Who has bought a 'new to them' ride and had problems right away?

I'm just wondering how many of us have run into this problem.
A week ago i picked up a new addition that was listed on the HAMB, and before i even had the chance to put plates on it, it's down.
I drove it less than 30 miles on a friends dealer plate, and it started burning oil BAD. Apon checking under the valve cover's, i could actually see where 3 valve guides on the left head, and two on the right were wasted. And once i got the heads off and checked i was told of the rest of the damage to them.. And i was driving it sane being on a dealer that wasn't mine.
When i started it at the guy's place i bought it from, it had a slight puff, but no real sign's of damage. I figured it was because it was sitting, nothing else.
So, i now have the top half of the motor apart and am getting new heads for it. Along with some small stuff to make it reliable.
That's the drivetrian end of it.

There was also a small crack in the body right behind the p*** door at the belt line. The vehicle is a 52 chevy truck, and at one point was a roadster..now it has the roof back on. I knew all this prior to buying it, and wasn't concerned because i thought it was done right...
But what i didn't notice was how bad the crack was until i had it on uneven ground. The lower part of the body pulled an eigth inch away from the roof..
I decided i had to grind the area to inspect it before it got worse..and i'm glad i did.
The whole area on the outside of the cab right bellow the belt line was not welded..at all. It was welded inside ( it's a two panel roof, the outer skin wasn't welded), but just gl***ed over outside and in the door jambs.
So, there was zero structural integrity. Check the pics, this was all covered with gl***..nothing else.
I ground the whole area and welded it solid, and also had to finish the door jamb area's as well.
I know full and well that when we buy something we take on the responsibility of that vehicle... and i'm not whining.
I'm taking care of the issues as they arrive.
I'm just a little dissapointed in how some thing's end up some times..I spent good cash on it, only to be spending over a grand just to get it back on the road within a week when i thought, and was told it was ready to go to begin with.
Well it ran good for less than 30 miles before it started crop dusting, and it also has a shimmy that would loosen the filling's in your teeth..

The fella i got it from said he hadn't driven it in a while, and also didn't build it from what i understand..So i'm not pointing any finger's, maybe he forgot about the shake because he hadn't driven it, and there's a chance he didn't have a clue about the roof, maybe the oil problem as well..again, i bought it and am dealing with it but it just seem's strange.
I did call the guy i got it from ONLY to find out some info on the cam. I did tell him about the problem and he said he felt bad about it..and also said he'd call me back with whatever info he could get.. That was 6 day's ago..no return call which is a bummer..

I was just wondering how many other's have had similar situation's.. Maybe a seller gave a ride a good bill of health to you only to have thing's not be exactly what was said?

 

Tony, for sure most of us have had similar, yet perhaps not quite so severe, instances with cars which on first blush seem to be okay. Then the reality hits. I know that the Bonneville I'm driving now is an instance of such a case. What looked good on the surface, supported by what the guy told me was enough to make a deal. It didn't take long to figure out that all was not what it should have been.

Like you, I'm not crying or whining now, but it sure would have been helpful to have all the news, both good and bad.

Good luck and if there is anything I can do, give me a howl.

John

 

Sorry to hear that, Tony. With the exeption of my Falcon, I think every car I ever bought had some unexpected or hidden "surprises". A week after I bought my '57 Fairlane, (7 yrs. ago), I realized the engine and ****** were going to have to be rebuilt, something I wasn't planning on doing. I should have figured on it however, because the mill was filthy with grease & oil ,etc., and never been out of the car. Pulled a valve cover, 1/8 - 1/4 in. of sludge greeted me! Within 50 miles of ownership, ****** was slipping ,too. The guy I got it from hadn't owned it long, and just drove it around his neighborhood. He said it "ran good", which it did,for a few miles, AROUND HIS NEIGHBORHOOD !! I don't fault the guy, he was honest w/me, and I have no regrets. Seems like it's always a gamble, unless you know the car & seller real well. I'm sure you'll get these issues corrected soon, and hopefully thats all you find wrong.

Bernie

 

Thanks John, i appreciate your offer.
I need to add something else here as well.
The truck was listed by a fellow HAMBer, BUT he did NOT have anything to do with this deal except listing it with what he was told.
He showed up the day i bought it just to say hi, and also has taken the time to pm offering his help when he read the post. He's not at all happy with this either.
I need to make sure that people understand that he had nothing to do with this..
This deal was with a private party and he only went on what he was told as well, just like me. his credibility shouldn't be questioned..

Thanks Bernie..
Every car i've owned has had issues as well. This one was just a surprise for me because the thing that was important to me was the way it ran and drove, that's what i asked about..not even the roof or the other thing's i've found..and the running and driving was where the big problem was..

And it's already on it's way to becoming what i want. That's the only good thing. I can fix whatever is messed up. So i'm only out parts and materials..i can't imagine if someone who couldn't turn a wrench ended up with this and had to pay to fix it..OUCH!
When i'm done it'll be right and be driven...A LOT.

