The Oppo Pre-purchase Inspection Co-op

"tomgabriele" (tomgabriele) 02/04/2015 at 11:19 • Filed to: car buying, inspection, oppositelock, co-op, oppo, audi allroad, moonshot

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Dear readers, I am writing today with two goals in mind. One is an overreaching, transcontinental, meta-social-media idea that I am sure every one of us has thought of before, and the second is a humble offer to help in any way I can.

Let me start off with an anecdote which will speak to that first goal. This is purely hypothetical (and not in the ironic I'm-asking-for-a-friend kind of way. Truly hypothetical). You are a Jalopnik reader with an interest in all things wagon-y. However, you are too lazy to shift your own gears, and are not really concerned with reliability. You have more time and money than you know what to do with. So naturally, you are looking for an Audi Allroad. With the vaunted deprecated storied twin-turbo 2.7L. And then you find it. A beautiful 2003 example, with everything you are looking for - two tone exterior and interior, tape deck, probably a cup holder...and the owner even says, "MINT NOTHING WRONG" right there in the title!

Additionally, and totally unsuspiciously, the owner exclaims once more in the body of the ad, "It's absolutely mint! Nothing at all is wrong with the car!". While calling the car "mint" once would warrant an eye roll, insisting on it multiple times raises one's guard.

Anyway, back to the anecdote. You may have questionable taste in leather color and make interesting value judgments, but you are no fool (or at least, not a complete fool). You want to check out the car in person before reaching for the checkbook.

But here's the rub, and the point that I, the author of this wordy post, neglected to make until 278 words in - you live in Vancleve, Kentucky and this Audi lives in Ledyard, Connecticut.

So what do you do? You want to know if this vehicle is worth pursuing, if the pictures are accurate, if it actually has wheels on the (unpictured) driver's side, and exactly what kind of a shyster the seller is. Here is where my heady idea comes in:

The Oppo Pre-purchase Inspection Co-op

You can probably guess where this is going, so feel free to stop reading and proceed to the comments to let me know what you think. If you'd like to hear me out, proceed.

We can come together as an auto-loving (no, not that kind of autoloving) community to help each other out when a buyer can't perform the necessary pre-purchase inspection themselves. The Oppo Pre-purchase Inspection Co-op (OPPIC? OppoCo?) would merely be a directory of enthusiasts, their location, their specialties, and their contact info. We will help out however and whenever we can, across make and model lines, without charge or expectation of compensation, just for the love of cars. And hey, down the line when we want to make a long distance purchase, maybe we will benefit from another kind Jalop.

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To that end, let me address my second goal in many, many fewer words. If you, the hypothetical Allroad buyer need someone to check it out for you, just drop me a line. I live in Eastern CT and work in RI, and hey, my parents just so happen to live in Ledyard where the Audi does. I would be happy to take a look at it for you and report back with any sounds, smells, or mysterious liquids that may emanate from it. So here is my info for OppoCo:

Name: Tom Gabriele

Email: tomgabriele [at] gmail

Location: Eastern CT/Southern RI

Experience: General, shadetree mechanic. Audi/VW, Volvo, Honda

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I look forward to seeing how/if this works out - what do you think?

Green Mountain Car Guy > tomgabriele 02/05/2015 at 15:42

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Well, I'm not sure I can be a whole lot of help, but, it is an interesting idea and I'm surprised to be the first person to comment!! Info is below:

Name: Bill Leedy

Email: drpcvt at gmail

Location: Central VT/Burlington area VT

Experience: Very general, Saabs, Mazdas.

MysticStick > tomgabriele 02/05/2015 at 20:23

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This is a brilliant idea. Could be a great service for safety reasons too, if a scammer gets a gearhead coming to inspect a vehicle, they will back out since said gearhead won't be bringing money for the car.

But maybe it should be a paid thing, like Uber for CL/ebay car inspection. I guess someone needs to build an app for that to work.

tomgabriele > MysticStick 02/06/2015 at 08:51

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If it were to be a commercial thing, I think I'd just as soon pay a real mechanic to do a real inspection. But a general sweep by someone generally familiar with how things should be would be a nice middle ground.

Besides, I would happily go car shopping with someone else's money. I don't know about everyone else, but I feel like I spend more time looking at other cars than I do my own.

tomgabriele > Green Mountain Car Guy 02/06/2015 at 08:52

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Thanks Bill! So many great posters here on Oppo, it's easy to get buried without a cross post to the main page.

MysticStick > tomgabriele 02/06/2015 at 13:20

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That is true. There also wouldn't be a reason why pro mechanics or even shops could not become a car inspector under this service. The car enthusiast could have a different pay rate and/or the pros could have special icons. Also could have an option for the enthusiast inspector to help arrange an mechanical inspection at a dealer.

