Shall I buy this ZX3 (2003/64k/$3500)

[FlyHiEr]

Hi, I'm a young lady from Asia, I am looking for my 1st car

I am glad that i found this forum, hopefully i can be a ford owner soon

I found this 2003 focus ZX3 63K $3500 with big rear cabin NOISE(wheel?bearing?) (like washing machine) can it b fixed? it's One owner car.
seller got fr an action.

It's a 2.3L, pick up powerfully on highway, transmission smooth, drives great. I just couldn't handle the Noise. I did a lot of research, some people said their car got recall and fixed one noise but new noise come out. some said it's could be the bearing problem or the wheels are too old.

I check carfax, it's one owner, clean title, and this car has never been recalled! not like other yrs ZX3s.

the seller (private) said he is too busy to fix the noise. (do u need time to fix it? should just leave it in a shop , right? ) is it too hard to fix or he just not willing to put anymoney in the car?

He got this car 4months ago from action, himself and family drive it, put 500miles on it since then and without insurance~~~~~ He told me the car was very dirty when he got from the auction.

the car is not smoged!

Is there any thing wrong with this car?

front bumper dent, right front fender dent, the base of the right side door mirror is broken but glue back. this 3 parts are cost 300$ (after market parts)



A friend of mine who DIY his car will test drive the car for me again then i will take it to ford dealership to get inspection. But .......


Is there any noise can't be fixed??????

How much money I need to put in to it if i bought it?

Pro: one owner, low mile, good engine, cute model,
con: dents, very NOISY,

2003 focus ZX3 cruise/CD/radio/AC/Auto trans/

Please help! I need to decide soon.

[TerryB]

See if the seller will deduct any repair work. The price and mileage sound pretty good. The rear wheel bearing are no surprise. There was a recall and paid for by Ford.

[HuneyMan]

You are about to mess up big time asking for an diagnosis here because we do not have "hands on" advantage where we can drive it and hear it. A lot of garages offer a vehicle check where they check out a used car and usually charge $50. to $100. bucks or call Ford dealer and ask what they charge to check it out. Better to spend the money rather than buy it then have to spend $1500. to get it fixed. It sounds like wheel bearings to me but without actually being there to drive it puts anyone at a disadvantage.

Think of it as calling the Doctor and saying my stomach hurts and he says there are 10 things that can cause that so come let me examine you. Understand . .?