Looking to buy an 03 Mach 1 but need some advice...

[Videonut85]

I used to own a 95 GT, canary yellow. I loved that thing. I sold it 2 months ago and wish I didn't. Here I am, looking to buy another Mustang. I've been looking around for an 03 or 04 Mach 1 in almost any color, that is stick. I've missed out on a few cars because I couldn't get to them fast enough. They sold before I had a chance to even see them in person. So I feel a little rushed now because there aren't many Mach 1's left that are within 2 hours of driving distance for me. So this is the car I was looking at.

2003 Ford Mustang GT Premium, $13,995 - Cars.com

I put an offer in via e-mail of 12,500. The car is listed at 14k. I figure blue book is around 13k. The guy calls me up and asked when I would like to pick it up. I told him I could come by on Saturday to look at it. The car is an hour and a half from where I live so I can't do it during the week. I asked him about the price, and he asked if I wanted to buy it wholesale at 12,500. I've never heard anyone ask me that before. He said the vehicle is sold as is.

I was a little suspicious for some reason, so I check out the BBB, and found 2 complaints in the last 12 months, one about sales practice and one about a product. One was resolved and the other the business made every reasonable effort to resolve. I looked up reviews on the company and found no complaints or praises about the company. So I'm not sure what to think here.

The vehicle does not have a carfax report, which I would intend to get before making a purchase. Do you guys have any advice? I know a few basics as far as what to look for in a vehicle. I'll definitely print out a used car buying guide of things to look over.

This is my first purchase without someone to go along and offer any advice or look the car over. Should I call my mechanic and see if he would make the trip with me? I'm not sure what I should do in this situation.

Are there any major issues that have shown up in Mach 1s? Thanks for the help in advance. I really appreciate it.

 

[ninjastang125]

Only issue is the 3650 trans but other then that its a solid car.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

There are no pics of the engine in the ad which for me is a huge red flag.

If you are concerned about the deal just walk away. If the stealership is annoying you make them put a new set of tires on the car before agreeing to buy it.

Watch out for the CarFax being for a different Mustang, actually match the VIN of the report with the one on the car.

Def take someone with you.

 

[Crzyhrse]

Get it on the highway or some place you can get the speed up and row through the gears. Make sure it does'nt have any synchro problems. Only other real issue is the head tick. If it has it you'll hear it over the injector noise.

 

[fiveoho]

a carfax or autocheck is a excellent idea before buying a used vehicle. i wouldn't buy one without it. however, keep in mind its quite common for a car to have been in a accident and it NOT show up on a report. if Joe Blow got drunk one night and took out a fence row then took it to his buddies shop and fixed it without ever filing a police report, that accident won't show up. typically this isnt a big concern because a accident of much damage, the owner will turn it in. let the insurance company pay for the damage rather than out of their own pocket. there are those sticky situations where alcohol is involved or the person knows their insurance will be dropped if they file a report, etc. these are the things you should always consider and keep in the back of your mind. check your door and hood gaps. look and see the body panels are lined up properly. its a shame we have to be cautious of these things, but we do.


fyi - i knew before buying my 2000 GT that it has had some paintwork on the drivers side quarter. i had to look closely but i noticed it. i asked the seller about it and he claimed he knew nothing of it and seemed honest about it. i ran a carfax AND a autocheck on the car and BOTH showed no accident information what so ever. more than likely it was something fairly minor. under the car, everything is perfectly straight. no evidence of any hook or chain markings,nothing caved in, etc. i still bought the car knowing this but was able to get a very fair price.

it is somewhat difficult to find a car, especially a older car, that has never had any paintwork or fender benders.

 

[Videonut85]

Get it on the highway or some place you can get the speed up and row through the gears. Make sure it does'nt have any synchro problems. Only other real issue is the head tick. If it has it you'll hear it over the injector noise.

What exactly does a head tick sound like? Just a ticking noise on one or more cylinders? If it's a head tick, revving the engine will make the ticking faster then correct? Is this something costly to repair, or something that should be pointed out to get a reduction in price?

I won't be able to take my mechanic with me. I'm figuring I'd have to go to a local mechanic in that area with the car and have them look it over.

