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**2FAST4U** · Aug 26, 2009, 09:10 AM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

First and most important thing is to verify if the car's paid for and was not stolen either!...Make sure no one has a lien on it!...Second would be to check for signs of damage from past accidents...
Claude.

**Ski** · Aug 26, 2009, 09:49 AM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

Does the softtop work if the hardtop is on? Does it have the hardtop tools including stand? Does it have the owner's manual and CD? Is it EB (just a personal preference)?

**Lonestar** · Aug 26, 2009, 09:58 AM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

Carfax. carfax, carfax. And get the VIN and take to local Ford dealership and see if they will run a OAISAS report so as to see any warranty work performed by Ford.

Naturally the biggest issue as time goes on are the COPS and one can not test those but a close look at the rear suspension is recommended to make sure all the boots around the tie rods are in good shape.

How the car has been maintained is important but that is usually a bit harder to find out. One can peek in the manual to see if the previous owner kept records but if the car is on a lot the manuals are usually pulled from the car and trashed.

**bronzebird** · Aug 26, 2009, 09:59 AM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

Originally posted by 5bird7 View Post

~~Background: I get questions from readers on my blog that probably would be better answered here so I'm going to start posting some of those questions here.
The following seems to be a fairly common type of request and we have a lot of members now who have bought used T-birds so I think they're the best qualified to answer this question.~~

Miles always matter but a well maintained car with 70,000 could be a better deal than buying an abused car with half the mileage.

I looked at three 2005's and the one I liked the best had no service history that came with it. I did find a quick change oil sticker under the hood and contacted them to see if they had records on the car. It had been there twice and once I got the owner's name I backtracked to the only Ford dealer in that city. Thankfully I got a clerk in the office who gave me the rest of the service history until the manager came on the phone to tell me they could not give out that information. Why, I don't know.

Anyway, I found there had been no problems and it had been serviced on an average of every 4,000 miles since new.

I bought it and have not been disappointed.

Bronzebird

**Leroy** · Aug 26, 2009, 10:03 AM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

If you're buying from a dealer be sure to get the CarFax report, if it's clean go from there. If the car has a hard top on it ask, to have it removed so you can see how it's done and so you can check the operation and condition of the soft top. Ask to see the battery, it's in the trunk, be sure it's a vented battery. Also check the spare tire for damage and if the car has a hard top be sure the stand for the top is in the trunk with the convertible boot. If you're buying from a Ford dealer ask about buying a Warranty. If the car can pass a inspection done by Ford you can purchase a Warranty for up to 4 years or 48000 more miles. As with any used car there will be some signs of wear and other flaws and that's the price you pay when buying used, but then you're not paying for a new car. Leroy

**Brad** · Aug 26, 2009, 10:36 AM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

I would like to caution everyone into giving too much faith in a Carfax report. Pay attention to any negatives, but don't assume that everything is ok just because the report comes back clean. I had multiple bodyshop repairs completed on different cars at several different dealerships including Blue Oval certified Ford shops and NONE of the repairs showed up on any of the Carfax reports. I'd guess that about 20% of the general repairs completed showed up, but there was no pattern as to why some showed and others didn't (different brands, dealers, type of work, etc.)

Personally I like to buy cars with mileage in the 10-25k range, they seem to be the best value. You don't pay the premium for the ultra low miles and you still will hopefully get 40k miles before the major stuff starts failing.

I sold my 2002 with 70K+ miles on it and bought my 2003 with 4k miles and I'm still real happy that I made the switch when I did.

**MidLifeBird** · Aug 26, 2009, 05:52 PM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

You should take the car for a nice looong test drive before you buy it. When I bought my '03 it was very clean with 17,500 miles. I took it for a short drive just to confirm that everything worked. On the way home after buying the car, maybe twenty miles from the seller's home, the transmission 'E' error code popped up. That added $2000 on top of the $19,900 I paid for the car and really soured me on the vehicle.

**Vintage Merlot** · Aug 26, 2009, 10:40 PM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

Do not settle for anything but MERLOT. In the long run it will prove to be the most sought-after color. Sorry but them's the facts.

**bobandjan** · Aug 28, 2009, 03:05 PM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

I was looking at a 2005 T-Bird last night. Nice car, low miles (19K) but I noticed that the inside smelled a bit musty. Concern? Or just needs a little open road driving.

**5bird7** · Aug 28, 2009, 03:15 PM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

Some open air driving.
Also, check for any signs of water in the convertible top well or on the rugs - it's possible the car had water inside for what ever reason and was not throughly dried out fast enough. worst case, iit was in some high water (flood); or someone left the top down or windows open and a rain storm hit and they didn't dry it out well. or it may even have a leak from underneath (our 02 did as the body seams hadnt been sealed up well during manufacture - rare occurance as I've only heard of one or two others with leaks from underneath). The soft top only cars seem to be pretty leak free.

ps - welcome to TBN, Bob.

**bobandjan** · Aug 28, 2009, 03:37 PM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

We are getting close to buying our dream car Dot. Just have to find the right one. Thanks for your help.

**BIRD 42** · Aug 28, 2009, 04:18 PM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

Also go to Dots www.portholeauthority.com This is THE site on how many of what color etc were built, what combinations were available, the difference between the four years etc.

Then once you find the one you are happy with - get ready for a new addition to your family. The T-bird is just TOO much fun. And the people here on TBN are the greatest. There is so much information about the cars, and if the answer is not already on the site there are plenty of people willing to jump in with recommendations. Really adds to the fun and enjoyment of the ownership

Mike

**5bird7** · Aug 28, 2009, 07:49 PM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

Mike, Bob has been to my site - I'm the one who sent him here. He's been looking at an 04 and an 05.

Bob, there is another possibility about the musty smell and the driving will help clear it out. There is a cabin air filter below the passenger side cowl (inside the engine compartment) and it's recommended to change it every 15,000 miles. The one you're looking at may not have had the filter changed.

**My Raven** · Aug 28, 2009, 09:29 PM

Re: What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

Originally posted by Lonestar View Post

Carfax. carfax, carfax. And get the VIN and take to local Ford dealership and see if they will run a OAISAS report so as to see any warranty work performed by Ford.

Ditto ...

Dot, It is Okay to Give Them My Contact Info if They need Carfax.

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What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

What to look for when buying a used Tbird?

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