So I had my heart set on this 72 Maverick I found on craigslist. I don't know much about cars, but I know I like the Mav. I took it for a spin and was almost sold, but the brake lights didn't work. We agreed on a price, but it was under the condition he could get the lights to work. So I'm supposed to pay and pickup tomorrow but he just emailed me and told me he can't get them working. He's chased wires and swapped the switch twice and they still don't come on. Now I know that this car has some electrical problems... AC/Heat temp switch doesn't do anything but the blower works. Radio is out for an unknown reason, oil light in dash will come on with a few others when you mash the brakes hard, and the brake lights don't work. The headlights and turn signals seem to work though. Is this car still worth buying? Could someone with an experienced eye take a look at the pictures and give me a clue? It has the original engine and transmission in it and the kids shop class rebuilt the i6 a little over two years ago. It purrs like a kitten, starts with no trouble, makes no weird noises, drives like a dream and has a brand new exhaust. Please? I really would like to buy it but I'm not going to settle for a lemon. Thanks in advance...
That is not a 1000 dollar car...that is at best a 750 car.It looks like it has rust issues and plenty of em.I would pass on it unless the floor pans/cowls are solid at the least. Electrical issues can get expensive to repair if you cant do it yourself.
What price did you agree on? Maybe they are worth a little more up there - But I doubt you could get much over scrap value down here. Straight six, lots of body damage, rust, electrical issues, etc... Id keep lookin.
For the price, if the body isn't a rust bomb and it runs as well as you say, yeah, it's worth it. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate. Then again, I also wouldn't hesitate to rewire the whole car. Are you willing enough to take the time to learn how to fix it, or rich enough to pay somebody to do it , or lucky enough to have friends who can help you? If yes, do it. But remember if you're going to use a 37 year old car for a daily driver, things like this can and will happen again and again. That doesn't mean you have a "lemon," it means you have an old car. You need one or more of the three things I mentioned above. EDIT: Nevermind, I didn't look at the pics... Talk the price down or keep lookin'.
Yeah, it has some rust issues along the wheel wells, the drivers side is all hammed up from front to back.... and the floor pans I'm sure need patched or replaced. I found a hole in the floor of the backseat on the passenger side. Straight through to the cold, harsh reality that this car may not make the cut. Now, I used to work with electronics quite a bit, a few years back. I'm sure I could rewire the whole damn thing but it would take time. I don't want to spend too much money and I can talk him down, but is it even worth it? Should hold onto my wallet and keep looking? What's a fair price for a Maverick in a little better shape that can be used as a daily driver? As to the one or more of those three things: I'm willing to learn and my brother is a mechanical guru. It's just a matter of do we both have the time and can I drive the car the 250 miles for us to take a weekend to work on it? The price we agreed upon was 700$. I don't think he'll go any further down from there.
Keep lookin. You can pay extra up front and have a good, solid foundation of which to build your Maverick, or you can get that POS and let it nickel and dime you way past what an already clean Maverick would have cost. Just doesn't pay off with these cars to get a rust bucket IMO.
No, I'm just that much of a moron. So does anyone want to sell me an awesome Maverick that isn't a total piece? Ha. No really though, any help in locating one within my area that would be a good buy would be much appreciated.
Even if it is a nice one, it's still a 200. Not the most desirable of Maverick engines... You can get a 302 V8 or at least a 250 I6 car in better shape than that for similar price.
I'd like a Stallion or a Comet GT really, but I'd settle for a Grabber or even just a 2 door coupe Maverick. What kind of price should I be looking at for something that runs and can be used as a daily driver while I work on it bit by bit?
Heh. Nothing wrong with the 200. Hell - Mine's nearly 40 years old and has never once been pulled/rebuilt. At the same time, I get passed by mopeds, flying geese, and little old ladies going to church....
Alright. So I won't buy this car unless he cuts the price in half. Even then, it's probably not good for much but parts. Correct? So I shouldn't pay more than 1500 for a Maverick in great condition? So this guy is on crack right? Man, I hate to keep this going with the perpetual "is it a good buy" question. Is there a sub-forum or existing thread where I can lament and cry about this? I feel like I'm being an awful newb since these are my first posts here. Sorry ladies and gents.
It's all good. Post as many as you need to! Welcome to the forum BTW I would't say a Maverick in great shape is worth $1500... (cole639 musta robbed someone) However, I wouldn't pay $5k for that Comet either.
Man! I need a break like that! Well, there's another guy out here that's selling a 74 for 2500. I requested some pics and info on the motor and trim and whatnot. Hopefully he'd be willing to knock a grand off his sticker price. Anyone else know of any Mavericks or Comets up for sale near my St. Louis home base?
