Pre purchase inspection saves the day again

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678) 01/06/2019 at 15:09 • Filed to: None

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Yes, this is an unfortunate title since I was pretty set on buying the car. But as is typical Craigslist purchases, it’s near impossible to believe most things that the seller says. The ONLY reason why I was interested in this salvage title Miata was that the seller insisted that he had the car inspected for frame/crash structure damage and that nothing was wrong with it. He had meticulous maintenance records and many many trips to the dealer. I figured this was enough to trust the guy enough to spend money on an inspection myself . Well I’m glad I spent that money because the worst possible outcome occurred; f rame damage! Other issues came up as well but for the most part, it’s just the damage that makes the car a non-option. Here are some more highlights from the report.

The check engine light coming on was just icing on the cake. I knew that there was a minor mechanical issue but considering the mileage I was fine with having something to fix and take care of after purchase. But with a check engine light and the car supposedly passing smog anyways, I have more doubts and questions than I care to deal with anymore. Overall, the rest of the car was great and the report showcased good maintenance and super minor wear and tear, especially for the age. But anyways, I’m not buying the car so on to the next one!

Full checklist:

Chariotoflove > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 15:23

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Due diligence to the rescue!  Well done. 

dogisbadob > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 15:33

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Body repairs are almost never done right

The reason it was declared a total loss is because it really was a total loss! Doing the job properly costs more than the car is worth, so they always cut corners

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 15:39

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As a backyard Remover of whiskeystains and speedwrinkles, That’s some backyard shit. A new Miata fender should cost less to replace than to fix a one hour ding. then there’s the framerails. Not Attractive. I’d bang and pull and glue like that for myself, on a car I was just planning to torture to death, but I’d never pass it off as properly repaired. I remember this car had a salvage title, depending where you are it should still be roadworthy to be registered on a salvage title (I’ve rebuilt 5 cars for the family) This appears to be evidence of a whiskeystain/speedwrinkle that went unmentioned to insurance. Good call on the dilligent inspection. frame might be yanked within spec, but it’s a shitty car.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 15:42

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Christ, 2cm of bondo? Damn that's bad. 

jimz > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 15:44

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Steve Lehto just got a warm & fuzzy

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 15:46

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A quick trick to use, doesn’t apply here. Check the part numbers on the headlights, should have the name of the OEM. GM is “ guide” chrysler is “mopar” most Japanese lights say “stanley” on them  TYC (tong yang corp),  Gordon, or Dongfeng, chances are the front clip has been wiped off.    There are many more names numbers and tricks in  this vein,  But TYC Gordon and Donfeng are the big ones.  

RacinBob > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 15:47

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My dad has a saying, if it doesn’t make a difference, it doesn’t make a difference.....

I assume you are talking about this car.

Yep, it was crashed some time ago. But i t has been driven for years. The frame parts are hidden and assuming proper alignment of attached parts do not affec t anything. The cracked headlights need changing anyway as they are hazed if you want to replace them and should be factored in the price.

So h ow does the price compare to other Miatas of same year and miles . The condition only matters if you are going to resell it.

What would you prefer, a straight appearing example like this with well documented maintenance or one with a lot more miles, never crashed, and sketchy maintenance?

Now granted, if the damage prevents getting a California title, you got to move on and you are lucky to have caught it. But if it doesn’t make a difference and if the seller fixes the check engine light, I wouldn’t be shy to drop $4k into it for the fun of it. These are bent, non structural beams that really don’t make a difference.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RacinBob 01/06/2019 at 16:12

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The only concern is that the car was experiencing an alignment issue and that connected with the apparent damage is concerning to me. Yes, it might be okay in the end but the inspection leaves me with far too many questions. Especially when it wasn't really factored into the price to begin with. Maybe it's worth it at a lower price point? But I don't think there is an agreeable point for sale to me and the seller. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/06/2019 at 16:28

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Yeah exactly. It looked very nice and all but that's a concerning repair method which has me questioning the whole repair job anyways. Fenders are cheap to just replace, why bondo the crap out of one? 

