Deal of the Century???

[admdavs]

Question. Did I just pass up the deal of the century?? A 2003 Cobra, bone stock, white, 18K miles for $23,000- not to mention they were going to give me $4200 for my trade- a 98 Tacoma truck- I didn't pull the trigger because the back passenger rim was bent a bit and when I had them put it on the rack the rear diff was leaking and oil up front- should I have still gotten it and had the warranty fix it- or did I do the right thing by passing it up????

 

[admdavs]

Here is the picture of what could have been :-(

 

[admdavs]

Bigger Pic

 

[Kafn8]

run an Oasis report and see what it says. That's a heck of a deal!

 

[marcus95]

Does sound like a good deal. I dont like the bent rim and oily diff and up front. You mean under the motor?
On one hand besides the wheel problem you can get the Ford dealer to buck up for the leaks. 18K miles is a little over the average for a 1 year old car. Sounds like someone rode the piss out of it, put her away wet, and traded it in on a new Camry??? You can NEVER get the straight story from a dealer.
The rim is easy to replace. Confirm that you can get the warranty fully transfered IN WRITING from Ford before you buy it. If that car needs a motor sometime soon and you can't get it replaced under warranty.......
A new 03/04 Cobra motor runs around $11,000 installed. Unless they have come down in price.

 

[tmhutch]

Dont sweat it. Sounds like a beat hunk of crap. Wait six months for the new Mustangs to come out and pick up a real nice 03 for the same price you would have paid for this dog.

Todd

 

[86strokerlx]

from my experience, when you have bent wheel, you have lots of other problems even though they may not be immediately apparent. suspension, differential, half shafts, shocks, etc. could all have small problems that, over time, turn into large problems. usually, they are large problems that warranty will not pay for. some dealers are good but to get the straight scoop, you really need to know someone that works there and know them well. good luck!

 

[2001Saleen181]

$4200 for a Toyota Tacoma sounds really low. I think he was trying get you from the trade end.

Now if the cobra came with an extended warranty, I might consider it. I still would ask for more for your truck though. Check what kbb.com says for your resale value of your truck is.

 

[Snarf]

I agree- I think the reason the car is selling for so low is that they are trying to get some chump to bite at it on a impulse, so they don't have to fix all the busted stuff with it. Stay away from it man Wait it out a few months and pick up a sweet 03 after the 05's hit the stores

 

[admdavs]

when you have bent wheel, you have lots of other problems!

That's why I decided to wait and not go with it- especially when they said I had to get it then and there before taking it to a ford dealer shop to give it a complete look through!

 

[budguy1967]

Dont sweat it. Sounds like a beat hunk of crap. Wait six months for the new Mustangs to come out and pick up a real nice 03 for the same price you would have paid for this dog.

Todd

I would guess that 90% of the Cobras, new and old are driven hard. After all, thats what these cars are made for....going fast and being driven hard. Doesnt mean that the car is near falling apart, just means someone drove it hard...which is most likely what admdavs will probably do with whatever Cobra he finds. I would also have to say that our cars take the punishment pretty good when they are taken care of. The difference is whether the original owner checked the fluids, changed the oil when he needed to, etc.


Also, Mods on a used car are huge indication on how the car was driven. Cars with low gears, Drag radials and aftermarket pulleys are good indications that the car was driven hard. Since the sellers will get very little return on the dollar for mods, most modded Cobras for sell will have their mods stripped to be sold seperatly, which makes it harder for the buyer to determine how hard a car has been driven.

Not defending the original owner by any means, just think this is similar to guys screwing every chick while dating, but hoping to find that virgin to marry....just very difficult to find that virgin. LOL The only sure way to get a Cobra that hasnt been driven hard is to buy a new one, or find that diamond in the rough.

 

[travis0712]

IMHO - there is driving a car hard... and then their is just down right abusing it... sounds like this one was wrecked and mistreated... I would walk away... and wouldn't look back.

 

[cerp]

BAD DEAL.

THERE WAS AN EXACT SAME ONE IN THE PAPER (COLORADO) FOR 23K WONDERING IF ITS NOT THE SAME ONE THIS ONE ,WAS PRIVATE OWNED THOUGH. I HAVE SEEN REALLY CLEAN 03'S FOR 26K WITH 5K TO 20K MILES ON THEM I AM GOING TO WAIT FOR THE PRICE TO DROP AND I WILL JUST SAVE FOR MODS OR THE NEW O5 MODEL GT'S OR LIGHTNING .