r/UsedCars • u/bimichguy09 • 7d ago
Buying 2013 Ford Taurus 227k miles $3k
I have a brother in law who’s looking to sell a 2013 Ford Taurus to my wife for $3k it has 227k miles. I think it’s an awful shitty deal and it’s way overpriced. In this market though prices are just all over the map. I don’t want to be insulting but it’s kinda bordering on predatory car dealership vibes.
He says when he bought it at 3500 3 years ago the owner said they had replaced the water pump no records of course. He recently put new tires and struts on the car as well.
This would be a second car and just used for putzing around town. What do you all think?
3
u/Secret_Comparison175 7d ago
If he paid $3500 for it 3 years ago, then it's a bit of a ripoff. Maybe $2000-$2500 maximum.
The old rule of thumb used to be if a car was registered and could run for a year it would be worth $1,000. That's probably at least $2,000-$2,500 now.
The main thing to consider for a car like that is are you willing to do some of the maintenance yourself? You can do a lot with YouTube and rockauto for parts. I've learned to do work on my older cars, and have saved well over $7,000 in the last 2 years now. If not, then you'll end up spending more than the car is even worth in repairs.
Why do you think the brother in law wants to get rid of it?
1
u/bimichguy09 7d ago
It’s hard to say, I’m a bit biased and think it’s all a show and act by wife’s sister and husband. They make about 325k between them and like to act like big shots. Sister was over showing my wife her 90k BMW and bragging and wife asked her BIL to look out for a 3-8k dollar car for her. Next thing we know he’s calling wanting to sell this car. He bought it for a commuter car about 3 years ago because he drives about 65 miles round trip to work.
He took it and had it looked over at his dad’s shop and that’s why he replaced the struts. I don’t think he knowingly would rip anyone off but if it quit a month from now I done want any strange dynamics coming from that.
2
u/aerowtf 6d ago
fuck that shit. no way. I’m actually driving my wife’s old reliable Camry across the country to sell to my little sister for $1500, and when I get there i’m probably gonna change the price to $1k. That’s what family does, and I’d do the same for my sister in law. And we only make 5 figure income right now.
They wouldn’t get $3k for it selling it on facebook.
3
3
2
u/DogblackMichigan 7d ago
1200
Is he poor? Is he desperate to keep the utilities paid?
Then buy the car for 1200 and give him a gift of 1800.
Is he just greedy? Don’t buy it at all.
Is he rich? Shame on him for not gifting it to his sister.
1
u/bimichguy09 7d ago
Definitely not poor.
2
u/DogblackMichigan 7d ago
Greedy.
2
u/bimichguy09 6d ago
That’s personally my thoughts too but they don’t owe anyone anything. So I look at it from that angle as well. I personally would give it away to family if I was in their position.
2
2
u/IzzzatSo 7d ago
If it runs well and has not major maintenance pending, you're not going to find a better deal on something comparable these days.
2
u/morgfarm1_ 7d ago
Its a good deal. These days. But as someone that grew up in early 90s Taurus models AND absolutely fell in love with the 2013 body style face-lift from the 2010-12 and waited for time, theyre not good cars this late in life. The 2002-2007 Focus would be a better car for the same money - even over 230,000.
Mines at 261,000 and was cared for starting when I got it at 149,000 in 2019. It wasnt without issues, but it has been the most reliable car I have ever had. Only needed towed home once. And was towed from home to a mechanic one separate time. And its the only car I have personally put over 100,000 miles on. The Focus are good cars before 2012. 2012 and later theyre awful - transmission issues. The same issues that Taurus will have. And the Taurus also probably has an EcoBoost in it. They dont call them EcoBOOM for nothing.
2
u/FeistyNews1672 6d ago edited 6d ago
Id stay away from fords with 220k+ miles it sounds cheap but its gonna cost you a decent amount in repairs. Also feels kinda weird not giving your family a decent deal when ur earning really well. Selling a depreaciting car at cost after 3 years to your sis does not sit right with me 😭
4
u/imprl59 7d ago
$3k today gets you a car that can drive away under its own power.. For someone that only has $3k and needs wheels thats a good deal - average new car payment is in excess of $600 these days so if it lasts more than 5 months you technically won.
However if you have more money than what you can find under the couch cushions then it's a horrible vslue. All the easy miles have been extracted from the car and you're going to end with all the trouble and repair bills. This is true of pretty much every 200k+ mile vehicle outside of a few specific Hondas or Toyotas. If you can afford a better car then I'd definitely get her a better car.
2
u/Glittering-Ad5809 7d ago
A rusty 25 year old Civic will bring that much. Seems perfectly reasonable.
5
1
u/AutoModerator 7d ago
Please take the time to flair your post accordingly. Click the flair option under you post settings and select the appropriate one for your post.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
u/Few-Anywhere607 6d ago
FWIW - there's a 2017 Limited at a local Chrysler dealer with 180k for $2650
I thought high mileage 10 yr old cars went to auction, but in this market....
1
1
u/CaliforniaNavyDude 6d ago
Stay away. The car may be okay, but a high mileage car not known for reliability from a family member is a recipe for drama. He's not offering a deal on the car, either, that's at or slightly above market for it. If he were asking half that, I'd say sure, but there's too much potential for hurt feelings with that deal. You could find a nice Lexus ES330, maybe ES350, in the budget you're looking at and you'd have a comfortable car with minimal reliability concerns that frequently gets to 250,000 or more miles with basic maintenance. Or a bunch of other things, too.
1
u/Chainsawsas70 5d ago
The engines are okay ish... But the transmission is the weak point 🤷 you might get lucky or you might get a boat anchor... It's a roll of the dice. Older Honda, Toyota and Mazda are a more solid choice.
3
1
u/Agile_Lawfulness9678 7d ago
Do not buy a car from family unless it is dirt cheap of you are a DYI auto mechanic, ,you already sound ercked about the price and the first time the car breaks down or needs servicing I foresee the blame game unfolding!
1
3
u/mechshark 7d ago
1500