Need some advice on buying used Explorer

sheltonfilms · #1 04-13-2015, 06:06 PM

So my family is growing into a football team, wife is pregnant with our 3rd child. Time to buy a bigger vehicle. Looking at only newer model Explorers.

Found a 2014 Explorer FWD Limited (3.5L) with sunroof at a mom and pop style dealership. Vehicle only has 17k miles. Asking $27,500.

But here is the kicker:

Vehicle hit a deer and caused damage to the front right and caused the drivers side air bag to deploy. All damage was mostly cosmetic (can only see radiator being the only mechanical part) Vehicle was fleet, sold at auction, fixed and now for sale.

Now most people would walk away, but I know if the repairs were done correctly you shouldn't have any issues.

So I went to check out the vehicle. Me being a quality engineer for Mercedes, I went over the car pretty well. Even scanned for codes using FORSCAN and check all the modules I could for codes.

Here is what I found:

RH A-Pillar Exterior Garnish was separating ($111.18)
Missing some wheel well screws (about $8)
Steering column shroud pretty gouged up from replacing clockspring ($14.23)
Lower bumper valence Panel had tear (hard to see but there)(124.28)
Upper radiator cover (part that shows 134a/safety sticker missing)(70.37)
Radiator was loose due to an insulator missing (6.23)
Oil dipstick had handle broken off in tube (3.92)
LH Door mirror Power fold intermittent (someone pulled the mirror forward and stripped it) (530.15, ford quoted 800 to replace with labor)
Ambient air sensor ripped from wiring harness (12.87 + 35.36 for pigtail)
Only 1 intelligent access key ($250)

Found ambient air sensor issue by scanning and found DTC related to it (didn't trigger MIL)

He had it listed as having a power liftgate but found out it was manual which is like a 600 dollar upgrade.

I plan to have the guy sign an affidavit to confirm the safety restraint system has been brought back to functional specifications, just gonna say my insurance is requiring it.

Where would you start the negotiations?

Before:

After:

djfllmn · #2 04-13-2015, 06:08 PM

Walk away. The accident was no biggie. But the rest is

sheltonfilms · #3 04-13-2015, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfllmn

Walk away. The accident was no biggie. But the rest is

The rest is just trim pieces that weren't replaced or missed from repairing the car.

The only real biggie I have is the mirror and the 1 key.

None of those scream to me walk away. Those findings were just for negotiating.

mattsfx4 · #4 04-13-2015, 06:37 PM

Makes me think there was more done to this vehicle than appears, is the front end all in alignment? Did you drive it? Did it seem to drive fine? That looks like a limited and every model limited came with power lift gate, in Canada, all sels came with it, those are just the things that are popping out at me, plus why wasn't he mirror replaced after the accident?

sheltonfilms · #5 04-13-2015, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattsfx4

Makes me think there was more done to this vehicle than appears, is the front end all in alignment? Did you drive it? Did it seem to drive fine? That looks like a limited and every model limited came with power lift gate, in Canada, all sels came with it, those are just the things that are popping out at me, plus why wasn't he mirror replaced after the accident?

Allignment looked fine. Drove car for about 30 mins. Got it up to 70. No pulling, no vibrations. All tires had same model, size, and DOT date code, and same thread. No weird wear patterns.

Power liftgate is an option on limited and xlt models according to ford.com.

Mirror was on left side (opposite of damage). Probably didn't' realize it was broke. I didn't notice till I tried to actuate the folding mirror button. Looks fine until you hit the button.

smokinAMD · #6 04-13-2015, 06:50 PM

Didn't mention title status...is it listed as a salvage?

sheltonfilms · #7 04-13-2015, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokinAMD

Didn't mention title status...is it listed as a salvage?

Missed that one. It is a CLEAN title. No wreck rebuild/salvage title. Ran carfax/auto check on it.

2004 fx4 level II · #8 04-13-2015, 06:58 PM

looks nice, but I wouldn't pay 27500 for an already wreaked suv!!!!

sheltonfilms · #9 04-13-2015, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2004 fx4 level II

looks nice, but I wouldn't pay 27500 for an already wreaked suv!!!!

My question in the post is what would you start the negotiations at? So where would be your ballpark.

smokinAMD · #10 04-13-2015, 07:03 PM

I would think you could find one that hasn't been wrecked and would need nothing for that price.

2004 fx4 level II · #11 04-13-2015, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltonfilms

My question in the post is what would you start the negotiations at? So where would be your ballpark.

I would say around 22,0000??

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokinAMD

I would think you could find one that hasn't been wrecked and would need nothing for that price.

true^^^

mattsfx4 · #12 04-13-2015, 07:05 PM

Hard to say for me because we deal with Canadian pricing, but with all those things, I would probably offer them 25500, there's some work to be done, and the parts add up quickly, if they say no, simply walk away without looking back, they will get back to you, how long has it been on the lot?

sheltonfilms · #13 04-13-2015, 07:07 PM

Closest one I have found to match this vehicle is one for 30,000 with no sunroof. So I'm thinking with the parts that still need to be fixed and the diminished value of the vehicle, I think I may start at $23,000

Himecraig · #14 04-14-2015, 05:02 PM

Congrats on the family!...
Here's a local CL ad for shits and giggles...California pricing is about 10% higher than averages:
http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/4929697612.html

You said it yourself 'if fixed correctly' but pointed out a few things in the damaged area that still needed attention.

Questionable quality repair work, sold at auction, mom and pop shop might have thought they had a quick flip...all that makes me uncomfortable.

I'm tryin to guess what they paid at auction (I'm thinking too much) and peg your offer alittle above that after adding and deducting for the cost of repairs.
Might want to bring heavy artillery with the preggers wife and your other kids full of sugar and ask what they got into it. If its a small lot they just might tell you and not waste anymore of your/their time.

Not sure of this lot but indy lots I've dealt with usually don't like to deal with 25-30k priced flips.

Your price point at 23k sounds about right.

sheltonfilms · #15 04-14-2015, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Himecraig

Congrats on the family!...
Here's a local CL ad for shits and giggles...California pricing is about 10% higher than averages:
http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/4929697612.html

You said it yourself 'if fixed correctly' but pointed out a few things in the damaged area that still needed attention.

Questionable quality repair work, sold at auction, mom and pop shop might have thought they had a quick flip...all that makes me uncomfortable.

I'm tryin to guess what they paid at auction (I'm thinking too much) and peg your offer alittle above that after adding and deducting for the cost of repairs.
Might want to bring heavy artillery with the preggers wife and your other kids full of sugar and ask what they got into it. If its a small lot they just might tell you and not waste anymore of your/their time.

Not sure of this lot but indy lots I've dealt with usually don't like to deal with 25-30k priced flips.

Your price point at 23k sounds about right.

Just emailed him a 23k offer. Pretty much told him I calculated everything to that number.

I looked on cars.com, autotrader and carmax and took all the ones I could find with the same features. Took the price and adjusted based on the mileage (based on IRS wear value of $0.23 per mile). Like making comps for a house purchase.

Took off about 20% for diminished value (number I kept seeing in articles).

Then took off for repair parts.

BTW the preggar wife and kids thing probably wouldn't work for me. Wife hasn't hit the big hormone part yet and the kids would probably piss me off more than the saleman.