I think of the pay thing because if not it can be hard to be sure if a buyer is serious or just having you go look at cars. Perhaps inspectors could set their own price to a certain extent or something. I started thinking if we had a thing where we exchanged 'credits' for looking we could trade this service back and forth among jalops, but then I realized that regular money would work and open up the idea to anyone.

And even if the money exchanged is not much (when I was young I would have done this just for gas money) — it can make a huge difference for a internet buyer. I am hearing stories more often nowadays about 'internet cars' and the moniker is starting to mean 'pile of crap'.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > tomgabriele 02/09/2015 at 16:04

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This is a great idea, and I'd love to help out occasionally (Tulsa area).

Too bad it didn't get more exposure - lost to the firehose of OPPO...

This only got 30 views; I think it's worth reposting.

tomgabriele > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/10/2015 at 08:42

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Me repost it? Or try to find someone more popular to repost it and lend me some credibility?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 15:58

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Not sure what good it will do, but I just shared it to OPPO...

505Turbeaux > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:02

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ill pop you out an email, I was working on something along the same lines here, and is admittedly still in production with emails for everyone http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/the-official-o…

macanamera > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:07

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Name: Mac Macsworth

Email: MacAttack at aol

Location: 5 31' 08" N 87 04' 18" W

Experience: Dinosaur Cloning

HammerheadFistpunch > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:07

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As someone who bought a car, sight unseen, from 1000 miles away...this has my interest peaked. Thing is...no one looks for a car in utah, but im happy to help in the odd event that they want a set of semi-reliable eye on it.

tomgabriele > 505Turbeaux 02/10/2015 at 16:13

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Hey, that's a great idea too

tomgabriele > macanamera 02/10/2015 at 16:15

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I was looking at a used Coco Island dino - do you only have experience with clones? The seller says it's a lightly used factory original with matching DINs

505Turbeaux > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:15

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I think there is some common ground there, so since I have a list of specialties already assembled maybe we can get it all set up. Obviously some people are no longer active on here, and there are new ones, it is a little out of date. But still useful

tomgabriele > HammerheadFistpunch 02/10/2015 at 16:18

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How is Utah's climate for cars? I kind of picture the whole region to be dry and warm like the Arizona boneyards, good for keeping metal in decent shape. Maybe it would be worth our time looking for good rust-free vehicles there...

tomgabriele > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/10/2015 at 16:18

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Thanks buddy...a couple more hits and a few more comments!

macanamera > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:21

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I primarily deal in clones, because originals are so rare and expensive. Assuming your seller is referring to a model year 145,000,000 B.C. Dino, it could fetch upwards of ten million at auction (if authentic). I would be happy to look at it for you.

HammerheadFistpunch > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:22

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Shitty...in a word. LOTS AND LOTS of road salt. its why I looked elsewhere to buy my truck.

HammerheadFistpunch > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:25

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Name: Call me Hammerhead for now

Location: Salt Lake City Area

Email: spokemaster82 gmail

Expertise: Toyota

area man > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:34

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This is a great idea, unfortunately I have nothing to offer because I've never wrenched. I wouldn't buy any car from someone in Ledyard though (I'm from Southeastern CT).

cazzyodo > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:34

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Really good idea, Tom.

I live south of Boston and would be able to help anyone looking for either a helluva rust bucket victim of the northeast winter or any legitimate vehicle they find. I don't know a ton but have some friends with more expert opinions than "yup...ran when parked and runs now."

On a serious note, this may require a map a la the one we have mapping Opponaut locations, but specifically for those willing to check out vehicles of interest. Could be simpler than requesting everyone's contact information on the interwebz.

ZDMW > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:35

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I think this is a great idea. As for location, I'm pretty sure there used to be a shared Google map with some users approximate locations, I'll dig around my computer for a link. Maybe it's possible do do something like that, just look on the map and see if anyone is local.

tomgabriele > ZDMW 02/10/2015 at 16:40

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I don't know why that hadn't occurred to me! A map is just what we need. I have even been doing a bunch with mapping at work, so I know just how to do it.

I will work up a Google Fusion Table map and a new post for tomorrow.

tomgabriele > macanamera 02/10/2015 at 16:44

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Yes, please. Just look...carefully.

I am also considering a kit dino, but it seems the parts never fit together quite right, and it can be unclear how they go together. Just ask my buddy Othniel Charles Marsh.

tomgabriele > HammerheadFistpunch 02/10/2015 at 16:44

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Ohhhh that'll do it. Same issue we have up here.

tomgabriele > area man 02/10/2015 at 16:46

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Hey what's wrong with my hometown?!?

