Could this be an absolute bargain?
- Thread starter Hairyarse
- Start date
It could be fantastically good; or it could be full of rot with clapped out suspension, a failing head gasket and all sorts of other problem. I am not having a go at that car or owner, but it is well known that these cars can look excellent whilst concealing all sorts of trouble. There is no way of establishing the true condition of a car without going to see it and inspecting carefully, and getting a lot more info about the wok that has and has not been done within the last three years or so. Routine servicing is nice to see, but in itself it is in no way adequate to keeping a 28 year old car in excellent condition.
I just can't think of a good reason why I would go any distance to see a 944 for sale if the advert doesn't bother to say what state the sills are it; when the calipers were rebuilt; when the fuel and brake pipes were done; when the water pump was last changed; when it last has a head gasket, and so on. The fact that it has "one new tyre" is not especially comforting either. It would be so easy to say what make the tyres are, when they were new, and how much tread is on them...
pauljmcnulty
Active member
I do agree, why tell me about the one new tyre, not the other three? [&:]
To be fair, I think we have to remember that not all sellers are as clued-up as we forum junkies. Often they might not even be particularly literate, but that doesn't make them bad car owners. As you say, I'd not travel to see a car based on this advert. But, I'd not write it off until I'd had a telephone chat with the seller to ask exactly the sort of questions you raise.
Trouble is, you have to assume that "not mentioned" means "needs attention" unless otherwise informed.
pauljmcnulty
Active member
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vincematthews
Member
Sounds like the guy should have included a pint of the red stuff too in the deal [8D]
. . . . . . .and only two grand for a square dash.
Call me old fashioned but as a buyer, I would not expect all the info on a plate . . . if it was, I would still have to satisfy myself it was accurate as in "Buyer beware".
. . . . . . .and only two grand for a square dash.
Call me old fashioned but as a buyer, I would not expect all the info on a plate . . . if it was, I would still have to satisfy myself it was accurate as in "Buyer beware".
Vince:
Of course, in the days when you were putting an advert in the paper or a magazine, or on Auto Trader, andlimmited for space or paying by the word, you had to be selective about what you said: fair enough, and people accept that.
On eBay, where you can say as much as you like at no extra cost, people rightly expect, and should have made available, all the relevant information that the vendor can scrape together. It is in the interests of buyers and sellers both: the best-rated adverts are always those that give a very full and honest appraisal of the car. If in doubt, err on the side of too much info...
Yes, the buyer still has to verify it but that's what the paperwork that comes with the car ought to do, along with the evidence of the vehicle itself when the buyer comes to inspect it..
Of course, in the days when you were putting an advert in the paper or a magazine, or on Auto Trader, andlimmited for space or paying by the word, you had to be selective about what you said: fair enough, and people accept that.
On eBay, where you can say as much as you like at no extra cost, people rightly expect, and should have made available, all the relevant information that the vendor can scrape together. It is in the interests of buyers and sellers both: the best-rated adverts are always those that give a very full and honest appraisal of the car. If in doubt, err on the side of too much info...
Yes, the buyer still has to verify it but that's what the paperwork that comes with the car ought to do, along with the evidence of the vehicle itself when the buyer comes to inspect it..
DivineE
New member
Even from reading the title of this thread. No.
...after reading the kind of add that states replacing one tire as a possitive NOOOOO!!
James have you still not sold your black (my favourite colour) reasonable priced turbo? I saw that add a while ago. Would you please hurry up and sell it to remove the temptation to replace my Golf with something more interesting as a daily driver.
p.s. Or do you fancy a swap for a nice economical mk4 golf gti 1.8t (45.2mpg calculated over a tank, 30-35mpg around town)
...after reading the kind of add that states replacing one tire as a possitive NOOOOO!!
James have you still not sold your black (my favourite colour) reasonable priced turbo? I saw that add a while ago. Would you please hurry up and sell it to remove the temptation to replace my Golf with something more interesting as a daily driver.
p.s. Or do you fancy a swap for a nice economical mk4 golf gti 1.8t (45.2mpg calculated over a tank, 30-35mpg around town)
vincematthews
Member
In an ideal world I can't disagree, but how many of today's drivers are mechanically aware? That is to say they understand the implications of changing a part or the need to mention that something has been done or not done. Look at the trouble Paul has had with us on the forum trying to persuade us to change the cambelt on a time as well as mileage basis . . .
On the 1 tyre issue, generally I would agree but there are valid reasons, such as driving over a bottle or a nail, where a single tyre would need replacing.
Changing the head gasket as preventive maintenance as mentioned on other threads, is not a concept that I for one, buy into. When it fails, fix it, as done with generations of cars before.
This model forum by its nature tends to attact petrol heads and as such our opinions are not necessarily the same as those of the general public who also drive Porsches.
Here we are after all talking about a two grand car, which for the motor trade is just a banger.
I would also think that a lot of 944s are not daily drivers and don't need the level of reliability of having everything "just so" - nice if you've got the money but I'm not sure most people do at the moment.
As the car is only about 30 miles away, I've half a mind to go and see it to put you all out of your misery!! [
][][]We'll see . . .
JamesBall
Member
A sale is in progress. I wouldn't want to say more at this stage
The Golf sounds lovely but the Mrs 2.0tdi is enough Golfs for one family
Impressive mpg, btw. I only get 45mpg on a long motorway run out of the tdi. It is a Golf Plus though is is lugging extra weight/more wind resistance.
DivineE
New member
ORIGINAL: James Ball
A sale is in progress. I wouldn't want to say more at this stage
The Golf sounds lovely but the Mrs 2.0tdi is enough Golfs for one family
Good work and good choice on the golf. Much improved on the mk4 but despite the figures I could never get the same mpg out of the mk5 cars either?! My mk4 gt tdi could do over 60 on a run without too much strain. The mk5 tdi could never seem to break that 60 barrier. More like 45-55.
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