[V8] What's the value of a catalytic converter?

[Roger Woodbury]

Well, I have asked a bunch of other questions and also have requested a
bunch of other pictures.  The pictures of the car look really good, although
there are some serious limitations for me to consider.  Accordingly, I am
following the eBay auction but will not bid.  IF the car doesn't sell, and I
can see more detailed pictures, then I might be interested.  Here are the
most obvious issues that I have with the car, as it presently is presented.

First of all, the complete exhaust system must be replaced.  For me that
means my wrench will get to do that job, and since I replaced the exhaust of
the old Black Mariah, I know what my most reliable options are.  It will
blow a hole in at least fifteen hundred bucks, and perhaps two grand by the
time I get it done.  I have neither space nor time to put the car on stands
and crawl underneath, so the options are few.  The dealer will be, oh, I
don't even want to think about that.  The state is getting very serious
about all this stuff, and requires the lumen output of headlamps be checked.
However, very few shops outside of the larger dealers have the equipment to
check this, so for a while anyway, Euro headlamps skate through.  This won't
last forever, I imagine.

Second, the windows are tinted 25% and that might have to come off.  Maine
law prohibits other than factory tint, and although mild tinting, say ten
percent in the side and rear windows is so close that most shops won't
notice, 25% is probably going to mean the windows will have to cleaned off.
This will quite probably destroy the rear window defogger, which really
devalues the car for winter use, as until you haven't had one here, you
can't imagine how useful it can be from September through May.

As I said, the car looks great in the pictures.  But if you look at the
pictures and not be blinded by the sparkle of the car, its obvious that the
pics were taken at least nine months or so ago.  Unknown:  I realize that
Maine is pretty backward considering New York, but not even New York has
leaves out on the trees and green grass now.  So, we have a complete pig in
a poke.

I have told the owner that I am going to watch the auction and may have
interest if the car doesn't sell on eBay.  

Meanwhile, I am trying to stalk a V8...

Roger

-----Original Message-----
From: cobram at juno.com [mailto:cobram at juno.com] 
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:16 PM
To: rmwoodbury at roadrunner.com
Cc: v8 at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [V8] What's the value of a catalytic converter?

 "Roger Woodbury" <rmwoodbury at roadrunner.com> writes:

> BUT I have think I have discovered why the car is for sale, and it 
> probably
> is the best reason to NOT get involved.  There is NO catalytic 
> converter in
> the car.

So?  Put in a hollowed out "converter", it's only a visual inspection. 
Even in my state, where you MUST pass emissions tests, I have had
hollowed out cats for the last decade and a half or so.  On the old 5KS,
I only passed emissions after gutting the kitty.  Go figure.
One free flow under a buck after market cat and you're done.  I don't see
a problem, maybe a good opportunity to pick up a 20V cheap?  This isn't a
deal breaker in my book.

The dealer price, thanks for the chuckle Roger!  ;-O
 
BCNU,
http://www.geocities.com/cobramsri/
Developer: Someone who wants to build a house in the woods.
Ecologist: Someone who has already built his house in the woods.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.1/1345 - Release Date: 3/26/2008
6:50 PM

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.1/1347 - Release Date: 3/27/2008
7:15 PM