MG Midget Forum

Welcome! Sign In Register

Please Sign In or Register to Search

What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car???

Posted by jimfj

Want to advertise your business in this space? Click here for more information!

Page 2 of 2

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #21
hpmowog Karl Keiger Covington, LA, USA 1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite	Posted: June 15, 2012 04:26PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,994

1. Rust

2. Title issues

3. Price

4. Body and paint

5. Interior

I don't really worry about mechanical condition as that's the easy part.

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #22
hpmowog Karl Keiger Covington, LA, USA 1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite	Posted: June 15, 2012 04:28PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,994

Oh yeah, i forgot one............rubber bumpers devil smiley

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #23
autocomman mark w lost angy, USA 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye	Posted: June 15, 2012 06:30PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 492

Collision damage, check the triangles in teh front and body panels for bondo and straightness..overall fit of everything, especially the gaps around the doors.

Rust, and the quantity of it

Salvage title is a big no no for me

And a car that will require smog, is all the emissions equipment there

And depending on how much of a project i want, ill pay more for a complete un-butchered car as opposed to a dirty cheep car thats missing parts and has been horribly abused.

You can figure they will most all need suspension work, maybe some oil leaks, and worn rubber/plastic parts

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #24
200mph Mike J Lake Norman, NC, USA 1965 Ford Ranchero 1967 Austin-Healey Sprite 1967 MG MGB 1969 Austin-Healey Sprite 1974 MG MGB → more	Posted: June 15, 2012 07:31PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 3,975

Interesting thread... I would say:

1. RUST. Nothing will empty your wallet faster than structural rust repair.

2. BONDO. Rust repair waiting to be properly repaired.

3. FLAKING PAINT. Properly prepping a car for repaint is time consuming, repaint is expensive.

4. DPO WORK. Signs of botched, short-cut or improper repair/replacement by the dumb prior owner.

5. RATTLECAN RESTORATION. Flat black paint anywhere it wasn't originally. What is it hiding?

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #25
AmishIndy Seth Jones Wheaton, IL, USA 1971 MG Midget MkIII "Guenevire" 2007 Mazda 3 "Porco Rosso"	Posted: June 15, 2012 09:28PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 3,085

The following are listed in order of severity starting with the most negotiable

#5 Unrealistic asking price
#4 No Engine or drive train
#3 Rusty Body
#2 No Body
#1 No Car

of course dead hooker in the trunk is a doozie.

Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #26
smokey1971 Les Boardman St. Petersburg, FL, USA 1969 MG Midget	Posted: June 15, 2012 10:01PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 146

Depending on how long she has been in there, the dead hooker in the trunk is usually not too hard to detect, even when covered with an old tarp. What's even worse is finding a dead drag queen in there.

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #27
prop46 Prop Black Hole Midget Missouri, USA	Posted: June 15, 2012 10:19PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,582

Guys... We have to put a stop to the dead hooker joke... Ive recieved another note from the principle... That type of comment is inappropiate and to refrain from this type of comment

So to those that found the dead hooker comment in appropiate and offensive.. Hey i can admit that it was bad form, and not approperate for a forum that is intended to be family friendly... I was wrong and should have been more sensitive to the forum decore we ALL agreed to particapte under

Granted ... No mention of the word "creapy" like my last offensive coment so thats a plus...but I can see how this type of humor is not for public display considering our open door all is welcome policy

So please be restrain from further dead hooker in the rear boot/ trunk comments as i will also

Sorry guys....i am in the wrong on this... After all we do have young people that vist from time to time... And if i had children... Im sure after thinking about it... I wouldnt want them subjected to this type of humor as well

Prop

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2012 10:26PM by prop46.

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #28
SafetyFast Shareef Hassan Managua, Nicaragua 1966 Volkswagen 1300 1973 MG MGB	Posted: June 16, 2012 06:56PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 531

Good Luck. There has been a lot a good advice. Even though Victoria British is close choose your parts wisely.

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #29
Robby Bob Hill Park City, TN, USA 1964 Ford Thunderbird 1965 Chevrolet Corvair 1979 MG MGB 1979 MG Midget 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK350	Posted: June 16, 2012 08:43PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 377

1 - rust. If there is much at all I walk away. For the most part any rust causes me to walk unless it is minor and is mainly non significant place (I.e. trunk lid)

2 - already disassembled. Unless the guy has done a great job of identifying parts, etc. I walk away

3 - lots of mechanical issues - a few might be okay but if every single mechanical aspect needs attention, I walk

4 - price if it is unreasonable for the condition of the car

5 - owner attitude. Walked away from some nice cars because I couldn't stand dealing with the seller

Bob

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2012 10:45PM by Robby.

