I took the advice of the GRM braintrust with my other topic, and started looking at used enthusiast cars instead of buying a new econobox.
At first, I was checking out the MS3, then by chance, checked out a local SVT Focus for sale and remembered just how much I liked these cars when they were new.
Anyway, I thought I had found the perfect 2004 SVT Focus. It's Competition Orange with the European Appearance Package, has only 24k miles on the clock, and seemed solid during the test drive.
My problem is that Carfax shows the car as being in an accident, and I can't get the previous owner's contact info from the dealership. Granted, the Carfax report says there was no frame damage to the car, but I'd feel more comfortable having an independent party check out the car for me. The car still has a clean title, so no worries there.
The car has a fair amount of minor scrapes to the front and rear bumper, around two of the wheel wells, and a significant scrape on the passenger side near the side skirts. It looks to be pretty consistent with a car that was parked on the street for most of it's life, but it still cleans up ok.
My offer to the dealership was 7k, considering that the car is harder to find, but not exactly rare. So far the best counter offer is $8500. What do you guys think?
Thanks, GRM braintrust! 
Here's the link to the car in question: http://audifl.jackdanielsmotors.com/preowned/dsp_viewcar.cfm?vin=3FAHP30524R109812
It turned out ot be a "bro-deal" (a dealer had offered $200 in trade and the friend/seller just wanted to be rid of the car), but he said book value for the car was $3000. I gave him my card in case he decides to sell...
