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Updated -Rental wreck out..other options: Wife wants to buy used 2009 Mustang Convertible...was rental and had accident.

Engineer

Engineer

Elite Member
Wife found a used 2009 Mustang convertible with 20,000 miles on it at a local dealer. Went and looked at the car and other than a few minor scratches and a small ding, it looked pretty good. Test drove it and it ran fine and drove very well (no pull, out of balance, etc).

Had the dealer pull the Autocheck report and came back with the following accident damage:

Left Front Corner
Right Front Corner

The report states that there is no junked or salvaged title and that there is no frame/unibody damage on record. I can see no physical evidence, other than two plastic body snaps missing on the mudflap trim, to indicate damage. The paint looks factory (no orangepeel, bubbles, mis-coloration, etc). The engine compartment looks basically new.


It was also used as a rental car in Los Angeles, CA.

I'm always uneasy about accidents and rentals. The asking price is $19,900 which is about $1,500 below the typical blue book value that KBB gave (but that was for excellent condition).

What do you think?

What should I do or look for?

If I decide to offer, what would you offer? My wife wants to offer between 16,000 and 17,000 since it's been in an accident and it's the end of the month (lol)! 😛

Thoughts and thanks in advance! ?

Said car.
 
RIP OFF!!! Are you kidding me? An american car that was a rental and had been in an accident yet they're asking for only $1500 less KBB value? That's insane! I don't care it has a clean title, the very fact that it has been in an accident and was a rental is enough to stay away from this vehicle for good! Unless you can shave like $6K off of this thing, I'd avoid it at all costs!!
 
It doesn't LOOK bad, but they're asking way too much for it IMO. 20k miles and a record of an accident? You can do better.
 
Originally posted by: fleabag
RIP OFF!!! Are you kidding me? An american car that was a rental and had been in an accident yet they're asking for only $1500 less KBB value? That's insane! I don't care it has a clean title, the very fact that it has been in an accident and was a rental is enough to stay away from this vehicle for good! Unless you can shave like $6K off of this thing, I'd avoid it at all costs!!
Click to expand...

To be honest, that's my thoughts too but my wife really "thinks" she wants this. I would rather buy a damn new one almost. Not to mention, I may lose my job by Wednesday! 🙁
 
Based on the results so far (and my own gut instincts), I have a feeling Mrs. Engineer won't be getting this car! 😛
 
lolololol you can find 09 Mustang convertibles on autotrader with similar miles for the same or less! And they weren't rental cars or in accidents!

I think even $16k is too much!
 
The dealer won't take less than $16,550. If you're planning on offering in that range, don't bother. I do agree it's probably not the right car, so just keep looking.
 
How about this 2008 model.?

11,000 miles, no accidents and one owner (lease). Had FREE CarFAX report on Autotrader. The price of $18,995 sounds too high for 2008 model but could be negotiated, no?

She actually likes this color better.
 
I have to agree with those that say this is no deal, except for the dealer.

EDIT: I was posting on the OP. The 2nd car seems pricey though.
 
Originally posted by: Engineer
How about this 2008 model.?

11,000 miles, no accidents and one owner (lease). Had FREE CarFAX report on Autotrader. The price of $18,995 sounds too high for 2008 model but could be negotiated, no?

She actually likes this color better.
Click to expand...

Autocheck is better. It's ok, what's the rush for this car anyway? Why don't you wait like 6 months when the dealerships start hurting because there won't be any more buyers b/c of the cash for clunkers thing. The dealerships right now SHOULD be sitting pretty and so are less willing to negotiate, 6 months from now however, they'll probably be desperate once again to unload their inventory.
 
Originally posted by: fleabag
RIP OFF!!! Are you kidding me? An american car that was a rental and had been in an accident yet they're asking for only $1500 less KBB value? That's insane! I don't care it has a clean title, the very fact that it has been in an accident and was a rental is enough to stay away from this vehicle for good! Unless you can shave like $6K off of this thing, I'd avoid it at all costs!!
Click to expand...

Thats where your bias showed and I stopped reading.
 
Originally posted by: fleabag
Originally posted by: Engineer
How about this 2008 model.?

11,000 miles, no accidents and one owner (lease). Had FREE CarFAX report on Autotrader. The price of $18,995 sounds too high for 2008 model but could be negotiated, no?

She actually likes this color better.
Click to expand...


Autocheck is better. It's ok, what's the rush for this car anyway? Why don't you wait like 6 months when the dealerships start hurting because there won't be any more buyers b/c of the cash for clunkers thing. The dealerships right now SHOULD be sitting pretty and so are less willing to negotiate, 6 months from now however, they'll probably be desperate once again to unload their inventory.
Click to expand...

Wife's birthday is October 21st. 😉


She has wanted a convertible for years. I guess I could try to hold off until April and get one for our wedding anniversary.

