03 Mach under 1k Miles, would you buy?

[Mure]

So I have a Mach 1 I'm interested in. It is a one owner car owned by an older man, and has less than 1000 miles on it lol. Its been garaged its whole life under a cover, but my question is, would you guys think it wise to buy a 10 year old car with that little amount of mileage? Would you have a full inspection done, including a leak down and compression test? Any advice would be appreciated.

[MACH1RAMAIR]

If the price was right I would just Buy it, however I would change the oil & filter, put in new gas, and drive it carfully for the 1st 1000 miles.
PS there are other things to check also but the motor comes 1st.
Bill

[Mure]

Yea I just don't know about that mileage with 10 years of sitting in a Phoenix garage....I guess I could just replace all the hoses and stuff if it passes the compression/leak down, it's only 200 dollars to do the inspection. Would the only wear of sitting that long and really not being driven be like rotted hoses and rotors? Prob would need a new fuel filter I assume as well. Anymore advice?

[4valve 4tw?]

There have been a couple 5-10,000 mile ones around me, and as tempting as a a 5000 car is, I've since changed my perspective since this will be my DD, and not just a toy I can afford to have sita. I figure anything with 20k miles, is still a borderline new car, but has been run enough to keep the juices flowing. That's almost 10 year old gas in the tank, pump, and annoyingly the lines and injectors. It's just too much of a risk to me.

That being said it is a risk, so on the other hand if the price is right with just a small tune up you could be looking at a steal of a brand new car.

[smith30]

Did no one ever think maybe he at least started the car every once in a while?

Ask the seller. if it just sat and NEVER ran....yea I'd be very careful about it.

Other than what has been said about the motor...you are prob looking at new tires as well if it was sitting on the ground and not on jack stands.

WTF do people buy cars only to not drive them. Must be nice to have money to waste lol.

[MACH1RAMAIR]

Originally Posted by 4valve 4tw?

There have been a couple 5-10,000 mile ones around me, and as tempting as a a 5000 car is, I've since changed my perspective since this will be my DD, and not just a toy I can afford to have sita. I figure anything with 20k miles, is still a borderline new car, but has been run enough to keep the juices flowing. That's almost 10 year old gas in the tank, pump, and annoyingly the lines and injectors. It's just too much of a risk to me.

That being said it is a risk, so on the other hand if the price is right with just a small tune up you could be looking at a steal of a brand new car.

Mine just turned 20K the only thing I changed is oil & filter and rear oil because of new gears, I've owned it from day 1 and would think nothing of going to the drag strip today.
PS same battery.
Bill

[04 Orange Crate]

My Mach 1 is for sale at Hertrich Ford in Milford, DE. I was the 3rd owner. 13,200 miles - MINT & bone stock! Serial #7174. I traded it for a '13 Boss 302. Last I saw they were asking 18,900.

[mach18604]

I got mine this past summer with 4100 miles on it.. Everything is fine

Id ask about gas treatment .. make sure the motor turns over..

then start it up! if it doesnt leak and runs strong.. should be fine!

[jaa55]

Dont be scared of buying it, my parents own a repair shop and pulled lots of OLD cars from storage that needed minimal things to get back on the road. Id take a car with 1000 miles on it over a car with 20k any day of the week.

for example....just over 2000 original miles sitting since 1987...we pulled it out in 2009. The roof was falling in on the garage it was in, covered in a deteriorated wet car cover and zero damage, it was like new. there was a 70 firebird beside with with 7000 miles on it but it was starting to rust on the quarter panel

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/168/cimg0323t.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9760/cimg0326.jpg

my advice, change oil, put an additive in the fuel and drive it out of it.......fill it up with a fresh tank and enjoy!

If you dont want it give me the guys number, I'm in the market!

[wldtang]

I just bought my first mach. It is an 04 and has 11,891.

[MACH1RAMAIR]

Originally Posted by wldtang

I just bought my first mach. It is an 04 and has 11,891.

Welcome and good luck, I thought very hard about ordering that color, it's still a very nice color.
Bill

[wldtang]

Originally Posted by MACH1RAMAIR

Welcome and good luck, I thought very hard about ordering that color, it's still a very nice color.
Bill

Thanks. I am already tearing the motor apart to install h beams, flat tops and cobra cams.

[Thunderbolt]

It's probably gonna need a new fuel pump, if it has'nt already been replaced. I've heard afew people say the fuel pump craps out when it has real low mileage.

[24kmach]

How about the tires??

http://www.wisebread.com/are-your-ne...ing-time-bombs

[4valve 4tw?]

Anything with fluids in it can become suspect really. Oil, gas, brake fluid, etc all could have water in them from condensation, theoretically. Change them all out and you should have a brand new car.

Every situation is different. Might be a brand new car, or might need some serious work. Besides anything to do with gas, none of it is hard or complex though. Just remember if you change the oil right away, don't use the so-so 5w20 they put in it, use something like 5w30.

[devous1]

I just bought one with 4600 on it for my daughter. I had the dealership change all fluids and it was almost on empty so I topped it off with premium. I had no problems with belts hoses etc but the tires were completely dry rotted on the sidewalls.

There is a guy not far from me that has a TR with 500mi on it he's interested in selling.

[mach18604]

Originally Posted by devous1

I just bought one with 4600 on it for my daughter. I had the dealership change all fluids and it was almost on empty so I topped it off with premium. I had no problems with belts hoses etc but the tires were completely dry rotted on the sidewalls.

There is a guy not far from me that has a TR with 500mi on it he's interested in selling.

Yeah mine with low miles was like bran new.. even the tires.

500 mi?? WOW

[devous1]

The guy is from just outside St Clairsville, OH. I believe I still have his number, he was sitting next to me at NMRA National Trails.

[Thor]

I'd buy it and deal with whatever it needs.

With mileage that low, it is a new car at a discount compared to a brand new one. I am one who purchases "second owner," very low mileage cars anyhow.

[crkeith65]

Originally Posted by Thor

I'd buy it and deal with whatever it needs.

With mileage that low, it is a new car at a discount compared to a brand new one. I am one who purchases "second owner," very low mileage cars anyhow.

Amen!

[MACH1RAMAIR]

Originally Posted by crkeith65

Amen!

Me too!!!

[Motor City Mach]

I bought mine 3 years ago with 3000 miles and did not have any problems. I did get new wheels and tires and added a Vortech and supporting mods but 2000 miles later still looks and drives better than new.

[MACH1RAMAIR]

I still run on the original tires up front, I have had 2 sets of drag radials on the back, now running NITTO's NTO5'R 275/40/17's.
Keep in mind I always park in the garage with thick carpet under all 4 wheel's
Bill

[jh 2004 mach]

I hae 5500 miles on my car & no problems except the fuel pump that is new as of last week. I drive my car couple hundred miles a year.& my car is for sale.

[Con's Mach1]

My oh my. I'd get it in an instant, following ALL the fluids have been change first, and the brake calipers aren't stuck.