Buying my first Panther

[Coldsnap]

Hi everyone. I hope you guys are okay with talking about other cars on the panther platform. I absolutely love the Marauder and it's probably something I will never own because it is out of my price range. However, I've been shopping for my DD replacement and I've came across a 2004 Crown Vic LX Sport. It's grey exterior with grey interior, 80,000 miles and was owned by an older man who had it for a few years then got sick so didn't drive it much and passed away. It hasn't been babied much the past few years but I think with some good interior detailing and some clay it could really shine! I was hoping some knowledgeable people on the panther platform could answer some questions for me -

What's a fair price for the car? I'm going to have a mechanic look it over before I purchase it but I made an offer at $5,200 if it truly mint like they are selling it as.

I've noticed the trunk trim is chrome while all the other parts (besides the trim around windows) are monochromatic paint- grill, handles, under taillights. I've never seen this on a LX Sport, usually the trim under the truck matches the monochramatic paint. Is this just a factory option?

thanks in advance!

[CalmSeasQuest]

Can't help on the price, but the Monochromatic paint was an option - Here's a shot on my 01 LX Sport and the sticker showing the option.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/image-2.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/image-2.jpg.html)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/0e2eb919-0f0e-40a4-aa31-954749d3a872.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/0e2eb919-0f0e-40a4-aa31-954749d3a872.jpg.html)

[Coldsnap]

Nice sport! It seems like the previous owner payed for the monochramatic paint but just the bumper trim is chrome..

[RubberCtyRauder]

What year is it? Does it have floor/console shifted and dual exhaust. Not every year sport follows all the sport standards that we are familiar with. Our resident sport expert is gDMJoe o

[Coldsnap]

What year is it? Does it have floor/console shifted and dual exhaust. Not every year sport follows all the sport standards that we are familiar with. Our resident sport expert is gDMJoe o

It is a 2004, it does have the floor/console shifters bucket seats and dual exhaust.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Door handles,grille and rear panel trim and taillights should be body color. Maybe prior owner damaged other and replaced it with one with chrome trim

[Coldsnap]

Door handles,grille and rear panel trim and taillights should be body color. Maybe prior owner damaged other and replaced it with one with chrome trim

That's what I was thinking. Although the area looks very clean from pictures, I'll probably know better once I see it in person.

Would that be a hard trim to replace? Guess I would just have to be lucky and find a grey LX Sport in a junk yard to rip it off of.

[RubberCtyRauder]

The trim is not removable. It is part of the trunk panel. And has been discontinued from Ford most likely. Cost for a new one is over $300.00 better off matching tailights with chrome trim or finding a black police with black trim and painting it. Twilights can be found on ebay for cheap and can find trunk panels from time to time

[Coldsnap]

Gotcha. I'll probably just leave it chrome then if I purchase the car or match the chrome (great suggestion thanks!). I will have to inspect for any further damage though. I'm still unsure about the price.

I paid for the vehicle report. Looks interesting and it confirms that I thought the old guy must have bought the car used. Going to read it over.

[Coldsnap]

CarFax told the story well of the car, happy with the $54 spent. Sorta mixed feelings with this one, I'd rather have a no accident car, lesser chance of something small and annoying being broke.

Purchased new 2004
2007 Catalytic converter replaced
2008 First owner was involved in an accident -
"Accident reported
Involving rear impact
Involving left rear impact
With another motor vehicle
Airbags did not deploy"

2008 Second owner (old man) bought at 40,000 miles
front impact 2009
"Accident reported
Involving front impact
With another motor vehicle
Airbags did not deploy"