Hi

im going to look at a 2012 302 this week. Price is fair. 32,000 miles. The car is lightly modded with 1 inch lowering springs and some other minor Ford racing suspension link bolt ons

I’m used to Porsche and old British classics so prepurchase and inspections are the norm but are a pain in the butt. I’m new to mustangs

what are the things I should look for?

how do I tell if the engine, transmission and drive line are in good shape?

part of me thinks…how much could go wrong in 30000 miles if the car seems to run well and appears cared for

Any advice greatly appreciated

hope to join the community soon. I used to go see the vintage mustangs rip around Mosport and Watkins Glen. A streetable race car sounds about perfect right now. Retiring this summer. Great gift for me!

 

Hello and welcome aboard! If the 2012 5.0 is just mildly modded as you mention, I would request to take a test drive just to make certain the engine and trans are in good running condition and look over the car just as you would any other...

Also request to see all service/maintenance records as well... If the current owner however refuses your request to permit having the vehicle inspected/looked over and refuses to allow a test drive, then don't just walk away, but run as far away as you possibly can, as this is most definitely a red flag that the current owner is attempting to sell you a vehicle which has been seriously abused which will only end up turning into a money pit... Meanwhile, hope you'll find the info provided to be useful and wish you the very best of luck.

 

Prepurchase inspection is just as important for a Mustang as it is for a Porsche (but maybe not as important as for a British classic, LOL) ... skip it at your own risk

You can scan the threads on this board to find the common issues, because those are the things that people ask for help with

Generally 30K miles is a pretty good sign, but keep in mind the Boss is a track car so it might have been tracked ... which is not a terrible thing, my 2010 has been tracked many times and it's in great shape, but it depends on how hard it was flogged and how well it was maintained

 

As John mentioned above, also consider searching the subforms by locating the search function menu above on the home page... When the search menu drop down window displays, type in " common mustang issues" then click on OK... You should then see a list of thread submissions displayed... Read over each thread and select the ones which best address your particular issues and concerns...

 

Keep it simple. Carfax, PPI, maintenance records, test drive with the owner, whether he drives or you do. Some owners will not allow test drives without them being with you. I'm one of those guys. No one is going to trash my ride or take a joy ride while I'm still the owner.
Mileage means zip if the car never has had maintenance. Since you are from the Porsche world, i know first hand as a former 911 owner how important all these factors are. I personally saw a 3,000 miles air cooled 993 in the shop with a blown engine. As tough as that is to do, if the owner is a jerk, it can happen. The same will hold true for any Mustang, from V6 to 302. Do your homework.
Good luck with everything. Walk away if something seems amiss.

 

Just keep in mind that CarFax isn't always 100% reliable... If the vehicle in question had any prior collision damage, but never had an insurance claim filed? there would be no record submitted on the CarFax data base system!

 

Not to mention if it happened at the track, they ain't turning it in on insurance and no police report would have been made, which could show up on Carfax from what I've heard.

 

Hopefully You Will get a True Mustanger That Will Tell You Exactly How The Car Was Maintained and Cared For! I'm a Terrible Car Salesman from Profit Point of View Because I Will Tell You Everything I Know about the Car & Tell You What I Don't Know if I Got it Used! I Sleep Better, Richer In Spirit Although Poorer In Dollars! I will take The Better Sleep Anytime.

I get As Attached To Cars as To Pets! I Think Many, Certainly Not All Mustang Owners Really Love Thier Cars and I Have Not Sold At Times If I Thought The Cars Future Owner Was Gonna Fubar the Car! But That is Me! Just Wanted To Put a Positive Spin on the Thread!

Oh But it Was Never Disclosed if this Was a Private Party Sale Vs a Dealer! Anyhoo I Had My Say!

On A Side Note!

I Just Had a Business Deal I Was Sweating and Finally Said It is in the Lords Hands & Let Go! It Came Through Perfect! And If It Had Not It Was Not Meant to be! I Don't Do That Near Enough. Maybe I'm Finally Getting it!

KC

 

So true, and again going back to the Porsche world that the OP is familiar with. A guy in CT bought a very expensive 993 with ultra low miles. When he brought it into his favorite shop for maintenance, the shop told him about extensive damage that the car had experienced. It was later learned that $25k in repairs was performed on the car and not reported anywhere. Carfax did not show it. You talk about an unhappy camper

 

Just another reason to have the vehicle looked over thoroughly with a fine-tooth comb for any prior collision damages/repair work before purchasing.

 

OMG. Saw the car tonight…Kona blue with that red key rumble! it’s all over…I’m in love. I must have her

Owner is a local middle aged car loving family man like me. I will probably just ask the local Ford SVT dealer to do the “safety” and do a basic inspection.

cars up here in Canada tend to be more expensive but I think I’m getting a fair deal at around $32k USD for a car with 30000 miles

for sure I’m going to get my moneys worth in sh*ts and giggles

 

What No Pics! Hells Bells!

KC

 

Something Like This!

KC

 

Well congrats and can't wait to see more pics. And yes the grey key is used for basically nothing!

 

It’s funny, pictures do not capture the presence these cars have. It’s was like some kind of broad shouldered snorting bull pulled into the parking spot next to me. The 2012 is the perfect interpretation of the classic mustang shape and the Boss 302 is the model to have. Kona blue is the colour to have. So this car ticks all the boxes.

of course my wife is giving me the cold shoulder. She will come around. It will just costs me an extra expensive bathroom reno with no comments on costly taps and tile (gulp)

 

It Looks Like New! Love the Older Ones in Mint Shape! My Vista Blue 07 Gt-500 Has 34K and Still Looks New After a Good Wash! I still Have The Delivery Plastic on the Passenger Floor!

Well If the Wife Sulks Get Her Some Calgon and Take a Drive!


Kc

 

$32k US sounds very fair to me if it all checks out, Good luck!!!

 

32k is a very reasonable/fair asking price for 2012 Boss 302 with 30k miles... If everything goes well with the basic and safety inspection at the Ford dealership? I would purchase it in a heartbeat.

Meanwhile, best of luck and looking forward to more pics when you get her home.

 

Perfection. The current owner is drip feeding me pics ahead of the purchase next week or two and reeling me in like a fat bass