I am thinking about going out to go look at this car tomorrow. The price seems high to me $1550 but the guy said it is negotiable. The add said it has 58K miles on it and new exhaust. I called the guy and he said it had the normal rust and the interior had some rips in it. Here's the link to it. http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/7/2/52904772.htm
It looks like a pretty decent car. I don't think it is worth the amount that they are asking though. I was negoating with that place earlier this year on another Maverick and they came down $300 on it but I did not buy it. The only thing that would bother me would be the lack of A/C and standard transmission.
I went and looked at some of the other cars taken in the same area and it looks like there is just stains on the pavement.
Just remember Greg....you asked!! One thing good about this forum is that you have members here with decades of experience with these cars. No matter what the problem...somebody here has faced the same thing, and probably has the answer. I have seen some forum members torn down for offering an opinion, but keep in mind that opinion is based on years of experience, and it is usually offered in order to save another member from disappointment. Now that I am done with my disclaimer, I will step down off my soap box..... First things first, in my opinion, "Actual miles" offeres absolutely nothing for many types of cars, especially ours. I bought my 72 Grabber (that is now orange) with 187,000 miles on it. Why? Because it was virtually rust free. I would much rather buy a car in better shape than to say I bought a rust bucket with "only 29,000 actual miles", for example. "Actual miles" is kind of a pet peave of mine because sooooo many people use that figure when they advertise their car, but in reality, it "could" mean nothing. Some things are more important, like body damage, condition of interior, runability/driveabililty, etc. Now to your specific question. In the picture, it is obvious the front fender is rusted out. My quess is the quarters are also rusty, as well as possibly the floors, torque boxes, rear frame rails, etc. It seems the later year cars were very prone to the rear frame rails rusting out around the shackles for the leaf springs. I would check all those areas extensively. A "little bit of rust" or "normal rust" can mean a lot of things. In all reality, a 1/2 rust hole is just as expensive to fix as a 3" rust hole...depending on where it is. Keep that in mind. Same is true for the interior. A 1/2 inch "rip" or seam seperation can be just as expensive as a 3" rip/seperation. Another factor to consider along with the price...the buyers "experience". If the buyer has absolutely no body work / mechanical / restoration experince...a real "bargain" can turn into a real money pit real fast!! Most times, one is better off spending a little more money for a car that is done than buying a car that needs a lot of work....no matter how good the starting price is. For example, Dennis Martin's Sprint. He had the tools and knowledge to fix a car that anybody else would have spent tens of thousands of dollars on to get it that way. Other things to consider about this car in particular. It is a 6 cyl, 3-speed. My bet is that the shifter is on the column. This part of the column will wear out and break if it hasn't already. This part is impossible to find. Having seen your car Greg and talked to you about it, I really don't see this new Maverick needing any less work than what you already have. My opinion...a car with those options and equipment, with the amount of rust I can see, would be worth $500 to $1000 range. $1500 might sound cheap, but add $1000 to it and I think you would be surprised how nice of a car you could buy for $2500, or add $1500 to it and buy a car for $3000. You couldn't spend $1000 to $1500 on that car and get it as nice as one you could buy for $2500 to $3000. Just my opinion. Remember, you asked....
Craig, you have said a mouthfull. You are right on the money. Another $1000 towards a nicer car will in the end be good economics. Greg, if you spend $2500 on a good Maverick, you will be a much happier owner. My opinion as well, keep us in the loop as to what you end up doing. Dan
Craig definitely has a way with words. And he's definitely correct in what he said. The only thing I doubt is that the car has a three-on-the-tree. Being that it's a '75 model...My '75 Comet that I had, was a 6-cylinder with a 3-speed on the floor...
Thanks for the advice Craig and Dan that is what I was looking for. Unfortunatly I didn't get to read your remarks till tonight.....Here is what I found. Well I went and looked and drove the car today. Heres what I found. The hood, grill, dash pad, and doors was in great shape. But Here is the BUT the car was a 200 I6 with 3 on tree. It did shift just fine. And did appear that the car was a one owner that never waxed the car and let it sit out side its hole life. All of the Quarter pannels were rusted out I looked under at the torx box's and they were completely gone! This car would only have been a get to work car not one I would have tried to fix but probably have taken parts off of. I Told the Guy the $1550 was too much and asked what his bottom dollar was. He responded back with $1200 I just stood there and said nothing for a moment and he said what would make me happy I said $600 would make me happy and the guy was I don't think I can go that low. I explained that the torx box's was gone and all the other rust. He said he would check if the car was theirs or consignment. He came back and said $800 I told him again $600 cash and I'd buy it He then went back again to ask whoever and came back with $700 I didn't think the car was worth $600 so I stood my ground and said $600 he said $700 was as low as he could go because the car had new exhaust on it . So I walked away with money to spend on the calico maverick that I am still driving daily. Thanks again for every one who responded.
I had a 1976 4-door.....3 on the tree. I have also seen a 4-door, bench seat, 3 on the floor, all factory.
Column shift was standard on all Mavericks and Comets wether it was auto or manual. Floor shift was the option. I dont know if floor shift was part of the GT package or not. I've never seen one without it. Even so, that would still make it optional.
Hmmm I guess it depends on where the car is located i guess. Up north an older car like that would sell at a much better price than it would here in Ga. But in my humble opinion, Just looking at the picture tells me that it has not been taken care of ... I would venture to say that the front bumper has been replaced or else the previous owner was more worried about the chrome than he was the paint. There are several things you need to look at when buying a car that has so few miles ... 1) look at the gas and brake pedal: A car with low miles will have plenty of "tread" on the rubber so to speak. 2) The condition of the front end: Should feel tight with little or no steering wheel play ... 3) Exaust : Should be stock,This car has a new exaust, That would raise my eyebrow ...4) The sound of the doors when the are closed: A car with low miles should have a nice solid click and not a rattle... 5) Do all the body panels match up correctly ? Sagging doors or a mis-aligned fender is an obvious clue that it has seen its fair share of highway miles or else its been repaired ... 6) Condition of the carpet : Worn spots or holes would tell me that the car has seen a lot of use... 7) Fluid leaks : A vehicle with 50 something thousand miles should not have grease and oil covering the motor or trans ... Of course things could have been replaced or cleaned thats why its important to know what your looking for when you buy it ...
Whew! That was close! $100 less dollars and you would have been stuck with it...LOL! Seriously, unless it's rare or you have talented friends in the business, never willingly pay for rust. JMO...
