Official Is This Car Worth It Thread vol 3
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Oak Island
The backstory: It is a 2004 sebring silver metallic with red/black interior. The vehicle has never been modded and was traded in about 3 weeks ago at a reputable "40 year franchise dealership" for a new VW passat. The owner was a guy in his mid-to-late 60's according to the dealership manager and the car was garage kept. Carfax shows no accidents and a decent amount of service records (11 to be exact) with the most recent service done at the dealership including new front rotors/pads/oil change/valve cover seal replacement/and rear brake servicing. I spoke with the mechanic who personally did the work on the vehicle and he in fact owns a 2000 AP1. He complemented the overall condition of the vehicle (including how clean the valve train looked when he popped the valve cover).
After about a week of long distance negotiating and discussions I came to an agreed price of $19,000 before I would take the 5 hour trip to look at the car. Yesterday, I kindly asked the salesperson to take pictures of all 8 of the body panel vins to confirm authenticity and he shoots me back 7...Long story short the drivers side panel has been replaced by the owner years ago, when he backed out of his driveway and hit a stationary dumpster parked on the street. The fact that they called the previous owner and divulged that information shows credibility, yet how did they not know it was a replacement in the first places scares me?! Right now we agreed to $18,400.00 with the car as it stands currently. Would you consider that worth the 11ish hour round trip???
Pro's:
37K miles
one owner
newer tires
service records
garage kept
Con's:
Driver seat has some bolster wear
Top has infamous shoulder rip
small scuff on front bumper
non factory fender
drivers side door was painted upon delivery 3 weeks ago due to "scratches from wife when pulling into garage"
Ryan
After about a week of long distance negotiating and discussions I came to an agreed price of $19,000 before I would take the 5 hour trip to look at the car. Yesterday, I kindly asked the salesperson to take pictures of all 8 of the body panel vins to confirm authenticity and he shoots me back 7...Long story short the drivers side panel has been replaced by the owner years ago, when he backed out of his driveway and hit a stationary dumpster parked on the street. The fact that they called the previous owner and divulged that information shows credibility, yet how did they not know it was a replacement in the first places scares me?! Right now we agreed to $18,400.00 with the car as it stands currently. Would you consider that worth the 11ish hour round trip???
Pro's:
37K miles
one owner
newer tires
service records
garage kept
Con's:
Driver seat has some bolster wear
Top has infamous shoulder rip
small scuff on front bumper
non factory fender
drivers side door was painted upon delivery 3 weeks ago due to "scratches from wife when pulling into garage"
Ryan
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 3,436
From: Foothills East of Sacramento
Or the wife drove around with the parking brake on if she is the type to crunch it moving in the garage.
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 13,832
Likes: 1,550
From: Chesterfield VA
Tried Autotrader? I have no idea where you live but there are a couple dozen 2006 and later S2000s for sale in better condition within 200 miles of my Zipcode at prices competitive to this car. The ability to tune the '06 and later ECU is worth the extra money right there. My car's performance took a major leap after the magical Gernby tune.
I doubt I'd drive across town to look at a car with a tear in the canvas roof. Certainly not from a dealer. Not for this price anyway. $13K to 15K? Maybe, it's gonna be a major expense to replace the roof. Responsible dealer (or owner) would have this repaired and then marketed the car. This dealer is lazy and just wants to flip the car. It'll sell, no doubt, but I'd not buy it. Non factory fender and repainted door further detract from the value of the car.
Any mention of tires? All season radials insult the car's handling. Worn high performance tires will need replacing.
I know pricing is regional and seasonal but I bought my 38,000 mile 2006 S2000 last summer (when prices peak around here) for about $20,000. Yeah the previous owner had buggered the car with black Einke wheels but these sold easily and refurbished OEM AP2V2 wheels and new tires slipped into the wheel wells easily. 2006 with stability control, drive by wire, etc. And that wonderful Gernby tune!
-- Chuck
I doubt I'd drive across town to look at a car with a tear in the canvas roof. Certainly not from a dealer. Not for this price anyway. $13K to 15K? Maybe, it's gonna be a major expense to replace the roof. Responsible dealer (or owner) would have this repaired and then marketed the car. This dealer is lazy and just wants to flip the car. It'll sell, no doubt, but I'd not buy it. Non factory fender and repainted door further detract from the value of the car.
Any mention of tires? All season radials insult the car's handling. Worn high performance tires will need replacing.
I know pricing is regional and seasonal but I bought my 38,000 mile 2006 S2000 last summer (when prices peak around here) for about $20,000. Yeah the previous owner had buggered the car with black Einke wheels but these sold easily and refurbished OEM AP2V2 wheels and new tires slipped into the wheel wells easily. 2006 with stability control, drive by wire, etc. And that wonderful Gernby tune!
-- Chuck
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,342
Likes: 103
From: Raleigh
Car was tracked I bet. I went through a set of rear brakes at every track weekend I ever went to. I think $18.4k is a fair price, not great considering, but the fender replacement is a blemish.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Guys, maybe I didn't clarify enough. The rear calipers where only serviced (the rear pads and rear rotors have not been replaced, only the fronts). I realize it's hard to negotiate without seeing the car, but unfortunately when long distance is involved you have to have some kind of idea before traveling. Any other opinions, criticism, suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you for all of your suggestions thus far.
Side note: I am located near Philadelphia, PA
Also, I've attempted to attach some pictures of the vehicle via photobucket, tell me if you see them.
Thanks!
Ryan
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3327.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3330.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3352.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3376.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3338.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3329.jpg
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_3381.jpg
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_3379.jpg
Side note: I am located near Philadelphia, PA
Also, I've attempted to attach some pictures of the vehicle via photobucket, tell me if you see them.
Thanks!
Ryan
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3327.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3330.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3352.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3376.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3338.jpg
http://i850.photobuc...11/IMG_3329.jpg
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_3381.jpg
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_3379.jpg
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,342
Likes: 103
From: Raleigh
I really would like to see a head on shot of the front bumper and under the hood pic that is a bit further back and not blurry. Driver's side bolster isn't in great shape, and the top has been patched on the drivers side, which unless they fixed the worn out top straps it'll just keep being a problem. Looks like a decent car though...tires could use an upgrading.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 15
From: SF Bay Area
i could have been the former owner, age and exact same car, mine with 75,000 miles. This looks pristine and given the price increases we have seen with these cars it's probably a good value. Nice car from the photos. I can't negotiate based on a photo or two, have to see the car, drive it and listen to it.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Thank you for your response. I agree with the drivers side bolster (that annoy's me) and the dealership did announce that the top has been patched.
here is another blurry shot of the engine bay....
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_3378.jpg
here is another blurry shot of the engine bay....
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_3378.jpg
I really would like to see a head on shot of the front bumper and under the hood pic that is a bit further back and not blurry. Driver's side bolster isn't in great shape, and the top has been patched on the drivers side, which unless they fixed the worn out top straps it'll just keep being a problem. Looks like a decent car though...tires could use an upgrading.