Mr Gee

Dear All

I managed to sell my immaculate WRX classic over the week-end to young 21 year old, who was well eager to purchase from me.
He came up on the Tuesday, where I showed him around the car and took him for blat in it. He wanted it there and then. He left a deposit and came back on Friday to pay me in full and pick up the keys. An agreement was signed as sold as seen.

Anyhow, 55 miles later, he rings me and says the engine has let go on him and demands that I fix the problem.
I explained that the vehicle was sold to him in good faith and that any problems experienced where done whilst in his hands.
He says that the car starts but there is a knocking sound and he's now scared to drive it.
It sounds like he's redlined it and the timings slipped. He knows he's not getting any money from me, but, I really do feel sorry for him and wanted to be as helpfull as possible, so,
Does anyone know what the problem may be on my description - good case scenario - bad case scenario and can anyone reccomend a good place, be it indpendant, specialist or private, in the Essex / London area that he can take it along to without getting ripped off.

Many thanks

Mr Gee

WR-one

I wouldn't be getting involved - it's his problem....

yoza

If you are happy that you sold the car in good faith, and hadnt been aware of any problems, your conscience should be clear.

I see where your coming from though, you feel obliged to do something.

Its happened to me with a watch I sold to a SNetter, it malfunctioned, I knew nothing about it, but for some reason I still felt bad.
Luckily for the buyer and myself the watch was guaranteed against such defects for life, so the lad actually got more back for the watch than he payed.

It may be an idea to talk through the problem with the lad, to let him know you genuinly didnt know the car had/or was going to have a problem.

As a good will gesture give him a pair of earplugs, that should help him until its goes BANG.

Later Yoza

Mr Gee

Well, just had a visit from the young man's mother , and tried to assure her that I didn't try to shaft her son. I think she came expecting to meet a shister but was surprised to meet a respectable family man.
I have told her that I cannot get involved financially, but can suggest as to where he mybe able to go for some help and will verbally help out as much as I can, but I do feel for the boy....

StevieCar

No warranty asked or given. Brave it out man- where's your steel?

Mr Gee

StevieCar - Yeh , I know, but were dealing with a very young guy here and I am not that way inclined - now, if it was one of you lot ................!!

StevieCar

Sorry Mr Gee it was a bit tongue in cheek. He was obviously really going for it on the redline. Ever day's a school day for the youngsters........

STILee

Had this kind of thing happen to me twice in the past a Sapphire Cossie had it two years and didn't hang around in it, sold it to a young lad a week later got a phone call blown head, it truely was fine when I sold it then I had a Gartrac Mk3 Escort 2.8turbo 18 months again driven hard, sold it, young lad, again two weeks later blown engine.

It's all about knowing a cars limits and unfortunately youngsters usually don't!

But you do feel sorry for them cos' we were like them once!

Mr Gee

STILee

Too true !!

Mr Gee

So, does anyone have a diagnosis and a reccomendation ?

Phil

South East Wise

Send them to

Xtreme Scoobies

Vonzack

You need to spanner the nut behind the steering wheel

jjones

get the lad to give David a call at API engines

have heard David mention that a lot of engines seem to go bang when ownership has just changed. too many people getting too carried away with the loud pedal. or maybe trying the max speed out/wrong grade of fuel etc.

Adam M

I would go to scoobytec in romford.

dont think it is slipped timing, sounds like a big end gone. I would guess either driving too hard when cold or some kind of oil breakdown.

In his position I would buy a second hand shortblock and have it fitted by scoobytec or barretts motorsport.

your conscience should be clear.

Mr Gee

Thanks for all your helpfull advice guys

Does anyone have any contact numbers for the dealers mentioned.
I cant seem to find them anywhere.

Leslie

Good to see someone with a conscience. I can also understand how you feel, but it is most likely because of a bit too much unbridled enthusiasm from a young lad. Those with no mechanical feeling always expect engines to put up with anything they do to them. He will just have to accept it as one of those expensive lessons in life.

David at API should be able to help him out alright for the most reasonable cost.

Les

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

01926 614333

Dyney

Will second the big end failure
Probably ragging it around from cold showing all his mates what it'll do
We've all done it in the past just unfortunate.

Mr Gee

thanks to all

danny-boy

I'm not being funny did you write out a receipt saying "Sold as Seen" I hope you did, if you did and if he signed it, its his look out!

Did he have it inspected at all, as I think the AA/RAC inspections have a warranty type thing.

Horrible situ to be in but it's his problem, but if he wanted a warranted car he should of brought one from a dealer, its a risk you take when buying privately. He's made the saving up front already by buying privately. Stick to your guns mate.

Cheers

Dan

Mr Gee

danny-boy

Oh yes - always have a signed agreement "Sold as seen - no warranty given"

The boy saw a nice clean flashy car and he wanted it straight away. On the test drive, I only managed to get to 2nd gear and he said he wanted it. I took him for a nice long drive in it anyway ...cause I'me that kind of a guy...!
He was a shisters dream to be honest, and any dishonest person would have had him no problem....

Dazza01

Does it still knock after dipping the clutch ? this happened to me couple of months back shredded gear no.2 so new box and clutch was needed then engine let go about 3 weeks ago? fooking bummer but sh!te happens was gonna go round and kill scooby_si the ugly one not the burnley fan but seeing as i had the car for nearly a year can't blame him

Only joking Si