'89 S4 in New York for Sale-But Buyer Beware!
10-15-2008, 08:43 PM
#1
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'89 S4 in New York for Sale-But Buyer Beware!
Saw this a few days ago and emailed the owner:
http://newyork.en.craigslist.org/stn/cto/874574099.html
Guy calls me today. Says he got the car from another guy who owed him money. He has the title, but it's not in his name. Tells me the car is in excellent condition except for:
1. Tear in the drivers seat bolster.
2. A/C's not working, probably just needs a "recharge".
3. Timing belt warning light is on.
4. Brakes are sqeaking
5. Various small dings and scratches.
6. Has no previous service records or even the owner's manual.
7. Car hasn't been running for 4 years
I told him any serious collector will want to have a PPI done. Also, 4 years of sitting idle means there is a lot of deferred maintenance to be done. A/C repair can be anything from a $300 recharge to over $2500 to overhaul. Timing belt can be up to $2000. No prior history is a big negative. His response: "Oh I could fix all those things. I'm a mechanic for twenty years. I just don't have the time to fix it. and I've got plenty of people calling about it, etc. etc..." I told him I'm not interested in a car that needs $5-$7000 worth of repairs before it's roadworthy.
It's too bad, the price was right, and it's a nice color combination. Just too much risk for me and I can wrench pretty well if need be. But with 79,000 miles, I wonder how long that timing belt light has been on? When will these guys learn we are not suckers?
Regards,
Joe
http://newyork.en.craigslist.org/stn/cto/874574099.html
Guy calls me today. Says he got the car from another guy who owed him money. He has the title, but it's not in his name. Tells me the car is in excellent condition except for:
1. Tear in the drivers seat bolster.
2. A/C's not working, probably just needs a "recharge".
3. Timing belt warning light is on.
4. Brakes are sqeaking
5. Various small dings and scratches.
6. Has no previous service records or even the owner's manual.
7. Car hasn't been running for 4 years
I told him any serious collector will want to have a PPI done. Also, 4 years of sitting idle means there is a lot of deferred maintenance to be done. A/C repair can be anything from a $300 recharge to over $2500 to overhaul. Timing belt can be up to $2000. No prior history is a big negative. His response: "Oh I could fix all those things. I'm a mechanic for twenty years. I just don't have the time to fix it. and I've got plenty of people calling about it, etc. etc..." I told him I'm not interested in a car that needs $5-$7000 worth of repairs before it's roadworthy.
It's too bad, the price was right, and it's a nice color combination. Just too much risk for me and I can wrench pretty well if need be. But with 79,000 miles, I wonder how long that timing belt light has been on? When will these guys learn we are not suckers?
Regards,
Joe
Last edited by 928 Is My Favorite Time of Day; 10-16-2008 at 01:32 AM.
I agree, buyer beware
10-15-2008, 10:26 PM
#4
I would have ended the conversation right after he said the title is not in his name. Even if he can get it retitled the price is still high. Sounds like a $5k car IF the paint was in good condition. Probably more like $4k as described (aka a project car).