How big a deal on buying decision - parking sensors/seat air

[PTE993]

Hi I'm going to look at 5mnth old 5.0 GT with 1000 miles on the clock at the weekend. Asking price ~£34K at a main dealer. It's got shaker nav upgrade but the parking sensors and heated/cooled seat options weren't ticked so theyre missing. For want of a few hundred I'm surprised they weren't selected but who knows who/how the car was originally specced.

What's the general opinion of how big a deal this will be. Will I miss them much on a day to day basis. Will it have a big impact on resale?

Something I would negotiate over with the dealer.

Interested in owners opinions.

Thanks in advance

[KevinCamaroSS]

My personal view is that £34K is a bit steep for a 2nd-hand car without all the options.

[mac96]

I bought mine new and did not bother with the parking sensors on the basis that they sound silly, I drove for 35 years without them, and it has a rear view camera.

There was one thing that didn't occur to me though- if you drive more than one car, you can get used to the bipping noises as an almost unconscious warning, and you have to remember they are not there in a car without them. So far, I have not reversed into anything!

Seat heaters don't bother me but they have the advantage that if you like to be a lot cooler than your passenger-it helps for them to have seat heaters. I never use the one on my side.

I don't find the seat cooler very effective, and it is in the squab, not the back as well.

Overall I don't think either are essential, but I sort of agree with the point that its just nice to have all the options.

[IronPaul]

Personally the reversing sensors are quite useful they give you piece of mind not only on on distance behind but also with width, and in combination with the camera allow you to be more accurate than normal when reverse parking.

as for heated/cooled seats its a nice to have rather than a must have. That said if i had not selected them id forever look at the blanking plates where the buttons should be on the dash and think that it would have looked more finished with the option. Its silly really but the blanking plates are a constant reminder of something the car is missing !

[Regiment]

Both are nice to have but not needed at all. I specced mine up with heated/cooled seats and shaker pro with nav, the reverse sensors I didn't bother with and not missed at all due to the camera and the heated/cooled seats I haven't used at all in the few weeks I've been driving the car.

[IronPaul]

does the reversing camera still show you how far you are from things if you dont have the sensors ?

[mac96]

IronPaul said:

does the reversing camera still show you how far you are from things if you dont have the sensors ?

Yes, it has 'distance lines' or whatever they are supposed to be called, superimposed on the picture. Also has guides to help reverse parallel parking.

[willisit]

It would bother me at that price, and will bother the next person that views it when you're moving it on (unless you intend to keep it until it's returned to component pieces).

I keep forgetting mine has a camera, and listen to the beeps whilst looking over my shoulder - mainly as I've never had a car with such a function, so I'm not "missing it" so to speak.

[PTE993]

Thank you all for your thoughts.

I've got another car with a reversing camera and no parking sensors and so far not had trouble parking it. So it doesn't really bother me. Could live without it myself but wondered about resale impact?

One of the comments has also got me thinking about the asking price

2017 66 plate = some time Jan/Mar registered so only a few months old

1000 miles on the clock

At a main dealer.

Is £34k a bit rich as an asking price?

When I look at cars available there seems a wide range of prices. What do we think is more realistic?

Thank you

[ad13]

For a car that new, I don't think £34k is too bad even if it's missing a few options. I was going to say that the parking sensors were a must-have, but I didn't realise you got the camera anyway (the rear window is useless, at least I found so coming from a hatchback...).

I find that the heated seats, like all heated seats, make you feel like you've wet yourself. I probably wouldn't have specced those except perhaps for resale value; but I took the custom pack so got them anyway.

For me, the breaker would be the condition. If you're getting it from a main dealer, you're going to get the warranty continuation (at least, I would expected that and walk away if it wasn't offered) but things like paint scratches alloy scuffs and such would put me off (he says, as there's a lovely new scratch appeared in his bonnet). For the sake of a few grand and a bit of a wait, you could get one pristine that wouldn't have them.

One thing to remember is that this will be a £515/yr taxmobile that you'll need to pay right away, although the previous owner will have taken the hit on the £1k first year tax.

[willisit]

If you're worried about resale, then the next person may be. £34k is good for the mileage and age, and it really just is the seats (you can have parking sensors fitted these days). So, that's the only thing that'd - maybe - come up at resale. I always ask myself that if I'm worried about it, someone else will be. Does it matter? It's a gamble I guess - you might just have to sell it a bit cheaper than equivalent ones when the time comes.

[KevinCamaroSS]

willisit said:

If you're worried about resale, then the next person may be. £34k is good for the mileage and age, and it really just is the seats (you can have parking sensors fitted these days). So, that's the only thing that'd - maybe - come up at resale. I always ask myself that if I'm worried about it, someone else will be. Does it matter? It's a gamble I guess - you might just have to sell it a bit cheaper than equivalent ones when the time comes.

My personal view is that the price is too high, you will be the second owner, therefore this will reduce the value more than the 'discount' offered, I would expect 20-25% lower than list.

[Stig]

KevinCamaroSS said:

My personal view is that the price is too high, you will be the second owner, therefore this will reduce the value more than the 'discount' offered, I would expect 20-25% lower than list.

