I took a ride to Rottenchester, New Hampshire today of check out an 03 SSEi for The Fake Canadian (aka bonnie94ssei). The car is at a small used car dealer and has 108k on the clock and they're asking $8785 for it. Here'* what I got....

Exterior:
The paint on a scale where 1 is trashed and 10 is a new car; I'd give it a 9. The paint overall was incredible. At first look I'd think the entire car was repainted. Talking to Pete, he said it was a 1 owner car. After closer inspection, I think it'* just really well kept. All four rims looked good.
There'* one dent in the entire car here in the passenger side fender....

The headlights have the usual pitting.....

There'* one scrape on the nose.....

The hood looks great on the outside but has the beginning of hood herpies underneath.



There'* one bubble under the paint by the gas door about the diameter of a pen cap. I don't think it'* rust, I think it'* an imperfection in the paint. Can you see it?

Under the passenger side rear door the rocker molding has a crack in it you can only see if you're lying on the ground. Look like someone caught it with a jack.

No rust or bubbles under the gas cap door....


Trunk:
The paint on the rear bumper is perfect....

Clean and dry inside, the compressor works but it'* missing the trunk net and the accessory bag....

It'* got the changer....


Interior:
Gauges looked good. Running temp held steady at 200. DIC said 14.XX volts on the battery. Everything seemed to work fine including HVAC, HUD, and sunroof.

Heated seats work. Leather wrapped shifter has the usual wear....

There'* some wear marks by the cupholders...

Original mats but the driver side has a big "heel hole" in it....

The radio is a Monsoon. There'* some spooge behind the plastic face. Radio works fine.


Underside:
The usual surface rust but nothing major....



Under the hood:
I didn't get the cover off the motor but there was no visible signs of any liquid leaking. Coolant looked good. Again the usual surface rust on unpainted parts and typical corrosion on the aluminum nothing looked like it had been replaced. No paint lines or marked up bolt heads.




Test Drive and summary:
The test drive went very well. Performance was about right for a stock car. The breaks felt good and the car stopped. It tracked straight and no strange noises. On a scale from 1 to 10 I'd give it an 8 or, if you're ok with the mileage being over 100k, a 9.

wow that car looks good for the miles

For the money, Pete, I'd get that.

Wonder if the lim'* have been done? If not at 108k it'* about due......any sign that it may have been done? That hood herpes is typical. Mine has it that bad underneath but on the outside it hasn't come through much at all.

Sounds like a pretty good "bang for the bucK" Pete!

I think ya would be crazy not to hit that

DANG IT!!!!!! we just paid MORE for a '03 SSEi with MORE miles...... ( still very worth it for us though )


I would be all over that

No, I didn't get the cover off. I'd check it before purchase.

Sweet Karl! That paint bubble looks smaller than I imagined. I may be able to deal with that. I'm not concerned about the hood herpes so much. The wear marks on the interior don't seem too bad. I'd replace whatever was worn eventually. The miles is a concern ONLY because I drive 25,000+ miles a year. But I know I'll take care of the car and it will last.

The more I think about it, the more I think this would be a good car for my Series 2 phase. If the price was $12,000 I wouldn't get it, but at $8800 I don't even feel the need to talk them down.

I will do some more thinking, and will call the dealer tomorrow and most likely put a hold on the car for me to check out in person. Come Thursday I will probably go take the long trip to see it. I am still waiting on a review from Geoff on two other cars.

Thanks again Karl! And many thanks to everyone who has been extremely helpful in my search for the past week! It is very much appreciated and I owe you all.

Karl, this DOES have the HUD correct?

Assuming I bought this, I would be changing the LIM gaskets, changing to the "green stuff," and servicing the tranny right away.

very nice car... i would offer $8500 or even $8000 just to see what kind of reaction you get.