Originally posted by: woodie1
I have to agree with those that say this is no deal, except for the dealer.

EDIT: I was posting on the OP. The 2nd car seems pricey though.
Click to expand...

I did a KBB retail value on it and it listed as $22,000 with 11,000 miles and options shown (for excellent condition). I have not seen this vehicle yet to comment. The colors are better though (black top and ebony seats/interior). With that said, I wouldn't offer anywhere near $18,9xx for it. Much, much lower starting offer but deciding on where to start is what I'm asking (assuming she even likes it).
 
Dude, why are you buying a car if you're apt to lose your job? That said, I would NEVER buy a car that is that new and has been in an accident. Any why the fuck didn't the dealer disclose that at the very beginning. I can bet they knew about the history.
 
You failed to mention the birthday ... that puts it in a whole new light. 😉 Still, in KY cold weather is just around the corner which would, in my estimation, make convertible prices fall significantly.
 
Originally posted by: woodie1
You failed to mention the birthday ... that puts it in a whole new light. 😉 Still, in KY cold weather is just around the corner which would, in my estimation, make convertible prices fall significantly.
Click to expand...

Yea I was about to add wait another month. Price should come down a little more.

Always sell your convertible in the summer and buy in the winter.
 
Originally posted by: zoiks
Dude, why are you buying a car if you're apt to lose your job? That said, I would NEVER buy a car that is that new and has been in an accident. Any why the fuck didn't the dealer disclose that at the very beginning. I can bet they knew about the history.
Click to expand...

I'm not buying (anything) until I find out about my job. Not really too worried about it anyway as I don't owe anything and have the cash to pay for this.

As for the dealer, he stated that he didn't sell junky cars (more than once). The car sitting beside this one (Nissan 350Z) looked like someone spray painted it out of a can so I knew he was full of shit anyway (most are so he's not special).
 
Originally posted by: woodie1
You failed to mention the birthday ... that puts it in a whole new light. 😉 Still, in KY cold weather is just around the corner which would, in my estimation, make convertible prices fall significantly.
Click to expand...

Cold weather makes convertibles price drop. Plus get her out in it when it's cold. Don't want her complaining about cold limbs...

(Although with modern AC it's probably not an issue).
 
Originally posted by: waffleironhead
Originally posted by: fleabag
RIP OFF!!! Are you kidding me? An american car that was a rental and had been in an accident yet they're asking for only $1500 less KBB value? That's insane! I don't care it has a clean title, the very fact that it has been in an accident and was a rental is enough to stay away from this vehicle for good! Unless you can shave like $6K off of this thing, I'd avoid it at all costs!!
Click to expand...

Thats where your bias showed and I stopped reading.
Click to expand...

American cars are NOTORIOUS for huge depreciation, that's why I mentioned it.
 
Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb
Originally posted by: woodie1
You failed to mention the birthday ... that puts it in a whole new light. 😉 Still, in KY cold weather is just around the corner which would, in my estimation, make convertible prices fall significantly.
Click to expand...

Cold weather makes convertibles price drop. Plus get her out in it when it's cold. Don't want her complaining about cold limbs...

(Although with modern AC it's probably not an issue).
Click to expand...

If it's a roadster with a really short ground clearance, or just "too nice", they probably want to ditch it before having to put it into storage over the winter. Helps with the price. I'm looking for a Miata over the winter, might wait until next spring/summer though.
 
Originally posted by: fleabag
Originally posted by: waffleironhead
Originally posted by: fleabag
RIP OFF!!! Are you kidding me? An american car that was a rental and had been in an accident yet they're asking for only $1500 less KBB value? That's insane! I don't care it has a clean title, the very fact that it has been in an accident and was a rental is enough to stay away from this vehicle for good! Unless you can shave like $6K off of this thing, I'd avoid it at all costs!!
Click to expand...

Thats where your bias showed and I stopped reading.
Click to expand...

American cars are NOTORIOUS for huge depreciation, that's why I mentioned it.
Click to expand...

American cars are NOTORIOUS for selling below MSRP.
Asian cars are NOTORIOUS for selling near or at MSRP.

So comparing the selling price of a used car to MSRP is dumb.
 
Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
The dealer won't take less than $16,550. If you're planning on offering in that range, don't bother. I do agree it's probably not the right car, so just keep looking.
Click to expand...

This ^

KBB values are crap IMHO.
 
There is no way I'd ever buy a used rental vehicle and there is no way I'd buy an automatic Mustang. That car is way overpriced.

You could probably pick up a nice Mustang GT coupe 5 speed for that money.
 
Originally posted by: Engineer

To be honest, that's my thoughts too but my wife really "thinks" she wants this. I would rather buy a damn new one almost. Not to mention, I may lose my job by Wednesday! 🙁
Click to expand...

You guys have no business buying a 20k car then... plus this car isn't worth 20k.
 
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