Buying a slightly used 2015.. need advice

[genericnj]

My first post here, so a quick background -- I've been looking around for a low mileage FiST and found one dealer near me that is selling a used one with moonroof, green envy color (no recaros or other options) for 18.5k with 2k miles on ODO. I test drove the car and all works well, except the brakes were very scratchy and loud and when I looked at the rotors, they seemed to be quite scored on the left side, especially rear. The noise quieted down towards the end of the test drive, but still I was surprised that a car with 2k miles would have scored rotors ... The dealer told me the car has been sitting on the lot for a long time and that's why the brakes were that way and said that he would cut the rotors for me if I'm not happy with the scoring.

I put down a deposit for the car since I do like it, but what do you folks think?? is the price ok? what could have caused the scoring?
should I go for it or forget this one?

many many thanks and I hope to soon be a regular here!

 

[frankiefiesta]

Welcome! And I think it is a good price. I'm from jersey too. Got my 2015 base st at Lester Glenn ford in ocean for 19.5k out the door.

As far as the rotors tell him you want another $500 off or the rotors replaced. That's what I would do.
Either way pretty good deal

 

[InsTwin]

Yeah, I would have them replace the rotor or walk. The price is pretty ok, you can get a new 2016 for $1-2k more though.

 

[genericnj]

Thank you both!

The thing that bothers me most about it is how the rotors could be in this shape with 2k miles.. was the car potentially abused/raced by the first owner? or could something else cause this such as sand or such getting in?

Also, I haven't really seen many dealers that would offer new 2015 or 2016 for ~19.5k -- not without getting financing with them.. I probably would prefer to spend a little more and have the piece of mind... frankiefiesta, if you don't mind me asking, did you get that deal with financing or without?

Another question I had is that on the carfax report the car was originally sold to a buyer in NY in Oct 2014, then offered for sale in Jan 2015 with 1k miles by same dealer, then it shows as registered again and a lien reported, and then sold to the current dealer in May 2015 with 1.8k miles, but the carfax says 1-owner. Seems like a weird history no?

And last question, since I left a $500, if I change my mind, will they give me trouble returning my deposit?

thanks again!

 

[InsTwin]

My advice would be to email dealers further away from you and see if they'll give you a quote remotely, then shop that quote around the dealers near you and ask them to match.

Here are two examples of vehicles you might be able to get a quote on to shop around:
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/644952671/overview/
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/647071140/overview/

Note you'll still be paying taxes after this price, so it's best to shop for an all-included out-the-door price quote when you're negotiating (at least that's what I found).

 

[Sourskittle]

a brand new one affords 0% APR if you qualify. That is a huge saver vs the little you save by buying a used one for $3k less.
plus... you want Recaros, unless your a BIGger guy, like 240+

 

[genericnj]

Thanks InsTwin, those are both great deals and actually not extremely far, I would be willing to drive there to get the car if I knew for sure they wont 'bait-and-switch' on me, which has happened to me in the past.....

One thing I forgot to mention also is that I am trading in another car for $11k which is in line with the trade-in value.

 

[genericnj]

a brand new one affords 0% APR if you qualify. That is a huge saver vs the little you save by buying a used one for $3k less.
plus... you want Recaros, unless your a BIGger guy, like 240+

I really would prefer not to get financing as I am trying to keep the least credit cards, loans, etc possible and with my trade-in, I have saved enough cash to pay the difference.. ah but yes, I do want the recaros and have test driven one with them and loved how much they hug you -- i'm a small guy, 145lbs, so the size is perfect, but I can't justify getting them, i'm a cheapskate..

 

[Sourskittle]

If your paying cash... Buy a 2014 with all the mods you want and enough miles for the break in to be done and driveline proven to not have any issues
Wanna take a drive to Florida ? Lol.
You think about finding a private seller
145lbs? Man... Your gonna want recaros, even if you go aftermarket, lol

 

[genericnj]

thanks, but i want to do the modding from scratch -- i'm still on the fence on what to do...... but for sure getting a fiesta st...

 

[ogsigh]

Welcome

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Don't forget to get the Recaro seats....I wouldn't have it any other way in my FiST. Drove to Chicago from Minnesota I thought they were perfect! IMO...

 

[frankiefiesta]

Thank you both!

The thing that bothers me most about it is how the rotors could be in this shape with 2k miles.. was the car potentially abused/raced by the first owner? or could something else cause this such as sand or such getting in?

Also, I haven't really seen many dealers that would offer new 2015 or 2016 for ~19.5k -- not without getting financing with them.. I probably would prefer to spend a little more and have the piece of mind... frankiefiesta, if you don't mind me asking, did you get that deal with financing or without?

Yes I financed 2/3 of the price. Also took advantage of 0% interest and $1500 cash back

 

[J2FoRS]

Ya I wouldn't buy one without the Recaro's.

And be careful with the dealer if buying used. I got mine used and the dealer screwed me. They didn't reinspect my vehicle for safety they just resigned off on one. I found I had heat cracked front pads and gouged rotors. When I realized this I confronted the dealer looking for my safety inspection documents and they sent me the "inspection" dated August 2014 when I bought the car in April 2015. They shot them self in the foot.

But as usual, Ford wouldn't stand behind their shady dealers doings and I had to submit a complaint with my evidence (inspection, emails, photos) to the MTO to investigate it instead. Their findings were "inconclusive."

So ya, just be sure you see the actual inspection sheet, ask what they had to change on it and double check yourself or even ask the dealer to be able to do a visual inspection of the brakes during the safety. I got bit hard, but believe me that dealer won't see business from any of my circles. (Forums, clubs, Co workers)

 

[trsandrew]

I wouldn't pass up 0% myself. Free financing? Silly not to enjoy that.

 

[Sourskittle]

I wouldn't pass up 0% myself. Free financing? Silly not to enjoy that.

I agree with that too. Take your $18k, give them a $8k down payment and get 0% fin, then take that $10k left over and invest it into something that PAYS YOU INTEREST, even a modest amount.

I have a really smart friend that made $40k in a couple weeks on penny stocks and he paid off his $52k F250 that had 0% fin. Later he said, "man... That $40k would have gone a long way in publix stock", and he's right. In the last 5 years alone, that $40k could have made him another $15-$20k. Instead... He just didn't have to write a check every month on 0% interest payments.

 

[genericnj]

In terms of getting my deposit on the current car back, will it be possible? Especially since they are fixing the brakes for me? Never was in this situation before so not very well versed with what to do and how to approach it...

 

[J2FoRS]

In terms of getting my deposit on the current car back, will it be possible? Especially since they are fixing the brakes for me? Never was in this situation before so not very well versed with what to do and how to approach it...

Doubtful, kinda the point of a deposit but you never know!

 

[Sourskittle]

Maybe you can have them transfer into an account for future service, if they are not willing to return it...

 

[InsTwin]

Was it a non-refundable deposit? Usually it states it if they won't refund it.