What would you do in this situation?

trader220 · 04:24 PM

There is a car on the market right now that I used to know well. It was owned by a family member 15 to 20 years ago. Its a nice Porsche, a desirable model and the current seller has done a lot of work to make the car solid.

He is showing the synopsis of the carfax in his listing, just doesn't show the red flag part for potential mileage issue. NO mention of it at all. In looking at the carfax I believe the mileage issue is a clerical (fat finger) mistake. Since it was done at a state inspection station, therefore it is really difficult to have corrected.

Additionally, I know the car was in a front end fender bender. No big deal, but the drivers side front fender was replaced and the passenger side was repaired. I cannot recall if the hood was replaced or repaired. Work was done to a high standard and the current seller has been upfront about some work being done, just no mention of fender bender. I don't recall what was replaced in the front suspension and the wheel which needed to be replaced is gone, the whole set was swapped for some later MY wheels.

The car has also had track time, nothing over the top just some PCA DE stuff a few times a year for 4 or 5 years.

None of those things mean a whole lot at this point in the cars life cycle and to be fair the seller has done a ton of work to make the car very good mechanically.

What would you do?

To be really honest its a nice car right now and were I in the market for one like it I wouldn't dismiss this one even knowing the whole fact set.

Chris911S · 08-30-2018, 04:21 PM

Mind your own business.

pmax · pmax's Garage

^^^ unless the buyer's a friend, of course.

trader220 · 08-30-2018, 05:13 PM

I am inclined to agree.

Matt Monson · 08-30-2018, 05:21 PM

If I was 100% sure the seller knows all the history I might say something. But if the car changed hands a couple times and the details might be washed out across a couple different caretakers I wouldn't do a thing. I'm not one to accuse anyone of ill deeds or lying without first hand knowledge of it.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Truth will set you free.......

BLACK3.2 · 08-30-2018, 05:53 PM

It's on the buyer to pull the Carfax. I would keep it to myself, unless the buyer was a friend.

JMS935 · 08-30-2018, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris911S

Mind your own business.

I would tend to agree with this as well. But if it's really nagging at you and you feel you need to say something, then maybe just reach out to the seller privately with your concerns. If they correct their listing, good for you. If they don't, at least you got it off your chest. Not everyone is honorable, so it's a crap shoot which way this goes if you reach out to them. I'm a cynic, though, I'd wager it doesn't get corrected simply due to your comment regarding the Carfax mileage red flag omission. But that should be caught by the buyer anyways since they should pull their own report, especially if the one provided in the listing is incomplete. To me that's a bigger red flag than if the Carfax report was missing altogether.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

that's one of those job interview questions that's there's no clear right answer. reach out to the seller via DM and ask him if he's interested in hearing what you know about the car. either way he will hang up on you,,, but id love to hear how that goes..

matt930s · matt930s's Garage

Can of worms...leave it be...

MattR

trader220 · 08-30-2018, 06:33 PM

I reached out to the seller privately and he went ballistic. His listing is filled with not quite outright lies, just tons of omissions of the truth that he knows. The carfax has a red flag, but magically the one he posts in the for sale listing shows just the parts of the carfax without the red flags. Its just stuff like that. Shows a little paintwork but wont come clean about knowing it was in a small accident.

Boy he blew his top and filled my PM box I guess his conscience is getting to him.

Matt Monson · 08-30-2018, 06:34 PM

When he threatens you post it for all to see...

trader220 · 08-30-2018, 06:53 PM

Matt, I am not going to. I am just going to drop it. I'll let his own conscience help him decide whats right. Like I said its still a good car that someone will enjoy and none of the stuff is that tragic as to really detract from the car. Its not a collector piece anyway.

JMS935 · 08-30-2018, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trader220

I reached out to the seller privately and he went ballistic. His listing is filled with not quite outright lies, just tons of omissions of the truth that he knows. The carfax has a red flag, but magically the one he posts in the for sale listing shows just the parts of the carfax without the red flags. Its just stuff like that. Shows a little paintwork but wont come clean about knowing it was in a small accident.

Boy he blew his top and filled my PM box I guess his conscience is getting to him.

Yep, about what I expected. Now you’re free to blast him publicly for being a deceitful prick. Post the entire Carfax report for ALL to see, along with all of your other concerns.

trader220 · 08-30-2018, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMS935

Yep, about what I expected. Now you’re free to blast him publicly for being a deceitful prick. Post the entire Carfax report for ALL to see, along with all of your other concerns.

I said to him I wouldn't do that and I wont, although I am tempted. None of it is so bad that the integrity of the car is questionable.

I am going to leave it be. Someone will still get a nice car and enjoy it.

Matt Monson · 08-30-2018, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trader220

Matt, I am not going to. I am just going to drop it. I'll let his own conscience help him decide whats right. Like I said its still a good car that someone will enjoy and none of the stuff is that tragic as to really detract from the car. Its not a collector piece anyway.

If he hasn't threatened you nothing further to say...

JMS935 · 08-30-2018, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trader220

Boy he blew his top and filled my PM box I guess his conscience is getting to him.

Then you’re clearly the better man, but don’t be fooled, cause this won’t get to his conscience. People like that don’t have one, those are reserved for the honorable.

ficke · ficke's Garage

You are doing the right thing, let him know then drop it.

specialtyoneinc · 08-30-2018, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trader220

Matt, I am not going to. I am just going to drop it. I'll let his own conscience help him decide whats right. Like I said its still a good car that someone will enjoy and none of the stuff is that tragic as to really detract from the car. Its not a collector piece anyway.

Hopefully the new owner doesn't get duped. Regardless...