Subject: Odometer Discrepancy : What to do ?

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

>
>Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 10:40:20 -0600
>From: "Mike Theuri" <mikesoft@conwaycorp.net>
>Subject: Odometer Discrepancy : What to do ?
>

Mike - this answer is going to surprise you . . . .

What to do? How about nothing - amazingly, it really doesn't matter too
much. If you like the car, just drive it.

Audi odometers are famous for not working. The odo on my 1986 5000 shows
41199 miles - obviously, that isn't correct.

With MOST used cars, mileage over 100,000 generally means dealers won't
touch it, so it effectively has "dropped off" the bluebook after that
anyway. Since your car *already* shows 158,000+, there's no *real*
difference in value of the car between 158,000, 168,000, 178,000, etc. No,
you didn't get screwed, because total mileage on an Audi is FAR from the
most important factor in determining the value of the car.

In reality, these cars are "enthusiast" cars, and as long as they are
maintained, will run and run and run - 250,000 miles and up starts to
become remarkable. At "only" 158,000, that's just ho-hum. Point is, we
don't CARE what the mileage is - it's the CAR that counts - regular service
and maintenance is what gives these cars value, not some arbitrary reading
on the odometer.

Enjoy the car, don't sweat the mileage, and welcome to the list!

Best Regards,

Mike Arman



>This has to be a bad start to what I think is a good car. 
>I bought an Audi 80 1988 Quattro from someone this
>Saturday and noticed on Sunday that the Odometer 
>was not moving. I had thought it was moving and so did
>the person who went with me, we thought it performed 
>and looked better than a car that had 158K on it. I plan 
>to contact the seller asap. I called the PD department
>here and they told me to contact the county in which the 
>seller is resident. I will be doing that if the seller does 
>not respond favorably. Apparently they dug their own 
>grave by leaving a receipt in the car that shows on 
>10-22-98 the car had 158237 when it was serviced. On 
>the bill of sale they also wrote the same mileage. They 
>did not have the title then because it was held by a bank 
>and it should have been sent to me yesterday. I  haven't
>as yet registered the vehicle. What legal steps can be
>taken against the seller ? Please respond via private mail. 
>The seller was also 'wise'   enough to say that the 
>vehicle is driven 70 miles each day. 
>
>Mike Theuri.
>