Buybacks

[RPDBlueMoon]

And that is what I am in the process of doing. Good suggestion.

Well at least there is some consolation there are a few rational folks here... some of you really know how to make a new guy feel welcome... thanks for that.

My question in the original post stands -- does anyone not wanting to flex their anonymous internet muscles have some thoughts on why Ford buys some cars back and others they just proceed with replacing the engines? Is it more about what the owner of the car wants or is it something Ford decides? Are all buybacks 100% corrected? (I am currently considering a '17 that has had the engine replaced)

To those of you with considerate replies -- I thank you.

I would say that it depends on the customer and some of the lemon laws for the state.

Pretty sure the first option to satisfy the customer is to replace the engine and give them an extended warranty, as that is the least complicated process.

If the customer is tired of waiting and the car meets the state lemon laws then they could proceed with the buy back.

I am almost certain that the buyback only happens because Ford is legally obligated too, since they loose out on doing a buy back. Definitely not done out of goodwill.

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[BierGut]

Awesome feedback -- you guys have been great. (well some of you ) In the end, I believe I'll stay away from a buyback/lemon car (although you have convinced me I shouldn't be afraid of it) for the simple reason that if someone wants to finance it in the future, should I decide to sell, many banks/institutions won't finance a "branded" title.

The car I am looking to buy (fingers crossed) has a new engine in 2019. The dealer is standing behind it and I'll add an extended plan on top. The car has always been serviced by this particular dealer.

My budget (strict) squarely puts me in the 2017 range. One nice aspect of the GT350 I am looking at is it's very local to me. After purchasing a number of cars over the years being upwards of 2000 miles away from me I am hoping I can close on it without having to travel in the middle of winter.

It will certainly see the track, but I don't do as many days as I have over the past 25+ years. I am really looking forward to all aspects of ownership. I've never tracked a car made by Ford, so this will be a new experience.

Thanks again.

 

[Milton]

I love beating this dead horse.....................................again..............................and again.....................................and again. If you don't wanna buy one, don't.

"You've seen so many", Really? Hundreds or maybe thousands upon thousands? Or maybe 5?

Ford refuses to "buyback" most engine replaced cars.....................go check the other 354 my engine blew up threads posted by the 34 guys who had their engine fail. Out of 21,000 or so cars built, a few hundred engine failures, mostly due to valve train issues or bad valves and no one who did not modify their car was denied a FREE engine replacement and if they asked for it, an extended warranty to 80 or 100K miles and 8 years. No exotic european car with a flat plane crank motor would dare offer an 80K drive train warranty.

Honestly, get a Miata. You get 145 horses, then engine won't blow and it is mildly fast for a "track car" and you can be the guy on food stamps who loves to race. No engine worries. Just buy some of those $97 dollar 14in racing tires and go carting. It's cheap, fun and if the engine blows it is the size of a sewing machine, easy to swap.

It only takes one defective engine to ruin a persons purchase the number of good engines that person didn't get is irrelevant.......

 

[lonegunman]

It only takes one defective engine to ruin a persons purchase the number of good engines that person didn't get is irrelevant.......

Sometimes you don't get enough ice in your soda. So you never drank soda again,right?

 

[Milton]

Sometimes you don't get enough ice in your soda. So you never drank soda again,right?

I don't think that analogy coinsides with my point.
It's often posted that most coyotes are good engines but it's a gamble. If you end up with a bad one that's all that matters to you. I would buy the soda again but I'd know to look for the ice next time.
The 5.0l is not that simple though...

 

[Taylor18GT]

To the OP, I can only offer you my personal experience. I think purchasing a buyback successfully requires much more research and understanding than a new or used car. It can be very make and model specific. I have purchased 3 lemon law vehicles with 2 different manufacturers and I have had 3 very different experiences.

The first was a 2012 5.0 that was purchased from a reputable Ford dealer who, as mentioned previously by a member, buys a lot a lot of RAV vehicles from Ford. It was immediately disclosed to me that the vehicle was a Lemon, and the dealership shared with me every ounce of information they had regarding the situation as well as a large document with Ford Engineering sign-offs during its inspection including the repairs. The vehicle suffered a mechanical complain with the transmission (MT-82) which was notorious for many issues anyways (most fixable with the right aftermarket work). I purchased the vehicle at a SIGNIFICANT discount with 27k miles on it. It has nearly 90k miles today on the factory parts with no flaws. I call that one a success. I believe it boiled down to a transparent dealership, tons of available information about the situation, a repair history with Ford tech sign offs, my own research about the issue, and a price that reflected the risk.

The second was a 2018 Jeep JL Rubicon. I'll keep this one short but it was not a success. The vehicle had 18k miles on it and the dealership seemed fairly hesitant to inform me about the lemon law details (I knew about it from the Carfax). However, CDJR was UNABLE to find the issue after the buyback and did not perform any repairs (warning sign 1). The issue was electrical in nature (no surprise from MOPAR) but I proceeded with caution. Long story short, the vehicle began exhibiting the described buy back behavior within 20 minutes of it being off the lot. The dealer took the vehicle back and I walked away. I vowed to never deal with a Lemon that didn't at least have a repair history.

My current 2018 5.0 is also branded as a buyback. I'm curious on exactly how mine got a "branded" title because according to both Ford who looked up the repair history for me and the Autocheck, the vehicle had no major repairs besides 1 warranty complaint about a bad synchro. The notes in the system showed the vehicle was "never picked up by customer at the dealership, dealership re-acquired". Unclear of reason. But again, the price was discounted and I trust my knowledge of the 5.0.

