Looking at used GT tomorrow...

[Empty Pockets]

Thanks Shelby...the dealer is DC motors in Anaheim. As you know, I've been
searching for a car for sometime. This one fits the budget and is mostly what I'm looking for. The dealer is under a very tight deadline (tommorow) before the car moves on to somewhere else??? Also seems like a red flag...or is someone just in a duress situation and needs to get out? This one smells funny.

There's an old saying that goes something like: "Anytime a deal has to be closed RIGHT NOW or it'll go bad must be 1/2 rotten in the 1st place."

Anytime a deal doesn't feel right to you...anytime that lil' voice is telling you something isn't right...anytime something "smells funny" - RUN, do NOT walk, to the nearest exit.

 

[BlackICE]

there's an old saying that goes something like: "anytime a deal has to be closed right now or it'll go bad must be 1/2 rotten in the 1st place."

anytime a deal doesn't feel right to you...anytime that lil' voice is telling you something isn't right...anytime something "smells funny" - run, do not walk, to the nearest exit.

+100%

 

[shelbyelite]

Almost everytime that little voice in my head told me to walk an I didnt, I got screwed. I now listen to that voice. I may pass up a good deal here and there, but the bad deals it saves me is worth far more!!!

 

[nota4re]

Shelby, as usual, is giving some real good and honest advice. Maybe this car is a deal, and maybe not. The key is that you shouldn't be rushed in to anything. It is BS in my mind that you are being hurried into a decision.... and this definitely raises my suspicions. If you are a serious legitimate buyer for this car, let them know, and also let them know what you will need time-wise to be comfortable. If they don't agree... then best to walk.

I wish the car was a little closer to me.... but let me know anyway if you would like me to take a look when/if the car is on a rack with the pans off.

 

[shelbyelite]

Also, please dont take my advise as trying to talk you out of a car that I am NOT selling. I have actually helped many buyers aquire other cars that I was NOT selling and did not profit a dime off of. Some of them frequent this forum, BUT I just would personally not touch this car. The "STORY" kills the deal for me.

 

[GTViperman]

I talked to the dealer about the damage to the car. He said besides the key marks, that it also had rock chips to the front of the car. If you drive a GT at all, it is going to get a lot of rock chips. With almost 10k miles on the car, rock chips will definatly show up. It sounds like everything from the windshield forward has been repainted. I believe they are selling this for a private party, so you might be able to talk to the owner directly if you are really interested. I think they would sell it for closer to $125k. I personally would not let the paint work worry me, but I would want to make sure it was not in a front-end collision! Good luck on your search.

 

[soroush]

im no expert on buying cars, but I agree with shelby, I would not buy anything that had a deadline of "tomorrow" if they want to sell the car and its the real deal the longer they wait they better, allows more potential buyers to see it and hence the likelihood of a sale is increased, the bs about the deadline kills it for me.:thumbsdow

 

[HHGT]

Thanks Shelby...the dealer is DC motors in Anaheim. As you know, I've been
searching for a car for sometime. This one fits the budget and is mostly what I'm looking for. The dealer is under a very tight deadline (tommorow) before the car moves on to somewhere else??? Also seems like a red flag...or is someone just in a duress situation and needs to get out? This one smells funny.

The car may be on Manheim Riverside High Line Auction Tomorrow and why it may be a quick sale. DC Motors moves a lot of cars through the auctions here in So Cal mostly because of his flooring fees. I'll check if it is going through the auction here in a bit....

 

[Nardo GT]

im no expert on buying cars, but I agree with shelby, I would not buy anything that had a deadline of "tomorrow" if they want to sell the car and its the real deal the longer they wait they better, allows more potential buyers to see it and hence the likelihood of a sale is increased, the bs about the deadline kills it for me.:thumbsdow

When I buy or sell I use MY judgment. I can act immediately and actually prefer to but it has to be on MY terms and I ask a million questions. I never buy a car without laying MY eyes on it...no private party inspectors....I use MY judgment. Paperwork is just that and CAN be a "tool" but not gospel. A car may have never had paintwork and be wrongly reported to CarFax. It could have been wiped out and have a "clean" CarFax. That is why I use MY eyes and MY judgment. So far. I haven't let myself down. I sold an O6 Jag S Type recently that I will stake my reputation on that had never had any paintwork and/or frame damage. Showed an "accident" in FL when it was about 6mos old on CarFax. Did not say what "type" or how "serious" of an accident. Could have hit a dog...who knows? Could be an error. I wholesaled the car to a dealer I know that sells highline quality cars and he is anal about paintwork. He couldn't find any either (car was black). He was aware of the CarFax. Said he would tell his customer and it would "hurt" the car but he said he could still sell it. Better this way than a totalled car with a clean CarFax. All I'm saying is use CarFax as a "tool". Nothing more.

