Are people just not buying Mustang GTs (or cars for that matter)?

[Bit-Image]

Is it even legal to sell or buy a car that has full aftermarket headers? In most cases, no — at least not if the headers eliminate, relocate, or effectively disable the catalytic converters. If someone went through the trouble of installing long‑tubes, odds are the cats were either gutted, replaced with high‑flow “test pipes,” or deleted entirely. That’s emissions tampering under federal law, regardless of what a particular state checks.

Oklahoma doesn’t perform emissions inspections, but that doesn’t magically make the car legal. The moment an out‑of‑state buyer tries to register it in any state, the car will almost certainly fail the vehicle inspection. At that point the buyer is stuck paying to restore the emissions system just to get plates.

To the OP: I made the same mistake when I was younger. I tied way too much of my identity to my car mods, and it ended up costing me more money and satisfaction than it ever gave back. It was a self‑defeating cycle, and I learned the hard way.

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[DCShelby]

1st thing George at JS Autohaus asks when some dude comes in to trade his modded and clapped out Audi or BMW….”does it have cats”

 

[Oakley]

"Procharger HO w/P1x, Ported 2018 manifold, TSP LT's w/cats, Wengerd tuned, Gibson cat-back, Steeda dual rate springs w/Pro-Action dampers, Steeda c/c plates, Steeda bushing support, Steeda IRS subframe braces, Steeda billet vertical links, Steeda lateral & tension links, Steeda front and rear sway bars, BMR K brace, FP rear hubs, GT350 steering wheel, JBL speakers w/Kicker Hideaway powered sub, PP Brembo brakes w/StopTech rotors, AR 924 wheels w/Conti Extreme Contact 02's. "

the problem you're having is in red. I wouldn't want a highly modified car.

 

[SBR70.3]

A lot of good information from everyone. I love driving this car and I think I will just hang on to it. The car is too much of a fun, reliable daily driver to let it go for anything less than what I am asking. I already have seller's remorse as it is. I understand how the modifications will scare people away, which is ironic because most of us modify our cars pretty much as soon as we get them.

 

[Hack]

I mean. Why should I buy a new car? I bought a 2015 that I need to fix up. But my 2019 GT is flawless as it can be for 7 years of age. I really wonder if its because cars are lasting so long now compared to the past?

I agree. There hasn't been any recent marked improvement in performance or styling of cars that are in my price range. The only reason I have to buy new is wanting to try something different.

I got a letter in the mail today saying that the trade in value on my 2017 GT PP1 is $14,000. Why would I take that little for it when a new stock DH costs more than 5 times as much? With similar tires on both the lap times will be within a few seconds of each other. I already set up my car the way I want it. I'll hang onto it, thanks very much.

A lot of good information from everyone. I love driving this car and I think I will just hang on to it. The car is too much of a fun, reliable daily driver to let it go for anything less than what I am asking. I already have seller's remorse as it is. I understand how the modifications will scare people away, which is ironic because most of us modify our cars pretty much as soon as we get them.

Seems like the right move to me. All the time and effort I put into my car are part of the reason why I don't want to sell it. I'd hate to have to start over on another car getting it all set up for track use. Doubling all that work to put it back to stock seems even more discouraging.

 

[DCShelby]

If you simply want to try another car, go rent one on Turo

 

[cocopanda]

I agree. There hasn't been any recent marked improvement in performance or styling of cars that are in my price range. The only reason I have to buy new is wanting to try something different.

I got a letter in the mail today saying that the trade in value on my 2017 GT PP1 is $14,000. Why would I take that little for it when a new stock DH costs more than 5 times as much? With similar tires on both the lap times will be within a few seconds of each other. I already set up my car the way I want it. I'll hang onto it, thanks very much.



Seems like the right move to me. All the time and effort I put into my car are part of the reason why I don't want to sell it. I'd hate to have to start over on another car getting it all set up for track use. Doubling all that work to put it back to stock seems even more discouraging.

