Ever buy a vehicle that something didn’t add up but still went through with it.
12-12-2010, 10:42 AM
#1
Retired Administrator
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Ever buy a vehicle that something didn’t add up but still went through with it.
Ever buy a vehicle that something didn’t add up but still went through with it.
Have been looking hard for a 4x4 S10 or Ranger with regular cab and auto trans for my 16 year old Son. I originally bought a 2wd F-150 w manual trans but decided it shifted pretty poorly (I have hard time shifting it and I drove stick most of my life to include Army trucks).
I have been looking through Craigslist and Ebay for about 6 months. The 4x4 small USA labeled trucks sell for well above KBB on Ebay. Not sure why but there is a big demand for these used. Anything decent on Craigslist at a fair price sells fast, I suspect by resellers who scout Craigslist non-stop.
I found a S10 1 owner garage kept on Ebay about 80 miles from where I am at in Alabama from a private seller with history of five prior actions, but no selling history and 1 month total time as registered on Ebay. The VIN didn’t appear on the Ebay ad so I could not pull a CARFAX. I decided to see if I could find it so I drove and low and behold, I found the S10. Ran the CARFAX from my notebook/cell connection and it was a 3 owner salvage titled and it was a POS. The auction had 3 days left and the bidding was already over $5500.00 I emailed Ebay about the fraud and they cancelled the listing. My guess is this guy is a pure fraudster and knows what he is doing, sells in demand vehicles and ships them out of state and then creates a new ebay account.
Here is the listing that was cancelled for fraud:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...#ht_500wt_1182
Anyways, found a S10 for sale on Craigslist out of Nashville. Stated 4x4, great condition, lady driven , 2 owners, low mileage and will post pics later. $5500.00 I e-mailed requesting the VIN, mileage and transmission type. Received a response stating husband would call tomorrow. Got the call and the seller could not answer much about it. Stated he also had a second car for sale and was driving it to show it. Both cars where his Mom’* who was to sick to drive anymore.
I drove to the Mom’* house in a tiny Tennessee town. Met the guy but never met the Mom. I could not believe how clean it was. I am talking about the frame and the brake, fuel lines. I checked with a fine tooth comb but could not see any corrosion or dirt anywhere underneath the vehicle. It had the same Michelins I always buy and they were in good shape and they are expensive. The S10 had no modifications. I tried to run a carfax but no cell signal. I looked at the mileage and it was 145k. It didn’t add up. How can it be flawless underneath and yet be that high mileage? The seller told me his Mom bought it from a even older man and she was second owner.
The test drive went fine. I did discover oil all over the oil pan. Assumed it was a seal, Also looked like it needs the intake manifold gasket replaced as pressure did not build in the radiator and the overflow was dry. Opened the radiator and it needed coolant.
With the above issue, I felt that I should still purchase with the assumption I may need to swap the engine. The seller played dumb about the oil issue. Researching after the purchase may point to oil cooler lines being bad and causing the leak.
He asked $5500 and said it was firm. I told him it was too much to risk with the oil leak. We agreed on $5000. I wrote him a personal out of state check and he gave me the title. I agreed not to pick up the S10 until the check cleared.
Got home and ran the VIN. 4 owners, all within the same county. Only one lean. The mileage still bothered me but I felt that it was so clean it was ok. Even the engine bay and components were spotless, not just the engine wash type clean. Still can’t figure out the vehicle. Wondered if it was a 2002-2004 stolen and a 1998 VIN used. Checked the title and the title matched the address and the name on the check.
Crazy story- now I have to figure out how to get it home 650 miles.
Have been looking hard for a 4x4 S10 or Ranger with regular cab and auto trans for my 16 year old Son. I originally bought a 2wd F-150 w manual trans but decided it shifted pretty poorly (I have hard time shifting it and I drove stick most of my life to include Army trucks).
I have been looking through Craigslist and Ebay for about 6 months. The 4x4 small USA labeled trucks sell for well above KBB on Ebay. Not sure why but there is a big demand for these used. Anything decent on Craigslist at a fair price sells fast, I suspect by resellers who scout Craigslist non-stop.