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > MysticStick 02/10/2015 at 16:48

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This is very smart, however those of us in the South or in seedy urban environments need to get our state paperwork in order. These things are tantamount to making this a safe business

1. Concealed carry permit (None of us need to end up murdered by some insane Floridian "hawking" a Boss 302)

2. CDL - Commercial Drivers License and towtruck usage experience

3. A community towtruck, registered to Oppo PPI Co-Op LLC. (For tax and business liability purposes)

4. Potentially, inspectors should file for an armed security guard permit in the event that they do any purchasing this would protect the inspector in the event of a mugging or robbery from being financially responsible for either the vehicle or aforementioned payment for an inspected vehicle.

tomgabriele > 505Turbeaux 02/10/2015 at 16:49

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I think with either of our ideas, exposure, participation and maintenance are going to be key.

505Turbeaux > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 16:55

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it will likely also have to live on it's own sub blog as well, so it doesnt get buried by day to day Oppo life.

area man > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 17:01

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Haha whoops! Didn't mean to hate on your hometown. It's just fun to rag on Groton/Ledyard. Where I'm from (Quaker Hill but might as well be Montville) is essentially the same.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 505Turbeaux 02/10/2015 at 17:03

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Since real names and direct, private, personal contact is necessary, a closed Facebook group might be the best way forward with this...

Once the list is largely built, interested parties can find someone in the area they need and tag them in their post/request.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 17:08

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The OPPO map already exists, so I'd find a way to build onto what we have instead of starting from scratch.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?…

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/where-you-at-o…

505Turbeaux > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/10/2015 at 17:10

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I would hate to leave anyone out that is not on FB - there are a number of awesome opponauts who are not on there. TFritch, Uly, Duurtlang etc that would be into this. My idea that is under way was to pull a gmail account for anyone involved with a standard password that you can change and use at will if you dont have one you want to give out

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > area man 02/10/2015 at 17:10

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Honestly, I think being willing to go look at the car in person (under the hood, underneath for oil leaks and rust) and giving it a good test drive is very helpful, even if you have very limited mechanical knowledge.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 505Turbeaux 02/10/2015 at 17:12

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Yeah, I know... Kinja desperately needs a private message function.

area man > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/10/2015 at 17:14

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Well in that case my services are available!

505Turbeaux > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/10/2015 at 17:15

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I guess they used to!

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 02/10/2015 at 17:31

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To be honest I do think your profession is in the Dinosaur cloning field.

That's where the CLS63 money is.

MysticStick > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 02/10/2015 at 17:33

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Yep. That list sounds good. While those requirements might put off a lot of opponauts, suggested things would not (you don't have to carry a gun for instance, it would be optional). And some people could offer the service of inspecting the car wherever it is instead of a tow truck. So you might not need 1, 2, or 3. But they are good to have. I don't think we should in any way advertise armed inspectors. You want it to be a surprise and it sounds scary to those who are innocent.

I don't really think (4) payment should be within the scope of this service. But I can't think about this and wonder if we wrote an app a year ago, could we have saved the life of that couple in Georgia ?

macanamera > Brian Silvestro 02/10/2015 at 17:36

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Go see my new documentary opening soon

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 02/10/2015 at 17:39

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I assume you play all the male actors

EDIT: and dinosaurs

macanamera > Brian Silvestro 02/10/2015 at 17:43

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I clicked this notification to add that I also play the dinosaurs. I can see that was unnecessary.

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 02/10/2015 at 17:46

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I know you too well.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/10/2015 at 18:53

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Man, I didn't realize how alone I am until I saw that I am the only Oppo in Alaska. But, give it a few months and I'll be in Spain with a ton of Euro Oppo's!

Ryan A. > tomgabriele 02/10/2015 at 20:18

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I can lend my software-engineering skills for this. It'd be pretty easy to match buyers with those willing to offer PPI services. If you're interested, let me know.

tomgabriele > area man 02/11/2015 at 08:42

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Groton is way different than Ledyard, mostly. But I don't have much room to talk, I live in Norwich now...

area man > tomgabriele 02/11/2015 at 09:08

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Ah, the heroin-filled rose of new england...

tomgabriele > area man 02/11/2015 at 09:18

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I am a little disappointed, I haven't found any heroin...

Whenever I introduce myself, I feel compelled to add "but in a good part of town" after saying I live in Norwich

area man > tomgabriele 02/11/2015 at 09:21

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And there are some nice ass parts! Shame it has the reputation it does.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > MysticStick 02/11/2015 at 09:28

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You are right, I was just hypothesizing.