Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster
Quote:
Originally Posted by tock172
I noticed that myself. BaT authored several social media posts promoting the Lancia Stratos but not a single one for the S65-swapped 135i.
However, interest was quite strong for the 135i. The page racked up 45,000 views and bidding was very active towards the end. I am not exactly sure the auction needed to be promoted, as most everyone with potential interest was aware the car was for sale and most people, myself included, loved the car.
Bingo. The $9k lien remaining to be paid was a huge red flag among other things such as:
- Car was put up for auction around 1,000 miles after the build was, "completed."
- It actually wasn't finished. The seller posted a short laundry list supplied by Performance Technic that showed more work to be done.
- It woudn't pass smog.
The last one is the clincher. The first bidder with the most interest was local to the seller in the Bay Area. He asked the seller to bring the car out to a local C&C, and the seller suspiciously declined. Beyond this, the description and the seller both repeatedly said the build's intent was a fully smog legal car yet, it's put up for auction with a set of resonators installed as opposed to cats.
People were complaining about the number of smog regulated inquiries in the comments section, but it's a real concern. How can someone spend this kind of money (on a car that's not even paid off) and then not finish the build, all while saying it needs just a few things to be legal?
In the end I find it very disappointing. This was a seriously cool car with excellent build quality, but it's sad that the seller had to put it up for sale before it was finished. The car is build to such a high standard that it absolutely deserves someone who's going to take it across the finish line. |
CA smog legal Is definitely a local issue, but a HUGE one for people that live in CA. Trying to make a performance motor run well on 91 octane.. aint easy.
Many states have no smog concerns at all.. so certainly out of state buyers wouldn't be put off by this.. ... but when there is no clear title.. I cannot see anyone from out of state even considering the risk. This situation is like a candle that has been burned at both ends.
the car still has a lien on it on one end... And the intent was to make a CA Legal vehicle and the project wasn't complete on that end either. Even worse.. it sounds like there is an unpaid tab at the repair shop also?
Savvy move by the prospective buyer to request a chance to see the vehicle in person and in public first.
I wonder if the vehicle is actually currently AT the repair shop and has a mechanic's lien against it..
that would explain why it the seller wouldn't be able to bring it to a cars and coffee...  |
Smog is a concern but not difficult. BARing the car would take a bit of work because it would require cats to be put into the X pipe. Not a huge deal to do, which I agree is something the seller should just handle.
I do not believe there is a mechanic lean.
The Dinan 4.6L runs very well on 91.
I stand by that to sell the car you need to take it further. Finding the right buyer is the key and that would likely be better done privately.
Here we are talking about the car but none of us, including myself, who owns a 4.6L 1M clone, are the right kind of buyers for this car.