Advice in buying new (old) car please

P6LTD351 · 04-06-2010, 10:11 PM

Hi everyone.

Ok, I found this Fairmont Ghia at Jarvis Ford in SA. I saw it on my way home from work while I was on the bus, and the sticker price is now $7888. It only has 71000ks. What's up with the wheels? What's that crap in between the spokes? I also thought the inside door handles were chrome in the Ghias.

I think the price is too much even with the low ks. What do you think I should offer? 5 grand cash? I know they'll laugh, but it's worth a try and I'm serious about buying. I wonder if they would be willing to get some work on it done if I agreed to a higher price, like lowering and exhaust?

P6LTD351 · 04-06-2010, 10:17 PM

Sorry guys, here is the link

http://www.jarviscars.com.au/used-ca...&maxPrice=1170

Windsor220 · 04-06-2010, 10:26 PM

Whats the worst that can happen if you offer them that?

Dont worry about what price the car is listed at. I work for the used car section of a dealership and rarely does a car sell for whats on the sticker. If the price has been dropped once then they are probably having trouble selling it so will be willing to negotiate.

P6LTD351 · 04-06-2010, 10:34 PM

Yeah, I might go down tomorrow and give them an offer. The worst they can say is no. I don't think it's a series II either, so no XR6 engine. It would need to have books. Don't like that tow bar either

Might also call the previous owner.

XAGSV8 · 04-06-2010, 10:39 PM

You never know what can happen. Years ago when I bought my Magna the dealer wanted $8500 and I offered $5000 cash. Guess what my daily driver is?

Eleanor · 05-06-2010, 04:34 AM

That's a tidy example but I'd definitely be trying to knock them down...quite a bit.
That's a Series 1 EF Ghia which missed out on the various upgrades that the Series 2 EF Ghia got. These included various interior refinements, chrome trim etc and notably the Tickford driveline as in the XR6.

What you see behind the wheel spokes was an integral cover to prevent brake dust covering the wheels I believe.

For reference, I bought an immaculate 1998 EL Fairmont Ghia just over 12 months ago which, admittedly had 150xxxkms on it, and I paid $5k.

BuckTooth · 05-06-2010, 10:58 AM

Go for it mate, Used carsales men are normally willing to negotiate. My sisters 1997 Forester was stickered at $10,000, i think his jaw hit the floor when i reeled out $6,500 cash. Needless to say, Money talks, Bull**** Walks. She loves her forester

Yellow_Festiva · 05-06-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb2monty

Hi everyone.
I wonder if they would be willing to get some work on it done if I agreed to a higher price, like lowering and exhaust?

There is no way I would be asking a seller to do mods on my behalf. Offer what you think it's worth as is, and do the mods yourself.

ams77 · 05-06-2010, 11:11 AM

Hey eb2monty, remember whatever amount you offer the only way from there is up not back. So if you think its worth more than $5k but are prepared to pay $5K only stick to it even to the point of walking away. As they told us on holiday in Fiji, make an offer and if they let you walk away you have found the lowest price.

Also make sure at the outset that you clearly say $5000 drive away. Otherwise it will be whatever you agree plus stamp duty, reg or whatever govt fees are applicable.

Check out how much Reg it has too. If less than 6 months allow for that too.

And finally, if you do the deal can you grab me one of the dealers rear window stickers as that's where my 92 GT came from.

cheers and good luck

FGX335 · 05-06-2010, 11:18 AM

Nah, not worth it, you can get a much nicer car for that money.

For that coin, I'd be looking at at least an AU, or going for a BA Fairmont or Futura.

ams77 · 05-06-2010, 11:24 AM

your right fordbaghia, my son bought a 2003 BA with reg (high Ks though) for $7000 1 year ago. Sure beats his old 88 Skyline sedan and hasn't looked back since.

P6LTD351 · 05-06-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ams77

Hey eb2monty, remember whatever amount you offer the only way from there is up not back. So if you think its worth more than $5k but are prepared to pay $5K only stick to it even to the point of walking away. As they told us on holiday in Fiji, make an offer and if they let you walk away you have found the lowest price.

Also make sure at the outset that you clearly say $5000 drive away. Otherwise it will be whatever you agree plus stamp duty, reg or whatever govt fees are applicable.

Check out how much Reg it has too. If less than 6 months allow for that too.

And finally, if you do the deal can you grab me one of the dealers rear window stickers as that's where my 92 GT came from.

cheers and good luck

Thanks for that, and yes if I do do a deal, I will get a sticker for you!

P6LTD351 · 05-06-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eleanor

That's a tidy example but I'd definitely be trying to knock them down...quite a bit.
That's a Series 1 EF Ghia which missed out on the various upgrades that the Series 2 EF Ghia got. These included various interior refinements, chrome trim etc and notably the Tickford driveline as in the XR6.

What you see behind the wheel spokes was an integral cover to prevent brake dust covering the wheels I believe.

For reference, I bought an immaculate 1998 EL Fairmont Ghia just over 12 months ago which, admittedly had 150xxxkms on it, and I paid $5k.