Also as far as previous pictures.....uh..how do you know they are of that black car???? Photoshop??? And they COULD take a wiped out car and repair it....scratch the fender(s) (use pencil scratches etc) take photos of the scratches. Either spray it again or compound the marks off. You have great "before" photos to show.

Again, I use MY judgment. Too many variables and I trust myself.

A whole front end repaint would have me looking hard and even though I bought the "key" story I would dock the value hard because whe YOU sell it it will "hurt".

As far as actually driving this car and assuming no prior collision...it would be perfect. Wouldn't have to worry about "future" paintwork as someone else has taken the de-valuation already. I like it at the right price. "Perfect" cars do not exist (contrary to what some may think) just some cars are nicer than others. And it is damn near impossible to keep a car "perfect" and most unenjoyable to try. I'm thinking 20K less than a "perfect" car with comparable miles, again assuming only cosmetic paint plus any other defects like tires, curbed wheels etc..and it would have to be a very NICE car too. Edgy car in general is a different story.

So what does "paintwork" do to a GTX-1?? Haven't they ALL been painted on? Hmm...think about it. Yeh, yeh "factory" paintwork,,,,,,but not really. Not the FORD factory anyway.

I will definitely pay more for a "no-story", unpainted-on car but there IS a value to one with paintwork. I wouldn't touch a frame or seriously damaged car with a ten foot pole. GT or not.

 

[BlackICE]

"Perfect" cars do not exist (contrary to what some may think) just some cars are nicer than others. And it is damn near impossible to keep a car "perfect" and most unenjoyable to try.

I think EP's FGT might have been the exception and close to perfect when he sold it.

 

[Nardo GT]

I think EP's FGT might have been the exception and close to perfect when he sold it.

I still remain with my statement that there are NO perfect cars. "Close" only counts in horseshoes.:thumbsup Don't get me wrong......even new ones arent "perfect". Just some nicer than others. And please don't get me started on the anal-retentive owners keeping their cars in a hermetically sealed bubble for their grandkids to "enjoy". OMGack DRIVE THE DAMN THING. It's just a car...there you heard me say it. It's not a "gal" or your "baby". It's just a freakin' car...although one of the greatest I've ever owned. But I wouldn't shed a tear if something happened to it....replaceable....as long as my insurance pays!:thumbsup

 

[Empty Pockets]

"Perfect" cars do not exist (contrary to what some may think) just some cars are nicer than others. And it is damn near impossible to keep a car "perfect" and most unenjoyable to try.

I think EP's FGT might have been the exception and close to perfect when he sold it.

I'm afraid you're BOTH right. :bow

 

[RALPHIE]

My curiosity only involves the reason the car has had 4 owners already - and less than 10,000 miles on the vehicle. It suggests something is amiss with it, as I would think that most GT buyers would take at least a year just to get used to it - and the car would accumulate considerably more mileage.

PS - I've only had mine for 2½ yrs, and I have over 30,000 (and still getting used to it).

 

[shelbyelite]

The less than 100 miles in the last 12 months has me wondering

 

[Nardo GT]

The less than 100 miles in the last 12 months has me wondering

Agreed......but the GT I bought in March had 4K miles on it and I have put less than a hundred on it since. True I have 4, but it doesn't say that on a CarFax lol. Maybe they owner bought it to track it and drove 100 miles all on the track! . Like I said....lots of variables here....LOOK AT THE CAR! As you are all aware......some people simply don't drive these cars:bs::frown. First 3 owners might have and the fourth did not. Worth checking into, but not a huge red flag imo.:bored

 

[shelbyelite]

Agreed......but the GT I bought in March had 4K miles on it and I have put less than a hundred on it since. True I have 4, but it doesn't say that on a CarFax lol. Maybe they owner bought it to track it and drove 100 miles all on the track! . Like I said....lots of variables here....LOOK AT THE CAR! As you are all aware......some people simply don't drive these cars:bs::frown. First 3 owners might have and the fourth did not. Worth checking into, but not a huge red flag imo.:bored

