Purchase advice requested

[Chris11]

Hello everyone, I have been looking at vehicles in the Chicago area and wanted to ask for an opinion regarding mileage and reliability. I am looking at a 2005 50th anniversary addition in Steel Blue / Black with Steel blue seat inserts (rest of trim and interior is all black). No hardtop, no accidents and 4 owners. Has 80K miles for $11,410. Seems like a pretty good deal, but I am concerned about that much mileage. Any opinions about issues resulting from higher mileage or anything to look out for? And opinions on this deal are appreciated as well. Thanks guys and happy motoring. Chris

[carntz]

Hi Chris.
It is all a matter of personal opinion and whether a low mileage retro is better than a one like the one your looking at, which has been driven less than 1000 miles a year, well it is all arbitrary. The best advice i would offer is that if it yanks your chain and says to you take me home then that is the right decision. If there is no specific history then you have to go with what you feel and even with history any 13 year old car is ------- Is a 13 year old car.

[Elijahbird7]

Since I have several Classic Cars, so I always look for the lowest mileage I can find. It seems like the 2002-2005's under 10,000 miles for example are getting the higher prices, and those over 50,000+ miles not so much. My Merlot 04 has 8,500 miles on it and I may try selling it this summer, (maybe). Good luck on your search. Just make sure all the service records for any car you are considering are available.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Great color combination and do not worry about the miles. However, with that mileage and no hardtop I would price shop a little bit more.

[BillyL]

Hi Chris. Welcome to the forum. Someone correct me if I am wrong, while all 05 birds are 50 year models, only the 1500 numbered Cashmere colored birds are considered the "50th anniversary additions" and command a higher price accordingly. Ask for the service records to assure the COPS have been updated and hopefully the A/C compressor and thermostat housing assembly have been replaced as these are common problems for our birds at the age and mileage you are considering. With that in mind,I think the price is reasonable if the car is in excellent shape as I would not sell my 04 PCR for that. I would suggest offering a lesser price due to not having the hardtop. I think the steel blue '05 is one of the nicer colors, I was considering one when I found my '04 two years ago.

[Brad]

Hi Chris,

I live in the Chicago burbs, if the car is either in the south or west suburbs I can take a look at it for you. I'm on my 3rd retro bird, I like buying at ultra low mileage and selling when higher (first one had 85k when I sold it and 2nd one had 130). Mine is a daily driver however if this is just going to be a weekend cruiser for you I wouldn't be as concerned with the mileage. A big expense that you need to factor in the equation is if the car has had all the control arms, bushing, etc. replaced. This can cost over 2k and if they haven't done it you will need to if you're going to be driving the car. Not having the hardtop, deduct 1k from the value equation. Knowing how well (or not) the car has been maintained is a big factor. The price on the car you're looking at sounds ok (not a bargain though). Are the seats, interior and paint good? If the car has been stored outside and the clearcoat is shot you have no option but to paint the car. Also check to see if the valve covers are leaking oil, not cheap to repair unless you do it yourself. If possible take the car to a radiator/cooling shop (I know a great one in Alsip, IL) and have them do a pressure test on the cooling system using a dye, lots of expensive repairs could be identified.

[Chris11]

Hi Chris,

I live in the Chicago burbs, if the car is either in the south or west suburbs I can take a look at it for you. I'm on my 3rd retro bird, I like buying at ultra low mileage and selling when higher (first one had 85k when I sold it and 2nd one had 130). Mine is a daily driver however if this is just going to be a weekend cruiser for you I wouldn't be as concerned with the mileage. A big expense that you need to factor in the equation is if the car has had all the control arms, bushing, etc. replaced. This can cost over 2k and if they haven't done it you will need to if you're going to be driving the car. Not having the hardtop, deduct 1k from the value equation. Knowing how well (or not) the car has been maintained is a big factor. The price on the car you're looking at sounds ok (not a bargain though). Are the seats, interior and paint good? If the car has been stored outside and the clearcoat is shot you have no option but to paint the car. Also check to see if the valve covers are leaking oil, not cheap to repair unless you do it yourself. If possible take the car to a radiator/cooling shop (I know a great one in Alsip, IL) and have them do a pressure test on the cooling system using a dye, lots of expensive repairs could be identified.

Hi Brad, the car is at Napleton Chrysler in Arlington Heights. It won't be a daily driver; however I commute to Tinley Park from NWI for work (45 minutes each way), and plan to drive it quite a bit in the summer. Not so much in the winter or in bad weather. I appreciate all the issues to look out for. If you are in the area and take a look at it, please let me know your thoughts. I have actually been wanting red, but like the steel blue as well. The red one I liked (with the red trim package) had over 55K miles and was a one owner car. But from the pictures there is clearly a large scratch that was touched up on the drivers side rear panel. Really obvious in the pics. One a bought a used black car with a similar touch up and it drove me nuts. Thanks again for your advice.

[Brad]

There's a nice Red one with real low miles for sale on the Wisconsin border, I believe he's asking around 20k. Also I have a friend selling a 007 in Wisconsin, 70kish miles for 11K (has a rebuilt title, he says was minor repaired damaged to the front end.

[Chris11]

There's a nice Red one with real low miles for sale on the Wisconsin border, I believe he's asking around 20k. Also I have a friend selling a 007 in Wisconsin, 70kish miles for 11K (has a rebuilt title, he says was minor repaired damaged to the front end.

I am hoping to stay at or under $15k. Does your friend has his 007 listed online? It's a little far for me but I like the oo7 color combo and it might make me think my wife was Hally Berry while driving it...

It's tricky because I want it to basically look perfect but I am unable to spend more than that on a toy. There was a really nice one that was burgundy / sand with 38K miles at the Bentley dealership that sold last week for just over $15k. But it had been in an accident. Buyer had it checked out by Ford before finalizing purchase so it must have been OK.

Thanks again for the advice. Let me know about your friend in WI.

[Brad]

https://greenbay.craigslist.org/cto/...546799873.html

He's a good guy, I traded him a hardtop for a parts car.

[Chris11]

Thank you sir!

[2K2BIRD]

For a non-daily driver that will be a real head turner inside your price range, that repaired 007 sounds like a good way to go. The current owner seems like he would be the type to make sure problems are be taken care of correctly. The 007s are pretty special cars in a great color combination.

[Chris11]

Definitely going to consider it. Really like the color combo. Not familiar with a “rebuilt” title and how it might affect eventual resale, though.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Definitely going to consider it. Really like the color combo. Not familiar with a “rebuilt” title and how it might affect eventual resale, though.

If you are planning on selling, I would stay away from a rebuilt title car. If you want to enjoy a car and have fun at a good price, then this is the one.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Hello everyone, I have been looking at vehicles in the Chicago area and wanted to ask for an opinion regarding mileage and reliability. I am looking at a 2005 50th anniversary addition in Steel Blue / Black with Steel blue seat inserts (rest of trim and interior is all black). No hardtop, no accidents and 4 owners. Has 80K miles for $11,410. Seems like a pretty good deal, but I am concerned about that much mileage. Any opinions about issues resulting from higher mileage or anything to look out for? And opinions on this deal are appreciated as well. Thanks guys and happy motoring. Chris

I think the one you're looking at seems pretty fairly priced. I pulled a quick quote from Kelly Blue Book based on what you described and came up with a value of $11,847 - 13,972 for a dealer purchase; $9,338 - 11,359 for a private party sale.

Look for the best car you can find in your price range and then enjoy it. Good luck.