For a 'normal' used car perhaps. It's down to supply and demand. Still long lead times for cars, so residuals are strong. From a main dealer, I think it's OK - but no harm in trying to haggle. Go armed with some comparative cars and see what they say.

Used car market is very quiet at the moment, so you're in a fairly strong position. Even better if you leave it until the end of June which will be end of first quater for quite a few dealers and they will be looking to get rid of as much stock as possible - especially as people will be off on holidays soon.

[PTE993]

Compared to the 'asking' for similar age/mileage/spec it appears competitive.

Has anyone come across deals on new from Ford? When I spoke to a main dealer about new a few months ago they weren't budging on price.

To the poster saying it should be 20-25% below new list that would make it a £30-£31.5k car. There was a £30k 2015 that I saw for sale from a private buyer on PH classified that went pretty much straight away. But most others seem to be £2-£5k more for older higher mileage (albeit slight in some cases).

Wonder what these are valued at in the trade versus retail price now. Anyone know?

I was going to hold off till the Fy18 model comes out and also see if the rumoured bullitt version will be released.

But I'm also itching to get my hands on one now and aside from the items i mentioned that prompted me to post its what I was after colour age etc. It is nearby too.

So I could hold off for a few more weeks or months in anticipation of the 'perfect'. Or I could get this now. Enjoy it. And keep an eye on what gets released by Ford into fy18.

First World problems eh.

Im seeing the car tomorrow. Be interesting to see how willing the dealer is to negotiate. Will update after then.

Thanks again for your comments.

[PTE993]

Yes... Good point on end of June...itll be their half year. Not that far away.

Interesting also that it's quiet time for the dealers. I didn't appreciate that. Will bear that in mind in my conversation with them

[willisit]

PTE993 said:

Compared to the 'asking' for similar age/mileage/spec it appears competitive.

Has anyone come across deals on new from Ford? When I spoke to a main dealer about new a few months ago they weren't budging on price.

To the poster saying it should be 20-25% below new list that would make it a £30-£31.5k car. There was a £30k 2015 that I saw for sale from a private buyer on PH classified that went pretty much straight away. But most others seem to be £2-£5k more for older higher mileage (albeit slight in some cases).

Wonder what these are valued at in the trade versus retail price now. Anyone know?

I was going to hold off till the Fy18 model comes out and also see if the rumoured bullitt version will be released.

But I'm also itching to get my hands on one now and aside from the items i mentioned that prompted me to post its what I was after colour age etc. It is nearby too.

So I could hold off for a few more weeks or months in anticipation of the 'perfect'. Or I could get this now. Enjoy it. And keep an eye on what gets released by Ford into fy18.

First World problems eh.

Im seeing the car tomorrow. Be interesting to see how willing the dealer is to negotiate. Will update after then.

Thanks again for your comments.

I'll caveat this because I, like everyone, has no idea - but we won't see the MY18 car here in the UK until the end of next year (at least from the burbles about US sales and the order process). You probably know that, but if you're on the "I'll wait for the next one" wagon, you might as well wait for the 2020 S650 or the 2026/27 S750 or the...

[PTE993]

Bought it. Despite what I thought was a reasonably valiant attempt at hard nosed negotiation on my part they weren't budging on the advertised price. I didn't want to say much on the forum before I bought the car but it is already advertised at what I think is a really good price compared to other 2017/66 cars and even older and especially against somewhat optimistically private sales. Irrespective of the options.

Car is immaculate as you'd expect. No evidence of prior ownership other than the mileage.

Picking up in a couple of weeks.

Jan 17 car.
Balance of warranty ~ 2.5yrs
I did get..
6 mths tax paid
Tank of petrol
Some kind of dealer paint treatment

At my expense retro fitting (colour coded factory style finish) parking sensors for same price as the original option. I think these will be useful considering the bulk of the car.

Discount on eibach springs which I'll get fitted elsewhere.

Im going to get a CAI and either roush or borla (can't decide yet) axel back + springs fitted ASAP. Thinking modurstang... They're an hour from where I live. Any other recommendations Hampshire/Berkshire way?

Oh... And it's pretty damned good to drive. It's not quite as involving as my S2000 but it's much more engaging than the SL which is what I was after. The stock exhaust note is a bit too muted for my taste. But I'm sure will come alive after the axel back. And a bit 'wallowy' again hoping the eibachs will help. Maybe arb's too?

But it is a GT type car so was expecting this. Love the low down torque. And can pick up speed very quickly. There is a real sense of occasion to driving it.

On balance it is exactly what I wanted. Something a bit more civilised and 'grown up' for general use with the ability to thrill and engage when needed.

Very happy with my purchase. Cant think of the last time I was so excited to be getting a car.

Thanks all for your advice.

[KevinCamaroSS]

Congratulations, enjoy your car.

PTE993 said:

No evidence of prior ownership other than the mileage and the previous keeper on the V5C.

Corrected that for you

[mac96]

Excellent- hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine- it's years since I have often felt like just going for a drive for the sake of it, even when there is bound to be traffic!

[PTE993]

Thank you. Will post some pics up when I get it. It looks like any other black on black S550. That's the sort of experience I was after...a car that you make an excuse to go out in it just for the fun of it or take the longer or more interesting route home. Get that with the S2000 but always wanted an American V8. Counting down the days.