aklim

Maybe you can GUESS but I know a scanner and a compression tester will KNOW. If we are about to close on the deal, it will be conditional on a PDI either done by me in front of you or at a GM facility that I will hire.

WGAS? If you are selling the car and don't expect walkers, you are on drugs. Besides, I'd rather **** you off than get pissed at myself for buying a lemon.

RIC96

The only time you would accelerate from 0-70 full throttle is on a drag strip. On the street, freeway ramp, etc, it would be considered reckless. If you expect to do that, buy the car, put the title in YOUR name and have at it. A short burst to check transmission kick down is ok as long as you don't exceed the speed limit and conditions allow for it... fine. Keep in mind that I'm in the car with you, I don't know anything about you, and I want to see my grandchildren again.

aklim

If the car is so held together by bubble gum and band aids that it will break on 1 WOT run, keep it.

RIC96

Jumped a curb? I'd have reached over, grabbed the key and let him walk back to his car!

aklim

It was probably on the way out. As I said, if it cannot stand 1 WOT run, it's probably junk anyways.

RIC96

If you expect to WOT my 20 year car, don't come!

aklim

Why? It's business not personal. I will highball, you will lowball. It's a fact of life. If we can do the deal, we do. If not, see you next time. No offense taken.

aklim

A fair compromise.

aklim

And if you expect me to hand over more than $500 for a sports car that can't be driven without breaking on a WOT, you need to put down the pipe.

FAUEE

I agree, if you ACTUALLY want to buy a car, post a WTB. I think expecting to get a car for 75% or less of its actual value isn't going to happen. There are enough people out there buying cars that anything slightly below market value gets bought quickly, far before it gets to "giving it away" levels.

So from my perspective, if I'm selling a car for 10k, and you think it's worth 8k, I want to know that going in. If you have a valid reason why, I might listen. If you think it's worth 6k, I'm just going to ignore you. If I show up somewhere to sell said car, and you haven't let me know ahead of time that we are more than 500 or so off in price, my price is asking price and that's about it. The minute someone does that and tries to haggle it down, more, I'm out.

RIC96

Then you and I will never do business! MY name is on the title. I am responsible for any incident that occurs when someone is driving my car. MY insurance company and I will be sued for YOUR negligence or incompetence. If you can't understand that, you're too stupid to own a corvette!

aklim

I'm good with that. There are plenty of other sellers that are willing to do a WOT run with logging. As mentioned, I'd be willing to allow you to do a WOT run with me in the car. If you are not even confident it will hold for that, I'm definitely better off without that ticking time bomb you are selling. If you want to sell me a sports car and a WOT cannot be demonstrated and you think I am going to hand over thousands of dollars, you must think my middle name is "GULLIBLE". I suppose next you'll sell me a 1 ton truck that you won't allow me to see if it will tow?

To a point, yes. I just confirmed it with my insurance, Allstate. In some way, I am liable. Here is how it was explained to me. Allstate (my policy) is liable AS A SECONDARY. IF we confirm with YOUR company, whatever it is that your policy is current and I give you permission, YOUR policy, whatever company is liable for an accident. MY policy kicks in if the damage exceeds your coverage. Does your information differ?

cv67

Guess lowballing is how its interpreted
Offering 8-9k on a 10k asking wouldnt bother me:even 7 to see where Im really at no problem. They have to cant blame em.
Someone offering 3k "cash money now bro" , nah

midlifecrisis1979

I am crossed on this, cause pulling up with the trailer shows you mean business, but also they know you brought it with the intention of leaving with a car on it. I wonder if this puts you a disadvantage especially if they know you drove a long way. I agree 100% about making sure the wife sees the wad of cash, that can make a lotta difference on whether the deal goes down though many may ask for your man card for using the tactic.

MRPVette

The only problem I see is the guy who has the car you are looking won't be selling under market value.

midlifecrisis1979

True this hunt is probably gonna stretch into the fall. I have never had much luck scoring a steal this time of year cause folk have the fat wallet from their tax returns. November and December are my absolute best months all the way into February but by march things are a lot tougher to score a deal on whatever it is I am after.

RIC96

You're a car guy, do most of your own wrenching and are very helpful to the members here and I can understand you wanting to feel that the car you're buying is perfect. I've never really worked on cars but I do know that a machine that works well under normal conditions can fail under extreme circumstances. I would be selling a safe used car that has had regular maintenance and I can provide the service records to prove it. I might press the pedal to the floor briefly on an on ramp but I quickly back off because it makes me uncomfortable, for many reasons.

I'm not selling a race car, I'm selling a daily driver that happens to be a corvette. I'm not trying to hide anything but I'm also not trying to prove anything to you. If you fancy yourself a good mechanic you will be able to make a determination on the condition of a car using your eyes, ears, nose and on a civilized test drive. You will not beat on or break my car and then tell me you'll think about it. And my price is my price.

As far as liability is concerned, I don't care whose insurance company covers what. I know that as the owner I'm going to be involved no matter what and that will follow me for years. I can't do anything if a little old lady runs a stop sign or a moose runs up the hood. I can do everything within my power to avoid trouble and setting limits on a test drive is what I do. WOT on public roads are considered exhibition of speed at best and reckless driving or worse if an accident happens. I choose to avoid that if a car is titled to me.

I will make sure you understand these things before you make the trip to see my Vette. If my rules make you nervous, then don't come. No one can guarantee that a machine won't break under stress but that doesn't mean I'll let you break my car and leave me to pick up the pieces. I'll let you go through the service history and pull a carfax for you. I would hope that my meticulous record keeping and the respect I show for the car to speak for my character and honesty. If not, wish me well and be on your way!

aklim

Like VikingTrad3r said, once in a while you may get someone desperate enough to bite. Doesn't hurt to ask. I'll tell you "I'm negotiable but we're too far apart." or as I told a seller, "This is what I am willing to pay. Call me if you want to sell at that price.". Sometimes it works, other times no. Either way, I don't take offense since I would do the same. I make it known to you that you can do non destructive testing but once sold, I insist on an "as is" policy. No exceptions.

midlifecrisis1979

Good heads up! I will make sure I clarify my needs and wants in a test drive upfront before I take the ride to see a car cause I definitely won't be buying one that can't have the pedal put to the floor without the motor blowing.

RIC96

No one said the motor would blow. I said that you're not gonna blow it, or kill me until you buy it. Who knows what kind of mental midget or total incompetent reads craigslist? You want to let some yahoo who appears normal, show up at your door and take you for a wild ride.. knock yourself out. Hopefully not literally!