"PilotMan" (Pilotman)
06/19/2015 at 11:51 • Filed to: None
3
31|
"PilotMan" (Pilotman)
06/19/2015 at 11:51 • Filed to: None | 3
| 31 |
So last month I posted asking about the effort to take ownership on an abandoned vehicle. A tired ‘99 Passat had been left in our work parking lot for a few weeks. As it turns out, it was a very simple process to take ownership.
I went to the DMV picked up three forms to fill out, VIN verification, title request, vehicle condition/location report.
Getting a VIN verification turned out to be easy. A local cop pulled over a ridiculously lifted Durango into our parking lot. The guy had a warrant out so a couple other units showed up to arrest him and arrange for a tow. While the cops were standing around I asked them to kill two birds and run a VIN check for me. He was happy to be of service, the vehicle turned out to not be stolen so they signed off on a clear VIN.
I printed off a few vehicle condition pictures, filled out the forms and went to the DMV. I only had to wait for 20 minutes to meet with the dealer clerk. They checked my paperwork and ran the VIN again for any leins and approved the title transfer. So just like that, the car was mine.
I had no keys so I went to the dealer, they looked up the key code and cut me a key so I could get into the car. That cost me a ridiculous $53.
I opened it up to find that the car had 188K miles. I popped the hood and was happy to see that the timing belt was intact along with and engine full of oil, I decided to try and start it. After sitting for about a month, the battery was dead. I jumped it with my truck and it started right up with half a tank of gas. The turbo sounded good and the 20 valve 1.8L motor wasn’t making too much noise. I shifted it into drive but nothing happened. Nothing from reverse or 2nd gear. It felt like it was out of transmission fluid.
I grabbed a dolly, strapped it down and dragged it home through some side streets. I was hoping that the transmission was just low on fluid. There is no dipstick on these VWs so none-car people have no idea how to check or refill the transmission. I jacked it up and got it level. I removed the tranny fluid fill bolt and out came black, burnt fluid - filled with metallic bits of metal. Sadly, the fluid had never been changed which had led to the destruction of the 5-speed auto.
The car really is beat, it’s missing a radio along with various broken and missing interior panels. All four tires are close to not passing inspection. Miraculously all the windows, door locks, and the sunroof, all seem to work. The transmission swap seems to require the removal of the front sub-frame and appears to be more than a weekend’s worth of effort. With the poor car almost up to 200K miles while also suffering from being a late 90’s VW, it probably is only a year or two away from complete engine failure.
Unless any of you have a better suggestion. I’m awfully temped to have a PickNpull company come and tow it away for $350.
Sad Passat
jvirgs drives a Subaru
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 11:56 |
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Might as well. If the trans is that destroyed, the engine is probably right behind it like you said. Not worth the $$$$ IMO.
LongbowMkII
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 11:58 |
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Yeah, probably for the best. Good looking cars though.
Didn’t know about this process, sounds like a good way to acquire parts/projects.
Frank Grimes
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 11:58 |
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that is incredible how simple claiming the car was. is there any sort of waiting for someone to claim it or anything? sucks about the transmission.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:03 |
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Rally Passat!
William Byrd
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:04 |
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Wow, that’s fascinating, didn’t realize that process existed. Nice work on the paperwork.
Too bad about the VW, I suffered through a 2002 Jetta with the 1.8T. And it was new!
Your boy, BJR
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:09 |
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It's only a Passat.
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:10 |
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I would part it out as much as possible, then have some one all it off.
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PilotMan
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/19/2015 at 12:12 |
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Might as well keep it limited to only a couple hours of work for $350. It’s kind of sad that a car with such an intact body is not worth fixing.
TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:13 |
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I don’t know, seems like a perfect lemons candidate.
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PilotMan
> Frank Grimes
06/19/2015 at 12:17 |
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The car’s value is less than $1,000 so a bond isn’t necessary which I was told would usually be necessary. I was surprised that they gave me ownership immediately. It was an interesting look to see how a lot of tow services and salvage yards are able to obtain vehicles for free.
