First off, please excuse all of the naivety I am about to drop on all of you. I am in the market for a car. Actually, my first car, that I will actually own myself. I live in an area where it hasn't really been super necessary for a car until now. I've been looking at alot of used cars, really for something inexpensive. I came across a '72 Comet in the mix of a bunch of newer, and dare I say, more "girl friendly" cars. I don't know why, but there is something really drawing me to this thing. It seems pretty well maintained, the exterior a little worn but I haven't actually looked at it in person yet. 77,000 miles and supposedly "running great". My question for you guys: Does this seem like a decent idea? Obviously you know nothing about me, but I'm a 24 year old girl who really knows virtually nothing about cars, especially older cars. Are you laughing? You're probably laughing. That's ok. People keep telling me, "No, don't do it. It's too much car for you." I'm not even 100% sure what they mean by that, but I think I'm in love with it, and I don't even know why. You guys probably can understand that, I hope anyway. Bottom line: I'm thinking, for $2000, maybe I can afford to buy this car and find out for myself? I mean, I do plan on driving it around, not far every day, but I figure most people don't really drive these cars, they're more for restorations? And I imagine they are terrible on gas. If anyone wants to excuse my ignorance and give me a little insight, I would be really happy. Thank you to whoever took the time to read my ramblings <3 -Kristin
You will here alot of "No Dont Do it" from this crowd too. But its your money and if you like the car go for it. If you dont like it after a while yo ucan always sell it again and it dosnt seem to expensive. Just make sure its in good running shape. Maybe find a local mechanic to look it over and im sure you will soon become good friends with said mechanic as you pay for all the maintanance and repair you will need overtime. But even newer cars that are $2000 are going to need a bit of maintenance and repair anyways so that wouldnt really be a negative to the Comet. Atleast the comet parts will be cheaper.
I have a couple thoughts for you and not becuase you are a girl, it could be anyone. These cars don't have to be that bad on gas, one could easily get around 20 mpg. These cars are 40 yrs old and are going to need maint. and parts. Do you have money to put into it. Do you have family or a freind that can help you work on it, because alot of shops are going to cost you alot of money if you can't get help. These are cool cars, of course you are going to get a little bias at this site, and there is nothing cooler than a younger person getting into them. It really depends on what you want out of it, and how much you can afford, because it is not going to be a car you can just jump into and drive like a new one without alot of time/money/work. Ryan and I were writing at the same time, but he is totaly correct in another aspect, any $2000 car these days is going to need something.
If the budget is 2000-3000 and you are looking at 90s cars in the price range then you will be getting a car that needs work also as they will all be over 100k miles and probably not been maintained properly. just set some money aside each month in a maintenance and repair saving envelope for the times when its needed. Its still cheaper than a car payment on anything newer.
These cars are about as easy to work on as cars come, but with a 40 year old car, it is a roll of the dice as to when it will need attention. All cars do, but you have 40 years working against you. Right off the bat, I will say that you definitely will want to change it over to front disc brakes. That will at least put that car a bit closer to the capabilities of what you will share the road with. Cars with computers, as everything in the past 20 years has been made, are very much a "put the key in it, crank it, and go". A car with a carburator will take some getting used to. The ignition can be updated to near-modern specs with a Pertronix kit, and that will take away a lot of old-car-fussiness, too. A very good upgrade.
A girl who likes old Comets, Admits she dosnt know everything, and has a sense of humor? Will you marry me?
i think 2000 is a good price for one that is running good and body is in good shape...BUT.. just like old mustangs, chargers, and cameros and other cars like that they have had there share of gas petal to the floor type of driving so u got to be caution of that as far as the engine goes..my wife loves the comet i fixed her up although she dont drive it to work which is 45 mins away, its get bout 15 mpg not good when her nissan gets 35, but i do think u going to love it...but to sum it up its a 40 year old car and its your money..........
I've known a young woman in town here for many years here in Fresno who owns a Maverick. I think she goes by RedMaverick on here. She has a six cylinder 75 or so Mav and she loves it. She also upon buying it learned all she could about taking care of it and I still see her driving it around today. I believe she drives it long distance too as I remember chatting with her about a trip to the coast she took in it a while back. Questions so we can help: 1. How much do you know about cars? If you know some basics about maintenance it could really help. 2. Are you willing to learn a few things necessary to keep an older car healthy? (Not as hard as it sounds) 3. Do you have any car support? Like a friend or relative who can teach you a few maintenance things? 4.Where are you located? There may be other Maverick/Comet people near you who can help. 5. Do you have someone (mechanic) who is knowledgeable who can check it out for you before you buy it? Two upgrades to consider that are worth their weight in gold are: Disk brakes and Pertronix ignition upgrade. OK maybe the disks are worth only 1/4 their weight in gold but that's still a lotta money Check to see if the Comet you're looking at already has Pertronix or another points eliminating system. It's possible if this car has been used a lot in the 90's through now that someone upgraded it already. It will eliminate a lot of annoyance if the car doesn't have points. I think when people say "It's too much car for you" they are assuming you want a car that's like an appliance. You turn it on use it and never think about it unless something fails on it. I call cars like that "Go Squares" They are conveyance objects that are bland and drive you to the store with the minimum amount of thought and the minimum amount of fun. In a Go Square you sink into the background of other go squares on the road. If you love cars with flair this will kill your soul Most people where cars are concerned aren't concerned with much more than that. If you think you can love the Comet enough to take care of it properly. (Again not as hard as it sounds if the car's in good condition to start with) And you can find people to help with some of the stuff you don't know. Buy it and enjoy it.
