New, looking at 2 cars, any suggestions?

[biminiLX]

I think I've found 2 cars I am interested in, need to make a decision:

1) '98 CSVT with only 37,100 miles! Black/MB stock except for tint. 2nd owner bought from original Ford employee owner last fall and it has essentially sat as the current owner is in the military. It sat outside the last 8 months but was kept clean and driven occasionally. My concerns are little documentation and that low miles can be bad on some things (still has OE tires for example). However, I currently am driving a '97 SHO I bought only 4 months ago with 9700 original miles. Absolutely no problems with that car despite the super low miles, but every car is different. I will be having the CSVT inspected at a Ford dealer before I make the trip but as long as its in good shape, I will probably buy. What do you think its worth? Any thoughts on what to look for in a low miler with little records?

2) '98 CSVT Silver/MB with 101,000 miles. 2 owner car originally owned by an SVT dealer manager and has ALL records/docs, the current owner is the perfect type to buy from. I prefer the silver and the car has some mods I'd like anyway---shifter, light tint, Focus SVT 17s, recent Brembo rotors and good pads, factory wheels and spare new mats (other car lacks SVT mats).

If the 1st car falls through I'll probably buy this one, I thought $5000 was fair due to the condition and records/owner maintenence.
Any thoughts?
-J

[mystiquevltwin]

Snag that 37K one!! NOW!!!!!!

[biminiLX]

Thanks and nice site. I just moved to Pittsburgh myself.
-J

[icysvt]

buy the 37K car!

[mystiquevltwin]

Thanks and nice site. I just moved to Pittsburgh myself.
-J

cool! where at in PGH?

[LauraSVT]

Never hurts to run a Carfax. Won't necessarily tell you everything, but it should provide evidence to butress the mileage claim. I'd pull the trigger on that 37K SVT if its as clean as the mileage would suggest.

And have you had your cams welded on that Gen III SHO? Might want to look into that. Runs about 500 bucks, and is great insurance.

[JoeM]

I think I've found 2 cars I am interested in, need to make a decision:

1) '98 CSVT with only 37,100 miles! Black/MB stock except for tint. 2nd owner bought from original Ford employee owner last fall and it has essentially sat as the current owner is in the military. It sat outside the last 8 months but was kept clean and driven occasionally. My concerns are little documentation and that low miles can be bad on some things (still has OE tires for example). However, I currently am driving a '97 SHO I bought only 4 months ago with 9700 original miles. Absolutely no problems with that car despite the super low miles, but every car is different. I will be having the CSVT inspected at a Ford dealer before I make the trip but as long as its in good shape, I will probably buy. What do you think its worth? Any thoughts on what to look for in a low miler with little records?

2) '98 CSVT Silver/MB with 101,000 miles. 2 owner car originally owned by an SVT dealer manager and has ALL records/docs, the current owner is the perfect type to buy from. I prefer the silver and the car has some mods I'd like anyway---shifter, light tint, Focus SVT 17s, recent Brembo rotors and good pads, factory wheels and spare new mats (other car lacks SVT mats).

If the 1st car falls through I'll probably buy this one, I thought $5000 was fair due to the condition and records/owner maintenence.
Any thoughts?
-J

5-6k on the first one... If pristine 6-8k
lack of documentation doesnt mean much...


For the 2nd one. 4k would be about right. (show up with cash and 3700-4000 is easily possible) Ive seen MANY a nice low mile CSVT go for somewhat cheap.

100k on stock motor/drive line.
your going to spend 2k in the next 2 years (depending on how anal you are) Repairing and fixing worn items.

Springs/Struts Tie rods ball joins control arms, PLugs, wires, Trans flush and so on.

[svt4stv]

the 37k car sounds great. id say its worth about $7k, possibly more.

if the dealer's car is as well maintained as you say, that would be GREAT buy if you ever plan on doing the 3L swap. just the Brembos alone are worth $$.

i cant believe you found a gen III sho with that little mileage. id love to get one like that. my buddy has done about 20 cam welds on them. you really dont need it till you start getting near 60k, but if it will be a long time before you get there, it might be a good idea to get it done while people are still doing them. i know there is one guy that travels around the country doing them. he charges a lot though and doesnt adjust the valves. look for someone in your area on the V8SHO list to see who does them and does the valve adjustment as well. too bad you dont live near here as my buddy does them for $600 including the valve job.

[98TredSVT]

low mileage is nice, but if you prefer silver, i'd go with that one. Focus SVT wheels are sick and a tire and wheel package like that is atleast 600 even used(with tires). Most of the csvts I see on autotrader or craigslist all have rebuilt motors and transmissions by a little over 100k so if its all original I might lean for the low mileage one depending how much work you do to your own cars.

[2000SilverSVT]

1. I would say ~$6,000 is good for that car.
2. ~$4000. It is a 98.

I purchased mine for less than 5k last year with ~100k miles and it is a 2000 and 100% stock. I spent ~$1500 on new suspension, tires, plugs and wires. Since then all I have added is Gas.

If you plan to keep it stock, buy the first one. Suspension will be good for a few more years and will have better resale later. The second one if on original suspension will need to be replaced.