I found a S10 1 owner garage kept on Ebay about 80 miles from where I am at in Alabama from a private seller with history of five prior actions, but no selling history and 1 month total time as registered on Ebay. The VIN didn’t appear on the Ebay ad so I could not pull a CARFAX. I decided to see if I could find it so I drove and low and behold, I found the S10. Ran the CARFAX from my notebook/cell connection and it was a 3 owner salvage titled and it was a POS. The auction had 3 days left and the bidding was already over $5500.00 I emailed Ebay about the fraud and they cancelled the listing. My guess is this guy is a pure fraudster and knows what he is doing, sells in demand vehicles and ships them out of state and then creates a new ebay account.
Here is the listing that was cancelled for fraud:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...#ht_500wt_1182
Anyways, found a S10 for sale on Craigslist out of Nashville. Stated 4x4, great condition, lady driven , 2 owners, low mileage and will post pics later. $5500.00 I e-mailed requesting the VIN, mileage and transmission type. Received a response stating husband would call tomorrow. Got the call and the seller could not answer much about it. Stated he also had a second car for sale and was driving it to show it. Both cars where his Mom’* who was to sick to drive anymore.
I drove to the Mom’* house in a tiny Tennessee town. Met the guy but never met the Mom. I could not believe how clean it was. I am talking about the frame and the brake, fuel lines. I checked with a fine tooth comb but could not see any corrosion or dirt anywhere underneath the vehicle. It had the same Michelins I always buy and they were in good shape and they are expensive. The S10 had no modifications. I tried to run a carfax but no cell signal. I looked at the mileage and it was 145k. It didn’t add up. How can it be flawless underneath and yet be that high mileage? The seller told me his Mom bought it from a even older man and she was second owner.
The test drive went fine. I did discover oil all over the oil pan. Assumed it was a seal, Also looked like it needs the intake manifold gasket replaced as pressure did not build in the radiator and the overflow was dry. Opened the radiator and it needed coolant.
With the above issue, I felt that I should still purchase with the assumption I may need to swap the engine. The seller played dumb about the oil issue. Researching after the purchase may point to oil cooler lines being bad and causing the leak.
He asked $5500 and said it was firm. I told him it was too much to risk with the oil leak. We agreed on $5000. I wrote him a personal out of state check and he gave me the title. I agreed not to pick up the S10 until the check cleared.
Got home and ran the VIN. 4 owners, all within the same county. Only one lean. The mileage still bothered me but I felt that it was so clean it was ok. Even the engine bay and components were spotless, not just the engine wash type clean. Still can’t figure out the vehicle. Wondered if it was a 2002-2004 stolen and a 1998 VIN used. Checked the title and the title matched the address and the name on the check.
Crazy story- now I have to figure out how to get it home 650 miles.
12-12-2010, 11:39 AM
#3
Retired Administrator
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Good idea. I have my Bonny with me and have a F-350 regular cab at home, but I would have to drive 600 miles to the S10 and then drive 600 miles back. I would have to take two vacations days also as I have been away from home since summer and no way wife will let me go on a road trip during a weekend near Christmas. I am her Christmas laborer. Checked into shipping rates, about $600, but the bigger issue is that most shipping companies never guarantee a pickup date and I am on my last day here this upcoming Friday.
One way flight from Chicago to Huntsville is $400, expensive route
One way flight from Chicago to Huntsville is $400, expensive route
12-12-2010, 12:01 PM
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
What is the VIN? We can prolly throw it in to Compnine and look for any anomalies. Also the vin should match on the dash, and the RPO sticker in the glove box also.
12-12-2010, 12:22 PM
#7
Senior Member
True Car Nut
http://www.compnine.com/vid.php?vin=1GCCT14W1WK191661+
Nothing jumping out at me to be honest.
