Looking at buying, but has rear end noise?

plkdb · Apr 22, 2007

Looking into buying a 2001 GT convertible. 67k miles, triple white, auto. Seller wants 8k. Trying to talk him down another 200 because one of the rear calipers started leaking and appears to be slightly loose. Says its a new problem, not super concerned, easy/cheap fix. The main issue I am concerned about its I can hear a whirring/whooshing sound coming from the rear and a squeak, but cant tell if its coming from the brake or not. I'm inclined to think its the rear end. Is this a problem area for these cars, should I run for the hills and pass on this one? Is it cheap enough that I should jump on it?Thanks guys!

darkside03gt · Apr 22, 2007

If its not gona be a daily driver and you have time to fix any issues, go for it. The noise could be cheap tires or tires that werent correctly balanced some tires are just really noisey ask the guy if he's had gears installed if he has then they may have not been set up right or he used cheap no name gears if it is the rear end you could find a complete one on ebay or the classifieds for as little as $300

plkdb · Apr 22, 2007

The only thing he told me he did was he put new tires on about a year ago that were hard tires so he wouldnt have to buy new ones for a while. I`ve honestly never heard tire noise other than on a truck with oversized tires, or mudders.

Black'02 · Apr 22, 2007

If the rear caliper is loose it could be rattling around when you are driving. The whirring tends to sound gear related as was already said. It doesnt sound like anything too serious. Id have it checked out by a mechanic prior to buying though just to make sure. Was the car wrecked or anything? 8k for a 2001 vert seems pretty cheap.

darkside03gt · Apr 22, 2007

I've run alot of tires on previouse cars and some were quiet and others were noisey if they have a high tread wear number (above 360) and they are cheapies that could be a big part of it because no name tire companys dont do alot of r&d but like i already said you could just get out the shot gun and replace the whole rear end for as little as $300 bucks and be done with it

plkdb · Apr 22, 2007

What rear end is in this model?

darkside03gt · Apr 22, 2007

8.8 you could get one from any 94-04 gt dont get one from a v6 they are 7.5 and wont last long behind a v8

blacksheep-1 · Apr 22, 2007

It might be just the rear end. The 8.8 is one of the noisier rears ever made. I had one with 50,000 miles on it and I pulled it down and replaced the axle bearings, axles and all the bearings (along with going to a 3.55). the rear still made some noise, but it was on par with every other 8.8 mustang that I've driven. For whatever reasons Ford, the folks that build the best rear ever (9 inch) decided to copy all of the bad things about GM's 10-12bolt series. The bearings ride on the axles, so they wear out, it doesn't have a banjo, etc. etc. It is a faily decent rearend for performance and holds up pretty well.
I don't know what mad ethe bearings go bad at 50K, (most rears are good for 150K plus)but at least you know that it is a possibility.

plkdb · Apr 23, 2007

Talked to him today, he and a friend checked out the rear end. He also checked out the caliper. Says its not leaking, that it looks to have been over spray from when he cleaned the tires. But a strut is bad on the rear end, may account for the occasional squeaking I heard. I`m going to clean the caliper with some alcohol and see what it looks like the following day, but I could see that. The rear end has some play according to him when they checked it out, hes calling it out of limits, so hes knocking his price down to 7500. Debating on beating him up for another 200, or not. Thoughts?

Kilgore Trout · Apr 23, 2007

Have it checked out by a good mechanic. I have a bad feeling about this deal. Where are you at? Perhaps a SN member is close by and can help you inspect the car.

Post some pics of the exterior, interior, engine, and undercarriage.

04DarkShadowGT · Apr 23, 2007

$7500 is a great price for an 01 Vert with those miles.

Kilgore Trout · Apr 23, 2007

04DarkShadowGT said:
$7500 is a great price for an 01 Vert with those miles.

Exactly, its almost TOO good of a price...

plkdb · Apr 23, 2007

Its not a scam, its a guy I work with. From what I gather he's a little over his head as far as bills, and will be moving back to the states soon. (We are stationed in England right now). I've got pictures, but they are too big to post and dont know how to shrink them. Engine is filthy, not from oil, just from road dirt, and never being cleaned. Interior, seats were white, now they are a grayish color from not being cleaned. Exterior is pretty decent, headlights need replacment (crap inside), small scuff on side of rear bumper cover. One bullet style wheel has a slight bend to it assuming from a pothole or curb? A downside I learned today is it could cost 15-2400 to ship it back to the states. I plan on letting the gov't ship my mini as I definetely plan on keeping it. THe debate with this car is to buy it and fix it up and keep it, or buy it, fix it, and sell it.

Kilgore Trout · Apr 23, 2007

Pass on it.

plkdb · Apr 23, 2007

Oh and its also a moral dilema, as if I buy the car for 7500, he's still going to be 4k upside down on it. Not really my problem, I do feel a little bad for him though. Bad credit/no credit meant he got a high interest rate loan.

04DarkShadowGT · Apr 23, 2007

plkdb said:
Oh and its also a moral dilema, as if I buy the car for 7500, he's still going to be 4k upside down on it. Not really my problem, I do feel a little bad for him though. Bad credit/no credit meant he got a high interest rate loan.

Not your problem, however if he is upside down is he going to have the extra 4K to pay off the loan to get your title?

On this one given all the circumastances I would pass too. Too much wrong, white interior yuck, 2000 to ship it back.

four six · Apr 23, 2007

Find a GT once you get back to the states

plkdb · Apr 23, 2007

I know hes got a loan approved for 4k as a personal loan to pay off the difference.

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