 

[roadman4.6]

I would check it out with a machanic before you buy. If you check out AutoTrader for 2003 Mach 1's most are 15K-18K with low miles. The price sounds too low, but it may be worth the money if there are only minor issues. Depends whether you want something in mint condition or if your willing to put some money in it after you buy. I just purchased a 2003 GT and it took me months to find one that wasn't abused. It all depends on your personal preference and whether you can do some repairs on your own. I drove as far as 4 hours to look some only to be disappointed, even though the dealer told me the car was mint. I always prefer to buy off a private owner. I also don't trust CarFax - my last car had repair work that I didn't see and the CarFax was clean. Good luck, but take your time.

 

[D-BOI]

Hey man before you do any thing spend the 40 bucks and get a month of unlimited carfax reports, you would be surprised at the kind of junk that is out there, when i bought my jeep cherokee last year i looked through and ran 118 reports and finally found one i liked. I did the same thing with my mustang. Some people told me you cant have the vin number until you come here and i wouldnt even bother with those. Don't rush into it thats when you make a mistake because you have tunnel vision, since you want a mustang so bad, Look at a reputable dealer or a private owner though.

 

[Videonut85]

Hey man before you do any thing spend the 40 bucks and get a month of unlimited carfax reports, you would be surprised at the kind of junk that is out there, when i bought my jeep cherokee last year i looked through and ran 118 reports and finally found one i liked. I did the same thing with my mustang. Some people told me you cant have the vin number until you come here and i wouldnt even bother with those. Don't rush into it thats when you make a mistake because you have tunnel vision, since you want a mustang so bad, Look at a reputable dealer or a private owner though.

I think you're right. I probably have tunnel vision. I get a little anxious when I want to get something done. I should probably keep my eye out for a sweet car with low miles. 46k is pretty many. I missed out on a Mach 1 with 27k miles for only 2 grand more. Just gotta keep my eyes peeled. I can find something better. *sigh* I just want my pony back.

 

[D-BOI]

i know how you feel man, i had a 95 that was to die for back in 2003-2005 and i sold it, it was my first car. in 2007 i wanted another one so bad that id go and look at every single one within a 50 mile radius. Then one time i drove 350 miles to go look at one and it was total junkkkkk and it was on the day of my birthday. I spent 6 hours on the road there and 6 hours on the road back. I was so dissapointed. But i found the one i have now after almost a year of looking and am very pleased with it, until somebody brings up the word cobra lol.
But i love my car, just make sure you dont act on an impulse and buy something you will regret, because there is no worse feeling than getting stuck with a car you do not want.

Oh yea and they dont even know what kind of car they are selling they have it listed as a Mustang Mack 1, i know the K is close to the H on the keyboard but come on!!!

 

[Kornnut]

!!!!! 2003 MUSTANG G/T MACK 1

 

[D-BOI]

Just play the waiting game man and you will get what you want

 

[Deleted member 38176]

Blue book is $14K. Absolutely get a carfax

1. DO NOT allow them to supply the carfax report (if they have it)
2. DO NOT get a carfax based on the VIN in ad, get it yourself off the car

I've dealt with 2 privately owned small dealers before and the carfax's they supplied did not match the car I was interested in (they insisted it did and was BS).

If the carfax checks out and they accept $12.5K, BUY IT. This shouldn't take long at all.....

SATURDAY
1. Drive down to dealer
2. Inspect the car (if you can, try to look for paint overspray where it shouldnt be - good indicator of previous repair)
3. Get the VIN from the car
4. Drive home and buy a Carfax

-if the carfax looks alright-

SUNDAY
1. Drive back to dealer
2. BUY BUY BUY

 

[Crzyhrse]

What exactly does a head tick sound like? Just a ticking noise on one or more cylinders? If it's a head tick, revving the engine will make the ticking faster then correct? Is this something costly to repair, or something that should be pointed out to get a reduction in price?

I won't be able to take my mechanic with me. I'm figuring I'd have to go to a local mechanic in that area with the car and have them look it over.

If it's got the head tick, you'll know it. The sound will stand apart from just usual engine noise (Yes, it's just a loud ticking sound). Cylinder 7 and 8 is where it comes from. Most were fixed under warranty (the driver's side head needs replaced), but I've still seen afew threads where people are still getting the head tick because the Mach they bought was a very low mileage car and the tick did'nt show up till now. Unless you find a very understanding dealership, they won't fix it for free. It's your bill.