RPO Description Matches
UP0 RADIO AM/FM STEREO, SEEK/SCAN, AUTO REV MUSIC SEARCH CASS, CD, AUTO TONE, CLOCK, ETR. STEREO,AM/FM W/AUTO REV CASSETTE,CD,AUTO TONE(UP0)
38,560
UP8 RADIO,PROVISIONS FOR STEREO INSTRUMENTATION STEREO RDO PROVISIONS(UP
624,996
U16 TACHOMETER,ENGINE TACH(U16)
252,354
U73 ANTENNA,FIXED FIXED ANT(U73)
625,000
VF6 BUMPER,REAR STEP RR STEP BPR(VF6)
651,118
VXS Unk. 658,128
V73 VEHICLE STATEMENT - US/CANADA US/CANADA VEHICLE STATEMENT(V73)
637,152
XJJ TIRE FRONT 31 X 10.50R15LT/C BW R/PE ST TL OOR TIRE(XJJ)
25,244
X88 CONVERSION CHEVROLET CHEVROLET(X8
MARKET BRAND CHEVROLET CHEVROLET(X8(EXPORT)
530,042
YC3 COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE PACKAGE,#3(PERSONAL LUXURY) CONVENIENCE PKG #3(YC3)
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE PACKAGE,#3(PERSONAL LUXURY) DECOR PKG LEVEL #3(YC3)
407,112
YD3 AXLE FRONT (BASE EQUIP) FOR SCHEDULING GVW PLATE FRT AXLE(YD3)
658,128
YD5 SPRING,FRONT(BASE EQUIPMENT) FRT SPRING(YD5)
658,128
YD6 SPRING,REAR(BASE EQUIPMENT) RR SPRING(YD6)
658,128
YJJ TIRE REAR 31 X 10.50R15LT/C BW R/PE ST TL OOR TIRE(YJJ)
25,244
ZJJ TIRE SPARE 31 X 10.50R15LT/C BW R/PE ST TL OOR SPARE TIRE(ZJJ)
25,244
ZM5 SHIELD PACKAGE,UNDERBODY U/B SHLD PKG(ZM5)
33,964
ZQ3 DRIVER CONVENIENCE PACKAGE II(MERCHANDISING OPTION) DRVR CONVENIENCE PKG(ZQ3)
309,238
ZQ6 DRIVER CONVENIENCE PACKAGE III DRVR CONVENIENCE PKG III(ZQ6)
92,074
ZR2 "HIGH WIDER" PERFORMANCE PACKAGE,4 X 4 SPORT HIGH WIDER PKG(ZR2)
25,244
ZY1 COLOR COMBINATION SOLID SOLID PAINT COMBO(ZY1)
632,682
1SR OPTION PACKAGE #15 OPTION PACKAGE #15 OPTION PKG(1SR)
27,638
1SZ PACKAGE OPTION- (1SZ)
601,066
12H TRIM COMBINATION CLOTH, GRAPHITE (12H)
287,886
12I INTERIOR TRIM GRAPHITE (12I)
346,514
50U EXTERIOR COLOR ,PRIMARY,OLYMPIC WHITE (50U)
EXTERIOR COLOR - STONE BEIGE MET (50U)
EXTERIOR COLOR,PRIMARY (50U)
128,760
6WK COMPONENT FRT LH COMPUTER SEL SUP (6WK) SUSP(6WK)
67,658
7WK COMPONENT FRT RH COMPUTER SEL SUP (7WK) SUSP(7WK)
67,658
AU0 LOCK CONTROL,REMOTE ENTRY(KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM) REMOTE ENTRY LK CONT(AU0)
59,004
AU3 LOCK,SIDE DOOR,ELECTRIC ELEC */D LK(AU3)
92,056
AV5 FRONT HIGH BACK BUCKET SEAT FRT HIGH BACK BKT ST(AV5)
135,590
A28 WINDOW,SLIDING GLASS,REAR WINDOW SLIDING R/WDO(A2
68,946
A31 WINDOW,ELECTRIC OPERATED,SIDE ELEC SI WDO(A31)
WINDOW,POWER OPERATED,ALL DOORS PWR WINDOWS(A31)
92,056
