A friend had told me that there is a hearse for sale in a neighboring town. I had to go there for work today, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and check out the car. My wife had been in that town last week, and she had snapped a couple pics, including one that said $2500, and another that identified the car as a Superior, and another indicating that it comes with a 30 day warranty (which is better than most hell-hole car lots.)
As stated, the seller is a dealer, so I already was bracing for... well, shenanigans. First shenanigan is the dealer is nowhere to be found! So I look at the car (which was unlocked) for ten minutes before he showed up. I found the rear bumper was tweaked pretty well, and the car had been subject to a repaint, which I'm pretty sure was performed by a drunk giraffe with a spray-can taped to his head. The pinstriping on the body was painted over, and there was no pinstripes on the front fenders, so I figured it was a rebuilt wreck. Also, the hood pull didn't work, and the body lines weren't even close to square.
The dealer finally showed up and we started the car. It started a little slow (probably needed a battery charge) and sounded good, except for an obvious exhaust leak. Only 52,000 miles, drivers compartment was very clean. Payload area wasn't so great, but I wouldn't be putting the car into service, so that didn't matter so much.
We talk, and I ask him if it has a straight title or is it salvage (I already know it's salvage.) He said it's salvage due to a flood - but the car has a replacement front end (bumper, header panel, fenders, and probably hood) but no visible water damage, so I know the guy is lying. Also, despite the fact that it was clearly marked $2500 last week, he claims he has already turned down two offers of $2500, he wants $3000, and he starts telling me that some rocker wants to buy it for his band so it might not last long.
Not born yesterday.
Pass.
As stated, the seller is a dealer, so I already was bracing for... well, shenanigans. First shenanigan is the dealer is nowhere to be found! So I look at the car (which was unlocked) for ten minutes before he showed up. I found the rear bumper was tweaked pretty well, and the car had been subject to a repaint, which I'm pretty sure was performed by a drunk giraffe with a spray-can taped to his head. The pinstriping on the body was painted over, and there was no pinstripes on the front fenders, so I figured it was a rebuilt wreck. Also, the hood pull didn't work, and the body lines weren't even close to square.
The dealer finally showed up and we started the car. It started a little slow (probably needed a battery charge) and sounded good, except for an obvious exhaust leak. Only 52,000 miles, drivers compartment was very clean. Payload area wasn't so great, but I wouldn't be putting the car into service, so that didn't matter so much.
We talk, and I ask him if it has a straight title or is it salvage (I already know it's salvage.) He said it's salvage due to a flood - but the car has a replacement front end (bumper, header panel, fenders, and probably hood) but no visible water damage, so I know the guy is lying. Also, despite the fact that it was clearly marked $2500 last week, he claims he has already turned down two offers of $2500, he wants $3000, and he starts telling me that some rocker wants to buy it for his band so it might not last long.
Not born yesterday.
Pass.
