I need some opinions. I am buying a weekend cruiser to enjoy the gorgeous weather here in central Cally. I found a 99 convertible Cobra. Guy wanted $9K for and I was able to talk him down to $7.5K. I would give the interior 8 out of 10. The paint I would give a 6 out of 10. The drives great, very powerful. No rattles, no holes in the top and everything works fine. CarFax didn't have any accidents reported but he said that the car was sideswiped and you can tell that the passenger rear 1/4 was repainted. Car has brand new tires, too.

My only concern is is looking at the CarFax and the mileage reported over the last 4 years. Less than 3K mile have been put on the car in that time period. He did say he worked out of state for a while and the car was left in a parking lot for a long time (hence the paint being crappy) He thought he used it more than that, but it was also the familys 3rd car and he has 2 small children, not the best of family cars.

You think it is worth it? And would the miles scare you?







Owner 1



Purchased:

1999



Type:

Commercial



Where:

California



Est. miles/year:

10,696/yr



Est. length owned:

5/19/99 - 4/26/03
(3 yrs. 11 mo.)







Low mileage! This owner drove less than the industry average of 15,000 miles per year.





Date:

Mileage:

Source:

Comments:



04/30/1999



NICB

Vehicle manufactured
and shipped to original dealer





05/19/1999

12

California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Oakland, CA

Odometer reading reported





06/10/1999



California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Oakland, CA

Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Registered as commercial vehicle





03/27/2003

40,618

Service Facility
Stockton, CA

Vehicle serviced





03/27/2003



California
Inspection Station
Stockton, CA

Passed emissions inspection

















Owner 2



Purchased:

2003



Type:

Personal



Where:

California



Est. miles/year:

5,622/yr



Est. length owned:

4/26/03 - present
(8 yrs. 2 mo.)














Date:

Mileage:

Source:

Comments:



04/26/2003

41,094

California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Union City, CA

Title issued or updated
New owner reported





01/28/2004

45,566

Service Facility

Emission system checked
Washed/detailed





06/04/2004

51,302

Service Facility

Steering/suspension checked
Emission system checked
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
Drivability/performance checked





04/12/2005

63,357

California
Inspection Station

Passed emissions inspection





07/05/2005



Fremont Ford Mazda
Newark, CA
510-651-5600
www.fremontford.com

Washed/detailed
Front brake pads replaced and rotors resurfaced





11/09/2005



Fremont Ford Mazda
Newark, CA
510-651-5600
www.fremontford.com

Recommended maintenance performed





05/16/2007

74,634

California
Inspection Station

Passed emissions inspection





11/19/2007



Fremont Ford Mazda
Newark, CA
510-651-5600
www.fremontford.com

Maintenance inspection completed
Battery/charging system checked





07/07/2009

75,969

California
Inspection Station
Union City, CA

Passed emissions inspection













■Hmm, we haven't received any information on this car since July 2009. Before you buy, ask the seller for recent service or repair records.
■I'm here to help! Print and bring my SmartBuyer Checklist when you go to test drive this 1999 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT.




Print this CARFAX Report and take it to your pre-purchase inspection

 

I would expect you could bring all the maintenence current for a couple hundred bucks, so look to deduct that from the fair book value, plus repaint. Now you aren't going to get a good repaint for less than about $4000, so I would aim to buy it at about $4200 under book, factoring in the more typical wear on the car.
If you read the fine print in the value guides, any major paint needs knock one down to poor condition. Any previous work being visible now would qualify because you won't be likely to get a very good job matching a partial refinish to the existing original finish.

 

Really need pictures to make a call on my part.

 

$7.5k sounds like a great price for a Cobra. Remember paint can be wet sanded and buffed no reason to think it needs a new paint job just because it is faded or dirty

 

dude screw the paint, a 99 cobra w/ less than 80k on the clock for under 8k is a great price!! as long as it is mechanically sound and the paint isn't repulsive, i say scoop that bad boy up!

 

I agree with Trailor on this.
Buy it , Fix it ..Enjoy it

 

Thanks for the input. I'll post pictures after I pick it up.

 

i bet its laser red lol paint fades like a bitch.

 

Get the Cobra!