Hi everyone, I am new to the forum here. I have been looking for a Marauder for a couple of months now, and am becoming a bit frustrated. So far my experience in Northern California (SF Bay Area) is that everyone with a beat to crap daily driver thinks their car is worth show car money.
I have looked at 4 so far.
#1) Obvious repaired rear end damage, with a wonky aftermarket stereo install that caused the headlights to dim. (Wanted 15k)
#2) Worn out paint, dirty smelly transmission fluid, aftermarket stereo with broken faceplate, and missing window switches in the rear. (Wanted 16k)
#3) Car on a dealer lot. Didn't take the time to prep the car. Filthy engine compartment. Suspect fluids, and worn out interior. (Wanted 15.5k)
#4) 112,000 miles, listed as "accident free," inspection of vehicle showed repaired r/r taillight from where wife backed into a pole. (Presumably on purpose since the vehicle was, "accident free." Could not explain uneven gap between bumper and headlights. (Proper spacing on passenger side, between 1-2 1/2" on driver side, and obvious really poor repaint of front bumper.) Wanted 10k.
So here is the deal. Don't care if it is an 03 or 04. Don't particularly care about the color. Just looking for a well cared for, stock (or mostly cause CA smog laws are very restrictive) with preferably 75K miles or less. (Although I am open to higher if the price/car is right.)
I would certainly prefer a car that is local, but I would be willing to work with someone from out of the area if the car/price were right. (You would need to make it available to an inspection service, which clearly I would pay for.)
I may seem like a bit of a nitpicker, but I am looking for a car I can own long term. (Don't need to explain the logic to the folks around here, you guys get it.)
Feel free to PM. (I have all the finances lined up for a local car. If you are out of the area, it could take a few days to sort out an out of area purchase.)
Thanks
Chuck