I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

[Romeo Mike]

I found a really nice 2002 T-Bird with every option that was offered in 2002. It has been garaged since new (One Owner) with 8,000 miles. Being a newbee I don't know what is a good price to offer.

I would like to buy it but I don't know at what price I should offer. I don't want to insult the owner. Kelly Blue Book, NADA, and Edmounds are no help.

Romeo Mike

[2K2BIRD]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Welcome to TBN, Mike.

You'll probably get lots of opinions, both pro & con, for the price. Personally, unless it was my dream color, I probably wouldn't pay over $22K. IF it was my dream color, I might go $23K.

If you are going to drive it, then there are undoubtedly things that may have to be done to it immediately, if the owner has neglected to do so. The tires on the ground and the one in the trunk are likely 10 years old and need to be replaced ASAP - adds close to $1K to the cost immediately. May or may not need a battery and fluid (coolant & oil)changes right away. Everything rubber on the car may or may not need replacing (look closely at the suspension - especially in the rear - for crumbling rubber).

Keep all of these things in mind before you pay a high price for a low mileage car and you won't be disappointed when it costs a little more than you thought when you paid above average price for it.

Good luck.

[valkyrie]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

found an inca gold in fla. on craigslist for 25k. dont know the mileage though.

[Romeo Mike]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Paul,
Thanks for the advice......the car is the color I want. (Torch Red ). I never thought about the tires though they look ok...but in time your right. The owner is a collector and has all 10 of his cars in heated and cooled garages. Your pricing is about right on where I want to be.

Thanks, I hope we can make a deal tomorrow.

Mike

[2K2BIRD]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Paul,
Thanks for the advice......the car is the color I want. (Torch Red ).

Mike you are obviously a man of descriminating taste! Good luck - offer him $21K and go to $22.5K max. There are plenty of low mileage cars out there and a bunch of them are Torch Red.

[007Cruiser]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Mike....see this thread.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=34534

[Peterfurlan]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

This being a collectors car I doubt that you will be getting any kind of great deal.
Prices on these cars seem to be on the rise $40,150 for a 02 with 200 miles. As Paul
mentioned there are many things a car that has been sitting may require. If tires are
original they for sure are history along with the spare. Sad to say but most of these
cars are owned by elderly folks myself included and sooner or later we can't get in or
out of the car plus we do pass on this would be the area to search for a deal. If this
car is what you really want be prepared to pay a little more. Don't forget most of 02's
sold for well over $40,000 so you might do better with the 03-05 model years.

[Leroy]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Romeo Mike,
Here's what I would do. First ask if you can take the car to a Ford dealer. Tell the dealer you want to buy a Ford Premium Extended Protection Plan warranty on the car. He will inspect the car, might cost you $100.00 bucks. If you buy this car you'll want this warranty, any repairs on these cars are big bucks and best done by Ford or Lincoln dealers. If they find anything major wrong with the car that has to be fixed or replaced before they will give you a warranty, ask the seller to take that amount off the price. Remember the 02s aren't covered for 10 years or 100K miles on COPS, but are under the Premium Warranty. A 3 year warranty might run about $1500.00. I say money well spent. Leroy

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[Romeo Mike]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Thanks everyone for your great feedback. I offered $24.000 today and he was firm at $26.000. I will just continue to look for the next one........appreciate all your comments . This is a great site !!

Mike

[Billie]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

I purchased a 2002 3 months ago in Florida. Dealer wanted 24,500 ( dealer prices are usually higher) It had 14,000 mi. on it. They let me take it for a test run, and i ran it right to my dealer mechanic. Car was excellent except all the rubber on the control arms,tie rods and stabilizer bar were shot and required replacement. ( $ 1,800.) job.
Has original tires, but i will be changing them shortly probably ($ 1,000.) Got the price lowered to 20,400. Feel i made a fair deal. Not big on extended warranties, so i am on my own from here on in.

[Will]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Billie, Billie, Billie! Not big on extended warranties is fine as long as we're talkin' about your toaster or your toilet or your 22-year-old snow blower. But this is your T-bird, a car put together with electronic & mechanical intricacies that baffle even the top mechanic down at your local Ford dealer. 14,000 miles is not high mileage, but it ain't low, either. I'd call it at the high end of low mileage. But mileage is irrelevant -- something is going to go & you will say, "Oh @&^%#, I wish I had ESP." The first thing to go will likely be your CCV valve ($400 at an honest dealer's shop. Don't know what CCV stands for? It will become part of your vocabulary soon.) Call Lou Martun in Chicago & buy an ESP from him. He's on this webside -- "lmartun" is his handle. If you don't buy from Lou, buy local. Buy one from the Nigerians. Get that car covered. ---Will

[04birdman]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

26k is high ... there is an 03 here 60000 mi asking 16.5 for it ... 10 k diff is a lot ....my thought around 21k tops

[dcrichards]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Can't overemphasize the rubber on the control arms,tie rods and stabilizer bar requiring replacement. ( $ 1,800.) job. I bought my 02 with 21000 miles. Immediately got an extended warranty from Ford after they inspected it. They said "no problems". Six months later all the above had to be replaced and only about half was covered under the warranty. Go figure.

[Leroy]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

You must not have gotten the Premium Warranty, or it all would've been covered, minus your deductable.

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[Billie]

Re: I Found a real nice 2002 Need Help !!

Can't overemphasize the rubber on the control arms,tie rods and stabilizer bar requiring replacement. ( $ 1,800.) job. I bought my 02 with 21000 miles. Immediately got an extended warranty from Ford after they inspected it. They said "no problems". Six months later all the above had to be replaced and only about half was covered under the warranty. Go figure.