I am looking at buying the attached 2009 GT-500. The problem I have with the car is that it has the headlights that were used on the 2007, rather than on the 2009. That suggest to me that the car has been wrecked, and the headlights replaced with the 2007 version rather than the 2009 version. The CarFax is clean on the car and does not show anything as far as a wreck/damage on the car. Also, the car has a manufactured date of 9/08.
Does anyone else have another explaination as to why the car would not have the regular 2009 headlights?
Thanks for the help.

 

HUH? Those are the standard ones 07-09. You gotta order HID if you want that and, it's not listed on your options.

You should be more concerned with the MFG date clutch set / TSB.

 

No reason I can think of. If in doubt, don't buy it, there are plenty GT500s for sale.

A good indication of prior damage is the gaps between hood & fenders, fenders & doors, doors and quarter panels, and trunk lids. Out of the factory the GT500s came just about perfect, any deviation and the likelyhood of damage is there. Also look for over spray under the car, fender wells, and under the hood.

Also a good idea is to wash it. If that is not possible then go over it inch by inch. Any imperfection will likely be detected on good lighting.

 

I am not talking about HID option. There is a very small difference in the headlights between the 2007 and 2009. The 2007 looks like a regular headlight, where you can see all the bulb. The 2009 looks like it has a small chrome bar that starts at the bottom an extends up to cover the bulb. It is a very small detail, but something I noticed because I study and 'live' these cars.

 

Here is what the headlight on a 2009 should look like:

 

That's a HID headlight. They weren't projector headlights in 2009. The picture you show above is the correct HID headlight for a car with factory equipped HID's. The top picture is the correct headlight for a car without factory HID's in 2009.


BTW looks like a Texas car in your original photo from the inspection sticker and tag. Wonder how they managed to run without a front plate?

 

I scanned EBAY for 09's. There is only one listed or appearing without HID.

I will send you a PM.

[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Greg/Desktop/%21%21fqbt,gBWE%7E$%28KGrHqYOKiYEtlvO5MlTBLbFEJR6U g%7E%7E_4.JPG[/IMG]

 

So, it appears the car has the correct headlights. The window sticker does not say anything about it having the option for the HID. I was under the assumption that all 2009 had the same headlights.

 

This is a tell tale sign that is easy to spot. Body shops are sloppy about this and the cheaper the shop the more apparent the over spray. It's almost impossible to have none.

 

The window sticker only mentions an option if that option is included on the car. It does not list equipment that "could have been ordered, but wasn't."

And, as others have said, HID's were optional. They didn't become standard equipment until 2011 for GT500's.

 

Thank so much for all the help. I did not know that the HID were an option.

 

Not bad looking. I might suggest that you get a professional inspection done on the car if possible. Really need to go over every inch of the car to see if damage was done.

 

Probably the usual...just didn't care and never got pulled over for it, or kept it on the dash/windshield, or just kept it under the seat and threw it on the dash when they got pulled over.

But in that first pic, is that a stone chip I see on one of the bumper stripes? That would drive me crazy...

 

That's what it looks like. I've got one on mine now too. That's one reason why vinyl stripes suck.

I ran with my plate in the windshield for about a week till I was pulled over by a Texas State Trooper who warned me I couldn't keep it there and it had to be on the bumper.

Yet I see people do tins all the time.

 

lol...

Very nice looking car by the way...