| Author | Message | ||
     Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 147 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ok here is the situation. My dad wants to trade in his Silverado for a 2003 Ford F150 Lariat. He called me and I met him at the dealer to take a look. I noticed it had been in an accident evident by some paint lines and evidence of the front fenders being removed. Also, the area around the radiator looked new as did the radiator and •••••• cooler. Carfax is clean as a whistle. Dealer offered to pull Oasis (some Ford program to show anytime it had been in a Ford dealer) and it would show if it had been repaired at a Ford place--even body shop. So, the truck is a great deal, should I advise him against purchase? I mean, it was probably in a little fender bender, so should this scare him away from the vehicle? What do ya think? Matt | ||
| Andrew Vick (Afv) Member Username: Afv Post Number: 69 Registered: 02-2002 |
Carfax isn't all that accurate in terms of accident indicators. Most states have no requirement for the reporting of body damage. I would try and find someone with a paint meter which will show you how the repairs were made. They can detect where filler was used, how much was used, or if the panels were replaced and repainted. | ||
| gil stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 371 Registered: 02-2002 |
carfax will only show a total loss or a branded title. It may have been hit hard or just bumped. If the radiator and trans cooler are new, its probably been hit hard, but then again its an 03 so they should look new. Drive it.. take it to 75-80 and see how the front end feels. Alot of rovers come with paint work from the factory due to damage in shipping, at the port.. whatever. it may be nothing, but whatever it is carfax will not tell you. | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 150 Registered: 10-2003 |
thanks guys, I can tell it has been painted back to the front doors and the fenders have been removed. There was some paint on one of the tires treads. I need to go crawl around it when they are closed. | ||
| Robert Sublett (Rubisco98) Senior Member Username: Rubisco98 Post Number: 1115 Registered: 04-2002 |
I'd have them take it back and put it on the lift for ya, much easier  | ||
| flyor (Flyor) New Member Username: Flyor Post Number: 28 Registered: 05-2003 |
Here's my advice, when in doubt, Don't! | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 639 Registered: 02-2003 |
yeah no doubt. Get a Toyota | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 1255 Registered: 09-2002 |
Matt, I've had an Aerostar that was hit hard in the front. I knew about it when I bought it, after seeing the inner fender that was all wrinkled. However, it tracked straight, and I have never had a problem that could be related to the accident and repairs (in about 70kmi that I've owned it for). So I'd back Gil's advice, and use the repair as a bargaining point. |