A78 ADJUSTER,FRT ST BK MAN RECLINING,PASSENGER AND DRIVER MAN RECL ST BACK ADJR(A7
479,256
B30 CARPET,FLOOR AND WHEELHOUSE FLR CPT(B30)
523,484
B32 COVERING,FLOOR MATS,FRONT AUXILIARY FRT AUX FLR MATS(B32)
365,076
C5X GVW RATING(4650 LBS) 4650 LB GVWR(C5X)
11,088
C60 AIR CONDITIONER,FRONT,MANUAL CONTROLS A/C MAN CONT(C60)
592,048
DC4 MIRROR,INSIDE,REARVIEW TILT,DUAL READING LAMP I/* DUAL READING LP RR VIEW MIR(DC4)
517,642
DH2 MIRROR,INSIDE, ILLUMINATED,LH & RH,WITH DUAL SUNSHADE ILLUM */* MIR(DH2)
517,638
D48 MIRROR O/* LH & RH, REMOTE CONTROL, ELECTRIC, COLOR ELEC R/CON PAINTED O/* MIR(D4
85,836
D55 CONSOLE,FRONT COMPARTMENT FLOOR F/CMPT FLR CNSL(D55)
135,590
EVA TEST DVT, EVAP EMISSION REQUIREMENT EVAP EMISSIONS REQUIRED(EVA)
657,766
E63 BODY EQUIPMENT,FLEETSIDE PICKUP BOX FLEETSIDE PUBX(E63)
585,218
FE9 FEDERAL EMISSION CERTIFICATION FED EMIS(FE9)
547,080
FK2 ARM,TORSION BAR,SPRING ADJUST,LH TORS BAR SPR ADJ ARM(FK2)
28,010
FK3 ARM,TORSION BAR,SPRING ADJUST,RH TORS BAR SPR ADJ ARM(FK3)
28,010
GT4 AXLE,REAR,3.73 RATIO 3.73R(GT4)
221,586
G80 AXLE,REAR,POSITRACTION,LIMITED SLIP POSITRACTION L/SLIP R/AXL(G80)
60,466
JC1 BRAKE VAC POWER, 4 WHL DISC, 5,500 LBS BRAKE VAC PWR(JC1)
71,054
K34 CRUISE CONTROL,AUTOMATIC,ELECTRONIC CRCONT(K34)
309,238
K60 GENERATOR,100 AMPERE 100 AMP(K60)
658,128
LIN PLANT CODE-LINDEN, NEW JERSEY (CPC) LINDEN, NJ PLANT CODE(LIN)
257,728
L35 ENGINE,4.3L(4.3W),CPI,V6,90 DEG 4.3W(L35)
42,608
M30 TRANSMISSION,AUTOMATIC 4 SPEED,4L60E,ELECTRONIC 4-SPD A/TRANS(M30)
358,924
NF2 EMISSION SYSTEM,FEDERAL,TIER 1 FED EMIS SYS(NF2)
568,074
NP1 TRANSFER CASE,ELECTRONIC SHIFT,TWO SPEED ELEK SHFT TRFER CASE(NP1)
71,054
NP5 STEERING WHEEL,LEATHER WRAPPED LEATHER WRAPPED STRG WHL(NP5)
45,686
N33 STEERING COLUMN,TILT TYPE TILT STRG COL(N33)
309,238
N40 STEERING,HYDRAULIC(NON-VARIABLE) NON-VARIABLE P/*(N40)
658,132
N90 WHEEL,15X7(CAST ALUMINUM) AL WHL(N90)
40,072
QJJ TIRE ALL 31X10.50R15LT/C BW R/PE ST TL OOR TIRE(QJJ)
25,244
RSA Unk. 658,132
R6V Unk. 363,366
R8T Unk. 79,694
R9U Unk. 132,948
SLM Unk. 574,584
T61 LIGHTING,DAYTIME RUNNING DAYTIME RUNNING LGT(T61)
613,838
UP0 RADIO AM/FM STEREO, SEEK/SCAN, AUTO REV MUSIC SEARCH CASS, CD, AUTO TONE, CLOCK, ETR. STEREO,AM/FM W/AUTO REV CASSETTE,CD,AUTO TONE(UP0)
38,560
UP8 RADIO,PROVISIONS FOR STEREO INSTRUMENTATION STEREO RDO PROVISIONS(UP
624,996
U16 TACHOMETER,ENGINE TACH(U16)
252,354
U73 ANTENNA,FIXED FIXED ANT(U73)
625,000
