88-93 stang purchase advise

[Matts89Notch]

I am in the market for a 88-93 mustang around $5K. I'm in the Chi. area and was hoping that maybe some of you guys could help me out. I found a nice 93 that I think has 144K on the body and he said the motor was rebuilt prior to that 20K. It had a few mods like gears, i/h/c, w/o cats, new clutch/pressure plate, and I don't know what else. It apeared to be in pretty gppd shape but I could see that the inner door panels are kinda bad along with the center console. In some spots the paint was a little worn, it's 14 years old...He is asking $7K for it and I don't think it's worth it, depending on re-build specs, proof, and a clean title. Should i offer $4800 cash in hand saying the test drive go's well?

Or should I move on and find a better deal?

 

[QUICK91LX]

if hes asking $7k (which is too high for what you describe) he probably wont take your $4800. If you look around, you will be able to find clean stockish 5.0's for roughly your price range....or at least in a range where your $4800 is a fair offer. do not jump on this because its the first one you have found. i have made that mistake and been bitten in the arse. shop around and look at 5 cars at minimum before you commit to one, and whatever you do...DO NOT SETTLE...get the car that you really want, or at least one that wont take a ton of $$ to make what you want, unless you are willing to put that time, effort and $$ into it.

 

[Matts89Notch]

Thanks, fast reply. I havent been looking for that long but their Is another 92 notch That I havent really looked at and he is asking $6500. The 93 is not the first one I have looked at we looked it over for a pretty good 30 min.
I don't think I would be setteling if it runs well because it looked pretty good. But what would be a good starting price, i only really have $4K to spend but I'm going to take out a small loan and just pay it off right away. I need to build the credit anyway. $5500 depending on how it runs, if it runs well than I will offer that if not I move on...here is a pic..

 

[QUICK91LX]

3 things i can say after seeing the pic:

1) i tend to be more leery about cars that are on used car lots...its rare that someone would trade their modified mustang in at a new car dealer. (who then sends it to the auction, where the used car lots get their cars) the owner can get SOOOO much more by selling it outright.

2) because it is a dealer, they might take your cash offer. cash money is golden. i once had a deal to get an $8000 car for $5000 cash at a used car lot. i ended up changing my mind though.

3) be picky picky picky and go over everything with a fine-toothed comb. then bring someone who can play devils advocate. its easy to lose objectiveness when you come across somethin that you are excited about. they can point things out and talk to you and make you really think about dealing with the flaws it has. it sounds like you really dont have much cash left after you buy a car so take that into consideration. if the car will need any work right away, think about the cost of that work before you get it.

good luck

 

[Matts89Notch]

Thank you for your help, do you think a check for $4K and the other grand on the credit card would look as promising?

 

[Roland69]

I'd sell mine maby for 5K

 

[QUICK91LX]

Thank you for your help, do you think a check for $4K and the other grand on the credit card would look as promising?

possibly...if you determine that this car is truly what you want, the next step is to talk and negotiate...be a pain in the ass if you have to but dont be a prick...just negotiate well and if all goes well you will get the car for a price that is more attractive to you. if he wont accomodate, then walk away

 

[Matts89Notch]

The guy was a prick, I pointed out the flaws and gave him my best offer. He would not budge at all and would not take my offer. The best he said he could do was $7K out the door and I was like later man.....walked away. But man he started it up for me and holly hell its a runner..

Found a 89 notch made a new post...

 

[QUICK91LX]

7k for a 93 stang is a fair price if the whole car is pretty darn nice and it has well done, tasteful and more importantly useful mods. it sounds like the car is a real runner but with the flaws he described, the car really isnt worth more than $5000. Props to you for walking away, see how long the car sits there, save up a couple more hundred bucks...and if you dont find a car during that time, go back to this one and see if the guy has changed his tune at all.

 

[Matts89Notch]

Well Thanks for the help but the inside of the 93 was not that great and the underside had some rust. I found a 89 notch with half the miles that is pretty much bone stock. I have it on hold untill tomorrow when I take it for another test drive. I like it a lot and it's seems like it's in great shape except for a few things. I plan to fix it all if I get it, but here is more info. on the car in another thread I made..
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=683696