Ad states small engine fire, will run, no engine damage, wires only. Located in Calif. http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/136748069.html
La Habra? Where the hell is that? Not familiar with all the little towns in the Bay Area yet... I'd be interested to see just how bad the damage is. I'd go look at the car, and drive my GT4, just to see if they seller's for real or not.
La Habra is down in L.A. about 2 hours and 7 minutes So. of Santa Barbara according to MapQuest I e-mailed the seller early this morning and still no replies. I am questioning the price he is asking based on the looks and final value of the car when done. But it might just be a good first Ferrari for me. Mike
the "little engine fire" seems to have taken some paint with it on the c pillar...if the alloy deck lid is toast [sorry] then "a few wires" could get really expensive...i tend to avoid fire damage in the engine areas as a little fire can go a long way...
Let's see lots of pics if you go take a look at it... Between all of the active GT4 owners, we should be able to help you nail down exactly what a "little" fire damaged. Aaron
First reply from the seller >Only the engine compartment was damaged. The engine is OK, but it >will needs some new wires in the engine compartment. It's all complete. second reply to my comment about the paint looking damaged behind the drivers door. >The paint was damaged in that area. These are his entire answers to a dozen questions that I asked in 2 separate e-mails, he sure is not very talkative. ITs not looking too good anymore but I will pursue it as long as it is easy for me to get a look at it and take lots of pictures. Right now, without seeing it and with very little details, it is sounding very expensive, especially if now I have to throw some paint on.
Yeah... I *really* can't stand getting responses like that from sellers of ANY item - especially if you think the sale is legit and not some Zimbabwe scam. Enzos sell themselves...Dino 308GT4s with fire damage do not. You'd think he could sound a little more interested in making the sale. The key in this one is to see that car in person. 5 minutes with it should tell you everything you need to know about the damage. If it passes that test, dig deeper...if not, you've only lost 5 minutes on the deal.
I called the listed seller yesterday and received the following information. The listed seller is not the owner. He apparently is selling it for the owner who is terminally ill with cancer - sounded believable on the phone. He forwarded the first 6 attached photos. The owner is also selling two Fiat Dinos, a spyder and a coupe, both w/o engine and transmissions. Out of curiosity I went back to craigs list to view these cars and in the background the GT4 can be seen . The fire appears to have done comprehensive damage on the passenger side. That photo appears last. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yup, I will walk, I agree it is a basket case. WAY MORE damage than a few wires. I am actually in a little shock, how could he even say the car runs, the carbs are missing and did he expect me not to see the paint damage on the passenger side after I drove down to see the car ? at that price, it will be for sale for a long time I expect unless he gets lucky and finds the one born on the right minute. But 74dinogts how did you ever get pictures from him ? I sent him several e-mails and it was pulling teeth to get any information from him. Too bad about his FIAT Dino too, that one is in sorry shape also. *curiosity, what did he want for the Spider?*
Yikes! That car will need some serious work to get it to be worth $20k-$25k. Should be used for parts. BT
Run not walk from that one. Not even much in the way of parts. Interior looks shot, engins missing half the pieces, with the fire damage the rear quarters are in ruff shape. Looks like the engine hood against the wall. For a spent afternoon, chalk it up to experience.
I would guess the "seller" on CL is Kenny or MrKah, a guy who middlemans Italian cars all over the LA area. He's well known in Alfa circles. Not usually real forthcoming on useful info, and as a middleman he often doesn't know all the facts, or care. I've had a variety of frustrating email exchanges with him. That said, if this car is being middlemaned, the asking price is probably just that, and the car could actually be had for a lot less if someone was inclined to take it on. Not for me though. Andrew Watry Berkeley 75 GT4
I love how the ad said "will run". I guess he forgot to mention the "putting the entire thing back together first" part. Or the "remove the spare parts department from the driver's seat" part. Just a few small details really....
BINGO !!! that is him, he signed his e-mails "Kenny" and the e-mail address was MrKah@... The car is a goner, I would consider buying it if he knocked off 6 or 7 thousand from his asking price. Back to looking...
If one could get it for VERY cheep it would be a good start for a track car though! I'd do it if I was in a posision to do so! Then I'd rip up some asphalt!!! Cheers DT _______________________________________________________ There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!
The irony is that the car probably is actually worth $9K as a parts car. Someone like Rutlands could actually make money on the car at that price since they have the buyers. As a fixer-upper, I would think that unless you got the car practically for free, it wouldn't be worth it. Birdman
He forgot to mention ALL of the rubber in the engine bay is gone too. It's good chassis to start with for competition if the the frame members didn't take too much heat but judging form the burn pattern on the oil filter I would say it was pretty big. The rear hatch is a goner. I like the chin spoiler on it. Sad to see.
It's definately a parts only car. It's a shame it would cost so much to fix. But I guess the lesson here is for all us GT4 owners to check out the condition of those difficult to get at fuel lines underneath the air cleaner?
IMHO it's worth the try and offer 6k for it. and an estimate of 8 grand fixing it. or even less if you're a handy man gotta see those GT4 in FORZA magazine. for inspiration purposes
Don't think so and I am a handy man. You have to assume that the motor needs a rebuild, you can't buy that hulk and hope the motor is ok. The seller says it runs but without carbs, its anyones guess if it does. I would pay 2-3k for the car tops and maybe get away with a deal if the motor does not need going through, but most likely break even. 1. You have to check out the frame to make sure it did not get heat damage, then you have body work and then paint (entire car) 2. Interior is gone, seller claims to have it all but I will bet large sums of money that after the purchase and during re-assembly you will find lots of missing parts and those parts will not be cheap. Also, safe bet the seats need new leather, along with dash and interior panels. 3. Motor may be fine but to properly check out and repair the fire damage you will have to remove the motor, at that point it would seem silly to me to not open it up and check it out and at minimum throw in new rings/bearings/valve seals/belts into it as long as its open. Again, you might be fine but too risky with the fire damage. 4. Right Rear suspension at bare minimum needs going through, it was way too close to the fire, I personally would not do the right side without doing the left side as well. 5. safe to assume every piece of rubber needs to be replaces if it is even still there, like drive shaft boots, etc. I could go on...as a driver, the car is worth 2-3k tops for me to put it back together and enjoy my first Ferrari. As a parts car, someone already mentioned its worth 9k, I question that but I can see 6-7k, maybe 8-9 if the seller really has EVERYTHING for the car. It is worth more for its parts then I could pay and not lose my shirt on (or pretty much anyone else I imagine). Too bad too because it could make an awesome driver car but I won't blame the seller for parting it out since it is worth more that way. By the way I am fairly positive (99.9%) that it is the same seller that I purchased my Dino from, to see that fiasco take a look at the original ebay advert http://www.dinospider.com/ebayad.html and then browse the rest of the site about the motor damage and make sure you look at http://www.dinospider.com/distributor.html and click on the second picture on that page with the caption "why?" to see this guys mechanical skills. I wanted this GT4 but I like my life too much to do that to myself.
