"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
01/01/2019 at 12:58 • Filed to: None
2
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"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
01/01/2019 at 12:58 • Filed to: None | 2
| 18 |
So yesterday I took a nice tw o hour drive out to Palm Springs in which thankfully I hit no traffic and went smoothly. I say thankfully because although the car was excellent, it had an alarming issue that has put much doubt into my head that this will be my next Miata. Not advertised in the ad was an accident history that totaled out the car earlier on in its life. Allegedly, this was an accident that caused cosmetic damage to the front end only. As pointed out by a fellow Oppo, the front bumper missing fog lights is the only immediately obvious tell since those always come standard on this trim level.
Now a “previously salvaged” branded Nebraska title doesn’t necessarily completely rule this car out but it definitely represents a major road block. The car runs beautifully, has been maintained meticulously by the current owner (with records from the dealer), and is in excellent cosmetic shape with zero rust and nearly zero blemishes or wear/tear to the paint. The parts replaced were the front bumper, hood, and passenger fender from a high height impact with a Ford Explorer that did not set off the airbags nor cause structural or mechanical damage. I have a hard time believing that nothing at all was bent in order to total it but whatever happened, was certainly minor enough to be repaired without leaving much trace. There’s a tiny gap between the headlight and bumper but mine was worse before I even hit anything so it’s not too concerning. The bigger problems are the amount of hoops California requires one to jump through in order to get a California rebuilt title and plates!
California requires a CHP/DMV scheduled inspection of the vehicle, a separate brake light inspection by another agency, and of course a bunch of fees to go with that in addition to your standard registration fees, taxes, and smog check. Technically the seller is responsible for this but it’s also still legal to buy a car and face that mountain of red tape to register the car yourself. I’m not nuts so this car is not even up for consideration unless all of those things are finalized and the proper paperwork is in order. If everything is sorted out and I’m handed a register able car, my max offer will be standing at $4400. However, I’m also willing to take the risk and buy the car “as is” but my offer is going to be rock bottom at $3500 just because of the hassle. This seems fair to me because the car really is quite good and nothing sketchy came out of my inspection of the car nor my judgement of the owner and his paperwork. Pie in the sky, I’d rather the guy first register the car in California and then I’d feel much better about my max offer but I don’t think he’d go for that due to the expense.
Anyways, if anybody has access to a VIN scanning service (like carfax) I’d love to know before I go pay for one as some insurance. Definitely worth it for a car like this to give a better inkling that it’s not all a scam. I should find out later this week what paperwork the guy has accomplished in getting the car registerable. He apparently has an offer from someone via email who wants to pay asking price with a cashiers check on Friday. He’s welcome to wait but even if it’s not a scam, they are going to find out about the title issue and then get mad and leave. Unless someone is dumb and doesn’t read the fine print but then that’s their loss..
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
AestheticsInMotion
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 13:15 |
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This is a perfect opportunity to walk away and find something colorful!
CompactLuxuryFan
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 13:16 |
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Too many Miatas out there to bother with that! Unless the price drops accordingly, that is...
Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 13:21 |
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Can someone look at the frame from underneath?
RacinBob
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 13:53 |
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I would not have issues with a salvage title as long as the condition is good, the owner is straight up, the price is appropriate and that it has been years since the accident.
Assure him it is a scam. If the buyer can’t use a phone it’s a scam. Especially when it is a Miata which is as common as dirt and the buyer is a thousand miles away,
way2blu does a rev update
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 13:55 |
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If you’re in Palm Springs anyway, please check this one out:
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/moreno-valley-1984-pontiac-fiero/6773395445.html
I’ve been eyeballing this Fiero in Palm Springs for a while; the blown head gasket is pretty well-documented on 2.5L Fieros, so it should be an easy fix.
Weighs about the same as a Miata, but cheaper, mid-engine, and smaller.
OmerCarrothers333
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 14:33 |
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Utah sells a LOT of salvage/branded title cars. I don’t know how I’d go about getting one insured, and I don’t trust them anyway, so I stay away.
