Is this a good deal for a fully modded car?

[Apaolo]

Hi guys, this is my first post and Im looking into buying a used 03 Cobra. The car has 42k miles on it and only one owner. The guy was 35 and a cop and he traded in the cobra for a STi because he has a baby on the way.

Anyways the dealer wants 23,900 for it and the exterior/interior look in good shape. The car has been modded, for example, its had a pulley, exhaust, clutch/flywheel, suspension work, a tune etc. The car currently dynos at 461hp with 460tq, he has all the dyno graphs with his list of mods, authentic certificate and owners manaul all part of the deal.

So what do you guys think? Would this be a good car to jump into or would it be more fun/beneficial to get an untouched Cobra with lower miles? Thanks!

 

[voodooterminato]

Sounds good. I would run a carfax on the vin # and personally take to the previous owner first. Compression check would also be a good idea. Any dealer work on the car due to recall's should show up on the carfax. Find out what and if any dealer he used for any work or warranty work.

 

[voodooterminato]

personally TALK to the previous owner first. typo there

 

[voodooterminato]

Also, jew, jew, jew, with the dealer. If they told you 23,900 as the first price, you can get it to at least 21,500

 

[mrose75]

Sound fair as long as the car isn't a turd.

 

[Apaolo]

How would I get the compressioned check? Can you have the car looked at before you buy it?

Also I know theyre flexible on the whole deal. They only offered me 17k for my new 06 Honda Si but to seal the deal they offered 19k so Im pretty sure I can break them on the 23,900.

 

[voodooterminato]

Simply tell them you want a compression check done on the car by their mechanics, or tell them you wish to take it to your personal mechanic. Just keep in mind that you are not playing on their field. They are playing on YOUR field. Your the one willing to cough up the doe for a product they have. They need to prove their product worthy. Dealers love and NEED to make sales. They will go to extreme lengths to make a sale when you push the right buttons.

 

[Apaolo]

Am I missing out on the fun modding though? Is it an advantage that the car already has a few things on it or should I really get a bone stock one?

 

[03nightmare]

i don't think dealers are willing to do squat, when your talking about a cobra, why would they bother with the hassle of checking everything out, if something is in fact wrong they will never sell it once rumors get out, and when your dealing with a cobra if you don't jump on it someone else will. why would they bargin on something that is pretty desireable like a cobra if they wait some retard will walk in and pay more than they are asking just to get him aproved on the loan, seen it a million times. by the way that car is nowhere near fully modded no cobra is or any other car for that matter. guess it depends on what you think fully modded is.

 

[Apaolo]

Well I meant fully modded because I dont really know much about these cars. Ive been reading this forum for about a week and Ive been trying to get a understanding of what power you can get out of Cobras. I originally was going for a corvette but those are too expensive used and too expensive to mod/maintain.

On another note this car has been on their lot for awhile. Its a subaru dealership in the middle of nowhere, if they were willing to give me 2k more for my trade in on the spot I dont see how they wouldnt completely bend to sell the car.

 

[Bullitt4110]

Sounds like a good deal. There are still a lot of mods you can do to the car, there is always something else you can do it.

 

[CobraBob]

Check the car out thoroughly. Read these recommendations. http://stangshiftergaskets.com/2003_2004faqs.htm#_Toc35092330

IMO what is more important than whether the car has mods or not, is how well it was maintained and treated by the previous owner. Even a totally stock Terminator can be mistreaded or poorly maintained. As an example, mine had a good number of mods but was always well maintained and never abused. So the buyer got a good deal. On the other hand, John Smith might have a stock Cobra with slightly lower miles that was poorly maintain (but freshened up to look "nice") and driven hard routinely. Buyer beware if you don't know the previous owner or the car. In that case, again, check it out as thoroughly as you can. Best of luck! Select carefully and examine thoroughly and you'll be a much happier Terminator owner.

 

[11Sec_Lx]

They are playing on YOUR field. Your the one willing to cough up the doe for a product they have.

Don't forget that!

 

[Pale Snake]

Hi guys, this is my first post and Im looking into buying a used 03 Cobra. The car has 42k miles on it and only one owner. The guy was 35 and a cop and he traded in the cobra for a STi because he has a baby on the way.

Anyways the dealer wants 23,900 for it and the exterior/interior look in good shape. The car has been modded, for example, its had a pulley, exhaust, clutch/flywheel, suspension work, a tune etc. The car currently dynos at 461hp with 460tq, he has all the dyno graphs with his list of mods, authentic certificate and owners manaul all part of the deal.

So what do you guys think? Would this be a good car to jump into or would it be more fun/beneficial to get an untouched Cobra with lower miles? Thanks!

Umm, I don't have a baby on the way that I know about, but am the original owner and can fill you in on the car's history and maint since 03:beer:

 

[IronTerp]

Umm, I don't have a baby on the way that I know about, but am the original owner and can fill you in on the car's history and maint since 03:beer:

Well....There you go Apaolo!!!!

 

[Apaolo]

Umm, I don't have a baby on the way that I know about, but am the original owner and can fill you in on the car's history and maint since 03:beer:

Youre really the owner? Lol what a small world, the salesman told me that the previous owner traded in his cobra and a dodge dakota, I think, for a STi because he needed four doors for his kids. He also said he knew you personally etc etc. If you wouldnt mind, it would be great if I could ask you some questions through an instant messanger or private pm's. The car is a real beuty btw :thumbsup:

 

[Pale Snake]

Yup great ride, needed to consolidate. Pm me anytime, glad to help. Oh thanks , miss her more every day.