Hey everyone, So I am 19 and I need a car for work and school. I found a used 1974 Maverick for $1800 for sale in the town near mine. The interior looks great and the outside does as well besides some slight rust damage. The mileage is 64,000 miles, the owner said that their parents passed it on to them and they never really used it. They say it runs great and I plan to test it before buying. What I was wondering was if buying a Maverick was a good idea for a first car for a student with pockets that are not too deep, my knowledge of them is pretty limited and I wanted to get the opinion of some experts. I have done some back ground research and found that they seem to be pretty easy to work on, but how hard would finding parts be? Or more importantly how expensive? Would I be getting over my head with this investment, or are my dreams or riding the coast in style a few bucks away?
In my opinion a Maverick would be a terrible first car for somebody in your position. The car is 40 years old. It is twice as old as you. You need something more reliable. This car could be it....hard to say, but in your position (see bold above) I would not take the chance.
Use the money, and buy something newer. Run away, far away. Unless you know how, and have the tools to work on an old car, don't even bother. Many before you have tried.
What Craig said...Althogh...These cars can be "made" very reliable due to their simplicity but...With limited mechanicle knowledge or ability and limited funds...It could be a problem child and a money pit.
I agree with the previous comments. These cars are great if you have the money & time to work on them, replacing worn out components, and if you have something else to drive daily , which most of us do. I'd recommend a good, clean, used Honda Civic or something similar. An old Maverick for someone in the position you described yourself to be in, is just gonna be a money-pit.
Don't do it. Take it from the twenty year old (in a similar situation to you) with two other reliable vehicles to compare to his comet. They are really simple to work on and nothing is difficult to learn.. BUT, the amount of money required to take a 1800$ mav/com and bring it up to snuff for reliability is way too high. That being said... if you're set on this car; and I can't stress enough that it's NOT a good first car, or only car. There are plenty of people around here who will help you out.... and will be able to give you pointers on what to look for; checking the torque boxes for rust and bring a gallon of water with to test the cowl comes to mind.
i've driven my 73 comet and a 77 4 door maverick as daily drivers. that being said i do all my own work on the cars and i know how to do the work. so like others have said if you realy don't know how to work on older cars they can become a money pit really fast. i feel that mavericks can make great daily drivers but not fi your paying someone to work on it for you.
Take everyone's advice and leave it where it is. Something as simple as changing the brakes out can run over $200. If you have another car to use for work and school, then go for it. Just keep in mind, it could be great for years or it could cost thousands to get it where it needs to be. Good Luck
just had this conversation with my wife over my 19 yr old stepson. good responsible kid but zero experience on repairing/maintaining cars. He has a 94 volvo 850 which has been vitrually bulletproof, ac works, has comfy seats and we paid 1600 bucks for it off a used car lot. I put in a coil, wires, plugs and he has done nothing to it for 3 years. hes heading to USC for the last 2 years of school and she (for some unknown reason) thought a 40 year old car would eb agood idea and sugested he get a maverick. which i killed that idea pretty quick. the volvo goes with him. fwiw, when i was in college i bought a used mitsubishi mighty max truck (think i financed 2k for it) for a daily driver. 0 style, but stupid reliable and i could haul parts for my projects, (vintage motorcycles) and never got stuck driving drunks around (only 1 at a time at most). and i knew what i was doing on old cars. swallow the temptation until you get a bit more of a budget/less imortant priorities. Good luck with it!
Natural mechanical aptitude is a must in this situation. I'm not saying you couldn't learn to work on it, but if you can't already foresee what it COULD take to make it reliable and the cost involved, than take everyone's advice. I've been driving a Maverick daily since I was in high school at 17, now nearly 27 and still love it. But I've literally been around these cars and other old Fords for my entire life. I'd venture to say most young people who are successful in having a vintage car for their first come from a family of car people who already have the tools and skill necessary to keep it running.
Jamie, you have totally impressed me over the years I have known you. you are 1 in 10 million young kids with the knowledge, skills and passion you have for old iron...:Handshake
