Lemon Buy-Back cars?

[jlwdvm]

I found a used 500 with less than 1000 miles on it and found that it was a Lemon Buy-Back car about 400 miles ago. The dealer showed me the paperwork from Ford (California) and it said that the long block was R and I (removed and inspected?) with no problems found....per DOC #09243301. Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[Snoopy49]

They wouldn't have been authorized to remove the engine without being able to prove it was damaged beforehand. Take the VIN to another dealer and have them run it on OASIS. This will give you a service history on the car.

 

[jlwdvm]

The selling dealer ran the OASIS for me...they had to replace the long block. Looks like piston slap, and loss of compression in a few cylinders.

 

[EF300]

If you buy it get it at a sizable discount because otherwise you’re going to get creamed when you go to sell it.

I had a lemon car that I got rid of and it was an absolute nightmare. I personally would avoid it

 

[Cobra Jet]

The selling dealer ran the OASIS for me...they had to replace the long block. Looks like piston slap, and loss of compression in a few cylinders.

If the block was replaced it was most likely due to a ventilated block caused by dropped valves OR the timing chain issue (TSB documented on this site). A few early GT500's blew motors right out of the gate with some having less than 500-1k miles on them. The TSB Issue wasn't known then, but once the TSB was recently posted for the GT350/500's, more than likely some of those prior failures could now be correlated to the TSB concerns.

Just a word of caution regarding Ford RAV Buy Backs:
The VIN is tagged for the life of the vehicle. A Buy Back is commonly referred to as a Lemon. Lemons are very well documented during the Buy Back stage, with the VIN being flagged as such.

Yes, you can get a good deal on a Lemon'd Buy Back.

Yes, the car has to be repaired in order to be resold to the first retail customer after the Buy Back.

Yes, a Buy Back is to not only to be disclosed to any potential Buyer, but the driver side B-pillar should have a Ford RAV decal placed below the original VCL label stating the vehicle is a Ford RAV Buy Back. The Buyer will also have to sign additional documents informing him/her that the vehicle being purchased was a Ford RAV Buy Back.

VINs flagged as a Lemon can be detrimental to future resale either for trade in or private party sale. It shows up in all VIN reporting Agencies, Insurance, DMV and Ford OASIS/ETIS databases. Some people who buy a Lemon don't care about future resale, while others pass such vehicles over. Also before making a decision, check with your State DMV and Insurance to see if a Lemon can be registered/insured in your Home State.

IMO, buying any S197-S550 Shelby with any married VIN history in today's digitally documented age can be a risk only IF the Buyer's intent is to "collect" and/or "invest" for future resale. Again, some people will claim "it's a Shelby" and marred VIN history means nothing - but on the other hand aside from the Lemon tagging, the drivetrain on such a Shelby is no longer numbers matched. Again, to some a numbers matched drivetrain is important, to others not so much. But if doubting what is being stated, reach out to those on this site who tried to sell/trade in GT350 or GT500 with a warranted engine replacement - it was a rough ride for some of those folks.

In no way am I implying a Ford Buy Back is a bad deal - I'm just putting the facts out there so anyone can make an informed decision, especially due to the caliber of vehicle being discussed.

 

[jlwdvm]

Thanks for the info. I think I'm gonna pass and keep looking for a Carbon Handling pack car.

 

[Richard Shannon]

Do you mind sharing the car location and dealer info?

 

[DougS550]

The selling dealer ran the OASIS for me...they had to replace the long block. Looks like piston slap, and loss of compression in a few cylinders.

Just remember, unless you plan on keeping the car, the cars value is extremely reduced by having a "BRANDED" Title. I myself would Never buy a BRANDED Titled car. But that's just me.. Good Luck

 

[Hollywood]

Do you mind sharing the car location and dealer info?

I am not positive but I am pretty sure it is Sneed Ford north of KC. They have had it for a while. A buddy of mine was looking at it and when he found out it was a buyback he passed. Same story of the car being from CA as the OP discussed.

 

[jlwdvm]

Correct.

 

[Richard Shannon]

I am not positive but I am pretty sure it is Sneed Ford north of KC. They have had it for a while. A buddy of mine was looking at it and when he found out it was a buyback he passed. Same story of the car being from CA as the OP discussed.

really, what difference does it make if you tack the car? I’m not interested in resale.

 

[Richard Shannon]

I am not positive but I am pretty sure it is Sneed Ford north of KC. They have had it for a while. A buddy of mine was looking at it and when he found out it was a buyback he passed. Same story of the car being from CA as the OP discussed.

I just looked at their website. Only gt500 shown is white and they want$96K. ROTFL!!!! Not on your life! CFTP or not. I was thinking in the 85K range. That’s only 2-5k under retail for a USED buyback! What a joke!

I JUST bought a 2020 certified fully loaded less CFTP with 3K miles for $92K. And They gave me $38K trade in for my ‘09 GT500!

 

[MNstang]

I just looked at their website. Only gt500 shown is white and they want$96K. ROTFL!!!! Not on your life! CFTP or not. I was thinking in the 85K range. That’s only 2-5k under retail for a USED buyback! What a joke!

I JUST bought a 2020 certified fully loaded less CFTP with 3K miles for $92K. And They gave me $38K trade in for my ‘09 GT500!

The are asking $96k for the lemon tagged GT500?!

 

[Richard Shannon]

The are asking $96k for the lemon tagged GT500?!

Yeah! That’s insane, no wonder his friend didn’t buy it lol!

 

[jlwdvm]

I believe they started off near $120K in March.

Sponsored