can anybody carfax, since my diff took a dump, and its time to move on.

"sloPro" (IvanD) 02/05/2014 at 00:17 • Filed to: None

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the full story about the diff will be coming shortly, but in the meanwhile, can anybody run a carfax on: JM1GG12L861100342

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > sloPro 02/05/2014 at 00:38

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Run. It doesn't matter what direction. Run. It looks like the shoddiest respray in the world. It is also conveniently right around the point where you need to have replaced all the bits and pieces that might break. That car isn't being sold, it's being dumped onto someone else. If you have some time, it *might* be a good buy. But tread very carefully with it. Assume the timing service was not done, assume brakes and clutch are worn, assume a fluid leak, and assume the worst in general.

OneFastPuertoRican > sloPro 02/05/2014 at 00:52

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I hate to hijack the post, but anyone wanna run this one?

WPOABO912JS122021

'88 Carrera. Yes, teal. I like it. Shut up.

evil2win > sloPro 02/05/2014 at 01:21

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Sorry I don't have a Carfax account. why not replace the diff? I've had two failed diffs in the last five years and replace both of them. I picked up a diff for the BMW from eBay, and a rear end for the Fiat from the local pick-n-pull. Did the work in my driveway. It can all be done fairly easily on a Saturday.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/05/2014 at 01:35

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This sounds about right. There are quite a few things to pick out that are a cause for concern:

As previously mentioned, it's right around the time where a lot of things need to be replaced. You're looking at somewhere between $1-3k, depending on what has and hasn't been done.

Whatever has been done might not be done with the best parts or the highest quality labor. If the respray was applied with this much sloppiness, I can't imagine the level of detail on any other repairs are there, either

Nowhere in the description does it document any recent repairs. This leads me to believe they want to lure you in on the car with detail-less phrases like "Extra Clean!" "Extra Sporty!" "Great Buy!" They know they're dumping on you, and it shows.

Lastly, why was there the need for a respray in the first place?

On paper, this car at that price range looks like a good buy for an immensely fun car. Give it a thorough look-over, and choose wisely.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Where have all the lightweights gone? 02/05/2014 at 01:50

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I figured it out - the clearcoat is the giveaway. Not enough put on so it looks a bit flat/matte. There are no real reflections in the paint and the headlights look a bit milky (overspray?).

This is a car that is very sick due to a PO who didn't care. He slapped on a couple bucks worth of Maaco paint and traded it in. Simple as that. And ask another question here - what in the world is a USED car dealer doing with a machine like this? They either got it on trade-in (signifying the PO didn't *want* to do this but was desperate for some reason) or they bought it at an auction (signifying the car couldn't be sold at a dealer and/or was a repo/insurance buy)

SteyrTMP > OneFastPuertoRican 02/05/2014 at 01:54

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Invalid number.

OneFastPuertoRican > SteyrTMP 02/05/2014 at 07:43

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Oops. I put in a 2 instead of a C. Try this one and thanks in advance!

WPOABO91CJS122021

sloPro > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/05/2014 at 10:51

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where did u get this idea of a respray? do u have an actual carfax/report/proof of any wrongdoing/history/maintenance/ownership on this particular vehicle?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > sloPro 02/05/2014 at 10:59

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I have done resprays before on cars. So I know what to look for when something seems off. Look at images of other white mazdaspeed 6es. They're much glossier and a bit more yellow (probably due to the flake used) than the limited photos this guy has. That lack of gloss is either a shoddy final coat that wasn't sanded properly or the clearcoat was not applied thick enough or finished properly with a good wet sand and polish. It reminds me of those in and out Maaco paint shop jobs to get it done in a day instead of leaving the car with a proper shop but it would take some time. I could be wrong, but it just seems so off to my eyes.

I don't have a carfax, but I don't need one to see that car is probably bad news. Again ask yourself what that car is doing at that dealership? Look at the miles. That's where those MZR turbo motors start to fall apart, fast. If I were you, I'd ask around the mazda enthusiast forums and see if anyone knows about that car. With only three pictures posted, I can only tell so much. I wouldn't drive too far to see it. You're getting rid of a MSP you just did a fair amount of work to because of a differential issue? I assure you, the MS6 will give you three times the problems and maintenance needed after 100k.

sloPro > evil2win 02/05/2014 at 11:00

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while i completely agree with that statement. you are not aware of the circumstances of my almost finalized decision.

oh and just to give you an idea, this is actually on my current mazdaspeed protege, its fwd, so the diff is burried in the trans, which i will have to drop for the 4th time now (the previous times are not related to this issue at all), just to get it running, and once i get the darn diff welded it would have to be 5th time, since the replacement trans is way too old to keep driving on it safely (thats why im actually debating trading it in whithout swapping the trans for the 5th time)

also there are other issues that are not critical but have been nagging me for quite some time now, and it just feels like i'm constantly working on it.

like i said there are other factors, the diff just seems to be the final straw.

evil2win > sloPro 02/05/2014 at 21:57

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That all makes sense to me. I know I've been I that same place with cars I've owned in the past. I call it the joy to suffering ratio. Once it's weighted too far on the side of suffering the car has go. Good luck.