im looking at a mustang on craigslist and he says that there is 70k on the new motor.. when someone says there is a new motor. what should i look for to make sure its legit. thanks guys

 

Paperwork and reciepts period

 

hard to say. i would go with paperwork to start, if he cant provide that than i wouldnt go any further. make sure the paperwork has the mileage the engine was installed, he could say 70,000 but dont take his word, could be 170,000.

you will want to look for,
- who did the work (install or rebuild)
- was it a new, rebuilt from the engine that was already in there, or a complete rebuild from a company such as jasper, ford, or even autozone.

having a rebuilt engine seriously reduces the value of a car. so if you do deside to buy this car you can use the engine to low ball him.

edit: beat me too it blk003

 

thanks alot guys. im so new to mustangs and this forum. but you guys really help and all you guys answer my question with out me feeling like im stupid bc i dont know alot about these cars. i use to be into imports and dsm motors. but im over that and im getting into mustangs a lot

 

thats good. this is a great forum and mustang ownership opens the doors to a great community of people.

 

Why would you make a statement like that? I totally disagree with you. There is nothing wrong with a rebuilt motor in a car if there is proof that it was done by a professional.

 

First off 70k on a motor is not a new motor. This is now a motor that has 70k on it, that isn't original to the car. Is this guy saying the engine was replaced and he put 70k on it? If it was a recent new motor and it can be proven by the owner with documentation, a rebuilt engine is not a bad thing. But unless I knew the seller, or knew someone who had experience with the seller rebuilding engines, I would not buy a car that the engine had been rebuilt by the seller. To many people don't know what they are doing, but they think they do.With a rebuilt engine you get a engine that performs like new. Not worn out with low compression. So if the seller can prove it was rebuilt, and the rest of the car is decent, and in good shape, I do not see a reason not to go for it.

 

I concur.

 

Having a rebuilt engine does reduce the value of a car--however not because there's anything wrong with a properly rebuilt and installed engine. It is rather because the general buying public shies away from vehicles with new motors; same as repainted and highly modified cars.

This reducing the pool of potential buyers = reduced "demand" = reduced "value".

It's a reflection of the general public's lack of mechanical knowledge and expertise (heck, just plain ignorance) more than anything, it is nonetheless a fact.

 

It trips me out that a couple of you guys think a rebuilt motor reduces the value or makes people shy away. As a lifelong car guy I would look at a used car with a new or rebuilt engine before I would look at a car with an untouched original to the car engine every time. On old engines you have no clue as to what kind of care was taken of the engine and with a new engine the time for that unknown to damage it is greatly reduced...

And agreed on the point that an engine with 70k is not a new engine. It is an engine with 70k unknown maintenance miles on it and as such could fail tomorrow...