About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

[wavex]

Hello tbird owners!

I am about to pull the trigger on a beautiful black 03 TBird, but I wanted to make sure I checked with the online community before doing so... here is the link to autotrader's add: click

What do you think? good or bad deal?
Anything particular I should be looking for?
Any specific issues with the 03 models?

Any advice is welcome...

Thanks!

David

[5bird7]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

mileage is ok - about average for a 6 year old car but on the high side for a Thunderbird but the price is low enough. You need to take a test drive though and see if the engine is running smooth or rough. If rough then check to see if it's had any coil-on-plug problems though you might be covered under warranty if there hasn't been a problem with them yet. Check how new the tires are, as 03 tires are about 6 years old now if they haven't been replaced. See if it's had any transmission work in the past as the 03s were prone to a tranny error code that first year - may have been fixed by now. carfax report might tell you that and the ford dealer can pull up the service records on the car if it was well taken care of by the previous owner.

No hardtop so hope that's ok for you otherwise that's another expense to find one and the cart to store it on.

They didn't have pics of the drivers side. do check body panel fit all over the car. Black is difficult to keep clean and shows every dent so check for those door dings too.
and mke sure the softtop fits with no wrinkles (sign of possible previous accident ) Look for any wear on the softtop around the body edges. All glass should be in good shape.

I'm sure there will be some other comments on it.

and Welcome to TBN!

[wavex]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

mileage is ok - about average for a 6 year old car but on the high side for a Thunderbird but the price is low enough. You need to take a test drive though and see if the engine is running smooth or rough. If rough then check to see if it's had any coil-on-plug problems though you might be covered under warranty if there hasn't been a problem with them yet. Check how new the tires are, as 03 tires are about 6 years old now if they haven't been replaced. See if it's had any transmission work in the past as the 03s were prone to a tranny error code that first year - may have been fixed by now. carfax report might tell you that and the ford dealer can pull up the service records on the car if it was well taken care of by the previous owner.

No hardtop so hope that's ok for you otherwise that's another expense to find one and the cart to store it on.

They didn't have pics of the drivers side. do check body panel fit all over the car. Black is difficult to keep clean and shows every dent so check for those door dings too.
and mke sure the softtop fits with no wrinkles (sign of possible previous accident ) Look for any wear on the softtop around the body edges. All glass should be in good shape.

I'm sure there will be some other comments on it.

Thanks 5bird7 for the quick reply! I really appreciate it especially that I want to drop by that dealership in a couple hours, after work :)
I'll definitely go for a ride and pay close attention to the engine sound and feel... Actually, I shall print your post and check on everything you mentioned! :)
Thanks again!

[My Raven]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

David, have you viewed the Carfax? If not let me know.

Ask the dealer to move the car outside and inspect the car in BRIGHT SUNSHINE. You will see paint imperfections you will never see in dim or fluorescent indoor lighting.

Do not worry about any swirls you find in bright sunshine as many can be buffed out: I don't know if you have ever owned a black car or not but they are a fact of life with a Evening Black T-Bird. If they bother you you may consider another color. It took a while for me to deal with this as I am about as anal compulsive about my car finish as anyone you will find and I have owned 2 Evening Blacks.

Also check for white factory stickers on the body panels. Though not a 100% guarantee, they will provide you with some idea to check and see if the body panel has been repainted if they are missing. You should find two examples on on the right and left front fenders when you lift the hood so you will know what to look for: You should find one one each body panel.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

[mbmjlm]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

David

You can check to see if the front windshield has been replaced.
Check the front windshield directly on the lower center. There should be a thunderbird emblem etched in the glass.

Marvin

[Leroy]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

David, Unless you need the car immediatley, I would shop around for awhile. It's a buyers market out there. If you have the money or the credit, look for a low mileage 05 that might be be still under warranty and probably will have the hard top. The 03 you're looking at is probably due for tires, brake-pads and rotors. Leroy

[justjon]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

For that price I would take it up on the freeway and punch it if that goes well, wipe the grin (or chagrin) off my face and buy it. Then down the road if you love it you can buy one of these original owners garage queens and sell that one for near what you paid for it. doubt me? seen any under 10 grand retro birds lately? Hurry, I might just buy that one myself for my wife.

[MATBird]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

David, Welcome...I had already sent you a note, but check out the classifieds here at TBN. Sometimes dealing with a member here who has cared for their car may be a better deal, even if a few bucks more.

[BADOS]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

As per all of the above and price seems good. Try to cut a better deal if you can. Have fun! Threaten to "walk." That always helps.

[3Birds]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

There are alot of Birds out there for sale. I'd look for something newer with lower mileage. Price sounds cheap, better have your mechnic check it out.

[wavex]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

wow great forum! thanks all for the very helpful responses!!

David, have you viewed the Carfax? If not let me know.

Ask the dealer to move the car outside and inspect the car in BRIGHT SUNSHINE. You will see paint imperfections you will never see in dim or fluorescent indoor lighting.

Do not worry about any swirls you find in bright sunshine as many can be buffed out: I don't know if you have ever owned a black car or not but they are a fact of life with a Evening Black T-Bird. If they bother you you may consider another color. It took a while for me to deal with this as I am about as anal compulsive about my car finish as anyone you will find and I have owned 2 Evening Blacks.

Also check for white factory stickers on the body panels. Though not a 100% guarantee, they will provide you with some idea to check and see if the body panel has been repainted if they are missing. You should find two examples on on the right and left front fenders when you lift the hood so you will know what to look for: You should find one one each body panel.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

I went to the dealership to check the car out last night, and it looked fantastic! I checked the body, engine compartment, tires, soft top, interior and could not find one issue... the car was parked outside so I did all of that under our wonderful Socal sunshine :) it looks super clean (tires will need changing soon though).
The test drive went great as well, and everything seemed smooth to me... I'll have to get used to the lag when you punch it, but other than that it felt really good.
Thanks for the advice on the stickers... I shall check on that as well...

[wavex]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

As per all of the above and price seems good. Try to cut a better deal if you can. Have fun! Threaten to "walk." That always helps.

haha yeah thanks! What made me laugh right away when I saw the car in their parking lot was the big bright orange sticker on the windshield stating: $20,000... right underneath was another smaller sticker, with "now only $15,990!"... so I asked the guy about their online price, and he said that the $13,990 was basically their negotiated price, which was rock bottom...

[FritsB]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

Sounds like you are in for a good deal David. If it feels good, go for it. Believe me, you will not regret it one second

[MATBird]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

Double check their garage for the hardtop, since this is a premium. It may be out back and they forgot to list it.
Glad you received my other note with the long list of items to check. Good Luck!!

[BADOS]

Re: About to buy a used tbird - help plz!

What lag when you punch it? Shouldn't be...check it out.