Hi again,

Trying to find someone to look over a car listed on the board from New Jersey.

I am in California, and can't put my own eyes and hands on the car to check it out.

If there is anyone near South New Jersey that can help, I will pay for your time. Maybe you are close but in another State. Maybe you know some company or person in that area that does inspections for a living or on the side. Maybe you can help; I would be in your debt if you would.

Here's the 914World listing:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=290410

The seller lists his location as Marlton, NJ. if that helps. He had one other offer on the car, that potential buyer is looking at the car today.

I will know this afternoon or tomorrow morning if the car is available. If so, I hope there is someone that can help me out.

Maybe someone has a suggestion on how to locate a service company to do this for me?

I am open to hearing any ideas...

Thanks,

-- Whit

this is close to the Camden NJ/Philly area. Not sure if any of us in the area??

I think it may be just the seller out there on the forum pages, and no other members.

I don't want to go out and inspect it myself, because I know I would want it so much I would likely make a bad decision on buying the car.

I keep saying to myself "How bad can the bottom be if the top looks that nice," but I know about salty roads.

They don't have to do that where I live.

Best I can do is keep hoping.

-- Whit

How intense an inspection do you want? Very thorough including leakdown tests? Or do you want a visual surface inspection. I might be able to slip over there this weekend for a visual inspect, Jack it up and take a look at it. Do a test drive. If that's not enough, there is a very good shop in Marlton that used to specialize in 914s. Their name is I Service Imports. Maybe the owner could get the car there for a thorough look. LMK whats going on and I'll see if I can help you out.
Dave

Thanks for the offer!

Let me say up front, I'm not sure what I need. I have only had three or four cars in my life, and always knew the owner and car before I bought. I don't even know what to ask for from an inspection, but I will try:

From what the owner says in his ad, the car is supposed to be in good shape. I'm worried about the East Coast rust and all the salt they put on the roads. There are a couple of small spots I have noticed that look like possible rust damage, one behind the right front wheel, and there may be some replacement work on the rear quarter as well. If I buy the car, at least it will be away from the damaging conditions, and I already expect to spend some money down the line on restoration.

I want to know the condition of the hell holes and the undercarriage of the car; signs that I will have to do a lot of rustoration would probably be a deal breaker, as I have no place to do that kind of work.

I should be able to put right minor things and get the paint job retouched if there is just minor to mid-level rust damage. if you do find mid level damage, I would have to look for someone with a rotisserie and time, and would have to pay for that to be repaired. That might change my mind on the car.

The car looks great, but I would want to know that it drives and handles solidly, or if it has some quirks and shimmies that might be a problem.

I have a brother who is a great mechanic, so can work out any drive train/mech issues. Still want to know if there are major flaws.

If I hear back that the car is still available, I will send you a PM.

I want to pay you for your time and travel, so let me know what you think is a fair price for your inspection. I'm guessing it will be less than taking it to the specialist mechanic.

My thanks again for the offer,

-- Whit

There are plenty of cars here in California. I would not consider an East coast car unless it were perfect!

Don't forget about hurricane Sandy and submerged cars. Watch out for scamming flippers.

Thanks for the advice.

The car does *look* nearly perfect, that's the only reason I would go to the far coast with an offer.

Well, that, and I haven't seen anything on this side of the country that I really like, can get to before sold, or can straight out afford. Not likely to get financing with my credit rating...

I would also hope that a fellow 914World forum member would not be a flipping scammer of Sandied cars.

Sandy and the salt roads in the East Coast snow country are exactly why I want someone to look at the car before I commit to anything from all the way across the country. It may be this car is too good to be true, it's been a long time on the lists.

I do think it's worth having a look-see, even if it costs me a few bucks to get someone to check it out, if only to satisfy myself that it's not the deal I hoped it would be. That way I won't be kicking myself in the ass for not trying harder to make the buy.

If I this one doesn't pan out, I will continue to look for the new Teener, here, there, and everywhere. I will find the car I want, sooner or later.

I want a 74, light colored; body straight as I can get, no flared fenders, and needing less restoration work than my last one did, before my accident... I will find it.

-- Whit

Whoo hoo!!

Looks like I have a shot at the car!

914Dave has offered to look it over, I have a message to him to work the details... stay tuned, I will update with information as it is available!

Wish me luck,

-- Whit