1966 Ford Mustang: '66 Blackplate Fastback w/ EFI, 5.0, T-5, A/C, P/S & DB
10/03/07 (updated 10/03/07)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.
| • Overall Satisfaction: | 3/5 |
| • Performance: | 3/5 |
| • Reliability: | 4/5 |
| • Comfort: | 4/5 |
| • Quality and Craftsmanship: | 4/5 |
Hello Folks!
Ebay has done a great job with their "advice to buyers" section pertaining to vehicle purchases. Read it carefully, understand it well & follow their advice. The buyer protection policy isn't much good as far as the condition of the car goes BUT it does claim to cover outright theft of your money if you don't get the car at all. That's much better than the early days. It states that not all vehicles are eligible though and after 2 inquiries I have yet to get a straight answer as to what qualifies. I have never paid for one of those inspection services but would consider doing so only on a late model car, only after the sale ends and only if I am the winning bidder. Reasons being, these "inspectors" are not qualified to evaluate a collectable car which is primarily what I have purchased. On a later model car if you have it done pryor to the end of the sale, what if the car brings more than you are willing to pay or does not meet the reserve? Dealers are also more likely to bump the price due to your investment. I have come to expect the seller to lie about some aspects of the car but with a good eye & plenty of clear, detailed & specific photos you can spot most serious issues. I am not shy about asking alot of questions & requesting photos. If you catch them in one inconsistency you can bet there are many more. I also prefer to buy from individuals vs. dealers as an individual MIGHT have somewhat of a conscience whereas a dealer does NOT. Buying a 40+ year old car LOCALLY is also a gamble. This was the 4th car I have purchased through Ebay for 2 reasons: selection & price. Where else could I possibly find a 1966 Mustang Fastback that has the entire drivetrain and electronics from a late model (approx. '90) transplanted into it for $15,000. I don't think I have ever even seen one like this in Georgia. On top of that, it's an origional red/black "R" code California car with the black plates still on!
The biggest deception with this car was with the time table in which the work was done. With the exception of a new battery, fuel pump & clutch all of the stuff (tires, rims, chrome, etc.) that he claimed "new" in the auction were 10+++ years old as evidenced by the receipts that HE SENT ME! As far as I can figure, the car has been driven about 1000 miles in the last 8-9 years so we all know what that means. It obviously was kept inside but has sat for long periods of time. In spite of this the car is solid, runs pretty well, and all the major components still work. I am expecting to spend $2000 or so getting the car to where he claimed it already was. That is why I refuse to pay anymore than the item actually bids up to. By comparison, I think this car could have brought more but he didn't write a very good ad, didn't have many pic's on the ad, and the title for the auction didn't point out any of its most desirable features.
In conclusion, I am overall very pleased with this purchase at $15,000, much more and it would have been questionable. The best advise I can give: BE PATIENT! This car ran in May '07 with a buy it now of $25,000, no sale @ $14,100. Bottom $ was $22,500. I kept looking. It re-ran in August '07 with open bidding, no buy it now. He said reserve was $18,000. Before the auction ended the "lowered reserve" banner was displayed & I bought it for $15,302 in open bidding with no big "rally" at the end of the auction. I could easily have paid $18,000+ for the exact same car from a slicker salesman.
Review ID: 10000000004485031

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