What to do if you're offered a free car?

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
05/28/2018 at 22:08 • Filed to: None

I know the obvious answer is “TAKE IT” but here me out. The car is a 1995 Range Rover Classic. No no no hear me out! I have valid reasons for not being sure about this.

Background

So picture me and the SO at a Memorial Day party at a friend’s house. All my friends in common with the hosts are out of town, so I was forced to socialize with strangers! I know, I can’t think of anything worse either.

Ok so we’re talking with said strangers and the topic starts to drift to cars. Not wanting to be that guy I let the first few whiffs these might be serious car people pass... right until they mention the Bentley. Turns out this guy, lets call him Scott... because that is his name... owns both a ‘57 Bentley and a early 90s Bentley! :swoon:

At this point I want to know everything about everything and he is happy to oblige.

Eventually the conversation drifts to my Disco, at which point I get quizzed by another gentlemen about all the common Disco faults: sunroof drains, head gaskets, three amigos, etc. This other guy clearly knew his shit and was happy to see that I knew mine. I guess he purchased a D2 new back in the day so he got to live through all of that!

Anyway, turns out like half the people at that party were serious car nuts and we had a great time talking about all the various junkers and classics we’ve owned.

The Car

So as it turns out Scott has quite the fleet of inop vehicles and the city has not-so-kindly asked him to thin the herd a bit. As a result, he offhandedly offered to give me a Range Rover Classic that he has been unable to make run.

It has a new engine and will run off starting fluid, but he thinks that maybe he messed something up when he changed the fuel pump. (I have some thoughts on that)

I know no other details on this car other than: new engine and fuel pump, won’t run, is free

The Situation

I already have one needy Land Rover and don’t feel a special need to own two.

Also, I didn’t express interest at the time (I didn’t know how to react) nor did I get his contact info.

Further, we live in a very urban area and that would be the seventh car living at my house. (Eight technically , but whatever)

I do like the Range Rover Classic and the price is right...

So what do I do?

I can get this guys info either from the hosts, or facebook. That is easy.

I can figure out how to tow the thing back to my place. That is less easy, but do-able.

It sounds like a fun toy...

What say you oppo?

Doggo pretending to be laundry, for your time.

DISCUSSION (17)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/28/2018 at 22:13

In my mind it’s not really free, it’s another item that requires your money and time. If you were actively seeking one out, that’d be different. That said, if you have the time, money, space, desire: do it. But it doesn’t strike me as something you’d regret saying no to.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/28/2018 at 22:14

Range Rover classics sell like hotcakes on BAT. Take it, get it running on it’s own power, and flip it for profit.

AntiSpeed > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/28/2018 at 22:18

Free car is bad luck. If you take it, buy it for $5 or something.

XJDano > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/28/2018 at 22:31

Sounds like the guy wants you to have his project car. And what do they say about other people’s project cars? Don’t buy them. Yes. And this one is free. So you are at this point.

I’m with Zoidberg on this one. Time, space, desire.

If yes to all three, go for it. If Two you need to take a look around and see what one is lacking, and what you sacrifice your other cars to have this one. If only one or none game over, pass at this opportunity.

First I’d play this off like the guy mentioned it at a party, possibly after a few drinks and may or may not have been serious. Unless this is something you can fix and flip. And if the new person you met would get pissed if you did sell it. Is it worth possibly burning a bridge?

There are a lot of factors here. But what keeps me brim getting any more cars is time and space. I’d have a VW mk1 junkyard if I could.

Good luck.

random001 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/28/2018 at 22:35

But what if I want a free car...

My citroen won't start > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/28/2018 at 22:40

It’s one of those cars.

I could never say no to a free Classic or P38 Rangie, any pre X-Type Jaguar, older 7 Series, no matter the condition.

Go for it.

My bird IS the word > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/28/2018 at 22:54

Free car is free car. I can’t believe he wont even try to put it on CL or anything. Hell, I’d be tempted to just take it and sell it myself. I mean seriously. Take it, mess around with it, if it doesn’t work sell it and split the cash with him.

E92M3 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/28/2018 at 23:12

You could always sell it. Even if it doesn’t run, there are exporters that search for those to send to Africa. As long as it’s not super rusty and doesn’t have significant body damage you can get at least $500 for it. An ex-coworker of mine sold hers that had a bad transmission to an exporter for $3500.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/29/2018 at 00:45

I gave away my two door Classic last year. Cousin in law paid a few grand to get it transported to his place 1500 km away and had it started for the first time in nearly 15 years in under 36 hours...

We both had a win.

If you are questioning yourself and your current capacity for this car then the car won’t fix anything when it shows up. Meanwhile the current owner just wants it off his lawn. If you bite...only he wins.

Truth is that they are eminently repairable as long as the rust hasn’t eaten the frame or the firewall or any interior body panels. If any of the body & window rubber is toast then that is both painful and spendy to repair.

Otherwise, the very best way to make money out of a busted old Classic RR is to dismantle it and sell the good bits to other Classicists...

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/29/2018 at 00:58

Hmmm... I think it comes down to whether you want your wallet raped in a monogamous fashion by only one Range Rover.

OR... You like the idea of the two Range Rovers spit roasting your wallet.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/29/2018 at 01:54

Isuzu diesel SWAP!!! They have kits for those. I want one with a swap

adamftw > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/29/2018 at 07:47

A clean 95 RRC is worth a LOT in just those one year interior parts.

razorbeamteam > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/29/2018 at 10:01

Take it for sure. If it really is a basket case then you can sell the parts for much money.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/29/2018 at 10:39

95 RRC is... Let’s say... How do I put this lightly... EASILY ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE AND DESIRABLE RANGIES!

Hard to find for less than a few grand in ratty condition and can easily be in the teens if in good condition.

This is a no brainer. Do it. Or give it to me. Either way, this is one you go out of your way for. Even if you can’t get it running, I bet you can sell it for at least 1500 not running.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/04/2018 at 12:02

I call second dibs! Easy to tow it, just get an A-frame, pull the drive shafts and stick it behind the disco as a flat tow.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
06/04/2018 at 15:39

I’ve got a buddy with a truck and trailer

Rufant > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/06/2018 at 05:51

Turn it down, it will make a great story when you are older. I knew a guy who turned down an AC Cobra for 5000 pounds sterling, as it was a bit pricey at the time.

Or not...