A lesson in buying a 2007 Quattroporte ZF Auto

After a week in Monterey I flew into Scottsdale to buy a 18,000 mile fully loaded one owner 2007 ZF Auto Quattroporte. Met the very nice owner at his house.
Before paying him for the car I suggested we take it over to the dealer and have the tech hook it up to the laptop and read the codes and have the oil and filter changed before my drive back to Seattle.
On the drive to the dealership the engine light came on. I called the seller to let him know and he said it had happened before and the dealer told him it was a glitch, no worry.

At the dealership the tech read the codes and discovered the oxygen sensor was faulty only the problem was between the computer and the sensor?? With a flashlight the tech saw that the engine wiring loom had been slightly chewed by some mice. Upon dropping the under pan we all noted rat droppings, lots of them!
The cost to repair would be $7000 +$3,000 for the harness which would include engine out to preform the job and NOT covered by the factory warranty. This repair would preserve the remaining factory warranty. The wiring could be spliced and repaired for about $3,000 but would compromise the factory warranty should the car develop an electrical glitch in the future.
I told the buyer I had come to buy the car, and was prepared to buy the car, but that even if he discounted the car $10,000 from the $58,000 agreed to price I would NOT buy the car.
I do not want a car that has undergone major surgery. This could be a great buy for someone, but not me.
The lesson here is "read the codes" they tell everything about the car such as how many times the doors have been opened, if the car has ever been overheated, ever red lined, how many times the engine light has come on and why.
I am still looking for a 2007 ZF QP preferably blue and loaded if you know of one.
Ciao,
Frank Mandarano
PS Concorso Italiano was for me a return to the Quail days and a lot of fun!

 

I would like to see photos and know more about your car.
Ciao,
FGM

 

I absolutely do not think the seller knew about the problem, he was a very nice guy, not a dealer or in the business.
He was devastated and looked to be in semi shock.
I'm still looking for a ZF Auto Car. Anyone?
Ciao,
Frank