ZFFEW58A650142103 - Craig's List Scam

This car is listed for sale on Craig's List in Los Angeles - Sun Valley, to be specific; click here.

And while the seller admits that the car has a different set of wheels, "because the left rear wheel is bent very badly," it still doesn't explain the other inconsistencies.

First of all, in the pictures, the left rear wheel isn't bent - the tire is understandably flat, but the wheel itself doesn't look flat - however, the axle looks bent, and that's not something that you can fix just by installing a new/different set of wheels.

Secondly, it seems weird that someone would install a new/different set of wheels without repairing/replacing the rear bumper/fascia.

But let's say that the axle WAS fixed, and a new/different set of wheels WAS installed in place of the gray F430 wheels that were on the car at the time of the accident. That still doesn't explain the new exhaust.

In the accident pictures - the ones showing what happened, at the gas station, immediately after it happened - the car is seen equipped with an aluminum, stock exhaust.

But in the other set of pictures, where the car is wearing gloss black 360 wheels, the car is seen equipped with an aftermarket exhaust with chrome exhaust tips.

Now maybe it IS possible that the seller swapped wheels - AND repaired/replaced the axle - before ever touching the rear fascia in any way. But a new exhaust? And if so, why not mention it in the ad like everything else?

Ergo, I believe it's a scam.

On an unrelated note, I don't know when the accident occurred, or where - but I had to take a guess, I'd say that the 76 gas station seen in the picture is the one on PCH in Malibu - and I don't know the identity of the Maranello involved, but I would love to find out.
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look at the bonnet gap on the left side...looks to be the same car...or a different car with the exact same point of impact..

 

RH door looks to be a different shade of red, so other damage at some stage?

 

Carbon - FYI - That gas station is just off the intersection of Parkway Calabasas and Calabasas Road (a lot over from the Mercedes of Calabasas dealership & directly across from the fire station you can see in the back of one of the posted pictures).

 

I wouldn't say its a "scam". Any buyer of a car in this condition with a salvage title disclosed on the ad should know what he is looking at and getting themselves into. It is obvious the car is in need of repair.

Whether the car is a fair deal or not is up for discussion - but calling it a "scam" is not fair to the seller.

 

So you guys think it's the same car? What about the wheels, the bent axle, the exhaust? How do you explain those details?

Good catch, I didn't even notice that. But I can only see the discrepancy in one picture.

Aha, okay; thank you.

 

I agree the axle looks bent (which would actually be the control arms) but the picture is not good enough to tell for certain. It would be very obvious inspecting the car if work was done in that area. The exhaust may have been replaced due to damage.

Not sure I agree it's a scam - perhaps a less than forthcoming add.

 

+1

 

All bolt on items easily replaced in an afternoon.

The axle isnt bent the car doesnt have a solid rear axle.

The control arms are the weak link and thats what happened in the crash.

Now if I was selling this car id fix that rear wheel damage too so it could roll.

The exhaust?? Who knows ask the seller