Never ending SC quest...

[cp308]

Looking to buy a very clean 94 or 95 SC with the automatic. I’ve been looking for a couple months now and have not had any luck. I watch Autotrader.com, Cars.com, carsdirect.com, autohopper.com and of course the SCCoA classifieds. These seem to be very rare cars- I’ve only seen 2 of them in my state so far, and neither was a 94 or 95. I’m in Colorado but am willing to travel wherever I have to for the right car. Anyone got some advice for me?

[Digitalchaos]

I have had this problem; twice. They are indeed hard cars to come by.

Continue looking here in the classifieds section, as there are usually a few good stock SCs for sale, and monitor Autotrader.com for Thunderbirds regularly. The most efficient way to search autotrader is to first, set area to an unlimited range. You must be able to to go anywhere acquire the car you want. Then, specify in the advanced search a 6 cylinder engine for the '94 & '95 model years. Begin looking through the results.

Its a long process, but eventually you will find one.

See these listing which I found

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=136536478&dealer_id=&car_year=1995&search_type=used&make=FORD&model=TBIRD&transmission=&distance=any&address=60548&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=&min_price=&end_year=1995&start_year=1994&drive=&engine=6CLDR&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=1702
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=142040017&dealer_id=&car_year=1995&search_type=used&make=FORD&model=TBIRD&transmission=&distance=any&address=60548&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=&min_price=&end_year=1995&start_year=1994&drive=&engine=6CLDR&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=1804
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=144425898&dealer_id=1369251&car_year=1995&search_type=used&make=FORD&model=TBIRD&transmission=&distance=any&address=60548&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=&min_price=&end_year=1995&start_year=1994&drive=&engine=6CLDR&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=1694
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=143879449&dealer_id=1390280&car_year=1995&search_type=used&make=FORD&model=TBIRD&transmission=&distance=any&address=60548&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=&min_price=&first_record=76&end_year=1995&start_year=1994&drive=&engine=6CLDR&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&=&fuel=&color=&cardist=642
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=128760043&dealer_id=71211&car_year=1994&search_type=used&make=FORD&model=TBIRD&transmission=&distance=any&address=60548&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=&min_price=&first_record=101&end_year=1995&start_year=1994&drive=&engine=6CLDR&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&=&fuel=&color=&cardist=194

[cp308]

Thanks for the tips. I have found another step to follow on autotrader- after refining the search to 94-95 automatic 6 cyl., I then use the browser's find function and look for VINs starting with 1FALP64R.

I'll check out those links you posted- and thanks again!

[Thomas A]

EBAY!!!!!!!!

Always a good source for odd or obscure items. In fact, my friend from Omaha found a mint '94 Auto in Springfield, MO on Ebay a few months back. It is jet black with all options, one owner, with only 24K miles on it!! Shoot me an e-mail and I'll keep my eye out for any around Lincoln and Omaha.

Thomas

[rlmeskimen]

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/...r=&cardist=1804

Sorry, this one is no longer for sale :D , I bought it last week.

It's pretty sweet, especially compared to my 90 when I bought it. It had 120K rough miles on it already.

The exterior has a few more dings and chips than I would have liked but mechanically it is solid and I am super stoked about it.

Good luck. SC's rock. Not too many RWD perfomance cars out there where you can actually fit your kids in the back seat.

[rlmeskimen]

PS. I bought mine, flew in and drove it home. We struck a deal, I sent him a deposit and as long as it was as described I would pay him the rest upon arrival. My ticket was pretty cheap and I got a 500 mile adventure to get to know my new good friend. All in all it was a blast.

[cp308]

That's exactly what I am expecting to do as well- fly, buy, drive. Enjoy your new SC! And if you happen to come across another....

[rlmeskimen]

...I'll keep you in mind.

[JAFO]

You'll probably get some emails about your post in the WTB section, I did when I was looking. Some people would rather email you than post (understandably).
Put a note in your signature too, with an email address. Use a hotmail address, specifically for the car hunt. Someone who contacted me on an address dedictated to the car search had a virus and I got it repeatedly.
Like has been said, the best thing you can do is to broaden your search area. The right car and the right price is worth the trip. My wife and I drove 10 hrs one way to get mine, but it also made for a great trip. However, you do have to be more careful when buying at a distance. Try to do as much of this as possible:

-LOTS of pictures, make sure they are new, not old shots. Every angle, up close.
-See if they will take it to a dealership for a look over, pay for that up front. Have the dealership fax the report directly to you, have a contact there.
-Run a carfax. Not sure how reliable that really is, IMO, but can't hurt.
-Don't fly if you can help it. You don't know enough about the car. Have a chase vehicle, preferably a truck/suv that can tow the SC on a UHAUL dolly in a pinch. Better safe than sorry. Cars don't break down in convenient places, especially on a road trip.
****MOST OF ALL****:
When you agree on a price, don't carry it all in cash (not safe), but don't take the full amount in a cashiers check either. If the price is $4000, get a cashiers check for $3000 and take the rest in cash. That gives you the ability to renegotiate if things aren't what they were represented. No one's going to give you change back on a cashiers check on the spot, especially if you're talking about a $1000 difference due to a new problem. You get your car, still for a reasonable figure and you don't have to go home empty handed due to a technicality (if you still want the car).

[rlmeskimen]

Great advice!

[cp308]

Thanks to all who gave me advice. I found a Black 95 automatic with 87K on eBay. Had a clean carfax, seller 100% positive feedback, photos and description were good. Talked to the guy and he seems like a good guy. Used Buy it now and picked it up for $4250. Gonna go down to TX and pick it up this weekend.

Going to take most of it in cashier's check form and the rest in cash (thanks JAFO / Bill from MS).

Time restraints foce me to fly, but if it is not as advertised, I can re-negotiate or bail out on the transaction.

Thanks again!

[JAFO]

Sounds like a fair deal, and it's good to have some confidence in the seller. Let us know how it turns out!