What's the right thing to do?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,131
Likes: 4,154
From: Kannapolis NC
I only read some of the posts but you might consider waiting to see just what failed. I would think that might paint the picture of whether it was just wear and tear.....or abused on the way to the owner.
THEN consider what amount you might pay...if any.
Was the hired driver bonded?
THEN consider what amount you might pay...if any.
Was the hired driver bonded?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
I'd want to know what broke before I could decide what to do.
If it's obvious the guy pushed the car to its limits, and as a result broke the transmission, it's his own fault for not waiting until he was closer to home to abuse the car.
If it's obviously something that has been a long time coming, and the guy had the misfortune for it to break after the sale was final, I'd offer to split the cost of the repairs.
Talk to the shop he took it to and ask them what broke, and what they think caused it. Make your decision based on that information. In either situation the karma is all good.
If it's obvious the guy pushed the car to its limits, and as a result broke the transmission, it's his own fault for not waiting until he was closer to home to abuse the car.
If it's obviously something that has been a long time coming, and the guy had the misfortune for it to break after the sale was final, I'd offer to split the cost of the repairs.
Talk to the shop he took it to and ask them what broke, and what they think caused it. Make your decision based on that information. In either situation the karma is all good.
I find that I agree with you quite often, Ed. Although mechanics are by no means clairvoyant, a good one can often look at failed components/units and tell you what was the most likely cause. Sometimes, it is painfully obvious just what caused it to come apart!!This is why, even though I didn't rule out a six speed for my recent purchase, I was very conscious of the fact that I was looking at older cars ('99-'02) and that they would likely be higher mileage units with significant wear on the clutch. I was aware that this would be a very expensive fix if there were to be a problem. Found an auto that was the perfect car for me.
DSTURBD
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,744
Likes: 3,265
From: Phoenix area, AZ
I find that I agree with you quite often, Ed. Although mechanics are by no means clairvoyant, a good one can often look at failed components/units and tell you what was the most likely cause. Sometimes, it is painfully obvious just what caused it to come apart!!This is why, even though I didn't rule out a six speed for my recent purchase, I was very conscious of the fact that I was looking at older cars ('99-'02) and that they would likely be higher mileage units with significant wear on the clutch. I was aware that this would be a very expensive fix if there were to be a problem. Found an auto that was the perfect car for me.
DSTURBD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
Yikes.... what a situation to be in..
It was bought/sold -'Where is, As is'. Period.
If it were a headlamp bulb that went out, would the buyer have contacted you for you to buy him a new one? I think not. Would you have bought him a new bulb? Again - I think not. Now the actual bill is quite a bit more but the same principles apply. A person of HIS choice approved the car. Then HE approved the car. That leaves you in the clear (unless you were hiding something which you say you haven't).
Out of good-will, bucking up 1/3 of the bill seems fair. You should also get a quote locally of what you would have paid if this happened to you which will be less than the dealer quote he got. Offer 1/3 of that to the buyer.
Good luck! I don't envy you at all!
It was bought/sold -'Where is, As is'. Period.
If it were a headlamp bulb that went out, would the buyer have contacted you for you to buy him a new one? I think not. Would you have bought him a new bulb? Again - I think not. Now the actual bill is quite a bit more but the same principles apply. A person of HIS choice approved the car. Then HE approved the car. That leaves you in the clear (unless you were hiding something which you say you haven't).
Out of good-will, bucking up 1/3 of the bill seems fair. You should also get a quote locally of what you would have paid if this happened to you which will be less than the dealer quote he got. Offer 1/3 of that to the buyer.
Good luck! I don't envy you at all!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
There has been a lot of interesting comments on this subject and I can agree with most, so this is MHO. The MOST I would consider paying would be 1/3 of the cost of the repair with the owner and his "inspector" paying the rest. As for me, a lot would depend on how I was approached by the buyer. If he indicated that I had done something wrong or was at fault in any way, he would be on his own. If he ASKED for help and assured me that he was doing NOTHING wrong then we might talk.
The bottom line, HE BROKE HIS new car.
OBD
The bottom line, HE BROKE HIS new car.
