Car help in Phoenix?

[somegirl]

MrI and I were wondering if anyone in or near Phoenix, AZ would be able to go take a look at a car for us. 

Thanks in advance!

[Randimus Maximus]

MrI and I were wondering if anyone in or near Phoenix, AZ would be able to go take a look at a car for us. 

Thanks in advance!

I'd suggest IZ, but I think his eyesight is bad.  Or that's an excuse for all the IZ_/IZ_ pictures he posts on here. 

Dietrich in the AZDRA area is pretty mechanically inclined.  He'd probably be willing to put a set of peepers on it for ya.

[IZ]

What you looking at?  Dietrich and I can both go.  What part of town is it in?

[Porsche Monkey]

Is it a minivan? 

[Monsterlover]

[ducpainter]

Is it a minivan? 

[somegirl]

What you looking at?  Dietrich and I can both go.  What part of town is it in?

Thank you, I'll send you a PM.

Is it a minivan? 

No, actually it's a convertible for my mother-in-law.

[Dietrich]

OK, I just got back from looking over and driving the car.  Two things you should know about me: I'm a cheapskate, and I'm picky.  Not a good combination in most cases, but probably OK when looking at used cars.

I thought the price seemed decent for a car like that.  I own a 1998 BMW 318ti with almost the exact same mileage (~140,000) that I do a lot of my own maintenance on and have tried to take good care of so I figure I had a good basis of comparison.  We've had some light rain and dust storms so the car was kinda dirty on the outside.

The Good:
Car was straight.  All body panels seemed OK, all glass and in good shape. Rubber seals decent and in tact.
Interior was nice.  Leather showed some wear, but not bad, no rips.
Accessories seemed to all work, radio, AC, heated seats (switch lit up anyway) etc. The entire convertible mechanism works as it should operating all windows, etc., didn't moan or groan too much about it and closed tight in both positions.
Looks like it's been maintained fairly well under the hood, motor has new belts.  (was cleaned of course to hard to see if there was any serious leaks etc.
Starts and runs OK.  A few rattles here and there, as to be expected for this mileage.
Suspension seemd great, no clunks or squeaks, rode nice and quiet.

The Bad:
The front bumper has a LOT of rock chips.  The hood had some plastic protection applied, but the bumper is chipped pretty bad.  
All wheels have peeling paint. The silver a different color where it has peeled off.  At least one rim has some serious curb feeling action all the way around (hey! Sounds like my car! ).
Front tires are bald.  Also one front had a big tear in the sidewall and was low on air.  Rear tires are worse and showing tons of steel cord on the inner portion of the tread pattern. Like 1"x8" strips of shiny steel cords.
The car seemed to pull to the right, most likely due to the low air in the front tire.
Car ran and shifted smooth, but had a slight stumbe at idle.  Seems like it should have had more power, but it's and automatic and I drive a stick, so maybe I just wasn't stomping on it enough.
Had a couple big rattles in the interior when going down the road.
Only light on was a warning for low wiper fluid.  I didn't check to see if it was low.
No floormats.
Under the car looks straight, no signs of damage, but there were several drips of oil hanging from a plastic cover below the motor.  Could be left over from the heavy hose down cleaning of the motor, could be a leak.
Brake pads are in good shape, but braking seemed weak.
Remote door lock/alarm not working.

Summary?

I say pass. It's a decent price, but depending on how set you are on this model, in this color, and are OK putting at least $1000 into it (tires at least before going anywhere more than a block or two) I think you can find a better example.

Hope that helps!  

[somegirl]

Thank you so much, we owe you!

[herm]

WTF does someone need heated seats for in Phoenix?

[Popeye the Sailor]

WTF does someone need heated seats for in Phoenix?

The interstate goes cross country, you know.

[Porsche Monkey]

 

No, actually it's a convertible for my mother-in-law.

Y'all should get a puggle pod. 

[ducpainter]

Y'all should get a puggle pod. 

That's cold.

[Porsche Monkey]

Twas jest playin

[IZ]

WTF does someone need heated seats for in Phoenix?

Herm, I use the heated seats in the ES EVERYDAY in the winter when I get to drive.  It's all relative.  We're used to 110* in the summer.  When it's in drops 60-80* (been in the 40's-50's)..it's noticeable!


D..I saw that you called me but couldn't call or text you back since the rollerball on this Blackberry is a POS!!  I can only roll up but not down.  

Mr & MrsI..I would definitely take D's word for it on the review.