project: 2001 Park Avenue Ultra

[harofreak00]

I'll probably get a core engine out of the deal, so at least I can resell some parts.

[BonneMe]

I'd make sure you glance it over for negligence in maintenance. If the oil is utterly black or something.. tsk tsk.

Make sure they know to use premium too!

Good character on your part, pretty *dang* honorable.

[00Beast]

On all accounts.

[Bing]

Hopefully this is the only time something like this happens. Like you said, down side to a small town sale. Installing the engine for free speaks most highly of you. If nothing, word will spread around town about how honorable you are and that you take care of your customers.

[harofreak00]

Got the new engine put in today. Runs great, only has 88k on it. He paid $1100 for it... ouch!

Car is in horrible shape since I sold it. Interior is filthy, front struts are shot, etc. They weren't running premium.

At least I can wash my hands of it.

[Wes]

What was the cause of the engine failure? Did regular gas contribute?

[harofreak00]

Probably not... but at least I could scare them into using premium. It had a bad rod bearing.

[olblueeyesbonne]

Geez, even though they are friends of Mel's, I'd still have charged them a minimum of $150 for labor + the cost of supplies.
If he was willing to pay $1100 for a motor, then I don't think $150 in labor + $50 in supplies would have effected any relations with Mel, or the buyer.
If I sold a car that's supposed to run on premium, and the buyer (regardless of who they are -excluding immediate family) came back to me 9 months later and having been running anything less than premium regularily, expecting me to do a free motor swap I'd tell them to take jump in the lake. You made bank on selling the car, but $2700 for a 8 year old Park Avenue Ultra in the shape you sold it should have the buyer not complaining when they run it into the ground -I'd be willing to bet it has missed oil changes too.

[*B2*]

Slightly OT, but do you have any PA parts laying around from those you've had? The girlfriend's car may be getting some work when she returns in the fall. Interior parts primarily.

[harofreak00]

Geez, even though they are friends of Mel's, I'd still have charged them a minimum of $150 for labor + the cost of supplies.
If he was willing to pay $1100 for a motor, then I don't think $150 in labor + $50 in supplies would have effected any relations with Mel, or the buyer.
If I sold a car that's supposed to run on premium, and the buyer (regardless of who they are -excluding immediate family) came back to me 9 months later and having been running anything less than premium regularily, expecting me to do a free motor swap I'd tell them to take jump in the lake. You made bank on selling the car, but $2700 for a 8 year old Park Avenue Ultra in the shape you sold it should have the buyer not complaining when they run it into the ground -I'd be willing to bet it has missed oil changes too.

Ya, I know... and come to find out, Mel is not as good of friends with him as I thought. I did end up charging him $115 for supplies, most of which I had on hand already.

[harofreak00]

**blows off dust AGAIN***

Well my good karma has graced me again. I got a call from this guy again yesterday. He told me they hit a deer a while back, and the car has been having electrical issues every since. The battery won't hold a charge overnight. The asked me if I was interested in buying the car back. The junk yard offered $300, so I offered $350. They said I could have it. I'll put the 100k engine out and scrap the rest of the car. Basically a free engine.

Amazing what 2 years of ownership can do to a car...

http://stcloud.craigslist.org/pts/3518848039.html

[BlackHawk99]

That's terrible, but good for you.

[Blown93SSEi]

Sweet. How heavy was the front end damage?

[SSEiMan01]

That poor Park Ave!!

[Hotwheels]

Yikes....

How many miles are on it now?

[harofreak00]

They put in a new cluster with 95k on it, so I don't really know. It had 180k when I sold it, so I'd guess maybe 220k?

[2002FO]

What a shame... That thing was super clean when you sold it, and just a few years later, and it's trashed...

[Squilliam]

Its really a shame to see how much someone trashes a really nice car. A cavalier I could understand, but an Ultra? Just goes to show that the majority of the population views their cars as appliances, no more, no less. Just like the last 2 owners of my Ultra.

[MattStrike]

Hm... If I didn't already have 3 projects I'd take it.

[wjcollier07]

JEEZ. They DESTROYED that car. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle knowing what work was put into making everything perfect (the LEDs, brakes, fender alignment, etc) and seeing it again like that.

What's with the two donut tires anyways?

Good to see karma at work in all the right ways. You definitely deserve the extra bonus Andrew.