I sold a potential lemon... moral dilemma.

[jb997]

So here's the situation.

Owned a 2007 997C2S (2nd owner) for the past 25k miles (total miles 32k). Ok looked after (one service) but nothing special.

Car was getting to the point that it was about to get expensive - needed new brakes, RMS needed doing, tyres, etc.

However and most crucially.... I also think it was about to give up - definitely a change in the engine sound (like a feint sowing machine noise when cold), definitely a small vibration that wasn't there before and sooty exhaust tips. The car still pulled ok and to anyone not used to Porsches getting into it you would not notice anything but I suspect any real enthusiast (and Porsche indy) could've felt that the car wasn't quite right. Its also lived a fairly tough life to say the least...

As chance has it my wife wanted to change her 4x4 to the new Lexus SUV. Went to place the order and the guy asked if we had a part exchange. I wasn't planning on it but I asked him to quote on my car. On paper its a great car - OPC bought, all stamps, full service and only 32k miles. The Lexus guy made a few calls and ended up giving me a very decent offer.... I saw a quick chance to get rid of the car and a potentially large bill (I don't have a warranty) so I took it on the spot.

I didn't drive the car until the part exchange was done, gave it a nice wash/polish, had all the docs in a nice binder, etc. The Lexus guy had a quick look around the car, obviously didn't know what to look for and took it on spec - didn't even drive it.

I knew the car will likely change hands through various traders (and maybe auction) before it got to a new buyer giving me some protection and I did not specifically lie about its condition (they didn't ask me..) - Been a couple of months now so looks like I got away with it... however, I have to admit I feel a bit crappy about the whole thing as some poor guy may end up with a very expensive mess to sort out.

So, am I total wker for what I did? Seriously, what would others have done?

Does make you think though about buying second hand cars - you never know what the real history is..

[Soovy]

What were you supposed to do, keep it?

Caveat emptor.

Traders can look after themselves. He had ample chance to drive it, he didn't.

[Actus Reus]

Soovy said:

What were you supposed to do, keep it?

Caveat emptor.

Traders can look after themselves. He had ample chance to drive it, he didn't.

This.

If I were you I'd be very pleased with myself - and, for the record, they bought as seen - would never have had any come back against you.

[A.C.E]

selling it to private buyer without disclosing the faults or the potential big bills is a rather stty thing to do.

p/xing to a trader and not disclosing and them not driving it either?? well............. they aren't exactly the most honest and moralistic members of society are they??

dont lose sleep over it. enjoy your new motor :-)

[EJ911]

+ 1

If they didn't check it out properly that’s their problem surely, don't worry about it I'm sure others have done much worst than this.

EJ

[jonamv8]

no i'd have done the same - good work on your behalf.

I would however keep an eye on the Porsche forums for any buyer asking about your potential car, you could give them a few more details on it's past. Let Lexus struggle

[jas xjr]

But the vibration could simply be a heatshield or something

[Ali2202]

Rest easy Fella. ......and admit nothing to anyone!....maybe even remove this thread as it could incriminate you if there's a bitter Salesman out there!

[river_rat]

Hopefully whoever buys it will notice the problems quickly and throw it back at the dealer they buy it from to sort out. Not ideal, but at least the buyer has some protection (for a period).

I wouldn't worry about it - the trader had an opportunity to check it all thoroughly and didn't - not your problem IMO.

[Soovy]

If I am honest I did the same with my 911 after five years.

Very over due a service, tyres worn out, squeaky belts, 100k+ miles, temperature gauge playing up, needed paint here and there etc etc etc.

I traded it in, drove it to the dealer on pickup day, parked it at the FAR END of the carpark and tossed them the keys.

Salesman never even looked at it. Their problem.

Edited by Soovy on Thursday 20th October 13:26

[Jobbo]

Was it really likely to let go? Cars make different noises all the time, could just be a drop in ambient temperature which caused it.

More relevantly, notwithstanding the fact that there's no liability on you, chances are it was sold with an insurance-backed warranty to somebody by a trader so it's the insurance company which will fork out if it did fail.

[philcray]

being honest, we would all do exactly the same.....

However, from the moral maze perspective, it is not the dealer who will suffer but the unfortunate person who buys his new P&J from the dealer in good faith, only to find out it is a dog...

[Fat Albert]

My car makes a different noise and strange vibrations every day...but she is at 219,000 miles so I let her off...

[jb997]

Interesting reaction.

I don't really feel that bad for the Lexus dealer as he's a main dealer and will have just shifted it to a trader as soon as he got it. I do though feel bad for whoever buys the car and potentially a major headache to go with it - let's just say I wouldn't touch that car....

Interesting on this forum that traders are all supposed to sell 100% perfect cars and they are hung for any minor issue but looks like selling dodgy cars to them is fair game..!

[996GT2]

jb997 said:

Interesting on this forum that traders are all supposed to sell 100% perfect cars and they are hung for any minor issue but looks like selling dodgy cars to them is fair game..!

Are you actually a car dealer who's just bought a knackered 997 from a Lexus dealer?

[Pferdestarke]

You've given away a lot of specific details on a very popular forum. To say you're concerned I'd have been less specific in relation to yor actual deal so as not to admit to it all in the public domain.

[matc]

Interesting comments from owners who moan far more about dealers/indis, than any other forum I've ever visited.

I imagine the reaction would have been miles different had the boot been on the other foot. Imagine 'OP buys car from dealer over the phone, takes delivery without test-drive (not uncommon) and then has all of the above issues to sort.' You lot would be up in arms, suggesting solicitors, making sure they lose their franchise etc etc.

Double standards at its best.

[Ayahuasca]

It will presumably be sold on with some kind of warranty, and anyone in their right mind would get a 911 checked out by a specialist before parting with cash right?

So no worries.

[markyboy911]

All the advice on this forum says get a PPI done before handing over your hard earned cash to a dealer or a private sale. How many cars have people here walked away from as a result? No PPI = loads of risk.

Your old motor is no different.

[Diesel130]

TTIUWP... especially of the reg number