Topic: I could use some advice on this Mustang

[Konrad]

I met a guy who has a 1998 automatic Mustang GT. He bought it in California and brought it back to BC but it has been sitting for 2.5 years. He has 3 huge dogs and therefore uses a van now instead of driving this car. He is busy and doesn't want to deal with the car. He is willing to sell it to me at a low price so that he doesn't have to deal with washing it (it is white but is turning quite green from sitting there) and putting in a new battery and getting new tires. He also wanted to drain the gas tank and change the oil before running it again. He says there was nothing wrong with it but he never did the paperwork to import it into Canada. I have yet to see it run or drive it. Obviously running it or driving it could change my mind on buying it. Here a few questions maybe someone could help answer:
1. What things should I look for that could be wrong with it from sitting?
2. What things commonly go wrong with these years of cars?
3. I was going to drain the oil and fuel and put in new before running it so,
     a) how do I drain the fuel, is it fairly easy?
     b) Is there anything else that I should do first also?
4. The rings could be pretty dried out from sitting so long, is there anything I can do to help that situation or should I just run it and take it easy for a while?

The idea behind buying this car is that there is not sense in it sitting there longer gathering algea and the seller knows it, so he would rather sell it for a low price than deal with all this.

Any help would be appreciated a lot.

Thanks,
-Konrad

[66GTKFB]

Get the paperwork straightened out first, otherwise you will have a white with a greenish tint, parts car.
Jim

[Soaring]

I absolutely agree with Jim regarding the paperwork before you buy it, but you are kinda in a pickle that you are not able to drive it before buying it.  The car belongs to the owner, and it would be his responsibility to get it running first.  Not yours.  I would pass......

[Konrad]

I wouldn't buy it before driving it. I agree that just seems foolish. Do you think it will really stay very green tinted?

[Soaring]

Since white is such a light color, if it gets the algae into the paint, it will be very difficult to get it out without removing a lot of the layer of paint.  Remember, that back then they didh't apply clear coat over the paint.  You are looking at a new paint job along with all the mechanical fixes. Run, don't walk. 

[Konrad]

1998 is only 11 years ago... no clear coat?

[Soaring]

Oh, I'm sorry.  I didn't notice the year.  Yeah the car has clearcoat, and may not need anything buy a good cleaner applied. 

[Konrad]

yeah it's funny actually a buddy of mine who works at an auto parts store told me yesterday he sells a cleaner specifically for algea on cars. Can anyone answer the other questions I had about the first time starting it up? Any ideas?

[Soaring]

1.  rust, water in the gas tank from condensation, rats have eaten wiring.

2.  Nothing different than any other 20 year old car

3.  See if the tank has a plug on the botto, if not, and the sending unit is on the bottom of the tank, take that out.  If not then just siphon it out. 

[Konrad]

Yeah sending unit sounds like a good idea, I'll look for that. Thanks for the help. It's a 10 year old car btw.

Is there much interest in automatic transmissions with these cars? I personally would not want one, but how about other ppl?

[Soaring]

Yep, only 10 years old.  Must have been that new math course I took.    If that is an OD automatic tranny, then yes there is a market for them.