Everything is really cheap and easy to fix on those exept the body.

Firstly make sure tha car has had no major smashes in it's 17yr life.

Check for rot (and repaired/covered rot) with a magnet along the sills, floor, chassis, wheelarches and a-post inner panels. If the magnet don't stick to the body you're on filler!!

Just make sure it's a genuine 48,000 not 148,000 or even 248,000 at that age!!

The efi system on these were a bit tempremental so make sure the car runs and pulls smooth with no flat spots or hesitation or "pinging/pinking"

If the idle is lumpy or irratic then that will be the idle speed control valve that needs replacing.

Also stand behind the car and let the owner start it for you and watch for blue smoke, these engines eat valve stem oil seals.

If the engine is warm when you get there you're best to wait till it's cold as they smoke more when they're cold.

Also listen for tapping/rattling from the tappets on the top of the engine.
These hydraulic tappets/lifters have a tendancy to seize up.

Don't worry about the tappets though, they are not too expensive and last ages if you replace with Ford units.

Other than that they are a very good car.

How much is it up for BTW??