Live and learn
Tony

 

Tony,

I feel your pain. I recently purchased a 54 Merc that looks real nice, but has started to show it's true inner self...Good thing is that it's mostly periferral- brakes, wiring, suspension etc. I think sometimes you see a car that has that look and you "over" look the issues, or just plain don't see 'em....kinda like some woman- she may be hot on the outside, and you are stoked at first, but then when you get to know her, she starts to show those signs of past relationships, wear and tear, shoddy repair work. maybe she just has some bad wiring from the factory! Either way, she just may be a safety hazard!

Good thing with cars though, is just about anything can be fixed...

Good luck.

 

I've been there and done that. Sometimes you listen to your heart rather then your brain. You can get in real trouble when you "just have to have something". Beware of the Sh*t Filled *****ie.

 

**** filled *****ie??
I like that one!!

Well, i'll admit, i knew it was going to need work and bought it anyway..but i also took for granted that his "drivable" and mine were the same..
Life's go's on..and we learn as we go.
I did.
And now i just make right what isn't and move on.

I knew many people had this happen to them as well.
I was wondering about other's stories as well, that's why i posted this..As much as it ****s to say this, i'm glad i'm in good company and by far not the only one to deal with this. Although i wish no one had to deal with this..Only in a perfect world, and this one sure as hell isn't perfect.

Tony

 

I just got a car I bought from the HAMB last week, and sure, it has issues. Did it happen during transport or before it was shipped? Well, who knows. From the experience of friends and myself, I prepared myself to expect the worst when buying a car from pictures. There are just tooooo many things for someone to tell you everything about the car, so many details.

Yeah, the car I bought has 'the look', and really that's the main reason I got it. I expected to throw 500-$1000 (or maybe even more) into it the second I got it off the transporter, and so far I've been pretty lucky, but that $$$ is still allocated for it mentally. I've had friends that bought off of Hemmings that got a royal screwing with no doubt as to dishonesty on the seller's part.

My car got some shipping damage and some unexpected issues,I figure it's par for the course.

Your situation sounds pretty radical. I hope what you paid was in proportion to the risk you took buying a truck with a re-welded roof that had been sitting. That would have had to have been cheap for me to be interested.

Good luck man and hang in there.

EDIT: Forgot to say the good news is you have the skills and facility to fix what's wrong, and do it without paying retail. At least now you'll know its done right.

 

Tony - i feel your pain. I bought a 51 chevy p/u and had driven it no more than 4 blocks and we had trouble, bout 1300 worth and the ******* still isnt roadworthy by my standards. LIke you said its not whining but some of the details were clearly misrepresented. Details that were claerly asked about up front .I called the guy on it but to no avail. He started playing dumb but I could tell he wasnt playing- he was the real deal.We all know we inherit some probs but some people are just bending the truth a little too far. Youve got HAMB support so you are on the right path. Good luck with the project.

 

Sorry to hear that. I've acually never bought a running driver, so there were no promises ever made. As someone on here's sig says, if it aint broke, I can't afford it...

 

Every old car I bought had some kinda little surprise that showed up right after purchase, thankfully most were minor weekend fixes. That's just the way it goes with old cars.

i'm usually relieved when it finally happens, so I know it's out of the way.

 

When I bought my 41, I bought it sight unseen (except pics via the internet) and drove 700 miles to get it. I was told it was "rust free, been in SD it's whole life". Also that it had a brand new complete wiring harness. Along with some other stuff. When I met the guy, the "rust free" car had obvious rust in the trunk, tool tray, rockers and floors. Also, the car WAS rewired with a new harness, but for some odd reason he disconnected it and rolled it in a big ball, and threw it in the trunk. There was some other little stuff as well...BUT, I have wanted a 41 forever, and it was an orriginal paint car (another thing I wanted) and it was only 1,200.00. So, regardless of it's flaws, I was still completely happy and still am with the car. Sometimes, look at the bright side (if there is one )

 

Been there, done that, and should've learnt the lesson - but you never do!

 

Yeah it's happened to me too, but I figure it all balances out in the end. I've bought stuff and when I got it, it was even better than described so when it happens the other way I try and not get too bent.

Nik

 

I generally get the best end of a car deal...no bad surprises to speak of but once in awhile I don't look close enough. It's always my own fault tho. My last pickup buy was a daily driver 81 chevy shortie...guy said it had a brand new motor in it. Uh, yeah...brand new paintjob on it. Same as you...the guide seals were toast and it smokes....still gotta fix it because it hasn't sold yet.

 

I've had good luck buying cars. If there are mechanical hiccups, I can always fix them. I don't do body work so I'm more concerned about body and paint.

When I sell a car, I disclose everything I know because I don't want to hear about it later. I sold my 32' 3 window, but I made sure the buyer came over and drove the car. I also told him about every past "fixed" and what caused it. Also any minor problems I hadn't fixed because it didn't bother me. I even showed him a 31' that was for sale, nicer than mine, cheaper and the owner was negotiable. The buyer still wanted my car. I had him wait for a week, to think about it before I was willing to sell.

 

my 31 that i recently bought has some issues, but to be honest i am no virgin at this, every car i have ever bought is never right. the only time they are right is after i fix everything , dial the car in perfectly, then get bored and sell it...........

