does not require them, to ensure the main systems are working correctly and are not worn out. Repairing rusted out floors, changing suspension components, steering and brake parts and tires can get very expensive, as much as the asking price of the car if there is a lot of wear. A vehicle that cannot pass a safety and emission test is completely worthless. If the owner refuses, look for another vehicle.

Hope this helps.