His Stigness
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 14:44 |
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> way2blu does a rev update
01/01/2019 at 15:15 |
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Lol well I was only in Palm Springs for the couple of hours to look at the car. I'm not planning on switching platforms from a Miata. I'd be up for switching to an NA but that's as far as I'd stray from my current car.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> RacinBob
01/01/2019 at 15:16 |
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Yeah its hard to convince people when they see more money signs. I made sure to assure him I’d pay cash and be able to get the car ASAP. So I'll have to wait and see that something dumb doesn't happen there. And yeah he bought it with that title and has been driving it for 8 years and maintaining it. So I'm not thoroughly concerned unless everything was a lie. But it's pretty conspiracy theory at that point.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> OmerCarrothers333
01/01/2019 at 15:18 |
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Oh yeah I'd never carry anything more than liability for sure. I'm only concerned enough to be extra cautious about paperwork and making sure everything is as it seems. And also paying a low enough amount. I'm going to be using the car as a track car so it's less of a concern that the title is branded. I'll be beating the car to death anyways.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
01/01/2019 at 15:20 |
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Certainly worth considering. This guy has had that done already but it can't hurt to have it done myself as well. I'd gladly buy it with having a professional take a good look at it and reassure me. He himself suggested I take it to a shop if I'd like anyways so he's not trying to hide anything at least. I wanted to wait to hear about all of the inspection stuff required for registration before I do anything else.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> AestheticsInMotion
01/01/2019 at 15:22 |
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Haha I mean color would be nice but I'd rather have paint in really good shape and super low mileage for the right price. I actually quite liked how it looked in person just because of how the quality was.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> CompactLuxuryFan
01/01/2019 at 15:22 |
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Of course, I'll be waiting it out. I'm not interested in paying without having everything on order.
66P1800inpieces
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 15:28 |
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Salvage title wouldn’t be an issue for 2/3 the cost if it was really just cosmetic and you plan to keep it for while/use it as a track car. The dealer is probably more interested in selling for full price to a less experienced buyer. There may also be some emissions issues if parts were replaced outside of CA as those cars had unique California emissions parts (cats) . I recently sold my 2003 LS, 118k, clear title, ABS, southern California car in NJ for $5400. I had it shipped to NJ the year before as it was worth it for a 2nd/3rd owner car, rust free example with timing belt and a lot of other services already done, newer top, etc. Good examples are out there.
ToyotaFamily
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 15:29 |
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What’s the VIN?
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> 66P1800inpieces
01/01/2019 at 16:12 |
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Well yeah that's $1000 more with more mileage. That's certainly where it can make sense. I agree that if there are any issues with smog or the other inspections, it's instantly walk away. But if everything is sorted and the price is like you said, 2/3rd or so of what a clean one would fetch then I would be happy. Too many of these I've seen have body issues, paint issues, or a lot of miles and still listed for $5k plus. I'm going to be incredibly picky about this one and if someone else swoops in and buys it because I'm taking too long, so be it.
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RacinBob
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
01/01/2019 at 19:55 |
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I guess the question is what is how important is a haggle over $350 worth to you ? I have concluded that if the deal is worthwhile, the $$ are not that important. Face it, you are pay ing 33% of original for a 18 year old car. There is no standard price other than that which your pride accepts.
If you can afford it, is the last 8% worth it if you are confident that this one is well cared for, has had it’s oil changed, doesn’t have door dings etc? If you are in it for the long run, buy the one that looks the best for the money and move on.
But, you have an excellent point about about dealing with a Nebraska salvage title. Is that what you are saying is that for several years he’s been driving it in CA with a Nebraska title? If so y ou do deserve a discount for the Ca title, or make him do it for you. Let him know the options and put the ball in his court.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> RacinBob
01/01/2019 at 20:54 |
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I'm not entirely sure when he moved the car to California, but it's definitely been more than the required number of days so it should have been titled here already. But you are right, I'm pretty happy with the car if it checks out and the title crap gets sorted by the seller. Our agreed upon price is $4400 for a car with no issues except for the title brand. This car with a clean title would definitely fetch more and I don't intend on reselling so I'd be happy with the price. Just need to get a shop to confirm nothing is broken underneath that I couldn't see and all of the inspections California requires taken care of.