 

I just bought a sweet little model T p/u bed that was made into a trailer sitting on a 36-7 dodge car front frame. It was loaded with busted concrete when I made the deal, when I picked it up the concrete was gone and a bit more rust that was hidden before was showing. By the time I got it back to my house the little extra rust shook out to be more than I bargained for....lol
It's still cool looking though in an old car kinda way.

 

I've been telling people for so many years that any used car you buy is for sale because it needs at least $1000 worth of repairs BEFORE you drve it anywhere...
So many years I think it's time to up it to $3000!

I've also made a point of not selling my cars to anyone I think I'll ever see again, regardless of what I thought or knew the condition the car was in.

 

I've been on the other end of the nightmare purchase. Many years back I sold a 70 camaro, that I'd personally driven from Nevada to Wisconsin. The car was totally rust free, a great runner, and had no issues at all. Person that bought it took it on 1/2 day test drive. Had everybody he could think of look at it. I agreed to HIS price, and even made him wait the weekend to be ABSOLUTEY sure. He picks up the car , pays the money and leaves. That's the last I hear from HIM. Later that week, I start hearing about how I'd ****ed this guy with this car, and if he ever saw me again we'd have 'words'. Turns out, that halfway to his house the Camaro ran out of gas. He had to p*** at least 3 stations just getting from my place to the highway. And the gas guage did work.

 

I've had over 60 car's, i know that may not be many compared to most on here.. and i've always had to do work to them. I like to do the work to them, that's what i do. So buying something that need's the work, no matter how much, is part of the game. And a part i enjoy very much.
I just don't like being told something run's great only to find major head damage and oil consumption within 3 day's of buying it. That kinda stinks..
I think your 3000 worth of repairs is a good one. Now day's it dosn't take much to drop serious coin just making basic repairs.

Thanks for telling your stories guy's..Ya made me feel a little better
I'm not alone. whoohoo!

There is one thing i was thinking about earlier as i was working on it. I'm not one to 'buy' someone else's project or finished car. So, being i have to pretty much go over the whole thing, when i'm done with the repairs, changes to satisfy me and safety issue's..it'll be my truck..the way i want, done safe and drivable..
So i guess all is not lost.

Tony

 

I bought a little 1948 Ford Prefect from a 'restorer' once. It was a work in progress, but I only wanted the body anyway, which was mint... Until I stated digging. There was rust in the bottom of every panel, all stuffed with old newspaer then bogged over, nicely smoothed and primered. There was so much newspapr I could actually read bits of it after I dug it out of the body, not to mention the spiders webs (dead spiders still attached) that he'd left in the holes when he filled them with paper.

Next time I went to look at an old car I took a magnet!

Cheers, Glen.

 

Of the 6 cars I own right now, only one of them I bought running, all the others were...ahum, are projects.
I only buy non-running cars these days, they are priced better
Last car I bought was my '60 Chrysler NewYorker. I heard the engine was stuck and most likely had a spun rodbearing.
Upon receiving the car I had small hopes it would be a minor issue. I managed to get the engine turning again and started it up. Didn't seem to run all that bad, until I revved it a little and the hurt rod came a knocking on my door.
All in all I was real lucky the seller was a real trustworthy guy who had sent pics upfront and even sent some more pics even after I already mentioned I would buy the car.
I got exactly what I was expecting from the pics and his description of the vehicle. And that doesn't happen everyday with International buy's.

 

I dunno about you T-bone.

Just put your big girl ******* on and deal with it.

My new personal motto, after hearing all of the SoCal hamb guys say " WHEW better you then me girl"............ If it's not BRAND ****ing new, I'll tear it DOWN. I'd rather save disappointment in my life for something less meaningful.........like dating.

 

Now THAT'S some funny **** right there!

 

Luckily for me. my recent 2000 mile trip to get the 57 was not a bad experience.. but then again I had a very good buddy take a look at it... and being it was from another HAMBer I expected the previous owner to be on the up and up... first time I had ever bought a running car (old car) as all my others were non-drivers (ok barely towable)

those new heads you bought Tony should work out great... maybe the previous owner will kick down some money to help with the cost

 

If I have problems with a car I bought, I don't usually get mad at the seller, I get mad at myself for not being observant enough to catch it.

When I was 17, I bought a 61 Valiant from a shady used car dealer. Original paint, newer engine. The car ran fine, but when my Dad and I tore the carpet out to re-do it, we found....More carpet. They had just laid new carpet over old. Under the original carpet we found...The ground!! I blame myself for it. I live in Las Vegas, so I just foolishly ***ume that the cars don't have rust issues.

It's a learning experience. Now I look closely under the car I'm buying, and take a magnet with me.

I also found that a little leniency is needed with old cars. Remember, the person you're buying from might truly not know about issues. That car might have had 15 owners since new. That's 15 potential ham-fisted hot-rodders and/or backyard mechanics!

Nick

 

That's too bad, I hate ****ty work

 

As a good friend once told me:

"A good golfer never sells his lucky putter."


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