AthomSfere
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:21 |
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I’d let pick and bull buy it. Not an interesting car, fun car, good project car... and you could never flip it for a profit I suspect.
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PilotMan
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/19/2015 at 12:22 |
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Just about every part is dirt cheap on ebay, a new turbo is $100 for dog’s sake. This is great if you want to get keep one running but bad if you want to part one out.
jkm7680
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:29 |
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Time for a manual swap!
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HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:31 |
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that’s also great if your a Honda guy who needs a turbo... or is that one like a TDI’s turbo where the exhaust side of the turbo, and manifold are one piece?
TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:47 |
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It’s probably best to part it out. You actually might get more money if you sell parts individually than sell the whole car to a PickNPull. Strip it down until you really don’t see any potential in the hulk you’ve got left.
Dunnik
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 12:57 |
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Yea, nice try - really nice try - but I think you should just get the scrap value. You’d still make, what, $300 for your efforts?
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PilotMan
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
06/19/2015 at 13:01 |
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What do I part out? Everything mechanical is shot or almost shot. The A/C is dead, the tranny is dead, the engine has 188K miles, the turbo has a good amount of bearing play. The radio is gone and the interior is a mess.
I guess the glass, window motors, doors, hood, sunroof?
There is a law of diminishing returns for every additional amount of time I put into it.
BigBlock440
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 13:02 |
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Fill it with new fluid, see if it moves?
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PilotMan
> Dunnik
06/19/2015 at 13:02 |
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$350 with free pick up.
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Dunnik
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 13:03 |
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$350 less the $53 you spend on the key, yes?
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PilotMan
> BigBlock440
06/19/2015 at 13:04 |
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It makes gravel-in-a-bucket noises when the vehicle is towed around.
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TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 13:04 |
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Is it really that bad? Because I was thinking of literally everything possible, like the seats, steering wheel, shift knob, indicator stalks, toolkit and all else you mentioned.
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PilotMan
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
06/19/2015 at 13:09 |
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I honestly I don’t have the time. My spare time is fairly precious.
My 15 year-old son could spend the summer disassembling and putting everything on eBay. I didn’t plant a garden this year, so I have the yard space.
Spridget
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 13:18 |
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Part it out. If sell some of the good panels and parts, then you could actually make some money off of this thing.
DrScientist
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 13:23 |
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switches and knobs and the like.
although, on a mass-produced car like this, you may have to price very low to get any interested buyers.
check the VW forums?
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DrScientist
> PilotMan
06/19/2015 at 13:25 |
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what are the details on having something declared abandoned?
there’s an AMG c63 someone “abandoned” on my street a couple of hours ago. i’m about to head to the DMV!
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PilotMan
> DrScientist
06/19/2015 at 13:42 |
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Go write down the VIN and contact the DMV, make sure their are no current lending liens on the title. Then murder the vehicle owner and dispose of their body will no one will find it. Move the car to your driveway or business property that you own, this part is grand theft auto if you get caught.
Sit on it for a few weeks and then have the cops come and run the VIN, make sure the car has been reported stolen. Cross your finders that they don’t make connection with the supposed missing owner.
If all that works then go to your local DMV and request the paperwork for an abandoned vehicle. Easy Cheesy.
Nymphicus Hollandicus
> PilotMan
06/25/2015 at 18:08 |
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LE MONS!
RustedSprinter
> DrScientist
06/25/2015 at 18:20 |
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Abandoned for a few hours? Would you steal someones car that was food shopping too?
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DrScientist
> RustedSprinter
06/26/2015 at 06:53 |
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its not stealing if they abandoned it.
1111111111111111111111
> PilotMan
06/29/2015 at 21:53 |
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Damnit. Oregon has no provision for this. But they’ll tow it for you.