VF6 BUMPER,REAR STEP RR STEP BPR(VF6)
651,118
VXS Unk. 658,128
V73 VEHICLE STATEMENT - US/CANADA US/CANADA VEHICLE STATEMENT(V73)
637,152
XJJ TIRE FRONT 31 X 10.50R15LT/C BW R/PE ST TL OOR TIRE(XJJ)
25,244
X88 CONVERSION CHEVROLET CHEVROLET(X8
MARKET BRAND CHEVROLET CHEVROLET(X8
(EXPORT)530,042
YC3 COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE PACKAGE,#3(PERSONAL LUXURY) CONVENIENCE PKG #3(YC3)
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE PACKAGE,#3(PERSONAL LUXURY) DECOR PKG LEVEL #3(YC3)
407,112
YD3 AXLE FRONT (BASE EQUIP) FOR SCHEDULING GVW PLATE FRT AXLE(YD3)
658,128
YD5 SPRING,FRONT(BASE EQUIPMENT) FRT SPRING(YD5)
658,128
YD6 SPRING,REAR(BASE EQUIPMENT) RR SPRING(YD6)
658,128
YJJ TIRE REAR 31 X 10.50R15LT/C BW R/PE ST TL OOR TIRE(YJJ)
25,244
ZJJ TIRE SPARE 31 X 10.50R15LT/C BW R/PE ST TL OOR SPARE TIRE(ZJJ)
25,244
ZM5 SHIELD PACKAGE,UNDERBODY U/B SHLD PKG(ZM5)
33,964
ZQ3 DRIVER CONVENIENCE PACKAGE II(MERCHANDISING OPTION) DRVR CONVENIENCE PKG(ZQ3)
309,238
ZQ6 DRIVER CONVENIENCE PACKAGE III DRVR CONVENIENCE PKG III(ZQ6)
92,074
ZR2 "HIGH WIDER" PERFORMANCE PACKAGE,4 X 4 SPORT HIGH WIDER PKG(ZR2)
25,244
ZY1 COLOR COMBINATION SOLID SOLID PAINT COMBO(ZY1)
632,682
1SR OPTION PACKAGE #15 OPTION PACKAGE #15 OPTION PKG(1SR)
27,638
1SZ PACKAGE OPTION- (1SZ)
601,066
12H TRIM COMBINATION CLOTH, GRAPHITE (12H)
287,886
12I INTERIOR TRIM GRAPHITE (12I)
346,514
50U EXTERIOR COLOR ,PRIMARY,OLYMPIC WHITE (50U)
EXTERIOR COLOR - STONE BEIGE MET (50U)
EXTERIOR COLOR,PRIMARY (50U)
128,760
6WK COMPONENT FRT LH COMPUTER SEL SUP (6WK) SUSP(6WK)
67,658
7WK COMPONENT FRT RH COMPUTER SEL SUP (7WK) SUSP(7WK)
67,658
AU0 LOCK CONTROL,REMOTE ENTRY(KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM) REMOTE ENTRY LK CONT(AU0)
59,004
AU3 LOCK,SIDE DOOR,ELECTRIC ELEC */D LK(AU3)
92,056
AV5 FRONT HIGH BACK BUCKET SEAT FRT HIGH BACK BKT ST(AV5)
135,590
A28 WINDOW,SLIDING GLASS,REAR WINDOW SLIDING R/WDO(A2
68,946
A31 WINDOW,ELECTRIC OPERATED,SIDE ELEC SI WDO(A31)
WINDOW,POWER OPERATED,ALL DOORS PWR WINDOWS(A31)
92,056
A78 ADJUSTER,FRT ST BK MAN RECLINING,PASSENGER AND DRIVER MAN RECL ST BACK ADJR(A7
479,256
B30 CARPET,FLOOR AND WHEELHOUSE FLR CPT(B30)
523,484
B32 COVERING,FLOOR MATS,FRONT AUXILIARY FRT AUX FLR MATS(B32)
365,076
C5X GVW RATING(4650 LBS) 4650 LB GVWR(C5X)
11,088
C60 AIR CONDITIONER,FRONT,MANUAL CONTROLS A/C MAN CONT(C60)
592,048
