I feel violated...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
I feel violated...
So I am about to buy a pristine, one owner, electron blue, oak interior, 6speed, 02 coupe with 49k miles from a retired Medtronic executive. I have everything ready to with my credit union, have my first mod picked out (C6 shifter), get the inspection lined up for today, then run a autocheck and BAAMMM!!! An accident back in 2003 I was never told about.
What the hell... be upfront with that stuff. So, now he tells me he hit a deer, and has the pictures of the repair he can show. The title is not salvage. OK.....I guess I would have to have a very detailed inspection, determine the extent of damage, and he would have to drop his price about $2000-$3000 less than the $19,500 we agreed upon.
What do you guys think? I was so excited about this car, EB and oak is my favorite.
What the hell... be upfront with that stuff. So, now he tells me he hit a deer, and has the pictures of the repair he can show. The title is not salvage. OK.....I guess I would have to have a very detailed inspection, determine the extent of damage, and he would have to drop his price about $2000-$3000 less than the $19,500 we agreed upon.
What do you guys think? I was so excited about this car, EB and oak is my favorite.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
The devil is in the details...it's all a matter of the extent of damage...yes, see the pics, sounds like he is leaning toward honesty...ask us when you have more information...we are here to help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
I wouldn't rule it out but I also wouldn't be too happy that he didn't mention that to you before you ran the autocheck. You can go ahead and get it checked out by someone or move on. I wouldn't let an accident with a deer dissuade me but I'd be pretty pissed that he wasn't honest about. It makes you wonder what else he's hiding.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
If it were me, and I was comfortable with the repairs, liked the car, color, etc, I'd buy it. Stuff happens and as long as repairs were done properly, just drive it and enjoy it. You could hit a deer on the way home from the purchase
If, however, you really feel violated, don't buy it. You'll never feel good about it. Keep looking and perhaps you'll find the perfect car. Perhaps not.
If, however, you really feel violated, don't buy it. You'll never feel good about it. Keep looking and perhaps you'll find the perfect car. Perhaps not.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
Likes: 13
From: Winfield IN
I wouldn't rule it out but I also wouldn't be too happy that he didn't mention that to you before you ran the autocheck. You can go ahead and get it checked out by someone or move on. I wouldn't let an accident with a deer dissuade me but I'd be pretty pissed that he wasn't honest about. It makes you wonder what else he's hiding.
It wouldn't 100% deter me from the car, but it would definitely give me a much worse feeling about the seller, and I'd be wondering what other things there could possibly be that he wouldn't tell you about.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 423
Likes: 20
From: Ontario
If he wasn't upfront about the accident you don't know what else he hasn't mentioned.
It may seem a little too harsh for some people, but I would walk away just based off of the fact he would not have told you if you hadn't found out yourself.
It may seem a little too harsh for some people, but I would walk away just based off of the fact he would not have told you if you hadn't found out yourself.
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
I was in the same boat as you OP. I found my car in Detroit suburbs. 22k miles and exhaust was done. He was asking 26.5k for it back in 07 and said the car was never in an accident and was the original owner. I drove 300 miles with my wife only to find little glass pebbles stuck in the crack of the door sill and carpet, as I look closer I see the side view mirror was painted or replaced and there was paint work done to the fender and door. The seller came clean and told me he side swipped a car making a left hand turn. I was really pissed at this point, I would have done something stupid if my wife was not there. She got me to calm down and I offered 21k or he pays me $300 for gas and my time.
He felt bad and accepted the 21k offer and gave me a car cover, 6 K&N oil filters, 2 cases of mobil 1, and all 3 service manuals. I decided to buy the car even with the damage and seeing the pictures because it was only cosmetic damage and I am not selling the car, she is a keeper. I ended up getting a great deal and some extras.
He felt bad and accepted the 21k offer and gave me a car cover, 6 K&N oil filters, 2 cases of mobil 1, and all 3 service manuals. I decided to buy the car even with the damage and seeing the pictures because it was only cosmetic damage and I am not selling the car, she is a keeper. I ended up getting a great deal and some extras.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
if the car is clean and the damage was not to bad and it was fixed pretty well...then i dont see the issue as to why you would not want to buy it..i know that is a lot of ands..but..if the price is right then i would get it...but of course that is after it checks out and everything is fine
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,495
Likes: 332
From: USA
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
What's the big deal? Maybe he didn't know about it. I've seen cars that have been keyed pretty bad and they show up as major damage on auto check.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 13
From: Colorado
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
I'm probably biased since most all my cars come from the salvage auction. I never bought into the mentality that a car is ruined if it has to be fixed. After all, a bunch of assembly line workers stuck it together in the first place.
You say the car is "pristine" So I take it you can't tell what was damaged. Sounds like someone did a really good job. Most any first line paint system will out perform what the factory uses.
I agree to have someone look at it if you don't know what to look for. I wouldn't use one of the comercial services but get someone familiar with working on C5 Corvettes. A reputable bodyshop in the area would be a good place.
I once sold a Jeep Wrangler that had been a total. Lady was buying it for her son. She wanted an inspection and I said sure. So she has me bring it to her tire shop/ inspection station. They put it on a rack, pulled all four wheels to check the brakes, looked around underneath a bit and pronounced it good to go. There was not a thing wrong with the Jeep but I think she wasted her money on the inspection.
Think of it this way. You could get pissed and pass on this one. Then you may end up buying one that was wrecked worse but never reported. Carfax isn't some sort of bible.
You say the car is "pristine" So I take it you can't tell what was damaged. Sounds like someone did a really good job. Most any first line paint system will out perform what the factory uses.
I agree to have someone look at it if you don't know what to look for. I wouldn't use one of the comercial services but get someone familiar with working on C5 Corvettes. A reputable bodyshop in the area would be a good place.
I once sold a Jeep Wrangler that had been a total. Lady was buying it for her son. She wanted an inspection and I said sure. So she has me bring it to her tire shop/ inspection station. They put it on a rack, pulled all four wheels to check the brakes, looked around underneath a bit and pronounced it good to go. There was not a thing wrong with the Jeep but I think she wasted her money on the inspection.
Think of it this way. You could get pissed and pass on this one. Then you may end up buying one that was wrecked worse but never reported. Carfax isn't some sort of bible.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,986
Likes: 393
From: Stoney Creek Ontario
when you 1st looked at the car, did you ask him if it was ever involved in any accidents? If you did and he said no, then that's a problem... if you didn't ask and he didn't offer, then what's the problem with that? The accident was in '03! That's 8 years ago! 8 YEARS! He was obviously happy with the repair or he wouldn't have kept it this long.... it's not like the accident happened a few months ago and now he's dumping it! He kept it for 8 years after the accident! It's obviosly a good car if he kept it that long! Cars get involved in accidents every day, no big deal.... that's why there's body shops out there!