| Author | Message | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
New member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2003 |
Probably nothing. The Federal law states that you may not make a false odometer statements to defraud a unsuspecting buyer. It does not say that you can not replace/repair your odometer, you must however report the correct mileage upon sale. Again, legally the shop owner does not need to report it to anyone. | ||
| Carl Rose (Carl_rose)
Junior Member Username: Carl_rose Post Number: 104 Registered: 10-2002 |
Curious thought for the shop owners on this board: What does one do when encounters a car with sensor disconnected or interrupt switch installed (assuming it's in for another service/not on market)?  Carl | ||
| Carl Rose (Carl_rose)
Junior Member Username: Carl_rose Post Number: 103 Registered: 10-2002 |
Curious thought for the shop owners on this board: What does one do when you run across a car with sensor disconnected or interrupt switch installed? Carl | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1107 Registered: 4-2002 |
The mechanical speedos that were used on domestics of this same era were very easy to roll back. I don't know if the electric speedos/odos go backwards. Might have to take it apart to alter it. Many states, including Oregon, don't keep track of odo info on older cars. I forget the cutoff age, but when I licensed mine, they didn't ask for mileage at all. This is a federal requirement, and if any states are requiring odo info on old cars, they are doing so on their own, not to comply with fed odo laws. | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
New member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2003 |
On a "newer car" it is easier to look for wear areas. ie driver's seat bolster, pedals, steering wheel, seat belt etc. I have seen some cars that claim low mileage and there is no way in the world that the mileage could be correct. It is a Federal crime to falsify odometer readings, but there are some people willing to take a chance. | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 308 Registered: 3-2001 |
Apparently it's very easy to do (on older vehicles), and it can be done with an electric drill...Using the high rpm it can wipe off thousands of miles in minutes....Please don't quiz me on how it is physically attached to the drill,cos I don't know/don't want to know | ||
| Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Member Username: Tbakowsky Post Number: 315 Registered: 9-2002 |
Be very aware when buying any F-car, that seems to have higher milage than what is displayed. It is extremly common on these cars to install a switch under the dash to turn off the signal from the speed sensor. If you are questioning the mileage you could poke you head under the dash to make sure the harness hasn't been tampered with. Being a mechanic who services these cars, I have come across quite a few. | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
New member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 16 Registered: 4-2003 |
Jerry, most states only keep mileage records for cars 10 years or newer. Rollbacks do happen. The real thing to watch out for is cars moving quickly from state to state. Sure there is a "National" market for F-Cars, but exhorbitant state to state transfers throw up a Red Flag for Title Washing". Then I ask him if I spoke to him about another car as his Ad sounds so familar it gives me the creeps. And he replies: "I am not a Dealer". I never asked if you were a dealer. Caveat emptor. I called a guy selling a 1999 355 Spider with a claimed 15K original miles. He immediately goes into this story of why he never registered it, and has owned it for many months. Then guess what?? No service records. What a surprise. The car is supposed to be a 1 owner car and this guy does not have the where withall to ask for documented records?? | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3800 Registered: 8-2002 |
Isn't easier to disconnect the speedo? Seems like more work to roll it back. M | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Junior Member Username: Dom Post Number: 129 Registered: 11-2002 |
Does the car have service records? The mileage is usually stated on the receipt from the workshop. If you examine these, it may give you a clue regarding the mileage. If no service records, walk...or deeply discount the price. | ||
| Mike Procopio (Pupz308)
Member Username: Pupz308 Post Number: 280 Registered: 10-2002 |
I've found the 5 digit VIN to be pretty much a deal breaker on any sort of vehicle research. Hell, many places I went with the car was a fight to get the VIN recognized--insurance and motor vehicle registration most notably. You probably won't be able to find any formal history on the car through carfax. Where is it located? Many states have a formal process that keeps track of the registrations since, say, 94 or something, and then they have archives after that. California has an effective process. Go digging at the MVD/DMV office of the state where the car is at. You'll be able to find past registrations, hopefully, at least within the past four or five years. After that, you might have luck with archive searches at these offices--be prepared to provide a LICENSE PLATE number and not a VIN. In the end, I dead-ended--was not able to find any registration record in CA (don't have the license plate number or records from this period, some 20 years ago now). As far as the mileage goes... I don't know how easy it is to reverse the miles on the odomoter--drive the car in reverse on jack stands? I've read it's very easy to disconnect the odomoter... Anybody good with speedomoters could probably do their worst on it. Finally, I have personally looked at a Ferrari 308 in FL whose records, dates, and mileage were clearly contradictory. They're out there. Mike | ||
| Jerry W. (Tork1966)
Member Username: Tork1966 Post Number: 609 Registered: 7-2001 |
I have a buddy looking at a 1979 308 GTS that currently has 48,000 miles on it. I would swear that I looked at this same car 2 years ago and it had 69,000 on it. How hard/easy would it be for someone to turn back mileage on one of these cars and secondly, I can't seem to be able to do any title research with a 5 digit VIN (including Carfax). Any help would be appreciated, Jerry. |