Miata Mailing List: March 2000, Message #45

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Hey,
Just had to share my car-selling experience with you. 
I guess more accurately it would be car-NOT-selling,
but anyway...

The old Camaro is for sale, although I'm not trying
really hard at this point, just a free ad on the
internet autotrader.

So I was surprised when a kid from Indiana called and
inquired about it a few times.  He said yesterday he
and his dad were coming down to take a look at it.
Yay!

I thought it would be nice to run it through the car
wash before they arrived last night, but when I went
out to start 'er up --- NOTHING.  Battery was totally
dead.  This surprised me (although it shouldn't have)
-- in the six months I've been at the apartment, I've
driven it once.  It had been sitting a few months and
started right up.....IIRC, that's the only time I
started it up, too. (I know, BAD Lisa -- should have
listened to Dad and started it up once a week).

Sooooo, I'm freaking cause it would be pretty bad if
they wanted to take it for a test drive and the thing
won't start -- LOL.  After various methods of trying
to start the car (praying, cursing, scraping the
battery terminals, etc.) still nothing.  Ended up
calling my roadside assistance company to come jump
it.

The kid and his dad are late, the tow truck gets there
in time to breathe some life back into the poor car. 
We just let it sit out there and idle while trying to
decide whether to take it to pick up some dinner to
charge up the battery, since it looks like the kid and
the dad are no-shows.

Just as we were ready to leave, the phone rings, and
kid and dad are right around the corner. (It's
completely dark by now, they got lost on the way, and
Dad is NOT in a good mood at all.)

Well, the cat's bad on the car, and the exhaust
rattles pretty bad, so since the car is running that's
the first thing the Dad asks about (although I
divulged all this in the ad I had online.)  He then
pokes around looking under the car with a flashlight,
asked us to turn the car off.  LOL -- we were just
crossing our fingers hoping it would start back up
again if they wanted to take it out. LOL

Dad looks under the hood -- not familiar with Camaros,
asked a couple of questions (oh, it's fuel-injected? 
What size engine is this, etc.)  and sounds very
skeptical of every answer, as if I'm some kind of used
car lot professional.

He then asks if I have the title, and asks to see it. 
He then compares the VIN on the title to that of the
car!!!! (Like I'm selling a stolen car or
something???)

He asks how many miles is on it -- I answer 115,000. 
The odometer on the Camaro does not go that high, so
it reads 15,000.  Dad looks to verify my statement and
mutters to himself "Well, it's rolled over AT LEAST
once..."

I'm flipping out!!!  If that car managed to have TWO
hundred fifteen thousand miles on it, I'd be a
monkey's uncle!!!! LOL  I don't think dad was used to
car shopping.

I understand the need to be skeptical and cautious
when looking at used cars, but this guy was just
insulting.  I divulged everything that was wrong with
the car in my ad, I have no interest in lying to
anyone about it, and I don't think I come off as a
dishonest person.

I know I shouldn't take it personally, but I was
really stunned by this guy's attitude!  I've never
tried to sell a car before, and I didn't expect them
to go bananas over it or anything.  It's a so-so car
with a really good engine, and I'm asking only $1500
for it -- I have no delusions that it is what every
shopper is looking for.

Anyway, I found the events amusing and thought you
might too.  Felt sorry for the kid.  He's really young
(maybe 16 or 17) and the Dad didn't even acknowledge
his existence, or show him what to look for in a car
or anything.

I hate this whole process.  Dad offered to sell it for
me if I bring it down there, but I don't care to put
him through all this crap either.

Just venting, thanks for listening!!! :)

Lisa & Spike 95R BB
Lose a Camaro, Gain a parking spot for 7690! LOL
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