Yes you're right. I checked out the brochures in the gallery last night and the door handles weren't chrome in the series 1. I think you're right about the wheels. I actually went down and had a look at the car last night. The covers look to be originally black/dark grey but these are discoloured.

The car is in very good nick, but very overpriced.

The only thing that has me interested is the low ks.

FordFalconBF · 05-06-2010, 11:45 AM

Don't buy anything from Jarvis.. all of their used cars are overpriced.. I looked at EL Fairmont Ghia and they wanted like $12k for it and was in ok nick.. they say that it has a 3 year warranty, but you have to service it with them for the whole time.. I asked how much for cash and would only like drop the price about $500... I didn't go back there.. I got a newer less kay Fairlane Ghia for cheaper from elsewhere.

Cya,
Alan.

P6LTD351 · 05-06-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordFairlaneAU

Don't buy anything from Jarvis.. all of their used cars are overpriced.. I looked at EL Fairmont Ghia and they wanted like $12k for it and was in ok nick.. the say that it has a 3 year warranty, but you have to service it with them for the whole time.. I asked how much for cash and would only like drop the price about $500... I didn't go back there.. I got a newer less kay Fairlane Ghia for cheaper from elsewhere.

Cya,
Alan.

Yeah, I think you're right Alan. I bought an '94 NC Fairlane V8 from there 3 years ago. Beautiful car and I still have it. But yes, their 3 year warranty means jack. Nothing is included in it that you actually need, and the things that do go wrong are classed as wear and tear. I worked out the cost that it would be for me to get it serviced 6 times over three years, and that's more than $1200 before any parts.

In my offer, I will be saying, forget about the warranty.

ams77 · 05-06-2010, 11:51 AM

redbook valuation:
Private: $1600 - $3600
Average Ks: 225,000
New price: $44830

http://www.redbook.com.au/used-cars/...d=128F8719E825

P6LTD351 · 05-06-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ams77

redbook valuation:
Private: $1600 - $3600
Average Ks: 225,000
New price: $44830

http://www.redbook.com.au/used-cars/...d=128F8719E825

Thanks for that. I think based on that, 5 grand cash is a reasonable offer, considering it's a dealer car and has low ks. I know from now that they will laugh at the offer. If they don't sell it, they move them to smaller type car yards. How does that work? I can't see another car yard paying more than 5 grand for it.

ams77 · 05-06-2010, 12:08 PM

my cousin is driving around in his brothers EF ghia because when his brother bought a new car the most they would give him on a trade was $1000. I bet you they only bought that car for $1500-$2000 max.

FordFalconBF · 05-06-2010, 12:46 PM

I tried also and said I don't want the warranty... didn't make a difference in the price..

Here is a good priced AU Fairmont.. not a Ghia but.. if you have your heart set on one...

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/sea...&nr=D_14222087

$5,999

134,000 kms

I'd go have a look at if I could.. would be a good car for the missus.

If you have your heart set of a EF Fairmont Ghia.. get one with few hundred thousand k's for heap cheaper and drop in a recon motor.. would probably be cheaper.

XAGSV8 · 05-06-2010, 01:05 PM

Didn't realise last night it was an EF. You can get BA's for the price they are asking. I personally would only pay a max of $4,000 for it.

P6LTD351 · 05-06-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XAGSV8

Didn't realise last night it was an EF. You can get BA's for the price they are asking. I personally would only pay a max of $4,000 for it.

Yes you are right.

FPV70 · 06-06-2010, 06:51 AM

The wheel covers behind are for the brake dust. My wife had a EL Futura Classic and it had them on it. I took them off so the brakes could cool a bit better.

The towbar is the 2300kg Hayman Reese so it has probably done some heavy towing.

The car looks nice overall but the detailers can make these things look darn good.

As other people have stated, you can buy better for the same price and although an other car might have higer K's, It might also just be a better car for not sitting around so much.

Remember, the 4.0 I6 will go for ever as long as it's serviced regularly so even 200,000k's isn't too much of an ask.

Good luck anyway

SSVPom · 06-06-2010, 10:14 AM

I was given $5k for my 2000 AU2 Fairmont Ghia VCT in December at a Holden main dealer, so I'd say that the EF would be worth no more than $3.5 to $4k ?

flappist · 06-06-2010, 04:18 PM

Its a car yard.....

Look at the rest of his stock. He does not care what they are he just sells them.

Remember in the "wood duck" end of the market he is going to get quite a number of "fully sick" trade-in attempts so if the car is worth 4k and he has 8k on it when the wood duck comes in to trade his totally stuffed rust bucket worth $50 for $lots he can offer 2 or 3000 and still come out on top.

That is what he wants, if you want the car pay him the lowest he will take, if that is too much then just don't buy it. It is not like EF Gihas are rare.....

last fairlane · 06-06-2010, 07:47 PM

Come to Brisbane and you can have my 2003 BA Ghia
with 175Ks with seven months rego for $10k
John