I think I bought a lemon...

[Chris]

It's almost like someone took a 97 SE and sold it you as an 02 GT ha

Heh, one would think... but it's definitely a 2002 GT (according to the VIN).

It looks as though it was either hit, OR it had a bra and saw a lot of sunlight. I have taken of the covers and had spider-cracks and a ton of paint fade exactly like that.

It's on the front passenger side bumper area only... so I suspect a hit as well. There is a slight radial patter to it as well. When it's clean it's not nearly as noticeable - so I'm not sure if I throw a pass with a rotary/DA polisher if it'll improve the look or end up chipping the paint right off of it.

I think I'd probably just get a new paint job considering the rest of the look of the bumper and it's millions of chips and such haha.


Thanks all!
Cheers,
Chris

[Chris]

Off topic, where about in On?

I'm in Newcastle - just east of Oshawa/Courtice/Bowmanville.

Cheers,
Chris

[boosting98]

definately was smashed up at one point. my guess is it was rear ended. both quarters needing replacement! they went w/ 97 quarters. the bags went off of course. and the wheel was definately replaced!

[Chris]

According to the VIN report, there has been no accident - reported anyway.

I would think that any accident of sufficient force to deploy both airbags would have been reported (unless the owner simply ran into their garage wall or something LOL).

Cheers,
Chris

[BwolfGT]

Haha, yeah they could've crashed it themselves and never called their insurance, or it got hit&ran.

[blueguy]

Odd...yeah the antenna was a '97 thing...and the steering wheel is a '01+ Wheel...they all had it even the SE's. IT just looks out of place to me with no buttons on it. As for the bumper...welcome to my world...spidercracking will lead to paint chips which will make you have a NICE primer black spot. Looks like you got a SE with GT badges and bumpers...

[99prixgt]

Ive got the spyders on my front bumper too, and a huge peel there as well. Imo it adds character

[Chris]

Yeah, I think I'll end up repainting the front bumper... hopefully with some decently matched paint.

According to the VIN, my car is a GT, and not an SE in GT badges, but at some point someone probably replaced parts for some reason.

Oh well, I can live with it for now, until I decide to hit up the wreckers and see if I can find a good quality replacement... or maybe I'll switch it up and replace all the interior with 04+ seats like in the write-up on the site

Thanks for all your help and suggestions everyone.

Cheers,
Chris

[Deezul_AwT]

I am not trusting of any Carfax or similar report. My wife's Mustang came up clean so we bought it. Took it to a shop, and they said they could tell it was in an accident, and I trust this shop. If you've got a friend at a shop, or you don't use insurance, it might not report.

Then there was my Impala. I got a Carfax report because Carfax said it was full of entries. Yes, it was - the owner took the car to the dealership for regualar oil changes, and they showed on the report. ?

I also bought one for my GT, and it came back clean. Took it to a shop after I bought it, and they tell me it's got a junkyard tranny. Not that this would necessarily mean the car was in an accident, but I would think replacing a transmission is high dollar and should be on a report.