UPDATED AGAIN...
Ok, perhaps a glutton for punishment. After finding out the service records WERE available all the way back to first oil change at 6,389 miles on 10/24/13. This vehicle was meticulously maintained between 2 different Ford stores here in OKC, so I went and put together a deal on it and have it in my garage on a "borrowed agreement". I have yet to finalize any payment, with the intent to do so tomorrow. Thus, here's how the day went with my "new" Sport...
Picked it up at 1:00pm... Got 1, yes ONE, mile down the road and the check engine light came one. Disheartening, but not a huge surprise given the 172k miles. Called, returned, code read (P0420, Bank 1 Catalyst System Efficiency below threshold). Was informed it could be a number of things (O2 Sensor(s), Plugs, or possibly catalytic replacement). Cleared code, drove 25-30 minutes home with no problem. Car sat in driveway for about 45 minutes until soccer practice. Fired it up, 1-2 miles down the road... Yep, CEL on again! Took to Autozone, same P0420, same laundry list of "potential" problems.
Maintenance history shows no signs of the plugs ever being changed, nor the O2 sensors. Last "major" repair was the transmission was rebuilt at 164k miles on 8/11/17. Every oil change, tire rotation/replacement, battery check, etc... is there in black & white every 4-6k miles.
So... Do I start throwing money at a presumably ongoing situation? If so, what would be the recommendation? O2 Sensors first? Plugs? If it is in fact the Cat, I've read/seen them anywhere from $235 (RockAuto) to $715 (Autozone) and that's before any labor, as I do not have the sufficient tools/space to do it. Or... Having gone this far only to discover this issue, is it now time to finally cut and run from this?
The main reason this was considered is due to the pricing of this rig. It has a NADA Clean Retail of $19,825. Hell, Clean TRADE on it is $14,175. These figures both account a $5,150 deduction for the miles at 172,581. The kicker... Car is priced at $12,100 out the door.
Tough decision, or easy walk away? Thoughts? Thank you in advance!!