Automotive apprehensions?

Knurled wrote:

evildky wrote: "Cold air intakes", Body kits, CF hoods, aftermarket taillights. If a car has a aftermarket hood and or bumper I always assume it's been in a collision, most of these things are hideous anyhow. Cold air and tail lights generally first thing tackled by someone who has no business spinning a wrench. Who knows what they butchered in the process.

A lot of people put "Altezzas" on their car because they broke a taillight and those were loads cheaper than a single OEM taillight. Similarly, I know people who saved money at the bodyshop by having them not bother putting badging back on. So debadged to me means wrecked and repaired as cheaply as possible.

Ya.

I don't agree with the cold air intake hate as well. There are a few cars that have plastic intake piping that collapses under boost and the "cold air intake" kits usually are the best solution for people who can't fabricate anything.

Rust and after my experience with my Miata I'd also say coilovers.

I've noticed that suspension components can really tell you a lot about how the car was taken care of. Even if its just drop springs, if the previous owner installed Konis or another quality shock, its good to go. If they installed springs on cheap shocks or worse, cheap coilovers, you'll want to inspect the underside of the vehicle heavily, along with checking the alignment.

Decent paintwork doesn't bother me one bit on a cheap car. What's the worst spot on my '00 Jag XJR? The sunroof panel, which seems to be the only original paint on the car.

Why all the hate for no title? It's really not hard at all to get a title. Just make sure it's not reported stolen if it has plates, and make sure the plates match the last registered VIN #. I understand out of state no title though, that's a no-go for me too.

One of the best old cars i've bought had no title, just a few extra steps to get it. This is in CA, home of extraneous paperwork, so i'd assume it'd be even easier elsewhere. Just another way to knock money off the price for your trouble.

The only think I won't consider are cars with electrical gremlins and/or significant rust.

1. Any vehicle where the owner did "some electrical work" including sound systems.
2. Rust

In reply to PHeller:

I have to agree with you. Web I was mr2 shopping, cheap Chinese coilovers were a bad sign. Konis and good quality drop springs were a sign that I should at least look at the car. Also, a really dirty interior is a top off for me as are giant sound systems.

In NC a missing title means tracking down the title holder or applying for a bonded title. Unless the car is something special, it's not worth the hassle, time, or money.

nicksta43 wrote: A repaint. Give me E36 M3ty original over any respray.

Even original 80s GM paint?

Wanderer wrote: Why all the hate for no title? It's really not hard at all to get a title. Just make sure it's not reported stolen if it has plates, and make sure the plates match the last registered VIN #.

It can be a righteous PITA depending on the state. More than one nice car has been Sawzalled because they couldn't get a title.

Hell, I got a door from someone who bought a car, then out of spite the seller refused to release the title. So the only option was to part out and scrap the rest. Very sad.

Yep, COMPLETELY dependent on the state.

Texas is on the sucky end of that spectrum. Probably not the worst, but they make it so that most 'cheap' cars arent financially worthy of the expense/effort of getting legal again, so not having a title automatically puts them on borrowed time no matter how mechanically sound they may be.

ryanty22 wrote:

nicksta43 wrote: A repaint. Give me E36 M3ty original over any respray.

Even original 80s GM paint?

Yes, I would rather paint it myself than guess what E36 M3ty bodywork is hiding under that shiny new paint.

No offense to the roundel faithful, I walk away if it's a bmw. I vote get an is300

P.S. I dont mind "altezzas" on the right car

Any paintwork and bad stereo installs turn me off in a big way too.