Purchase Details

• Date: 2024-Apr-19
• Location: IAAI in Raleigh
• Winning Bid: $925 Total Fees: $566.00
• VIN: JTHBA30G355123580

The Joys

Clearly in great mechanical condition.

The Struggles

It's hard to see in the photos but both front seats have ruined leather from large rips in the top layers. This vehicle was not supposed to be fun, it was supposed to be a car for a teenager. After previous work on an M45 with a dented rear quarter panel I though I could use hydraulics to bend the rear of this vehicle back into place. That was a mistake. The standard practice appears to be cut out the damaged section and replace with a new part, custom cut to fit. This is by far the most labor intensive repair I would have ever done, and requires considerable skill. I did stretch the rear of the panel to the point of function with the brake lights back in place. The trunk was still 0.5-1.5 inches open even when closed. There was so much work left to do on that last 90% that I simply gave up.

Final Outcome

Sold to peddle for $290. The peddle experience is actually great. You put in the car details, they give you an offer, then you click accept. Put the car at the curb or leave it in your garage. These are tow truck drivers, they know how to move the car. In North Carolina, you need to get the title notarized. Some places do this, some do not (like UPS). You bring the title, and fill it out in front of the notary, then they sign it and you leave it in the vehicle. The tow truck driver picks up the car and leaves a check in your mailbox.

The Experience

Buy a car you actually want to drive, and that will help you push through the struggles. This was a mistake of merging a fun activitiy with a job. Don't get a car you're not interested in, unless someone else is paying to fix it.

Charges and Payments