Advice on '03 P5 Purchase

[geoff.fernandes]

Hi all,

I need to get a car and I have my eyes set on the P5 (03 preferred), and im trying to get one with a leather interior. So I've been shopping around in Toronto and have come across a car that is nearly perfect for what I want. I am extremely happy with the interior (leather!) and the engine is in excellent shape and I am confident that the owner took good car of the car mechanically.

The only trouble is that there is rust on the driver's rear quarter panel (common) and a couple of dings here and there. The car is well under my buget and I can well afford to fix up the body and was even contemplating doing a full paint job on it come spring since the factory paint is known to have issues.

I do not plan on selling this car ever, the only reason I want to paint it is to stop the spread of rust. Even then i know it will probably come back.

Has anyone successfully done work like this before? Does it sound like a good buy to fix up? Some people have told me to avoid rust cars, but for the price I was budgeting for, I can do a full custom paint and still be under my budget.

What you guys think?

Thanks a million!

Geoff

 

[mhrebin]

how much is the car? how many miles on the engine? i would do a carfax report on it also to see if its been in any accidents and whatnot. its good to know that stuff.

the rust looks pretty.lol looks like someone tried to fix it or do something to it.depending on how bad the rust is and how much it would require to fix, is probably the main factor. i would try and talk them down since it is most likely a good bit of body work and then paint and such.

 

[ScratchNSniff]

How much are they asking/miles...I bought my 03 in January with 42,000 miles for 8,400...that included all new fluids/tires/brakes...

 

[mrpopo573]

Restoration is expensive, but my family markets only vintage/muscle cars, I imagine your rust would be cheaper to fix, but still expensive to blend.

I would spend more money and not have to do paint work, as paint tends to snowball cost wise.

My 02 P5 set me back 3500 US with 60k on it, but then I'm a dealer. You should pay somewhere around 7-7500 for an 03 in the States.

 

[geoff.fernandes]

Thanks

owner is asking $7000 and it has 106K on it. Only owner with 1 front collision (rad replaced, no welding needed). I figured id take it to a body shop to get a quote and then make a decision. The car is perfect in every other way. This guy definitely took care of his car. Someone scraped him on the fender and that's why there is a sopt there. If fixing those spots is going to be expensive, then I figured I might as well do a repaint with a clearcoat since there is no clear coat with the yellow.

Thanks for the posts guys!