Would not draw as much of a flag IF the car had not been said to had lots of paint work and IF the car had not had 4 previous owners and IF and IF and IF.
Car may be very nice. I dont know. We are just saying "BE CAREFUL"

In my opinion, with 10k miles, paint work, etc, $130k is no great deal.
I know you agree with me on that nardo as you are king of low ball offers! :biggrin
Sorry, had to bust your chops a little bit! :thumbsup

 

[soroush]

When I buy or sell I use MY judgment. I can act immediately and actually prefer to but it has to be on MY terms and I ask a million questions. I never buy a car without laying MY eyes on it...no private party inspectors....I use MY judgment. Paperwork is just that and CAN be a "tool" but not gospel. A car may have never had paintwork and be wrongly reported to CarFax. It could have been wiped out and have a "clean" CarFax. That is why I use MY eyes and MY judgment. So far. I haven't let myself down. I sold an O6 Jag S Type recently that I will stake my reputation on that had never had any paintwork and/or frame damage. Showed an "accident" in FL when it was about 6mos old on CarFax. Did not say what "type" or how "serious" of an accident. Could have hit a dog...who knows? Could be an error. I wholesaled the car to a dealer I know that sells highline quality cars and he is anal about paintwork. He couldn't find any either (car was black). He was aware of the CarFax. Said he would tell his customer and it would "hurt" the car but he said he could still sell it. Better this way than a totalled car with a clean CarFax. All I'm saying is use CarFax as a "tool". Nothing more.

Also as far as previous pictures.....uh..how do you know they are of that black car???? Photoshop??? And they COULD take a wiped out car and repair it....scratch the fender(s) (use pencil scratches etc) take photos of the scratches. Either spray it again or compound the marks off. You have great "before" photos to show.

Again, I use MY judgment. Too many variables and I trust myself.

A whole front end repaint would have me looking hard and even though I bought the "key" story I would dock the value hard because whe YOU sell it it will "hurt".

As far as actually driving this car and assuming no prior collision...it would be perfect. Wouldn't have to worry about "future" paintwork as someone else has taken the de-valuation already. I like it at the right price. "Perfect" cars do not exist (contrary to what some may think) just some cars are nicer than others. And it is damn near impossible to keep a car "perfect" and most unenjoyable to try. I'm thinking 20K less than a "perfect" car with comparable miles, again assuming only cosmetic paint plus any other defects like tires, curbed wheels etc..and it would have to be a very NICE car too. Edgy car in general is a different story.

So what does "paintwork" do to a GTX-1?? Haven't they ALL been painted on? Hmm...think about it. Yeh, yeh "factory" paintwork,,,,,,but not really. Not the FORD factory anyway.

I will definitely pay more for a "no-story", unpainted-on car but there IS a value to one with paintwork. I wouldn't touch a frame or seriously damaged car with a ten foot pole. GT or not.

I agree with you on all points, I have no problems with a complete front end repaint, my perfect blk no stripe car went through a complete front end paint job only a few months ago and I think the car is better than when it was new, my problem is making a decision to buy a car under the gun, one day to inspect the car or its gone? thats bs, they may have a legitimate reason why the car is available for only one day, but if i cant inspect it I wont buy it, seems like they dont want anyone to inspect it. thats a red flag for me:confused

 

[dtomaso1]

wow...what an unexpected response! 33 postings. Thanks all. You guys are definitely passionate about your opinions. I have weighed all the advice and in the end have elected not to be rushed into deadlines, nor to settle for something less than desirable. Too many unanswered questions from the dealership at this point, although it appears that some of the missing clues about the car were lost (or zipped up!) with the 4 previous owners. Not really the fault of the dealership.

In the mean time, still searching for a Southwest based GT in black or blue.

One of these days the planets will align!

 

[soroush]

wow...what an unexpected response! 33 postings. Thanks all. You guys are definitely passionate about your opinions. I have weighed all the advice and in the end have elected not to be rushed into deadlines, nor to settle for something less than desirable. Too many unanswered questions from the dealership at this point, although it appears that some of the missing clues about the car were lost (or zipped up!) with the 4 previous owners. Not really the fault of the dealership.

I the mean time, still searching for a Southwest based GT in black or blue.

One these days the planets will align!

when you least expect it!

 

[shelbyelite]

when you least expect it!

:thumbsup