Advice: buy or not to buy

[Jacurlz]

Hi! I am seriously thinking about buying a 2004 PT Cruiser turbo from someone who buys and sells cars. It looks like it is good condition, passed VA inspection last month, has some new front end parts BUT... my mechanic says that he strongly suggests that we don't buy it. Apart from the fact that the engine is hard to work with he says that there are a lot of things that go bad on pt cruisers. Is he right? Should I take the chance? Please help!!

[quicksilverdon]

How many miles on it? If it's around 100,000 miles, it'll need a timing belt replacement, costing around $1,000.
How well do you know the guy selling the car?

[Jacurlz]

It has around 90,000 miles and I don't know the guy selling it. He's asking $2500.

[ptcruisersteve]

I would suggest requesting a carfax to get a vehicle history report and see if there is anything that might be a concern to you.

[LionPT]

Originally Posted by Jacurlz

Hi! I am seriously thinking about buying a 2004 PT Cruiser turbo from someone who buys and sells cars. It looks like it is good condition, passed VA inspection last month, has some new front end parts BUT... my mechanic says that he strongly suggests that we don't buy it. Apart from the fact that the engine is hard to work with he says that there are a lot of things that go bad on pt cruisers. Is he right? Should I take the chance? Please help!!

Yes, some things on the PT's are hard to work on...some not.
It's a used car, you take your chances.
If you do buy it, find another mechanic. It's obvious he doesn't want to work on it.

[Jacurlz]

Thank you for your advice. Enjoy the rest of the weeken!

[Jacurlz]

*weekend!

[rockandroller]

No service history? My 2004 had some paperwork going a couple years back... so I could see it had recently had brake work, tires, and a new ECU. There was a foil timing belt 'sticker' in the engine compartment, but the mileage on it was unreadable.

It too was coming up on 90,000 miles but I took a shine to the car and decided to take the chance. Just recently I happened into another Chrysler dealer which showed me they had done timing belt about five years ago - so that probably has another 5 left on it. :-)

In the last two years I've had no complaints about the cost of maintenance. Not any more expensive than any other car, really.

[pasadenahotrod03Dreamer]

My son found somewhere, maybe here, a website that gives a registration and sale history of any car by VIN and it is free.
That can be done in seconds on your cell phone at the lot.
You can guess that the timing belt needs to be done and adjust your offer accordingly. Folks who don't know this don't make counteroffers but they do get the cars they want.
I love the 215, 220, 230 HP Turbo PTs. I don't know about Turbo Lites ,185HP, though. Loads of fun to drive.
I own a 02 Dream Cruiser (bad transmission), a 03 Dream Cruiser Turbo, and just got a needing a timing belt beautiful 07 Pacific Coast Highway Street Cruiser. Will I be disappointed after fixin the two needy Cruisers?
I don't think so, Cruisers are unique, comfortable, good sounds, wonderful little cars. Best of luck.

[pasadenahotrod03Dreamer]

My son found somewhere, maybe here, a website that gives a registration and sale history of any car by VIN and it is free.
That can be done in seconds on your cell phone at the lot.
You can guess that the timing belt needs to be done and adjust your offer accordingly. Folks who don't know this don't make counteroffers but they do get the cars they want.
I love the 215, 220, 230 HP Turbo PTs. I don't know about Turbo Lites ,185HP, though. Loads of fun to drive.
I own a 02 Dream Cruiser (bad transmission), a 03 Dream Cruiser Turbo, and just got a needing a timing belt beautiful 07 Pacific Coast Highway Street Cruiser. Will I be disappointed after fixin the two needy Cruisers?
I don't think so, Cruisers are unique, comfortable, good sounds, wonderful little cars. Best of luck.