RacinBob > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 16:34

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Oh, totally different story if there is an alignment issue. Agreed. 

benjrblant > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 16:37

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Wow, thats a very thorough inspection!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > dogisbadob 01/06/2019 at 16:42

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Yeah I was prepared for subpar paint and other oddities but I'm not okay with the clearly ignored damage that I was told was not an issue. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/06/2019 at 16:43

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Yeah its definitely a questionable at best car. Maybe I'd buy it for $3k or less and just send it full time. But I don't think the seller would go for that either. 

facw > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 16:51

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Looks like you got your money’s worth on the inspection. Too bad about the car though.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > benjrblant 01/06/2019 at 17:01

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I know, just finding such a thorough service alone has made this experience worth it. Very satisfied customer at least! 

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 17:14

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Yeah... for a salvage title vehicle, I wouldn’t worry about varying paint thickness.  However, the improperly repaired frame damage that’s likely making it pull to one side because it can’t be properly aligned... that’s an automatic crack pipe unless it’s being sold as a parts car.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 17:18

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It could be fine, but you’re looking for better than “might be Ok”,  some of that work is just cheap/lazy, gotta wonder what else is hiding,  sports cars have a rough life.   I schmucked mine in the first week. 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/06/2019 at 17:25

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And that’s when I found out it had been crashed in the same way at least once before.  Awesome convertibles are not our friend,  they’re our automotive substance abuse probem.  I’ve been abusing gasoline and 10-w for decades now.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 17:26

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yeah, keep that guy!

MM54 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 17:33

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Bummer, but you dodged a bullet. It may end up fine, it may never drive straight (and with the sketchy repairs, who knows what other problems would crop up). I’m impressed with the inspection report, too!

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > dogisbadob 01/06/2019 at 17:37

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that IS how its done, My second CR-V had $6700 in damage, I did it up in about 11 hours for less than $1000, inspected, registered plated with a full tank of gas. Drove it for years afterward and sold it for what it cost me with 100,000 more km. (i got lucky on that one, didn’t go fancy built for commuting). Our Honda Fit was a write-off that ran off the road into a snowbank in a seper ate incident. Front bumper had a crack but rad support was pushed back 4 inches, oh well.  Did that one by the book (for Mrs doorhandle).   Then is got hit repeatedly, and fixed repeatedly.  I had no problem selling that Crashed car to a Baptist preacher.  (not a man of faith, but one of decency).

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/06/2019 at 17:38

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I tell people that fenders are cheaper than me fixing fenders.  and the come right off, it not like its a roof!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 01/06/2019 at 18:03

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Exactly my thought. I had noticed a little bit of pulling but had written it off on the 10 year old tires since I've felt worse from cars with perfect alignment but just bad tires. But putting that together with the obviously unprepared frame issues and no recent receipt of alignment specs makes me want to run to the hills. I'll suggest the seller attempt to get an alignment as it may help with selling it someone else. Since I'd probably consider it if that had been done and no issues were found. But I'm done with dealing with this one lol. 

His Stigness > Chariotoflove 01/06/2019 at 18:08

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I pushed him to get the inspection. I know it was expensive, but since he tracks the car the inspection could have saved his life... If he drove fast enough to ever leave the track.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > dogisbadob 01/06/2019 at 20:22

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outside of insurance, “done right” is not a thing.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/09/2019 at 12:26

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Throw a cage in it and go racing!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Future next gen S2000 owner 01/09/2019 at 12:48

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I mean I was just too worried about compromised crash structures being dangerous. As is, my car is pretty dangerous. I could just put a new motor in it and continue racing it. But if I am going to bu y another Miata, I might as well get one that is structurally safe and sound. Plus the check engine light that “ came out of nowhere” and alignment issues are flags that something could be very wrong. There are plenty more miatas out there so I just have to be patient and probably pay more in the end. 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/20/2019 at 16:04

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Great... now I’m shopping for cheap paint thickness meter things.

Awesome report, sad the car didn’t work out but good thing you caught it before making a deal !

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 02/20/2019 at 17:18

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Yeah, the paint looked too good to be true. Should have been a sign to me that something was amiss beyond “cosmetic repair to the front corner only”. I think I could have still gotten a decent deal on the car, the guy really kind of just wanted to get rid of the car at that point. If it wasnt for the check engine light showing up AFTER it was already smogged, I might have still pursued it for $3500 or something like that. But yeah, I have truly seen the value in these inspections. Will definitely use this particular service for any other purchases in the future.