My first Wagon purchase experience
Call Me Sir
Band Wagon
I've been scouring craigslist for two years now trying to hunt down an unmolested RT4WD. This is no small endevor. I'm finding that I will find one posting about once a quarter or so displaying Wagons in various states of disarray. Spreading my search out to the entire Tennessee region I stumbled upon a gold virgin RT4WD that is actually local. Advertised with a manual transmission, cold air, and only needing a right CV axel for $2,000 obo. Visually noting only small rust spots beginning to show under the tails, an ever so slight wrinkle in the left fender and obvious 24 year old cloth interior.... I'm in!
I call the guy asking all the important questions. I'm informed that the tires are good, it's had a recent altenator and distributor installed, there are no known leaks in the engine and drivetrain, and it burn a slight bit of oil. Getting excited I set up the meeting.
So this is where things get good. He shows up on time, what a surprise! I'm excited! Heart pounding I try to keep myself composed. Immediately I jump out of my car to hear a missfire that resembles an old Jetta diesel and a leaking exhaust similar to loose flatulance, eww. I begin to do my walk-around checking all the important functions. As I run my fingers over tread I realize this is completely useless, the fronts are completly slick just shy of showing belts and the rears only donning wearbars as grip. Ok, no big deal...he fibbed to get me here. Boy was I mistaken. The walk-around reveiled a loose drivers door catch, missing headunit, and a plexiglass right rear door glass which came with a free story of a drunken night downtown. My pocket begins to feel reassured of the wad of cash I will be saving after offering much less than I intended to give the seller when I arrived.
Ignoring the lack of power from running on only 3 cylenders the test drive went well. The suspension was as to be expected and the old beast braked quite well. I was most impressed with the grind free transmission which shifted like butter through all of the gears and ICE cold air conditioning. I'm almost convinced that I'm about to own this Wagon with minimal investment.
"Oh yeah, I had my mechanic hook the 4wd back up" says the seller as I kneel down on all fours.
"Really" I reply, "This must be an ultralite driveshaft"
"Really?" He asks.
"Yes, because it's invisable. I'm out."
He was perplexed. "Your not going to make an offer?"
"No, have a good night."
Oh how I love craigslist encounters. Not intended to be a rant but an amusing story of how some people just can't be honest. My hunt continues.
I call the guy asking all the important questions. I'm informed that the tires are good, it's had a recent altenator and distributor installed, there are no known leaks in the engine and drivetrain, and it burn a slight bit of oil. Getting excited I set up the meeting.
So this is where things get good. He shows up on time, what a surprise! I'm excited! Heart pounding I try to keep myself composed. Immediately I jump out of my car to hear a missfire that resembles an old Jetta diesel and a leaking exhaust similar to loose flatulance, eww. I begin to do my walk-around checking all the important functions. As I run my fingers over tread I realize this is completely useless, the fronts are completly slick just shy of showing belts and the rears only donning wearbars as grip. Ok, no big deal...he fibbed to get me here. Boy was I mistaken. The walk-around reveiled a loose drivers door catch, missing headunit, and a plexiglass right rear door glass which came with a free story of a drunken night downtown. My pocket begins to feel reassured of the wad of cash I will be saving after offering much less than I intended to give the seller when I arrived.
Ignoring the lack of power from running on only 3 cylenders the test drive went well. The suspension was as to be expected and the old beast braked quite well. I was most impressed with the grind free transmission which shifted like butter through all of the gears and ICE cold air conditioning. I'm almost convinced that I'm about to own this Wagon with minimal investment.
"Oh yeah, I had my mechanic hook the 4wd back up" says the seller as I kneel down on all fours.
"Really" I reply, "This must be an ultralite driveshaft"
"Really?" He asks.
"Yes, because it's invisable. I'm out."
He was perplexed. "Your not going to make an offer?"
"No, have a good night."
Oh how I love craigslist encounters. Not intended to be a rant but an amusing story of how some people just can't be honest. My hunt continues.
Comments
Just explain what everything cost..
1. Drive shaft could cost $300-$500
2. Window $50-$100
3. Rust $$$???
4. Bald tires $300..
5. The 3 cylinder issue..
6. Burning oil
Trust me, he doesn't want to put money into it.. You might just make him want to dump it on you..
Just, Nit pick the crap outta it..
RT's with manual trans are getting scarce.
And, you have the chance to get a sweet deal.. Just work it a little.
I honestly was feeling $500 was solid before the missing driveshaft story. Had that of been present and functioning I was in.
...now the girlfriend on the other hand, the Jedi mind trick has so effect on her. I tried. She is all "Don't wave your hand at me, I still think it's ugly." They are so hard to convince that beauty lays benieth the surface like a diamond in the rough.