<VV> Tale of woe -- still looking for a good car

Mon Nov 6 18:17:28 EST 2006

I have never before "tried" to buy a car.  It was always one of those 
deals where I "happen" to see something I want (trolling CORSA and 
ebay contributes to this :-)) -- but I never really tried to just go 
out and buy one.  It is MUCH more frustrating when you have a 
specific goal/car in mind and can't find it ... takes some of the fun 
out of it.

At 01:50 PM 11/6/2006, you wrote:
>Eric,
>
>Sounds like a bum deal.  I have found that photos make both 
>excellent and average cars look the same "good".  When I bought the 
>Crown Corvair the seller made a video walking around the 
>car.  Although the resolutionis not as high as still photos, every 
>flaw in the paint showed up (you were seeing from many different 
>angles) when the car showed up there were no suprises.
>
>I have had excellent results buying off CORSA online 
>classifieds.  Only one car did not live up to my expectations, but 
>it was still worth what I paid for it.
>
>  Saturday went on a 600 mile (round trip) to pick up a 1965 Monza 
> Convertible purchased off the CORSA classifieds.  The owner had the 
> car since '78 and was stalled on his restoration.  He had already 
> sandblasted and painted the underside, rebuilt the suspention, 
> shifter and engine,  done most of the bodywork with tig welded 
> steel patch panels.  Needs the bodywork finished, an interior 
> (which I already have) and a top.  110 4 speed $2000.  Lots of NOS 
> trim including a LM nosebar.    Maybe it is the "Grass is greener " 
> syndrome, but when I am looking all the great buys seem to be on 
> the west coast <G>.
>
>Hang in there, something should turn up.
>
>Terry Kalp
>---- "Eric S. Eberhard" <flash at vicsmba.com> wrote:
> > So I won a nice little 62 Coupe on ebay.  All original, low miles,
> > one owner, excellent shape except for the ugly seat
> > covers.  Advertised as a daily driver.  The price was OK, not cheap,
> > not expensive.
> >
> > I won it on Friday, and I don't like to pay anything until I see the
> > car.  So Sunday I started out with a friend on the 500 mile drive,
> > trailer in tow and cash in hand, to pick up the car.
> >
> > Wow!  Quite a car.  I cannot believe anyone could that cleverly take
> > pictures of a car and avoid the obvious flaws.  I don't have the time
> > to give a complete list but:
> > RUSTY everywhere.  Very poor and old repaint over rust. Respray over
> > everything (rubber, carpets, cardboard, whatever).  90% of all rubber
> > missing (the rest was painted).  See through floors (the better to
> > enjoy the view of the pavement while driving?).  He had a nice
> > picture of a fair looking hubcap.  The rest were completely trashed
> > and smashed.  Rear engine mount broken, shrouds missing, no engine
> > compartment seals, crunchy suspension.  Dents everywhere the camera
> > was not too close to in the listing.  Heater system removed (ducts in
> > engine compartment, the body, and even the defroster ducts, etc.  No
> > glove box.  At all.  Any empty hole.  It ran!!!!  Knocked.  Touch the
> > brakes and one of the wheels (right front) had brakes.  Easy to turn
> > to the right!!!!  Every piece of chrome was pitted beyond
> > repair.  Not seat covers, it was a two buck re-upholstery ... they
> > did not use new buns but apparently used old packing foam to cram
> > under the covers, leaving bare metal bulging up the cloth.
> >
> > It was so bad that if he had offered to give it to me, I would have
> > refused.  SO I got to drive back 500 miles with an empty
> > trailer.  Joy joy.  I have never seen a car to badly misrepresented
> > as this one.  Pure JUNK. It practically screamed "RUN, DON'T WALK!"
> >
> > The only thing that could have been worse would have been if I
> > actually paid money for that fright pig!!!!!!  I have purchased all
> > of my existing Corvairs on ebay, all pleasant experiences, so I was
> > not prepared for this at all.  To really round out the day, he was
> > mad at ME!!!!  After I drove 1,000 miles round trip for no reason.  I
> > could see him not noticing a few things (his excuse was he was not
> > Corvair expert) but the missing glove box with old ducting and wiring
> > hanging down, the bad brakes, and the see through floors are really
> > hard to miss, even for non-experts!
> >
> > Still looking ...
> >
> > This email sent by:
> >
> > Eric S. Eberhard
> > (928) 567-3727          Voice
> > (928) 567-6122          Fax
> >
> > 928-301-7537 -- you may call any time day or night, I turn it off
> > when I sleep :-)  Please try to use a land line first (reception 
> often poor).
> >
> > Note the change in the domain from vicspdi.com to vicsmba.com !!!!
> >
> > For Metropolis support and VICS MBA Support!!!!
> >
> > http://www.vicsmba.com
> >
> > Completely updated web site of personal pictures with many new
> > pictures!  Includes horses, dogs, Corvairs, and more.
> >
> > http://www.vicsmba.com/ourpics/index.html
> >
> > Corvair pictures including the Judson setup on our 62 Sedan and lots
> > of pictures of Cheryl's 62 Monza Wagon and our 62 Spyder convertible.
> >
> > http://www.vicsmba.com/ourpics/corvairs.html
> >
> > My younger brother Martin has started a very serious car company.  A
> > hot rod (very fast) electric roadster is the first offering.  The
> > chassis is built by Lotus to their specs.  Check it
> > out:  http://www.teslamotors.com
> >
> >
> >  _______________________________________________
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This email sent by:

Eric S. Eberhard
(928) 567-3727          Voice
(928) 567-6122          Fax

928-301-7537 -- you may call any time day or night, I turn it off 
when I sleep :-)  Please try to use a land line first (reception often poor).

Note the change in the domain from vicspdi.com to vicsmba.com !!!!

For Metropolis support and VICS MBA Support!!!!

http://www.vicsmba.com

Completely updated web site of personal pictures with many new 
pictures!  Includes horses, dogs, Corvairs, and more.

http://www.vicsmba.com/ourpics/index.html

Corvair pictures including the Judson setup on our 62 Sedan and lots 
of pictures of Cheryl's 62 Monza Wagon and our 62 Spyder convertible.

http://www.vicsmba.com/ourpics/corvairs.html

My younger brother Martin has started a very serious car company.  A 
hot rod (very fast) electric roadster is the first offering.  The 
chassis is built by Lotus to their specs.  Check it 
out:  http://www.teslamotors.com