Advice Buying Used Car

[350zeta]

Hi,

I'm new member and hopefully soon will become a Mustang GT owner.

I have come across a car in autotrader that has very low miles (20k) but has the attached MOT failure. Owner mentions that adjustable Coilovers were fitted, I will need to ask if this was done as a consequence of failing the MOT or if it was beforehand. Hence it makes me a bit concerned of how the car has been looked after looking at the MOT. Otherwise the car looks immaculate from the pictures and has full service ford history. Any advise would be welcomed

Thank you

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[Kristian87]

Welcome to the forum, Simon!

Can you share a link for the Mustang you have found? I'd be keen to see how modified it is.

For what it's worth, my oem shock gave out and I had to have it replaced. That in itself wouldn't put me off.

20k miles is very low (depending on age), which could be good or bad depending on context.

 

[350zeta]

Welcome to the forum, Simon!

Can you share a link for the Mustang you have found? I'd be keen to see how modified it is.

For what it's worth, my oem shock gave out and I had to have it replaced. That in itself wouldn't put me off.

20k miles is very low (depending on age), which could be good or bad depending on context.

Thanks Kristian, okay good to hear you had a similar issue, so it may not be that strange after all. Regarding the ad, see below.

I do think is a owner that looks after the car as I can see he has done the oil cooler mod.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304166343424?atmobcid=soc3

Thanks

 

[GR11M]

The car only has a few mods, the exhaust, oil cooler and suspension, and servicing has been done by Ford and some work at GT101, who are a reputable Mustang specialist. I don't see any issues from the ad, so time for a test drive. I wonder if the owner is a member on here

 

[Kristian87]

That's a real nice example there. Does appear to be well looked after, not heavily modified and the price seems about right all things considered.

One thing to note is that the 2016 models will have Fords SYNC 2 system rather than the SYNC 3. I've had both and whilst they both work well, SYNC 3 is much better. I'd also advise a thorough inspection of the paintwork. These cars are notorious for issues - around the edges of the bonnet and wheel arches.

Having the oil cooler sorted is a massive plus, I'd do that now if I could afford it!

 

[GR11M]

You can upgrade the Sync2 to Sync3 unit easily enough, as I did mine, but it will cost £3-400 to do. You can then do all the map/software updates from CyanLabs via USB .

 

[350zeta]

That's a real nice example there. Does appear to be well looked after, not heavily modified and the price seems about right all things considered.

One thing to note is that the 2016 models will have Fords SYNC 2 system rather than the SYNC 3. I've had both and whilst they both work well, SYNC 3 is much better. I'd also advise a thorough inspection of the paintwork. These cars are notorious for issues - around the edges of the bonnet and wheel arches.

Having the oil cooler sorted is a massive plus, I'd do that now if I could afford it!

Yeah I thought that too! Happy I did ask you guys for advise!

Re Sync version, thanks for clarifying that as I thought from 2016 onwards they did have Sync 3. Is it then 2017 onwards?

Thanks once again for all the tips and support, will keep you posted!

 

[350zeta]

You can upgrade the Sync2 to Sync3 unit easily enough, as I did mine, but it will cost £3-400 to do. You can then do all the map/software updates from CyanLabs via USB .

This could be of interest! If you have any recommendation/details of installers that you could share that would be great!

Thanks

 

[GR11M]

This could be of interest! If you have any recommendation/details of installers that you could share that would be great!
Thanks

I was lucky, someone else on here who had already done it bought 2 by mistake - I think they might have documented it on the forums somewhere. I drove to there's and we fitted it in about 30 minutes. You literally just remove the dash around it and unscrew it. The only other thing you need is a GPS dongle that sits under the vent on the dash but you can pick these up on eBay for less than a tenner.

 

[raptor17GT]

the ad advises original suspension and exhaust included so that's not too shabby at all. @350zeta - coming from a 350z I did the same, big differences but good ones

 

[350zeta]

the ad advises original suspension and exhaust included so that's not too shabby at all. @350zeta - coming from a 350z I did the same, big differences but good ones

Yeah that made me trust the seller more.

that's right, just sold my 350z, wanted experience V8 world before it goes all electric 🥲

 

[Liam O]

Another thing to note about a pre 2017 car is that the road tax is just over 3x more expensive than a 2017-2018 car. When I bought mine that was a major consideration as was getting sync 3 as I wanted android auto. According to total car check road tax on the vehicle you linked is £695. A 2017 car is £180, cant remember the exact dates they changed the tax rules but something to bare in mind!

 

[GR11M]

I believe it changed mid way through 2016. I think I paid £500 at the time and the first tax after the change would have been £1000, as the new tax policy doubled a brand new cars tax in year 1 but then the price significantly drops. My tax renewal this year was up again to £630.

 

[Kristian87]

Another thing to note about a pre 2017 car is that the road tax is just over 3x more expensive than a 2017-2018 car. When I bought mine that was a major consideration as was getting sync 3 as I wanted android auto. According to total car check road tax on the vehicle you linked is £695. A 2017 car is £180, cant remember the exact dates they changed the tax rules but something to bare in mind!

Very good point. My memory says April 2017 was the date. Picked mine up June 2017 and I pay just under £14 a month in tax.

 

[raptor17GT]

Yeah that made me trust the seller more.

that's right, just sold my 350z, wanted experience V8 world before it goes all electric 🥲

heh heh, yeah i get that for sure.

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