New versus used - deals on 2002

[DLJames]

Hi all:

I have been following this board for several months but have not posted much because I don't have a T-bird (yet). Thanks for all the great info you have provided - I have learned a lot. I am looking to purchase a 2002 and it must be T-bird blue. That is another story but it has something to do with being close to the color of my first car (a 64 Falcon).

Anyway, I have been offered a new 2002 blue premium with top and full blue interior (MSRP $40,245) for $36,200 (that is supposedly invoice less holdback) or I can buy a used (4k miles) 2002 blue premium with top and partial blue interior for around $34,000. (Thanks to some info from a friend of mine, current dealer auction prices in the Northeast appear to be around $32K.)

What do you think of these prices? I am leaning towards the used one because I really like the partial interior but the difference between new and used is so close, I am tempted to go with the new full blue instead.

The new one has build date of 09/02 and the used one a build date of 01/02. Are there any engineering changes that were made during this time that might make a difference?

What do you think? Thanks David

[BLUNBIRD]

David - Do you know why the used one is for sale? Do you know the owner and how the car has been driven? How about the warranty on the used one? We have had ours since August and have about the same amount of miles. Friends of ours have one that they took possession of in March of last year.

We are not aware of any engineering differences our two cars.

Seems like such a small difference in the two prices that it might wiser to go with the new one.

The full blue interior is very nice:smokin: :smokin:

[Blue Heaven]

David,
I am partial to the partial (sounds weird, huh?) accent interior, but for the price difference you are looking at, I would go with the new car. I had an opportunity to pick up a blue "demo" when I was looking, but decided that I wanted this car to be driven by me and me alone. When you are as fanatical as I am about my cars (and especially about this one), it is comforting to know that no one else has had the opportunity to treat her wrong. Good luck to you what ever your decision!

[5bird7]

Price wise - I'd go for the new; the used delux is being offered at less of a discount than you're being offered on the new. The used car has had only 1 recall - the seatbelt issue so that's no 'biggy' problem. Other than that, they're the same mechanically. The new car will come with the mylar strips for the rear deck, the used one won't unless the owner has obtained them in the last 6 months.


As for the difference in interior - remember, that once you're sitting in the car, the color of the seats disappears. You'll find that the blue across the dash and doors will be very pleasing. I wouldn't have it any other way.

If you opt for the used car, make sure you get the hardtop rack that came with the car and that the tonneau cover is there along with the owners manual in it's black case. Make sure the soft top isn't stained and that the floor mats are there. There's also a CD that came with the owners manual that shows how to remove the hardtop. and you'll want to make sure you get in on the warrantee.

[Bryan Sloop]

David:

I agree with Blubird. If you buy the partial accent car, are you sure the person will inform you of any defects, or problems? The question I have is why do they want to sell it being it is so new?

There is nothing like buying a NEW car. Honestly, my Bird was the first BRAND NEW car I ever bought. To me, that makes the way I feel about it 10 times greater. In addition, you start out at square one. If there is any issues regardless of how minute, you can get the problem solved by just simply going back to the dealer and have them repair it. The paint would be my biggest concern. I know I had several flaws in my paint when I got my car, and my entire car had to be re-painted. If you bought the previously owned car, you may find small things of concern that you may just have to deal with. Remember, Caviat Emptor.

On the other hand, possibly the previous owner just fell upon hard times. They may have taken extremely good care of their baby, and have to sell it. You could wind up with a car that has had all of the bugs already worked out. Possibly you may get the "extras" with the purchase. Examples: 5 car box set, dealer portfolio book, things like that. Be sure to ask if they had the recall work done to it (if it applies).

Best of luck in your decision.

Bryan

[ThunderBubba]

I think it boils down to personal preference. If you don't like the full blue interior as much as the black then go with the black. I don't think there will be anything wrong with the used Bird and besides you will still have waranty coverage up to 36,000 miles or 3 years. If your a car nut like most of us then you will probably want to take the new one. You don't want anyone else to have been driving your baby.

[JRL]

David,
Don't worry about "why the car is being sold".
Many, including mine were bought by dealers who wanted to have one for awhile and then sell it.
Mine was a different story as I plain just didn't like the car for my own personal reasons but nothing was wrong with it.
So if you want to save a couple of dollars, go for it, as there usually is little or no diference between a new one and one with a few thousand miles on it. Just make sure that the car wasn't damaged severly.
JRL

[MATBird]

For the sake of a few $1000. go for the new car.

