DRAT !!*%#$ (long post)
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Joined: Jul 2003
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DRAT !!*%#$ (long post)
Need input from you fellow expy folks,
Should I "dump" this truck??
At the end of this July I had a auto broker source me a 00 Expy 4wd, 5.4l. The truck got the "green light" at the auction inspection so I bought it. Exterior is immaculate and the interior is spotless.I love this truck and it has all the features I want except one caveat that I found out too late.
Title/licence transfer was taking a long time at DMV so I stopped by to check out whats going on. DMV clerk told me it had the wrong plate on it. It was from a 99 expy. So I got new plates and got that all squared away. I got curious and asked my Sheriff buddy to run the VIN and plates and it came up stolen!!!
I got in touch with the original owner and he told me the story. He was surprizingly candid. It was stolen and then recovered 13 days later by police. Front grill/ bumper was creased and the body was dinged and scratched up. The right front tire had taken a vertical hit and ran the tire into the fender bending it and rupturing the tire. It was taken to the body shop and repaired. Complete respray and a new front facia. Lease was up so it was sold at auction.
I had my body shop check it and they said it was a first rate repair job.
Mechanically, it runs out strong, shifts smooth and drives nice. Used about 6oz oil in the first 3000 on my first oil change.
I took it to my alignment guy who I trust completely to have evaluated. He has also had his ASE master mechanic cert since 79. He does the majority of the alignments/checks for the body shops in town. Domestics, exotics, the works.He reports everything is super straight and all of the front end componants are original. Not a wrench mark on any of the bolts. No fatigue marks etc. All original radiator etc. He is convinced body damage was cosmetic.
The original owner worked for ford and it was his leased exec car. He said it was serviced by the book. He would just drop it off next door in the service bay when he got to work. I am still worried though. It looks like it led a hard life in the 13 days it was stolen.I bought it $500 back of wholesale so I can dump it and probably not get hurt too bad. Yeah, I could probably sue for non disclosure of theft but after I go through the hassle and expense it would be cheaper and easier to just dump it.
Should I quit worrying and just drive the thing or dump it.
Sorry for the length, Appreciate you looking.
Enigma
Should I "dump" this truck??
At the end of this July I had a auto broker source me a 00 Expy 4wd, 5.4l. The truck got the "green light" at the auction inspection so I bought it. Exterior is immaculate and the interior is spotless.I love this truck and it has all the features I want except one caveat that I found out too late.
Title/licence transfer was taking a long time at DMV so I stopped by to check out whats going on. DMV clerk told me it had the wrong plate on it. It was from a 99 expy. So I got new plates and got that all squared away. I got curious and asked my Sheriff buddy to run the VIN and plates and it came up stolen!!!
I got in touch with the original owner and he told me the story. He was surprizingly candid. It was stolen and then recovered 13 days later by police. Front grill/ bumper was creased and the body was dinged and scratched up. The right front tire had taken a vertical hit and ran the tire into the fender bending it and rupturing the tire. It was taken to the body shop and repaired. Complete respray and a new front facia. Lease was up so it was sold at auction.
I had my body shop check it and they said it was a first rate repair job.
Mechanically, it runs out strong, shifts smooth and drives nice. Used about 6oz oil in the first 3000 on my first oil change.
I took it to my alignment guy who I trust completely to have evaluated. He has also had his ASE master mechanic cert since 79. He does the majority of the alignments/checks for the body shops in town. Domestics, exotics, the works.He reports everything is super straight and all of the front end componants are original. Not a wrench mark on any of the bolts. No fatigue marks etc. All original radiator etc. He is convinced body damage was cosmetic.
The original owner worked for ford and it was his leased exec car. He said it was serviced by the book. He would just drop it off next door in the service bay when he got to work. I am still worried though. It looks like it led a hard life in the 13 days it was stolen.I bought it $500 back of wholesale so I can dump it and probably not get hurt too bad. Yeah, I could probably sue for non disclosure of theft but after I go through the hassle and expense it would be cheaper and easier to just dump it.
Should I quit worrying and just drive the thing or dump it.
Sorry for the length, Appreciate you looking.
Enigma
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Barring loss of of engine oil, it's pretty tough to abuse a computer-controlled engine to failure. The truck has a high-speed governor, an overrev governor, and software designed to put the engine in a controlled shutdown if the coolant leaks out. If your bodyman gives a green light from a structural point of view, you should be okay.
The closest thing to an unknown would be the transmission. Perhaps you can discuss a settlement with the party who didn't disclose the theft that would involve the purchase of an aftermarket warranty from a solvent warranty company (Ford would be the safe bet).
If you're the type who would always have this situation in the back of your mind, then lose the truck.
The closest thing to an unknown would be the transmission. Perhaps you can discuss a settlement with the party who didn't disclose the theft that would involve the purchase of an aftermarket warranty from a solvent warranty company (Ford would be the safe bet).
If you're the type who would always have this situation in the back of your mind, then lose the truck.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: St. Joseph, Missouri
Dude, sounds like you got a nice truck at a nice price. I wouldn't sweat it.
I just bought my first Ford, a 1999 Expy XLT, from a resaler at wholesale. I took it to my 30-years-experience-body-man brother who gave it a thorough rectal exam. He noticed that the front bumper had been replaced and the front edge of the hood repainted.
But, like yours, he said the work was done as well as he could have done it. My bro' gave me the green light and I bought it. I've never been happier, and I don't regret the decision for a minute.
I just bought my first Ford, a 1999 Expy XLT, from a resaler at wholesale. I took it to my 30-years-experience-body-man brother who gave it a thorough rectal exam. He noticed that the front bumper had been replaced and the front edge of the hood repainted.
But, like yours, he said the work was done as well as he could have done it. My bro' gave me the green light and I bought it. I've never been happier, and I don't regret the decision for a minute.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 0
From: DFW, Texas
Good advice so far. Dosn't sound like the truck shows any signs of abuse and what damage was done doesn't sound that bad and was repaired well.
As for disclosure, unless in your state it's a law, theft doesn't have to be disclosed. In most states the only thing that has to be disclosed is a recondition (which for example in Texas you would have a recon title) a death, in the car. Dealers are bound to disclose if it was wrecked and repaired but I don't believe an auction is bound to anything. I could be wrong....
Sounds like you don't have anything to worry about. Enjoy the truck!
As for disclosure, unless in your state it's a law, theft doesn't have to be disclosed. In most states the only thing that has to be disclosed is a recondition (which for example in Texas you would have a recon title) a death, in the car. Dealers are bound to disclose if it was wrecked and repaired but I don't believe an auction is bound to anything. I could be wrong....
Sounds like you don't have anything to worry about. Enjoy the truck!