2003 ready to buy but need help!

[Ragtop]

I have found a 2003 red thunderbird. It belonged to an friends friend's brother. He was a car collector. In the spring of 2008 he purchased the car from the original owner with 8500 miles on it. In the fall of 2008 he died unexpectedly. His brother told me about the car because I was looking to purchase a classic car. Due to the fact that the car is not near by I have only seen pictures. We are planning a trip in the next several weeks to see it and I would like some advice.

The car has a soft top only. It has about 9k miles. I have yet seen the title and no one, as of yet, knows if it is a base, deluxe or premium. The brother, though a new friend of mine, is obviously working for his sister in law in the sale.

Here are my concerns:
The car has only been started in the garage (heated) since the fall of 2008.
Has not been started in several years so the battery is dead and all 4 tires are flat.
They are asking 20k and I get the feeling the price is firm
Though it is supposed to be pristine it needs tires and a battery at least.
I would appreciate any advice on the car and in particular, what look for when I see it
Thank you in advance
Ragtop

[merlot4]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

If the tires were original, they would need to be replaced anyway even if not flat, it would also be wise to replace the battery, and the spare needs to be replaced as well; consider those necessary. Because it has been sitting for a long period of time, it would be a very good idea to take it to a Ford dealer, or trusted mechanic and have the car thoroughly checked, I have a feeling some of the rubber components may also need to be replaced, as well as many fluids changed, such as oil and antifreeze/water. If running rough, the gas probably is not in the best of shape and might need some stabilizer added. Good luck, it might be your dream car! Let us know how things work out.

[007Cruiser]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

Get the last five digits of the VIN and supply it to member "Quickdraw" on this thread:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ight=quickdraw

He can give you production details (deluxe/premium,etc.) about the car. I would have the gas drained and replaced with fresh. Also new fuel filter, coolant, brake fluid, and of course an oil change. Some will say to change the tranny fluid too, but I'd leave it alone if running well. Bear in mind that the transmission will need to relearn shift points due to the dead battery.

[Welker]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

Firm price or not, the expenses to get it going should be deducted from the asking price which I think is way too high because there are going to be other issues rather than just the tires, batteries and standard service. Once you get it going and all the needs met, it will not reach the asking price these folks have on it now. The only market for these cars is made up of people who really want them and I'm not aware that anybody I know who has a TBird would go that high. I might be wrong, of course, and if you go for it, I hope for the best.....I know you will like the car once it is going.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

Welcome to TBN! You've found the best place to learn what you need to know about retrobirds.

With many dozen well maintained retrobirds available at great prices, I'd run from this one unless I could get it for a real bargain. With all it will take to get this car running well and safely, they would have to come down several thousand dollars to even be close to a bargain.

[Guest]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

Welcome!

Agree with Paul on this. Having been idle and not driven or even started for such a long time is not good for any car. As previously stated, tires, including the compact spare, fluid changes, filters, and battery at bare minimum.

Even then, $ 20,000 is certainly at the high end even for a low-mileage Retro.

At any given time there are 500-700 Retros available with prices under $ 10,000 for very high mileage cars. To spend double that for a car that's been sitting for years ... probably not your best option.

[007Cruiser]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

I was keeping quiet about the price. Now that it's on the table, I would agree that the seller is not realistic. There are other low mileage cars that have been better maintained for less. Arm yourself with current prices, look at the car, and negotiate from there. Other examples are not hard to find so don't be hasty. Hope you find what you're looking to acquire. BTW, red and black were the two most common colors produced.

Even with the hardtop, $20K is high especially for a car that is not one of the special editions.

[Rondor]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

See belpow

[Rondor]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

I was keeping quiet about the price. Now that it's on the table, I would agree that the seller is not realistic. There are other low mileage cars that have been better maintained for less. Arm yourself with current prices, look at the car, and negotiate from there. Other examples are not hard to find so don't be hasty. Hope you find what you're looking to acquire. BTW, red and black were the two most common colors produced.

Even with the hardtop, $20K is high especially for a car that is not one of the special editions.

Well said !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wcoates]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

On Cars.com, less than $20.000

450 Used Ford Thunderbirds for sale

Think there are better alternative for $20,000.


Good luck it's a really fun car. There is a checklist for buying some where on the site. Hope someone posts it for you.

[Brad]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

In addition to a new retro I've bought 2 other low mileage retro Red Tbirds. You're not at ultra low mileage but I don't think that price is too far off, maybe use the needed repairs as a negotiation point....tell them you think it's worth 20....with a hardtop, new tires, battery, etc. As has been mentioned, you may have some things needing replacement down the road from lack of use. My last one looked factory fresh on the undercarriage and after about 6 months of daily driving, lots of the rubber suspension parts started disintegrating. The Fuel pumps seem to go bad from sitting too.

FYI, cars.com has a 2002 advertised for 20k with 6k miles

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...akamai-feo=off

[007Cruiser]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

Did you see some of those prices? Maybe the market is going up. I'd pass on the 2002 to avoid the possible problem with the hydraulic cooling fan. The 04s and 05s come with Homelink. See the other differences between the years here:

http://portholeauthority.com/thenewt...3/compare.html

[merlot4]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

On Cars.com, less than $20.000
450 Used Ford Thunderbirds for sale
Think there are better alternative for $20,000.
Good luck it's a really fun car. There is a checklist for buying some where on the site. Hope someone posts it for you.

Here:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...yers+checklist

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

Most of those Cars.com low mileage are 02's...Like what's said, I'd pass on this one

[ISSYRO]

Re: 2003 ready to buy but need help!

I'm in the opinion to purchase one with more mileage that will save you thousands. As mentioned above it is a very good bet that most of the rubber suspension parts are rotted and need replacement. Think about the seals and the engine that has not been run or lubricated via the oil system. Scary, unless as mentioned it was truly taken care of. My 2003 had most all suspension parts replaced, and it was due to age, so unless you are mechanically inclined you will have to pump some big dollars to a hungry mechanic after spending 20K!