I type this novel because I think it just requires a lot of research, some luck, and a fair amount of risk but its ONLY worth it if the dealership is willing to be transparent and price accordingly. We have 3 major dealerships in my area, Joe Machens Ford, Dennis Sneed Ford, and Heller Ford in a 200 mile radius that seem to always have 3-5 GT350s on their lot and 99% of the time they are buy back. I've inquired about several of them, some have had engine replacements, some oil pump issues, other with other odd/end items. But with the cost of ownership I've never felt the price (which they barely discount) and the weak 12/12k warranty was worth it.

 

[BierGut]

To the OP, I can only offer you my personal experience. I think purchasing a buyback successfully requires much more research and understanding than a new or used car. It can be very make and model specific. I have purchased 3 lemon law vehicles with 2 different manufacturers and I have had 3 very different experiences.

The first was a 2012 5.0 that was purchased from a reputable Ford dealer who, as mentioned previously by a member, buys a lot a lot of RAV vehicles from Ford. It was immediately disclosed to me that the vehicle was a Lemon, and the dealership shared with me every ounce of information they had regarding the situation as well as a large document with Ford Engineering sign-offs during its inspection including the repairs. The vehicle suffered a mechanical complain with the transmission (MT-82) which was notorious for many issues anyways (most fixable with the right aftermarket work). I purchased the vehicle at a SIGNIFICANT discount with 27k miles on it. It has nearly 90k miles today on the factory parts with no flaws. I call that one a success. I believe it boiled down to a transparent dealership, tons of available information about the situation, a repair history with Ford tech sign offs, my own research about the issue, and a price that reflected the risk.

The second was a 2018 Jeep JL Rubicon. I'll keep this one short but it was not a success. The vehicle had 18k miles on it and the dealership seemed fairly hesitant to inform me about the lemon law details (I knew about it from the Carfax). However, CDJR was UNABLE to find the issue after the buyback and did not perform any repairs (warning sign 1). The issue was electrical in nature (no surprise from MOPAR) but I proceeded with caution. Long story short, the vehicle began exhibiting the described buy back behavior within 20 minutes of it being off the lot. The dealer took the vehicle back and I walked away. I vowed to never deal with a Lemon that didn't at least have a repair history.

My current 2018 5.0 is also branded as a buyback. I'm curious on exactly how mine got a "branded" title because according to both Ford who looked up the repair history for me and the Autocheck, the vehicle had no major repairs besides 1 warranty complaint about a bad synchro. The notes in the system showed the vehicle was "never picked up by customer at the dealership, dealership re-acquired". Unclear of reason. But again, the price was discounted and I trust my knowledge of the 5.0.

I type this novel because I think it just requires a lot of research, some luck, and a fair amount of risk but its ONLY worth it if the dealership is willing to be transparent and price accordingly. We have 3 major dealerships in my area, Joe Machens Ford, Dennis Sneed Ford, and Heller Ford in a 200 mile radius that seem to always have 3-5 GT350s on their lot an 99% of the time they are buy back. I've inquired about several of them, some have had engine replacements, some oil pump issues, other with other odd/end items. But with the cost of ownership I've never felt the price (which they barely discount) and the weak 12/12k warranty was worth it.

Thanks Taylor18GT -- very insightful. Pretty much answers any questions I had. As mentioned earlier -- I'll steer clear of any branded cars, but have zero issue with a factory replacement issued to an owner under warranty.

 

[WhereisthyStang]

I type this novel because I think it just requires a lot of research, some luck, and a fair amount of risk but its ONLY worth it if the dealership is willing to be transparent and price accordingly. We have 3 major dealerships in my area, Joe Machens Ford, Dennis Sneed Ford, and Heller Ford in a 200 mile radius that seem to always have 3-5 GT350s on their lot and 99% of the time they are buy back. I've inquired about several of them, some have had engine replacements, some oil pump issues, other with other odd/end items. But with the cost of ownership I've never felt the price (which they barely discount) and the weak 12/12k warranty was worth it.

There is a 2020 Mustang GT at a FL dealership that has 1,800 miles which was curious. The price was good, but not outstanding. Reading close you find this:

"This vehicle has been reacquired by Ford because of a concern with warning lights. Ford investigated the matter and found/fixed the issue."​

Later it says this:

"Ford Reacquired vehicles get the reassurance of a 110-point inspection/reconditioning, 12 Month/12,000 mile warranty or the remainder of factory warranty."​

The CarFax says this:

Vehicle reacquired by the manufacturer pursuant to applicable state consumer warranty laws or to promote customer satisfaction.​

• Reason provided by Manufacturer:
  • Misfiring.
    • Check engine light illuminated
    • Runs rough at idle

Naturally, it has the exact and elusive specifications I'm looking for (minus maybe color); otherwise I would have moved on long ago.

It doesn't look like you get anything beyond the remaining 2+ years and mileage warranty. It definitely feels like the cautionary note above.

Do the symptoms sound familiar? Serious or minor.

Thanks.

Tom

Also, I'm looking for 2019/20 GT Convertible with active valve exhaust (want the quiet function for neighbors), 401A package (want blind spot and like the digital dash).

 

[trevman2]

If the buyback car is at a Ford dealership, ask to get a copy of the Oasis report.

I purchased a 2017 GT350 that was bought back twice...once for loud rattling with fluctuating idle & once for battery constantly going dead. The Oasis report details what Ford did with the rattling / idle issue and the battery going dead was due to an aftermarket alarm. I got a great deal on the car and I have had zero issues after putting 6k miles on it. I was very cautious & attentive when test driving the car to ensure the rattling & idle fluctuation were not there. I did get a 5 year extended warranty with the car also.

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