OBD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
You stated that you sold the car "as is" and the time you owned the car the clutch was fine and when he took delivery the clutch was fine. Who the heck knows what he did with the car when he drove off with it. You don't, and It's not your responsibility. I know some say you should be a good guy and pay something into it, but my experiences in "doing the right thing" always comes back to bite me in the a$$. You know the old saying, "no good deed goes unpunished". If you do this you may be opening a can of worms with this guy. Do yourself a favor and do the right thing for YOU and say goodbye and good luck. You sell something "as is" to avoid this in the first place, don't be a sucker.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 984
Likes: 23
From: Florence SC
I still don't know what the symptoms were but a picture he sent me this morning shows the pressure plate fingers, not contacting the release bearing all the way around. He said there is a center force clutch in the car, I have no idea what was in there as I said before I NEVER had or suspected a clutch problem. I never spun the tires or speed shifted the car in the 16 months and 1000 or so mile I put on it. The guy that checked the car for him was a friend of his from another town in SC, not a paid tech. As for paying 1/3 the cost, I can't make myself pay a dealership $100+ an hour to do a job that, if the car were still at my house, I can and would do myself. I'm leaning towards helping some with the parts. Still not sure. The new owner has been OK so far, but I don't like this situation. My name and reputation means "a lot" to me. Thanks guys. 
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
I still don't know what the symptoms were but a picture he sent me this morning shows the pressure plate fingers, not contacting the release bearing all the way around. He said there is a center force clutch in the car, I have no idea what was in there as I said before I NEVER had or suspected a clutch problem. I never spun the tires or speed shifted the car in the 16 months and 1000 or so mile I put on it. The guy that checked the car for him was a friend of his from another town in SC, not a paid tech. As for paying 1/3 the cost, I can't make myself pay a dealership $100+ an hour to do a job that, if the car were still at my house, I can and would do myself. I'm leaning towards helping some with the parts. Still not sure. The new owner has been OK so far, but I don't like this situation. My name and reputation means "a lot" to me. Thanks guys.
Too bad distance precludes you and the buyer from getting together to work on the fix yourselves -- he buys the parts, you do the labor (or at least "supervision"), and share a few beers.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
i'd pay half
leaving him stuck is bad karma.
sometimes springs just pop out of the disc. usually happens on a high speed run {which wouldn't shock me if he just bought it}
still, the clutch was on its way out if it failed that easily
i know a lot of folks like to keep every last dollar they can in their pocket but i'll tell ya what, being good to others will get you a lot further in life than giving people the finger.
by the way, how the heck is the quote so high? before i paid i would want to chat with the dealer
leaving him stuck is bad karma.
sometimes springs just pop out of the disc. usually happens on a high speed run {which wouldn't shock me if he just bought it}
still, the clutch was on its way out if it failed that easily
i know a lot of folks like to keep every last dollar they can in their pocket but i'll tell ya what, being good to others will get you a lot further in life than giving people the finger.
by the way, how the heck is the quote so high? before i paid i would want to chat with the dealer
100%I sold a house to lady a few years back. The first week a line busted and water ran all over the kitchen. So she got a contractor to come and fix it and do the clean up, and then decided she wanted me to pay for it.
I told her no, if you would have contacted me I would have came and made the repair myself on my dime. But I will pay half, which is what I feel it would have cost me to make the repairs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,867
Likes: 769
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 419
Likes: 3
From: Lexington VA
St. Jude Donor '11
You knew there was no problem with the clutch. His contact guy inspected and drove the car so he knew there was no problem with the clutch or he would not have recommended his guy buy the car.
What ever happened, and how it happened is really his problem. What if he gets the clutch fixed and then blows the motor?
Let it go, it was fate.
What ever happened, and how it happened is really his problem. What if he gets the clutch fixed and then blows the motor?
Let it go, it was fate.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Dang, I'm kinda surprised at some of you that have the opinion it's not the sellers deal. One wonders what you would do if it was a dealer who sold the car? I can hear the screams in Missouri.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
I'm shocked that some view the poster should pay ONE DIME! What a way to get a perfect car, buy it then beat it till it goes bust, call the previous owner and try to get the car repaired on their dime.
Talk about a scam............
Talk about a scam............
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Did you ask the buyer how the clutch problem transpired? Is he familiar with C5 Corvettes? If not, he may have tried doing a burnout (Vettes are good at that stuff) with the traction control enabled. Not knowing the difference, he may have tried several times to get the desired result, taking its toll on the clutch. Just a possibility, and one that you shouldn't have to pay for. Just sayin' ....