Topic: Newbie concerns

[dmk63]

Ok, here's the deal.  I'm a poor college student and I've found a 79 Pinto hatchback for $100.  I want to check it out this weekend if I have time but haven't seen it yet.  I'm just looking for a cheap car that is relatively safe and I haven't found anything cheaper.  Hell, I'm 19 and male with a fender bender on my record and insurance is only $850/year.  I'm seriously considering getting it, but I'm wondering what people on here think of the Pintos overall.  I know about the bad reputation and all that, but I've looked around and that mostly seems to come from biased sources.  So I reason that I should ask the people who trust their lives to these cars, right?  What do you all think of these cars?  I'm talking milage, handling, brakes, availability and cost of parts, reliability, maintenance, whatever.

[UltimatePinto]

As far as the bad reputation goes, that came for the most part from an idle Pinto being struck from behind at a high rate of speed by a larger vehicle. I've heard of the same thing still going on with modern Crown Victoria's, (State Police vehicles parked on the side of highways), and the move by some states to switch to Dodge's. Would any vehicle stand up in such a scenario? Kind of hard to say. Is it possible the same could happen to your vehicle? Yes it is, although I think that the later year Pinto's had more beef in the rear suspension that the early models, and I think that the early models is where the problem manifested itself.

Affordability depends on your budget. I'm aware of how much college textbooks go for. Considering the age of the vehicle, it probably has had all of the regulars changed over the years, (brakes, water pump, starter, alternator, shocks, radiator, heater core, etc) , and some of these may need to be changed again.

The first thing that I would look at is the front suspension and what condition it's in. That may be pricey to repair but I think that you still may be able to get all of the componets. It's nice when the vehicle goes where you steer it and the front wheels don't fall off.

Brakes and shocks and tires would be my next concern. From there you could go into engine and transmission issues that could go into orbit depending upon the seriousness of the problem, but generally you can notice potential concerns with a test drive. For a hundred bucks you can't say too much.

Once everything is ready for the public highway, it is a very reliable vehicle that is sure to bring fond memories when your older. Gas mileage should not be a problem with a tuned engine, new fluids and filters. It is one of the most fun vehicles to drive, (with the rack and pinion steering), that Ford ever made. The only vehicle I have ever owned that I bought brand new was a 73 Runabout.

A note of caution in extream rainfall, and deep moving surface water,(especially if your moving with it, in the direction it flows), they can and do hydro plane and the rear end will slip out right underneath you so you have to slow down.

Hope this helps.

Al

[phils toys]

I agree with Al. I did a lot of research about the exploding and cane up with the same conclusions as you  most of it is from a bias point of view, but the potential problems were recalled and problems fixed by 77 models here is one of the best articles on the subject i could find http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/reserve/eco360/c713_1.html
  now to answere your questions :I'm talking milage, handling, brakes, availability and cost of parts, reliability, maintenance, whatever.
 milage i get about 24 on the  highway ( actually  not running properly  bad vacuum lines and clogged converter  )
handling  it is an older rear wheel drive  they handle  a lot different than a front wheel drive   but i enjoy driving it
I have had no problems finding part for my 76 the local auto parts  stores have had 99% of what i needed in stock. the parts were no more expensive than any other car and in most cases cheaper than my other cars.
like  AL  said and i found it true the parts are 25-30 years old and it greatly deepens on prior maintains as to what will need replaced  mine was brakes,radiator hose and thermostat and just minor cosmetic things
over all i am very pleases with mine and would drive it anywhere  this past spring i took it on a family trip 5hrs  each way and had no problems.
so if you do get it people here are very help full  with any questions you may have and may just have that one very hard to find part
Phils toys
.

[dmk63]

Thank you both for your input.  My parents are picking up my books for next semester and until I get a job (which is why I need the car) my total budget is about $1200.  I agree that since '79 some of the parts should have been replaced, but I truly know almost nothing about cars.  I do know that the car has been sitting for an indefinite amount of time and I'm hoping for an email today on the condition of the body, windows, interior, a/c, radio, brakes, etc. but I'm not hoping for too much.  The owner said that he put a battery in and the engine did turn over.  Also, I'm really not worried about blowing up.  If someone hits me that hard, the gas tank will be the least of my worries.  Hydroplaning is also not a huge concern.  Any car will hydroplane given the right circumstances and my next choice is a truck (I have hydroplaned those).

When checking it out, I'll have an friend with me who knows a decent amount about cars (has an '80 Pony), and I'm hoping my uncle will come around and check too, but if those fall through do either of you have any guidelines for what I should be aware of or look for (I mean aside from no brakes and a strong smell of gasoline )?

[r4pinto]

Excessive rust under the car. By excessive I mean floor shock mounts, bumber brackets, core supports, etc. Bottom line, it's gonna have some rust underneath. most do, but you don't want everything overly rusted. But for $100, I'd say go for it, provided it isn't too far gone. Got any pix? That would make it easier to judge it.