DC4 MIRROR,INSIDE,REARVIEW TILT,DUAL READING LAMP I/* DUAL READING LP RR VIEW MIR(DC4)
517,642
DH2 MIRROR,INSIDE, ILLUMINATED,LH & RH,WITH DUAL SUNSHADE ILLUM */* MIR(DH2)
517,638
D48 MIRROR O/* LH & RH, REMOTE CONTROL, ELECTRIC, COLOR ELEC R/CON PAINTED O/* MIR(D4
85,836
D55 CONSOLE,FRONT COMPARTMENT FLOOR F/CMPT FLR CNSL(D55)
135,590
EVA TEST DVT, EVAP EMISSION REQUIREMENT EVAP EMISSIONS REQUIRED(EVA)
657,766
E63 BODY EQUIPMENT,FLEETSIDE PICKUP BOX FLEETSIDE PUBX(E63)
585,218
FE9 FEDERAL EMISSION CERTIFICATION FED EMIS(FE9)
547,080
FK2 ARM,TORSION BAR,SPRING ADJUST,LH TORS BAR SPR ADJ ARM(FK2)
28,010
FK3 ARM,TORSION BAR,SPRING ADJUST,RH TORS BAR SPR ADJ ARM(FK3)
28,010
GT4 AXLE,REAR,3.73 RATIO 3.73R(GT4)
221,586
G80 AXLE,REAR,POSITRACTION,LIMITED SLIP POSITRACTION L/SLIP R/AXL(G80)
60,466
JC1 BRAKE VAC POWER, 4 WHL DISC, 5,500 LBS BRAKE VAC PWR(JC1)
71,054
K34 CRUISE CONTROL,AUTOMATIC,ELECTRONIC CRCONT(K34)
309,238
K60 GENERATOR,100 AMPERE 100 AMP(K60)
658,128
LIN PLANT CODE-LINDEN, NEW JERSEY (CPC) LINDEN, NJ PLANT CODE(LIN)
257,728
L35 ENGINE,4.3L(4.3W),CPI,V6,90 DEG 4.3W(L35)
42,608
M30 TRANSMISSION,AUTOMATIC 4 SPEED,4L60E,ELECTRONIC 4-SPD A/TRANS(M30)
358,924
NF2 EMISSION SYSTEM,FEDERAL,TIER 1 FED EMIS SYS(NF2)
568,074
NP1 TRANSFER CASE,ELECTRONIC SHIFT,TWO SPEED ELEK SHFT TRFER CASE(NP1)
71,054
NP5 STEERING WHEEL,LEATHER WRAPPED LEATHER WRAPPED STRG WHL(NP5)
45,686
N33 STEERING COLUMN,TILT TYPE TILT STRG COL(N33)
309,238
N40 STEERING,HYDRAULIC(NON-VARIABLE) NON-VARIABLE P/*(N40)
658,132
N90 WHEEL,15X7(CAST ALUMINUM) AL WHL(N90)
40,072
QJJ TIRE ALL 31X10.50R15LT/C BW R/PE ST TL OOR TIRE(QJJ)
25,244
RSA Unk. 658,132
R6V Unk. 363,366
R8T Unk. 79,694
R9U Unk. 132,948
SLM Unk. 574,584
T61 LIGHTING,DAYTIME RUNNING DAYTIME RUNNING LGT(T61)
613,838
12-12-2010, 12:26 PM
#8
Senior Member
True Car Nut
I was referring to using it to scare out any fraud activity. The only flag I saw was that it was optioned with the ZR2 package, but is not stickered up for it. I do understand that stickers can get removed however. It looks kind of like it has the stance of a ZR2 though.
12-12-2010, 01:11 PM
#9
Retired Administrator
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
CARFAX shows no accidents and it was not fleet owned (fleet owned often will not show accidents) yet I sense the front end was painted and repaired and now no ZR2 sticker. Something is weird,,,,,,, but I can't figure it out.
