Need Advice - ASAP!

[chevyaddict]

Hi All;
I won this car on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4562843279

Looks great, doesn't it?

The problem is the mileage is inaccurate. I have the carfax report and in 1999 the miles recorded were 157,000. Now, the guy is in disbelief that it would potentially have around 180,000 miles on it because he feels the car is quite prestine. Now, the carfax has the BuyBack protection warranty for this car so if I want to use that avenue after I go get it I can.

My question is... should I follow through with it? Do you guys perceive it as a good deal even IF the miles are high? Please let me know ASAP!!

Thanks

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Dawn,

The questions in my mind are do you want a car with 180,000 miles and is the car worth what you paid for it with double plus on the mileage?

I'm not following you on the Carfax protection. They protected you by telling you that the car had more miles on it than represented. If you buy the car with that information, I suspect it is at your own risk as you had the correct information.

 

[LT4man]

Dawn,

The problem I have is with Carfax. I am not convinced they are accurate. I have seen too many examples of their inaccuracy. More than of their accuracy. (Did you follow that?) If you did, you are better than me!

Another question I have is: Do you want a Vette with that many miles? I cannot see how that is a good deal. What is your intention with the car? To restore it to original? A nice lookin beater (daily driver)? A parts car?

Try to fill in some of the blanks. We all might be able to be more helpful!

Save The Wave!

Gregory

 

[Jeb]

Frankly, I wouldn't touch it.

It's not the miles that would bother me, it's the seller's attitude and the fact that both the front and rear facias have been replaced.

Why were they replaced? If the owner wanted to upgrade the car, that shows he's interested in it. If he doesn't know why the milage is different, that tells me the opposite.

Something's rotten in Denmark.

 

[srs244]

dawn,
what exactly is carfax's "guarantee"?? i agree with the fact that you are probably on the hook for whatever you buy with their report in hand, if there is a descrepancy between what is "advertised" and what may be real. how badly do you really want a high milage vette that the seller obviously doesn't really know?? (or does he??) are there any records that go along with the sale?? (i would think not as they would perhaps substantiate the milage one way or the other). his description is anything but a "pristine" car in my opinion, milage aside. cracked and peeled paint area, apparent damage to the rear deck, etc. if you just want another corvette to drive and assuming the car was taken care of, based upon the national average annual milage/vehicle, it's probably right on or a bit under the average (12-15,000 miles/year times 15 years). personally, if it were me, i would take a pass on it once i had the carfax report and got the reply from the seller you did (his disbelief of the milage).

steve

 

[jacob9582]

i would watch yourself if i were you. i like to know everything about my vehicles and not only does this one have an unknown milage but who knows what else may be lerking.

good luck!

 

[vette-dude]

My question is... should I follow through with it?

NOPE!!

Randy

 

[chevyaddict]

More Info...

Ok... lets answer all the questions. Definitely will not restore it - just a daily driver at this point is all I had in mind. He spoke to the person that he bought it from and the mileage has always been around 80,000. He says he has owned a lot of vettes and just does not believe the car could be high miles... of course that could just be a front.

The carfax report doesn't show any evidence of an accident - but that doesn't mean that there hasn't been one. I know many people appear to put the new facia's on for the "newer" look so I don't think necessary an accident happened. But again, your all right - I don't know for sure.

I don't care about high miles if the car is in good shape and has been taken care of... I usually get well over 200,000 miles out of a car before a rebuild is necessary.

I liked the fact it has my favorite wheels on it, everything works, interior is in good shape - these are all high dollar items that I wouldn't have to tinker with. If the drivetrain needs rebuilt that is not that expensive, given I can do it myself. Does this help?

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Have you gone back to Carfax and discussed with them. It's possible the discrepancy is on their end. I've never seen a Carfax. Does it give you the source of the report. Can you go back to the source for independent confirmation.

 

[chevyaddict]

Here is the latest correspondence from the seller after I explained some of my concerns:

Dawn- If I owned a older Vette I to would change the facias to make it look newer. I
personally like the way they look better too. This car is not a ratt or lemon. thats
obvious by the pictures. I can send more if you like. If the miles are really 156k or
more then I would say it is the best high mileage car I have ever driven. As i have
stated before, the car drives great, looks good and AC blows cold. All gauges and power
works, other than the few cosmetics, this car is OK.
Jeff

If I go back to carfax now.... and alert them then they may not honor the warranty! I wanted to attach it but it wouldn't let me... wrong file type.

 

[silverja]

If I were in your shoes, I would back out. Too many unclear items that may cost you dearly. There are some great deals out there for C4's. No need to make a big financial mistake with this one.

Just my 2 cents.

Best of luck.

 

[jimq]

If I go back to carfax now.... and alert them then they may not honor the warranty! I wanted to attach it but it wouldn't let me... wrong file type.

I don't think you understand the carfax warranty. What carfax does is if the car has been salvage/stolen/etc or miles turned back and they missed it, they refund up to "x" dollars or buy the car from you.

If it was advertised at 85K and the title said 85K and carfax said 85K and you found an old Kentucky title that said 102K carfax would pay. They're the ones who alerted you here, so they're not at fault.

My state (PA) also didn't require miles on 10+ year old cars for a few years. That opened a window for miles to get lower.

I hope that helped. If anything you would have a case against the seller if he didn't tell you the miles were higher or true miles unknown.

I too would pass on the car.

 

[LannyL81]

Dawn,
You truly will not know for sure until you see the car...I know...too late then. But the quick story on my 81 was that it was a documentated low miles car....but CarFax gave me the truth....seems that the previous owner did not put the 1 in front of the 32,000 on the title. I was taken to the "cleaners" !!!

Talk to ya later,
Lanny

 

[maxrevs85]

Milage exempt usually means over 100, 000 miles......There are sooo many C4's out there, I can't see using e-bay as a source....I'd pass. MHO.

 

[tnovot]

Dawn -
You won the bid but ebay has an out for you so you are not obligated if the car is
"Merchandise not as described."
I agree with others that you should pass. There are too many uncertainties and there are other C4's out there with less miles and more integrity. Don't let one item like wheels decide the purchase. You can always buy wheels.
IMHO, bail out while you can.
Terry

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Hi, Dawn.

Take the car. Running the numbers, here's my analysis: These cars , high mileage and in so-so condition, routinely go for between $4-$5K---ones you see going for less are, essentially, salvage and undriveable. You are at about $7.3K. Yet, the car appears, to you, to be in good condition. Also, you like it. Given all this, see if you can get a slight break on the price to cover the mileage business and take the car. Even if it doesn't work out, you are still only a bit above what a car which needs major restoration goes for.

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[chevyaddict]

Ok... I think I am going to do just what you guys say and back out. Book value for the car in that area is only $5425 with 157000 miles.... I did let him know if he could find proof of an engine rebuild or something letting me know the car was mechanically "refreshed" that might make me reconsider.... I haven't heard back. I only have one feedback with this new account.... my other ebay account was kept by the "x".... I think I got caught up in the excitement of it all and something about the looks of this car "grabbed" me.... my handle says it all.... that is what addicts do... act before they think. Thanks all!!

 

[LannyL81]

Dawn,
Just wanted to point out something else, even though I read where you are going to pass on the car. The wheels are not OEM ZR-1 wheels, these are aftermarket...same ones as are on my 96 CE. For what its worth.

You are such an addict......

Now go bleed your brakes on the 81 and stop shopping!!

Later,
Lanny

 

[vett boy]

Bad vibb's

 

[MoeJr]

I think it is wise to back out. take the money and put it towards one of your other Vettes and fix that up to drive. Out in AZ you can drive year round.