Pricing help

[Mr 5 0]

In May of 2005, I sold my one-(adult)-owner (that would be me) 1990 Mustang LX hatchback with the original, stock 5.0 and T-5 as well as a bunch of small but notable upgrades (3.55 rear, sub-frame connectors, Pro 50 shifter, CAI (Moroso), KYB gas shocks, 3-row radiator ,'police-duty' fan, high-voltage coil, Optima 800 cca battery, things like that, as well as a fairly recent clutch/flywheel replacement, excellent brakes and tires - all for a mere $3000. A steal...as the 'Stang had a perfectly clean CarFax record - which I supplied - (never hit or stolen) -as well as all the original paperwork, including my 1990 bill of sale (total 1990 cost: $13,600.) The 'Stang came not only with the original owners manuals (I kept them in the house) but also with my highly-detailed 15-year maintenance record, something you just don't get with most used cars of any type.

This was not your all-too-typical beat-to-the ground, handed-around Mustang 5.0 needing to be 'rescued'. It had a few tiny rust spots on the rear quarters and the Strawberry Red Metallic paint was faded but otherwise, it was in excellent shape for a non-garaged 'muscle car' with 125,000 miles on it. The guy who bought it was very happy with his purchase and I never heard from him again. Just the way I like it.

I got plenty of calls when my ad appeared in the local, statewide 'Bargain News'. I sold it to the second (serious) guy that looked at it. He was 30-ish, and appeared to be a nice guy that appreciated the car and came with the asking price in cash...always the sign of a serious prospective buyer. I gave him a test drive and he never even 'got on it'. I just wanted to unload the car before anything big went - like the heater core or a head gasket - that would cost me time and money to replace and cut into my profit, which was, all things considered, $3,000. I had not put any money into the Mustang for years (I hardly ever drove it the last few years I owned it) Although I was a fanatic about changing the oil & filter (every 2,000 miles) the spark plugs were almost 5 years old....but, even with the original 15-year-old factory starter, it started and ran flawlessly.

I loved the car and even as late as 2005, the 5.0 LX still commanded attention - but I had my fun with it (lots and lots of fun) and I really wanted to move on to a more practical car before the Mustang became a liability, as gas was climbling in price..even back then.

I sold it (for what I considered a very fair price) to a guy who was thrilled to get it. We both walked away happy. What more could you want?