A forum newbie
 

A neighbor, who owns Alfa Romeos and loves PT Cruisers, has offered to sell me his 2005 automatic, non convertible, for $1500. The car has 150K miles on it, 20K on new front brakes and bearing assemblies, and new rear brakes including drums. If I like driving the car, should I jump on this deal? I see that there are people on both sides of the fence as to their reliability. I am mechanically inclined, having maintained my husband's Alfas (including replace clutch, heater core, timing belt, water pump) and my older Chevy ('95 wagon with LT1 engine, did distributor R&R, in tank fuel pump, power steering lines, rear axles and bearings, etc ). I worked on British cars before that, swapping out an engine, R&Ring brakes adjusting valves, replacing head gaskets, rear ends and U-joints on 1960's era Rover P6s. SO if these cars aren't too difficult to work on, I'm game, but I'm getting a little old to want to do it on a regular basis. I am especially adverse to electrical gremlins. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Veronica

Can you do a head gasket, replace a power steering pump or possibly the front bushings? Those are all things that went on my 2001 with 121k miles on it. As mine is in great shape visually, I did the repairs. With vehicle prices today, the extra $3500 I have spent is nothing. good Luck!