virulosity

Hi there,
I've been a long time lurker and watching used F prices for a while now and I am ready to make a purchase. There are two options that I am currently looking at, they are both Black 2008s:

Option 1: 104k miles on it, doesn't have the factory wheels and AFS light is on, and it has stolen in the carfax report. I did a pretty thorough test drive and inspection and it looks reasonable for the mileage. I think the AFS an easy fix, and I probably want to upgrade to LED headlights anyways. Dealer wants $19888 firm.

Option 2: 154K miles on it but really immaculately clean. The inner blue LEDs on the gauge needles are burnt out, otherwise its perfect aside from some light rock chips on the hood. Clean history, and the water pump was replaced at 130k miles by a Lexus dealer. Dealer wants $22900 but I talked him into $23000 OTD or around $21300.

If I look at cars with under 100k miles they are well out of my price range and approaching $30k it seems. I don't have much reservations about the high mileage since these are built by the best manufacturer in the world IMHO (I have a 2003 4runner with 235k miles and it runs like new, and all of the cars I drove were excellent in every way).

What would you lean towards?
Thanks in advance for your 2 cents

Jmt1011

Welcome! I would not buy a stolen car. Even if all is good mechanically, that is terrible history to have on the car. Option 2 seems well taken care of and between the two that's what I would spend my money on.

ROYALISF

Agreed ^^^ wouldn't touch the first one. But to be honest the second one should be left alone unless the price is dropped. To answer your question the second is the best option.

virulosity

Sounds like I need to wait then
What is a fair price for the second one?

DaOne54

I would skip on the first one.. a dirty carfax would make selling the car later on really difficuly...
I feel like option 2 would be a much better choice if you could walk out of there with a 18-19k OTD price tag.

virulosity

man! where can i find a car for that price!?

Miqueaseli

You must be looking at the Hi Auto Sales and the one in Los Angeles. Be patient they are overpriced IMHO. The one that's been stolen and for sale in Los Angeles been in the market for months moving from mom and pop dealers all over. Check the classifieds section here and they will pop up. What's your budget ? Seen local members sell theirs 08 60k miles for 26k .

virulosity

My max budget is $24k including tax and fees and service. If the car needs tires, brakes, etc it eats into my budget. Does anyone know how to get into dealer auctions? lol

nks979

Hate to say it but I would wait a bit longer on one then.. as reliable as these cars are all it takes is one issue (valley plate leak, water pump to name relatively cheap ones) to set you over your spending limit. Like someone else said you can get one with half the miles you're looking at for only 4-5k more.

virulosity

Given the situation in CA, I am now considering flying half way across the country to buy a car. Dumb?
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...32898386&Log=0

Also, does anyone have advice on what is the best bang for your buck in terms of vehicle history reports?

nks979

Not at all, especially with something rare like an F, that ISF looks like a steal if it has a clean history and full service records. Paint looks a bit dull and headlights are a bit hazed but for the price thats no problem, maybe someone here can check out its history.

mindcrime

iTrader: (2)

PASS. to much for both cars at that mileage and history

BirgeyT1

I'm local to that one. The carfax is immaculate and it even had a new waterpump and radiator in the last year which is great. I drove through the lot and it could definitely use some paint correction and a new headlight but otherwise it was very straight as far as door dings and whatnot are concerned.

virulosity

Hmm, maybe just needs a clay bar and wax? It's about $5k less than what I would pay here so it wouldn't be bad even if I ended up doing a vinyl wrap or a respray.

BirgeyT1

It has quite a bit of swirls on it.