OK, first i'd like to apologize if i've posted in the incorrect section. I'm new to the site and would like some input from experienced people such as yourselves.

I've recently sold my first car after 4 years, a 1995 Grand Prix Coupe. I loved that car. Now i have a chance to buy a 2002 or 2003 SVT Focus with 118K miles for about $4k, maybe lower. It has a couple spots where paint is bubbling, especially the trunk, and a couple things are cracked or broke, things that are easily found in a junk yard off other focuses. I drive it and i fell in love with it, amidst all it's mechanical issues. (needs new breaks, maybe a good tune up) However, i noticed that it is missing the top cover on the engine that says SVT that goes on top of the intake mani. It's a silver 2 door with blue and black seats.

I was wondering if i can get some input from you guys, maybe what are common things i should check for, what typically goes wrong with these cars, and do you think this is a good buy? i'll be taking my good mechanic friend tomorrow to look at the car. I'll take pics and post them on here for everyone to see. Let me know what i should take pics of for you guys.

Thank you so much for your help. I'm very appreciative, and again, i apologize if i've posted in the incorrect section.


Caio,
Andrew

Leaking thermostat housing, leaking VC gasket, timing belt if it hasn't been replaced yet, slopping intake manifold couplers, cooling fan relays, I think that should just about be all the common problems with these cars if not I'm sure others will chime in.

make sure the dsi system is working and isnt zip tied or taped together make sure shifter cable ends arent broken. my svt the prior owner lived for electric tape and zip ties to hold everything together in the car. another common issue i the 6 disc cd changer stops working. make sure the car still has a cat mine didnt when i bought it this makes inspections really fun but i was able to pass without it

ask about the clutch and if its been replaced!

Hahaha SquirrelZX3 that's funny you mention that, the majority of things under my hood of my car were put together from the previous owner in a similar fashion, including but not limited to intake piping, intake manifold couplers and other various items.

Thanks guys bi got him down to 3915. That's with tax and title included. So 3600. But, I need to do all the work myself, including clutch, brakes, abs light is on and some bod work (I hate rust!). I'm still on the fence about it. The ford logos are missing from the steering wheel, and rear hatch, and that plastic is cracked. Also the front left strung bearing needs replaced. For 3600, what do you think?

Here's a very general suggestion, but one based on 35 years of buying used cars: If the car looks like it's been abused, it has been. Take your time finding a car that looks like it's been cared for..they're out there.

Click below for more hints and tips:
So you want to buy a used SVTF? (http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148786)

Here's a very general suggestion, but one based on 35 years of buying used cars: If the car looks like it's been abused, it has been. Take your time finding a car that looks like it's been cared for..they're out there.

Amen to that!!! It sounds like a problem child, maybe you should look around a bit more, Maybe even on here in the Buy, sell trade.............

sorry, but w/ all the work needing to be done to it, you need to talk him down alot more!

I love my SVTf, bought it new in 2003, have just under 60k miles on it now... Had some issues though... Clutch shit on me, took flywheel with it... at like 28k miles... Had dealer install a CM stage 4 and CM alum flywheel, dunno if they jacked up the install or what... the CM lasted like... 10k miles... Had diff dealer put in a stock clutch and flywheel to replace the CM setup (didn't have a chance to shop around for another aftermarket as my car was broken down like 10 hours away and I needed it back ASAP)... Thus far this time it's lasting... Snapped shift cable 2-3 times or so (the C clamp thing kept breaking), which, for a temp fix... I used zip ties to hold in place, LOL.

Sometimes, oddly, the passenger side door wouldn't open from the inside, the handle like... stuck or something, but it only happened occasionally and I haven't seen my car in over a year so dunno if that's ongoing, lol... Uhmm... the cloth inserts in the seats stain easy and it's a PITA to clean... so, no kinky stuff on the seats!! LOL... uhmm... I never experienced it but the heat shield around the cat comes loose and rattles which is common...

Plus, if it has the old dealer tune, update it to the new one, or get a custom one done by Tom, fixes a lot of stumbling issues... Plus everything above, haha. And for that price with all of those issues... I'd check out the for sale section on here... especially having RUST issues... F that! Lol. Good luck! :)

This car isn't worth buying. it will probably cost you twice as much in the long run, than what you pay.

^^^x2

Pitbull, my SVTF was somewhat rough when I got it. In hindsight I'd have been better waiting for a cleaner example to come along, but I bought it anyways.

The thing is with these cars, the abuse shows up in odd ways, that a short test drive won't pickup. After spending probably $1500 to $2000 and a lot of hours I finally have a car that I can (mostly) be sure about. But it was painful getting there.

Unless you have a lot of free time and enjoy the challenge I'd say, spend a little more and get a better example.

From the sound of things you'll spend $100s just fixing the cosmetic issues alone (missing trim etc). Remember the SVT has some unique trim parts and since the 3 door hatchback style was a lot less popular (than the sedan), I've had trouble finding hatchback specific trim parts in junkyards.

You can spend a couple of thousand dollars more and get a solid car RIGHT NOW with well under 100k miles. You'll spend that amount on the car in question and still not be where the other cars are.

Spend some time in the classified section and you'll find plenty of good RUST FREE examples.