Would this be a Bad Decision? ($1k to buy '00 Ford Focus ZX3, 212k body, 110k engine)

[Aalok]

Lurked a lot over the years and now curious to get some other opinions.

I just took a look at a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 with 212k on the body, 110k on the rebuilt Zetec 2.0. I'm familiar with the engine because I have a VERY poor condition ZX2. The car is not from CNY so it has a lot less rust then I see on cars from even 2003 that have been here their whole life.

Anyway - he won't drop below $1k for it. In the last two months he got it a new cat, new tires, redone hoses on the evap system. Additionally I can see it has a set of Tein lowering springs, short ram intake and a mild tint. I had planned on lowering, so that's a plus in my book.

Bad side, it needs a clutch. I watched him driving (no test drive yet) and he doesn't fully depress the clutch so he gets some synchro noise when shifting in some gears. I'm afraid he's toasted some synchros from doing this for a while. I'll be test driving it tomorrow to see if it behaves with full clutch depression.

Needless to say...I'm a bit scared of the mileage and possible trans damage. Would you guys do it if the trans doesn't make any noise while I drive it? That price point is pretty scarce around here.

Thanks everyone...just a bit torn on this and looking for some voices of reason/dissent.