More V8 5 spd in Seattle

[Bernard Littau]

I went and visited the V8 over lunch.

The car is indeed a pearl five speed.  The wheels match the paint of the
car, so I guess these are the Fuch wheels.  Other than the driver's door,
the body overall looks really good.  One small defect from a stone hit on
one of the headlamps, but other than that, glass and plastic look good.  I
didn't give it a fine going over, but rather got a quick casual look.  The
inside is black, and looks in good shape.  My impression is it was a
non-smoker's car.

The driver's door is mashed a bit, looks like the door was backed into
something and was over-extended open.  Hinges seem OK, but there is sheet
metal damage.  Damage looks to me like it has been there for a while.
Switches and power window seem ok on driver's door.

The car has a paper sheet, laying on the passenger seat, saying in large
lettering that the car has no power brakes!  There is a cardboard box behind
the drivers seat with three liter containers of Pentosin, two are empty, one
is partially full.

I was able to turn on the key, but they wouldn't let me start the car.
Autocheck seems to work (I am not a V8 owner), as does the miles-to-go, etc
display.  Driver's heated seat heats up.  Driver's heated seat was set to
'6'; who was there before me and tested it?  Radio is missing.

The air cleaner is disassembled and some of the exhaust system covers are
off.  Engine compartment looks really clean, and all the fluids look great.
Coolant is blue, so likely the non-phosphate stuff.  Master cylinder looks
like it was replaced some time ago.

The car has Washington plates.  I didn't write down the plate since I can't
do anything with it, but if someone has a way to run the plate, contact me
off list.  I can swing by again and get the numbers.

One of the employees at the lot volunteered the following:
    Car came from an auction, and it was a repossession.
    Detailer accidentally started the car in gear and damaged the door "the
other day".
    Power steering pump has major leak, thus the car is not drivable and
should not be started.
    Power steering pump is to be fixed today or tomorrow.
    Car is to go to a body shop to have the driver's door damage fixed later
this week.
    They will replace the radio -- it is missing because it is a
repossession.
    Car should be ready for sale by end of week.
    About 20 people have called about the car already.
    One of the about 20 was a dealer in Tacoma that wanted to buy the car
unseen at wholesale.

The employee didn't ask me if I was interested or anything.  He kind of
seemed like he wanted me to just leave, and come back when the car is ready.

They are asking $9900 at the moment.  Wouldn't surprise me if they raise the
price once everything is fixed -- all the attention has no doubt given them
the impression they have a hot item.

Not sure what to make of all this.

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5ktq