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #30
dkellermeyer Danny Kellermeyer Lima, Ohio, USA 1970 MG Midget MkIII "Old Betsy"	Posted: June 18, 2012 09:54AM Registered: 12 months ago Posts: 45

Here's a deal breaker for me: raising a Midget and putting it midget on giant wheels so it looks like a toy.

It's for sale on craigslist: http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/3064865341.html

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #31
woodstock1 jim jensen cleveland, USA	Posted: June 18, 2012 05:05PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 510

....well- absolutely watch out for a wise guy seller- a rude sob or a rude snob- used car sellers should treat a customer as king- if not- then they are covering up a car's faults with aggression or haughtiness. depart quickly....i would suggest extreme caution in buying a non-running- or non-mobile car........even if the appearance is ok..........be prepared to spend $ in engine repair or gearbox replacement......e.g.- you absolutely do NOT want a car with bad 2nd gear synchros.........yeah- do check on kansas vintage car smog laws- if exempt, then smog garbage missing is no problem.....try and take a midget owner with you- a chap who does work on his own car- you could ask a victoria's secret chap for help.......lastly- sellers do lie about cars. listen to a seller's story- but form your own conclusions.....realise that a clutch job on a midget requires an engine pull- and a bit of mechanical knowledge and much patience........good luck.....cheerio, jim

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #32
Highway Dave Highway West Hills, USA 1966 MG Midget MkII "Speck" 1972 MG Midget MkIII "Lilly"	Posted: June 18, 2012 06:12PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 48

1. Rust, obviously. Duh.
2. No title; can get expensive and bothersome hauling it around to get verified.
3. Distance and ability to drag it home.
4. Suspension issues, as mentioned.
5. Receptiveness of spouse to another project. Happy wife = happy life.

The attitude of the seller shouldn't play a part, but I have found that to creep in more often than not.
I recently went to look at the car pictured below which was clearly listed as a parts Midget.

When I checked it out I suggested that it was really on the edge of being possibly restored,
but unfortunately the rust issues made it a little more of a project than I was looking for.

I made a low offer that the seller took offense to, stating the rust was there as long as he owned it. ( It has been off the road for decades! )
I apologized and suggested he call the local MG shop to see if they would be interested in the parts, thanked him for his time and walked away.
He shouted after me down the driveway that I could have it for slightly more than my offer, but at that point I had soured to the whole situation and moved on.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/18/2012 06:17PM by Highway.

Reply Quote

Attachments:

latest midge.jpg (10.2 KB) –

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #33
woodstock1 jim jensen cleveland, USA	Posted: June 18, 2012 06:19PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 510

In reply to # 2094662 by hpmowog Oh yeah, i forgot one............rubber bumpers devil smiley

BAH>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>rubber bumpers be fine.............. steelies be fine......all british, it is........some colours look fab on rubber bumper cars.......

Reply Quote

Re: What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car??? #34
woodstock1 jim jensen cleveland, USA	Posted: June 18, 2012 06:28PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 510

dave- yeah- the yellers are bad news......you did the right thing........i learned that the most diplomatic buying approach was not to complain about anything......i just say, 'i like these cars'......then- 'well, it needs a bit of work; i could do you about $-......' and not to argue or explain.....i once recall a B that was advertised at $1000 firm.......then $900 firm........i took a chance and called with loads of courtesy and caution.....dude actually said he would take offers.......got it for $500.....one never knows, eh....?!.....jim

Reply Quote

Page 2 of 2

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

RSS

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute

MGB & GT · MG Midget · Buy, Sell & Trade · Vendor & Group Buy · MG Engine Swaps · Original MG · MGA · MGC · MG Magnette · 1100 & 1300 · T-Series & Prewar · Modern MGs · MG Motorsports · MG-2013 Event · Member Meetup · Other Vehicles · Off Topic · Clubs

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Check the Forum Help File (FAQ) or contact the webmaster.
View the archived version of this thread.
Built using Phorum Open Source Software

The MG Experience

www.mgexp.com

MG Midget Forum

What are the top 5 dealbreakers when buying a car???

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!Members Sign In if you've already registered, orRegister a New AccountRegistration is free and takes less than a minute

Join Our Club

MGExp Menu

—

Adjust Text Size

More to Explore

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute