Thoughts on purchasing a Lemon Title

[datboyhuy]

Hey Everyone,

Currently shopping and see a GTPE that I really like. 23’ 8600 miles. Listed at 34k. Only problem it has a Lemon title. The reports says “Reduced power warning light on - Powertrain malfunctioned” I am not sure what this issue could be since I don’t own one yet. Not sure if it’s a major concern.

Should I just turn around and run or try to haggle with the dealership for a better deal. I think it comes with additional 12k 12 month warranty.
Thanks for the help.

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[BenDibble]

The LEMON license plate in Maryland is already taken, so, sorry.

 

[kens]

Hey Everyone,

Currently shopping and see a GTPE that I really like. 23’ 8600 miles. Listed at 34k. Only problem it has a Lemon title. The reports says “Reduced power warning light on - Powertrain malfunctioned” I am not sure what this issue could be since I don’t own one yet. Not sure if it’s a major concern.

Should I just turn around and run or try to haggle with the dealership for a better deal. I think it comes with additional 12k 12 month warranty.
Thanks for the help.

I say no need to run, just be diligent. There are some great deals to be had out there.

Ford also does buybacks that don't come with lemon title brands. Do you know if this is a Ford buyback, or lemon law car? Even if it is a lemon, that could have been simply a timely repair cause, with no real problem getting it fixed beyond how long it was taking.

I'm not one that's easily scared from a good deal just because of past repairs, but would want to know the repair was complete, and what the issues were in getting the fix that led to the buyback. The dealer Oasis report can confirm what repairs were done better than the Carfax report, but it sounds like they replaced the HVBJB, which is pretty common. You should also post the VIN in the FDRS thread, those guys can probably tell you what repairs were done, as well as any concerns in what the car is reporting.

The price feels high to me, but my perception is a bit colored by what I paid for my car (not a lot), which may not be a good comparison. I'd still try to get them down. Do not pay full price to comparable non-lemon cars, buybacks take a value hit. Some states also offer used EV rebates, so don't leave that on the table if you're in such a place. You can find some MMEGT's under 25k that also qualify for 4k in federal EV credit.

Ford gives warranty on their buybacks. It should retain the factory warranty, but also has a 12month/12k mile warranty from sale regardless.

Also, know that some banks don't finance branded titles, so if you're planning to refi be sure to check if it's actually branded, or just a buyback.

 

[chuckles]

Given the absurd number of components that can (and have!) failed on these vehicles, and the gobsmacking cost of replacement parts (look at how expensive our headlamp assembly is!) I'd not touch a lemon-ized used car with a 10 meter dowel.

 

[HuntingPudel]

$34K is kind of steep for a lemon GT-PE. I would either hold out for a different car that isn’t having a powertrain error or if you are in love with the car, get another few grand lipped off the price. Personally I would pass on it. ??

 

[datboyhuy]

I say no need to run, just be diligent. There are some great deals to be had out there.

Ford also does buybacks that don't come with lemon title brands. Do you know if this is a Ford buyback, or lemon law car? Even if it is a lemon, that could have been simply a timely repair cause, with no real problem getting it fixed beyond how long it was taking.

I'm not one that's easily scared from a good deal just because of past repairs, but would want to know the repair was complete, and what the issues were in getting the fix that led to the buyback. The dealer Oasis report can confirm what repairs were done better than the Carfax report, but it sounds like they replaced the HVBJB, which is pretty common. You should also post the VIN in the FDRS thread, those guys can probably tell you what repairs were done, as well as any concerns in what the car is reporting.

The price feels high to me, but my perception is a bit colored by what I paid for my car (not a lot), which may not be a good comparison. I'd still try to get them down. Do not pay full price to comparable non-lemon cars, buybacks take a value hit. Some states also offer used EV rebates, so don't leave that on the table if you're in such a place. You can find some MMEGT's under 25k that also qualify for 4k in federal EV credit.

Ford gives warranty on their buybacks. It should retain the factory warranty, but also has a 12month/12k mile warranty from sale regardless.

Also, know that some banks don't finance branded titles, so if you're planning to refi be sure to check if it's actually branded, or just a buyback.

I maybe confused about what I read but here is the carfax

https://www.carfax.com/vehiclehisto...Z-o08Rj93YFuuO_0QXi6OFcYa2z8TqoF-7KQsdv22ghNA

 

[HuntingPudel]

I maybe confused about what I read but here is the carfax

https://www.carfax.com/vehiclehisto...Z-o08Rj93YFuuO_0QXi6OFcYa2z8TqoF-7KQsdv22ghNA

It looks like the car has had 2 owners already. Hard pass. ??

 

[kens]

I maybe confused about what I read but here is the carfax

https://www.carfax.com/vehiclehisto...Z-o08Rj93YFuuO_0QXi6OFcYa2z8TqoF-7KQsdv22ghNA

Carfax lumps them together and shows both actual branded lemons and voluntary Ford buybacks as branded/lemon.

 

[kens]

It looks like the car has had 2 owners already. Hard pass. ??

That's impressive for 8700 miles.

 

[kens]

It looks like the car has had 2 owners already. Hard pass. ??

It looks like the new owner was just reported, now it's for sale with only 78 more miles than when Ford bought it back. Maybe something wonky with the Carfax report and it's the dealer?

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Hey Everyone,

Currently shopping and see a GTPE that I really like. 23’ 8600 miles. Listed at 34k. Only problem it has a Lemon title. The reports says “Reduced power warning light on - Powertrain malfunctioned” I am not sure what this issue could be since I don’t own one yet. Not sure if it’s a major concern.

Should I just turn around and run or try to haggle with the dealership for a better deal. I think it comes with additional 12k 12 month warranty.
Thanks for the help.

Don't walk. Run.

 

[tuminatr]

Not knowing where you live doesn't seem like a good deal. Here is a 2023 GTPE for $35k with a clean title

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/2eb7fad6-2210-4fa0-b834-083a0f568bb9/

For me, buying a branded title car is ok. However, it needs to be something that you expect to keep. Branded title cars usually have very little trade-in value

This would be an appealing deal to me 2024 gets the 5 second rule eliminated and DC charging is 25% faster

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/93cea484-acbf-448d-825b-ba07842252a7/

 

[zvez]

Hey Everyone,

Currently shopping and see a GTPE that I really like. 23’ 8600 miles. Listed at 34k. Only problem it has a Lemon title. The reports says “Reduced power warning light on - Powertrain malfunctioned” I am not sure what this issue could be since I don’t own one yet. Not sure if it’s a major concern.

Should I just turn around and run or try to haggle with the dealership for a better deal. I think it comes with additional 12k 12 month warranty.
Thanks for the help.

why open yourself to the potential headache, you should be able to find similar pricing on a non lemon GT

 

[Mach1E]

why open yourself to the potential headache, you should be able to find similar pricing on a non lemon GT

Yeah. I would have to be on a very tight budget and get a killer deal to consider a lemon car.

Since this one isn’t a killer deal, hard pass.

 

[R1Tims]

Hey Everyone,

Currently shopping and see a GTPE that I really like. 23’ 8600 miles. Listed at 34k. Only problem it has a Lemon title. The reports says “Reduced power warning light on - Powertrain malfunctioned” I am not sure what this issue could be since I don’t own one yet. Not sure if it’s a major concern.

Should I just turn around and run or try to haggle with the dealership for a better deal. I think it comes with additional 12k 12 month warranty.
Thanks for the help.

My son and daughter in law just traded in an ICE jeep that had a lemon title and took a big hit to the trade in value. I would press the dealer for a lower price due to the title. They are trying to get as much as they can and will screw over the unexpected person purchasing the vehicle.

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