lying seller bellend

[lord trumpton]

I viewed an Audi S3 from a private seller for a cheap hack whilst a new car is delivered.

High miles but well maintained apparently. I asked about clutch and he'd no record of it being changed.

Not had it long, story was he and his wife had decided to go travelling (hmmm red flag but he was articulate, well spoken and seemed sincere so benefit of doubt given)

Got there - condition just as described, Very tidy etc

Test drive - was great around town, and then took onto a DC. Seller randomly pipes up he's never been anywhere other than around town in it.

Sure enough hard acceleration in 4th and clutch slipping. Seller seemed surprised

I obviously didn't buy - seller profusely sorry and had no idea apparently.

Anyway I duly fked off home and thought no more of it other than 'he must have known'

I watched it over a few weeks with the same advert text with gradual price reductions.

I send a message via autotrader with a blag name and asked about clutch, was it OK with the miles etc

Seller states same ste - no record of clutch change, drives fine and no problems!

He'd obviously bought it, realised it was fooked and trying to offload it to some punter on the hope they don't notice..

What a crook!

[rocket_ron]

You have learned a very valuable life lesson for very little cost. I would count that as a win.

And in IME - in general including myself in this - prestige cars with a good write up and lots of photos can lead to a blinkered view. Like you can decide to like something before you even see it. I think sellers capitalise on this.

Anyway- lucky escape!

[RUSTILLDOWN]

Some owners get scared by the smallest things… £500 fix on a tidy (non shed) car can sometimes be considered a bargain.

[dudleybloke]

If the rest of the car was OK I would have made him a low ball offer as it needs a clutch.

[lord trumpton]

RUSTILLDOWN said:

Some owners get scared by the smallest things… £500 fix on a tidy (non shed) car can sometimes be considered a bargain.

A new clutch and flywheel on and S3 will take you well over a grand

It wasn't priced to accommodate the spends.

Plus, I didn't mention in the original post, there was a random 'whine/screech' when lift off throttle - possibly syncro or a 'box bearing.

Just a lying bubble

[RUSTILLDOWN]

lord trumpton said:

RUSTILLDOWN said:

Some owners get scared by the smallest things… £500 fix on a tidy (non shed) car can sometimes be considered a bargain.

A new clutch and flywheel on and S3 will take you well over a grand

It wasn't priced to accommodate the spends.

Plus, I didn't mention in the original post, there was a random 'whine/screech' when lift off throttle - possibly syncro or a 'box bearing.

Just a lying bubble

Now sounds more like a £3K fix… stay away from the vehicle! Beep Beep Beep

[Giantt]

Just out of interest,did you actually tell him he was a lying bell end?

[Davie]

An S3 just reeks of being one of those cars that extreme caution is required when buying - plenty have fallen into the "buy it, thrash it, bin it" category more so perceived cheap ones and I suspect they're the domain of a certain demographic...

I'd buy something disposable... spend nothing on it, including time and effort, then scrap / sell when the new car arrives.

[RUSTILLDOWN]

lord trumpton said:

RUSTILLDOWN said:

Some owners get scared by the smallest things… £500 fix on a tidy (non shed) car can sometimes be considered a bargain.

A new clutch and flywheel on and S3 will take you well over a grand

It wasn't priced to accommodate the spends.

Plus, I didn't mention in the original post, there was a random 'whine/screech' when lift off throttle - possibly syncro or a 'box bearing.

Just a lying bubble

Now sounds more like a £3K fix… stay away from the vehicle! Beep Beep Beep