Ya, my 2019 GT PP1 with the 401A package is holding around 30K but I don't have many miles on it. Because I work remote for now. But seriously the car is faster than the DarkHorse. I did get approved to buy a GTD when they were released for orders. But I didn't have GTD money then.

 

[Crew4991]

OP it might be worth just selling it to Carvana or CarMax and saving yourself the headache of dealing with Marketplace.

Since it’s modified and about 10 years old with 83k miles, even if it’s a great car like you described, buyers online can be pretty flaky. It’s not just you either, people are having trouble selling even newer, stock cars with low miles.

A lot of it comes down to pricing along with local supply and demand. Personally I think $24k is still too much. You might disagree but that is the beauty of opinions. We can still be friendly and disagree on valuations. The forum is for us to help each other.

I’d suggest getting a cash offer from one of the larger companies like Carvana or CarMax and if the number works for you, call it a day and avoiding the stress of a private sale. You never know! Maybe Carvana will give you a cash offer that you like! Give it a shot.

 

[DCShelby]

I don't think Carvana or Carmax will take it. With headers and no cats, they would have a hard time selling it or getting past inspections, except for Florida or Texas. Remember that they offer a one week buyback option, so if a person bought it....and had issues....Carmax and Carvana will take it back.....and they DO NOT like to do that.

 

[ORRadtech]

I don't think Carvana or Carmax will take it. With headers and no cats, they would have a hard time selling it or getting past inspections, except for Florida or Texas. Remember that they offer a one week buyback option, so if a person bought it....and had issues....Carmax and Carvana will take it back.....and they DO NOT like to do that.

Not to mention, as someone else said, it’s a federal crime for them to sell one without cats. And since both of those two companies are nationwide it's probably an issue they'd like to avoid.

 

[DCShelby]

Yes. They might be ok with the suspension mods, but no way will they take a car with headers and no cats. I’ve sold cars to both of them before and there is a checklist of things they ask about. And if you lie about it, that’s going to bite you in the ass. So the OP might consider of getting rid of the blower and out stock exhaust back on, and put ECU back to stock tune.

 

[SBR70.3]

If you simply want to try another car, go rent one on Turo

Not wanting to "try another car". I am wanting to make room in a crowded garage/driveway for a truck to tow my toys to the track.

 

[SBR70.3]

Yes. They might be ok with the suspension mods, but no way will they take a car with headers and no cats. I’ve sold cars to both of them before and there is a checklist of things they ask about. And if you lie about it, that’s going to bite you in the ass. So the OP might consider of getting rid of the blower and out stock exhaust back on, and put ECU back to stock tune.

The car has catalytic converters, as stated in my sig.

 

[DCShelby]

They might take it then. They might want to plug into the OBDI port and read the levels of the emissions and ready flags. I’d go on a long drive before taking it to them to get the cats up to temp and clear out any flags. I’ve traded cars to them with cat back exhaust and CAI with no issues.

 

[Anyone3505]

FB is garbage. I agree with putting it on an auction site if you change your mind and decide to try selling it again. Those sites are BY FAR the best place to buy fun cars. Yes you pay auction fees and may need to have it trucked across the country, but it is still worth it to many, many people. Cars and Bids, Bring a Trailer, and Haggerty are the 3 best sites i use.

Just do your research on posting a good listing-get the car detailed, hire a photographer to take high quality photos, and maybe even pay for a PPI. They'll almost for sure suggest a no reserve listing, and that's probably the best way to go for your heavily modified car. As stated here repeatedly, mods dramatically reduce the pool of potential buyers, but it doesn't eliminate everyone. Many people browse the auction sites specifically for modded muscle and sports cars to save money on stuff they already plan to do. However- NR is a crap shoot. It could go for more than you hoped, but you have to be willing to accept that the car may sell for even less than what you're willing to take now.

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