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Originally Posted by husker boxster
If the ins co totaled it, how can it have a clean title or carfax? Has the title been washed clean in some other state? That all sounds fishy to me.
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Indeed. Same. But I honestly can't tell if I'm dealing with fishy, or clueless, or disconnected from the circumstances- he might just be selling the car for his cousin, or perhaps for his "cousin." The guy selling the car had never heard of the IMS issue. He is personable and polite and *seems* straightforward but was born in a country that perhaps has different codes for negotiating transactions, and does not operate by the standards I'm used to.
Yes, the title has a murky history which I did not go fully into. Has the title been washed by going Hawaii to California? I don't know, but probably, and he might be more attracted to me as a buyer from out of state than he is about locals. The CA title doesn't have the word "salvaged" on it anywhere, but it comes up on CarFax and other sites right away. If I buy the car, the plan is to drive it 3-4 days a week for 10-15 years and then not lie about whatever I learn about its history when it comes time to sell it. I'm not flipping cars for profit, I just want to drive this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster
Also, the heater core is generally on the passenger side so if it leaked, it would be in the passenger foot well. The CPU is under the driver's seat. No way the passenger flood from a heater core leak would get to the driver's side. There's nothing valuable enough to total a car in the passenger footwell or seat.
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All good to know, but I was not very clear: I THINK the seller was talking about a household water heater in a garage somehow flooding the car, and not the car's heater core itself Could be wrong, and I will ask tonight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster
Yes, the button with the shock absorber on it is for PASM. When activated, the suspension tightens up but it DOES NOT lower the car. PASM cars come 10mm lower than std suspension cars but are always 10mm lower whether PASM is activated or not.
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Got it, thanks. The seller also told me he thought the car gets lower, AND the wheels extend outward from the car, AND they angle outward for better grip, as though the axles are articulated, and can get longer, and then angle the tires. Uh-huh.
Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster
That's not normal. My guess is based on it not being driven much lately is the owner has been in the habit of starting the car and just letting it idle for 5 min.
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That's pretty much what the dealer service manager said via email today. He said he could get closer to the truth with a PPI but maybe not 100%
Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster
99% of the time you need to be a dealer to buy cars at auction.
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Seller's cousin (who originally got the car) has a shop in Lodi, FWIW) so maybe that tracks.
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Originally Posted by husker boxster
This one has more red flags than a CCP parade.
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Hilarious.
>> We're shifting to a buyer's mkt.[/QUOTE]
THAT's good to hear. Though it's typical of me to be buying at the very peak. Same as my house, cars, ETFs, etc...
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