[s-cars] Trouble in 4KCSQ Land

[Greg Wolters]

Hi All,

Well the situation has been resolved.  First I'd like to thank everyone
for their responses, they all were very helpful in my sorting things
out.  I've been busy with an ailing Mother so I haven't been able to get
back to the list sooner.

The kid that bought the car did get it insured in his name.  I made the
mistake of not filing anything with the DMV, so as far as they knew the
car was still mine.  I would have been liable for parking tickets,
towing, etc. because of that.  I talked with an attorney friend and he
was concerned that I could get drug into a lawsuit if a bad accident
occurred while the kid was driving.  An attorney may make a case that I
was partly responsible since the DMV records indicated that I "owned"
the vehicle.  This point would be arguable since I did have a signed
bill of sale and had taken money for the car.

At first I told him I'd take the car back but wouldn't give him any
money back.  I said the basically he rented it for 4 months.  He
threatened small claims court, but I think it was a bluff since he was
moving out of the area.

Next thing I did was to get a second smog check.  The results were the
same which verified that the car needed a new exhaust system (still has
the original!) and CAT.  Probably about $800 worth of work if done in a
shop with new parts.

I then offered the kid $500 towards this work as long as I was now out
of the picture.  He was so broke and was getting ready to move to
southern California the end of this month that he didn't have the money
to contribute towards the work.  I told him that small claims would be
fine with me because I'd have a chance to tell the judge the story.  I
said that I was pretty sure after the judge heard both stories he's say
I screwed up by not quickly transferring ownership at the DMV and not
insisting the smog check be done right away.  He's say the kid screwed
up by taking my smog money, driving the car for 4 months and not having
the smog check done.  Then the judge probably would split things down
the middle.

Javid was right on as to what finally happened.  I bought the car back
for $800.  I originally sold it for $1500 and the car now has new tires
and alternator since I sold it.  While the kid had the car the drivers
seat broke and 2 handles don't work (surprise, surprise!).  Since I
don't need to get the car smogged for a year, I now have time to work on
it when I can.

Anyone out there have a working driver's seat in gray cloth?  How about
a CAT... would it make sense to get one from a wrecking yard?  They seem
to be running about $200 new.  I figure the best way to go for the
exhaust is the Blau drop in cat-back for $300.

Once again, thank you to all that responded.  This is a great list.

Greg
94 S4
86 4KCSQ