[V8] Used cars - Cleaned engines

[Tony and Lillie]

Having worked at a detail shop, I'd agree, at least in general. It was 
amazing what 2000psi of hot water can clean up(hide). However, being as anal 
as I am, I wash the engine bay in the 4000 and V8 once every two months or 
so. I hate them being even the slightest bit dusty. But, I also know most 
people aren't like me. I've cleaned their cars, remember ;-)

Tony Hoffman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Simmons" <indischrot at gmail.com>
To: <pjager at telus.net>
Cc: <v8 at audifans.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:20 PM
Subject: Re: [V8] Seattle 1993 V8 For Sale


>I am very weary of any vehicle that is meticulously cleaned.  If every
> part of the engine has been wiped down and degreased and is sparkling
> clean... I get very, very nervous.
>
> I like engine bays that are dusty and dirty.  Not gunky and slimy, but
> have some signs of use out of them.  Dry dirt/dust says that the engine
> has not been cleaned lately.  This means that it hasn't been cleaned to
> hide something.
>
> ~Scott Simmons
>
> Paul Jager wrote:
>
>>Agreed. A couple of hours over a few days snooping, dropping some of the
>>fluid samples for a look, will determine what's been done and needs to be
>>done. Cambelt's included. There are always tell-tale signs of recent work.
>>
>>If you know what you are doing, you don't need records at all.
>>
>>And records don't change the current condition of the car. They are fun
>>reading. Usually 50% waste of time, money, parts and fluids = harmful
>>actions to the enviroment. Automotive service really needs to clean-up its
>>act and customers demanding more fix, with less parts.
>>
>>I never get cars inspected either. That's another waste of man-hours. It's 
>>a
>>lot of hassle and it doesn't change the bottom line price much. The
>>situation or circumstances around the sale dictate the deal more than the
>>car itself.
>>
>>When you find one you like, either you want the car or you don't. No car 
>>is
>>perfect and will need work. I interview the owner. Then from a test drive 
>>I
>>determine condition of engine, suspension, brakes, electrical. Body just 
>>by
>>looking at it. If you want it, build in the risk factor, the fact that you
>>are offering cash on the spot and start at what you think is a no-brainer
>>price.
>>
>>I bought three cars recently sight unseen. Sent a shipper to pick them up.
>>Exc. deals. I have also purchased cars pretty close to asking because they
>>were for personal use, price was reasonable, the options list fit and the
>>colors were good.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Something to think about -
>>
>>None of my cars has any service
>>records - and yet they are all well maintained .
>>I might not exactly
>>be "normal" (no comment please :-), but the real test is to take
>>the car yourself and give it a good inspection. You can tell pretty easy
>>if the owner has been kind to it.
>>
>>Case in point - My Dads old
>>1975 diesel Peugeot was dealer maintained for its first 100K miles - up
>>until the motor self destructed due to totally incompetent service
>>work.
>>For the next 400K miles (on the new motor I put in) it never
>>saw a dealer or garage other than for tires and brakes. Never had a
>>problem with it.
>>
>>Same with my V8. It has not seen a dealer or
>>garage since 1999, but I have gone far and above "regular
>>maintenance" on it.
>>
>>So - never say never is my motto.
>>
>>Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>>William,
>>>
>>>I
>>>
>>>
>>"checked" it to the extent that I learned it has no service
>>records and
>>
>>
>>>the seller thinks the timing belt
>>>does not
>>>
>>>
>>need to be changed until 90K miles.  There was some list
>>
>>
>>discussion
>>
>>
>>>that the belt may have
>>>been changed.
>>>
>>>
>>Everyone comes with their own set issues -- I will not buy
>>
>>
>>>a
>>>used car that has no service
>>>records.
>>>
>>>HTH,
>>>
>>>Greg J
>>>
>>>"Bill
>>>
>>>
>>Hitzler" <bhitzler at kpbsd.k12.ak.us>
>>
>>
>>>>I'm
>>>>
>>>>
>>curious, did anyone look at that 93 V8 that Mike Del Tergo linked us
>>
>>
>>>>to
>>>>
>>>>
>>>on the Seattle Craigs List?
>>>
>>>
>>>>Thanks, William
>>>>
>>>>
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