[joelja]

Yep, I'd say, in this case, you would be better off going new....and the full color interior is terrific....in my opinion.

[5bird7]

Remembered - the delux model may or may not have the traction control. It was an option for that model. I don't know where you would find info on that other than on the original window sticker. You might be able to get a dealership service dept. to look it up for you.
The premium have traction control as standard equipment and it's standard on all the 2003s.

[Gobird]

:pinkie: If it were me I would go for the new one. Most of the reasions have already be posted. This car is special and I would not want a used one. So go for the new one, you will love the full int.

[Terry]

I agree. Go for the new one. Fewer headaches if you establish a relationship with the origional dealer,too.

[DLJames]

All:

Thanks for the comments and thoughtful suggestions. The used one is a premium and is the same (equipment wise) as the new one except it is partial interior vs full interior. The dealer says the used one was owned by a guy who got tired of it and moved on to something else.

I am also somewhat of a fanatic about my vehicles, so I am leaning towards the new one vs the used one. I know how I take care of my vehicles (as in baby them) but you never do really know for sure about the previous owner.

I'll let you know what happens!

David

[T02 Bird]

Dot

Remember, there is an on/off switch for the traction control. So if you wonder if a deluxe has it or not...look for the switch on the dash!:lol:

KB

[brd4jk]

to2
what is the name of that building behind your bird

[5bird7]

I forget:rolleyes: - thanks for the reminder. :biggrin: I probably don't even know where that switch is on our car. :nono: then David reminds me that he says both are premiums so it's a mute point now :moreek: (if I had only paid attention to what he wrote)

[T02 Bird]

This picture was taken in front of the famous Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. A friend of mine insisted we take the car up there last March for photos just after I took delivery, and let me tell you the attention we got! It was quite a fun afternoon to say the least.

KB

[brd4jk]

i thought it looked familiar

[RoryF]

Originally posted by T02 Bird
This picture was taken in front of the famous Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. A friend of mine insisted we take the car up there last March for photos just after I took delivery, and let me tell you the attention we got! It was quite a fun afternoon to say the least.

KB

T02 Bird, give me a call and we'll get together - I'm just up the road from you ...

[VicRattlehead]

IMO GO NEW!!! nothing like having a new car. i had a brand new mustang in 97 it was MINE, nobody had a chance to mess it up. if somehting happened it was because i did it. plus you know you get all the stuff with it, plus you get the extra 4000 miles worht of the warrenty.

[vinbird]

TRADE in prices are under $29,000 or better in the NE ....and with low mileage. If you wait another 2 monthes (when the cold weather breaks ) there will be probably savings of another 5 grand. ( there are still too many 02's around sitting new )

[FUN X 3]

I was there in Palm Beach for business a few years ago, nice place! Back to the subject, I'd get the new bird with the full accent interior if I were you. However, you really can't go very wrong either way!:biggrin:

[THUNDRB]

It's not always a matter of something wrong with the car and that's why someone wants to sell it. My husband bought a blue 2002 and we picked it up the end of Sept. I like the car, but this is Michigan with an inch of salt on the roads even though it's dry right now and he doesn't want me to drive it. I'm tired of being confined to the house while he takes my good old Cougar to work now while the Bird and the Vette sit in the garage, and me in the house. I wish he never bought it.

It also appears theres a glut of new 2002s still in the dealer's lots. I bet if we tried to sell this car with only 1700 miles and no hardtop, we'd lose a bundle.

Debi in MI

[SixPac]

I know for a fact that my dealer has an '02 with 6K miles that has nothing wrong with it. We traded it in. The reason for the trade, she saw a color that she fell in love with. Somebody is going to get a good used car. And the trade-in here was a lot,lot more than that posted for NJ birds.

[Red]

The 2003's are stacking up on dealer lots in Atlanta and there are some 2002's left. I hate to think about it, but dealers will be quietly discounting from MSRP on both before long. People in the showrooms are looking but not driving them away. I'm sure the economic / war uncertainty is impacting the sales.

[Tbird eh]

I had hoped to trade my 02 in on an 03 but there are so many 02 `s on the lots( 3 to 4 per) that I would think they woundn`t want mine. The few dealers I have asked said they didn`t even know when there 03 were coming in. Ford Canada may be holding them till the 02 are gone. I would go for the new bird but look for one with the interior you want. Other dealers may have what you want at a beter price. What ever you get David, your going to love it. :biggrin:

Triple Black Deluxe, 1 of 534 made...7854