Considering there are rust spots in the lower front of the doors (common problem), I wouldn't buy the car for that much money. By the time you hired somebody to fix the rust and repaint you'll likely be over 10K total investment. I'd spend the 10K up front and find a nicer one in better shape.

 

Aussie, i never said that they were buying it for my mom. I said my mom was looking at it, I think if we got it she would tell mny dad that she wants it for herself though and then give it to me.

 

Can you explain to me why drums are worse that disks, and why it matters if it only has 14s on it. My dad has explained about the drums, but I forgot it.

 

There are two downsides to drum brakes. One is that they heat up and fail if over used such as coming down a mountain or racing on an oval track. The other is that they will fail if they are wet such as going through a stream or in a downpour out on the road. Other than that, they will lock up just as fast as disk brakes. Without the ABS system, both the disks and the shoe brakes will lock up and that is where you lose control of the car in an emergency braking situation. The 14 inch wheels do not have enough room inside the wheel to accept the disk brake caliper. My Mag 500's will possibly fit, but most other 14" wheels will not work with the disk brakes.

 

We forgot to ask him what kind of brakes it had. If it is drums, how much would the upgrade to disks cost?

 

If you do the work yourself, you are looking at about 600 bucks if you buy the new Granada parts from Dennis. If not, then well over 1K bucks.

 

I think I would do it myself. I know my dad would want to spend more time with me, so he'd help out.

 

It would be a fun project for you and your dad. My son is 32 years old, and he can tell you we had some fun times working on cars when he was younger.

 

Ya, once again though my dad is hesitant because we have filled all of our spots for our cars, and even now we have this neverending battle for parking spots with our neighbors. Times like this when I wish we lived at the house at the end of our street which has a 2 car garage and 7 car driveway.

 

Soaring, do you think it'd be possible for him to find some original disk brakes and then refurbish them? Because disks on the front are what my car had on it from the factory and they fit with my 14" wheels.