Interesting 99 Black ACR on eBay... belong to anyone here on the board?

[jpa99acr]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6209&item=1876440920

Car has only 3200 miles, and appears to have a Hennessey exhaust system. Reserve is met at only $51K...! Appears to be a good deal, although I haven't checked carfax... (don't need two ACRs anyway hehe).

Anyone on the board know any history behind this car? Just curious! The seller claims he doesn't know what Hennessey goodies were installed...?

You must be registered for see images

 

[lleone]

I don't think those are the HMS tips on the exhaust. At least they aren't like the ones I have on my snake. It also has the stock headers on it. Someone also appears to have added the fogs back also. Looks nice, anyone in the area to check it out?

 

[John Johns]

Tips look like ZAF.

 

[DEVILDOG]

I'd be cautious on this one. I don't believe it has Hennessey exhaust. Hennessey has 4 inch rolled tips. Those are ZAF tips and they would not fit over a Hennessey exhaust. Plus the owner does not know what else Hennessey did to the car...what's with that?

I can't read the Hennessey badging, however, it does not look correct either.

 

[snowmann]

Oh brother, here we go again... I am now the high bidder on this car but I thought that was a Hennessey(sp) exhaust. It looks like it says Hennessey Motorsports on the side too. I like the rims, but was chrome an option for an ACR? I am going to tell the buyer to back my bid out before the auction ends again. The buyer knows NOTHING about the car (another great sign huh?). Carfax is clean, the car was originally in Arizona and it is now in Seattle? I have a good feeling Hennessey worked on this car and the engine blew up and the engine was replaced. Why else would this have the Hennessey badging on the side and no Hennessy exhaust or engine?? Anyone know what the real deal is? Oh well someday I will find a good deal on a solid black ACR.

 

[prevnine11ownr]

ZAF have a website????

 

[NascarDave]

JPA,
You have a pm.

DN

 

[2charmed]

A simple phone call to Bill Luke Dodge in Pheonix would tell you what was done to the car. I would check with Eddie Martin the
viper tech.

2Charmed

 

[snowmann]

Hmm...

Engine was not modified by Hennessey...
Exhaust was not modified by Hennessey...
Badging indicates otherwise...
Low miles???

Something is fishy...

 

[jpa99acr]

I emailed him this morning. Here is what I said, and his response is below:

From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 8:48 AM
Subject: Question for seller -- Item #1876440920


"Although we believe that some HMS equipment exists on this car we have no
proof as to what level of performance equipment was installed."

Huh? You have a 55-60K car, and don't know what mods have been done?

?
--

 

[jpa99acr]

I'll check my PM now Dave

 

[snowmann]

Here is some more information that he told me...

"This car was sold to him with no mention of Hennsessy equipment and he did not buy as such nor did it have the decals on it then as I have a picture. I have viewed this acr the Stock Exhaust Manifold's are in place, no carbon fiber intakes and un molested in appearance with signs of major modifications. I am a master certified Tech and know cars!"

Sound like he knows car, but maybe not Vipers. I would think a master tech could tell you what mods are on a car...

What do I know?

 

[lleone]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JF58854777:
I have a good feeling Hennessey worked on this car and the engine blew up and the engine was replaced. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If the car is sound and it has a new motor, it's a good deal.

I bought my Viper used and the dealer knew nothing about Vipers. There were oddities they couldn't answer, but overall I had a positive "vibe" regarding the car and the dealer. 8000+ miles later, I'm still very happy. If this seller gives you a bad feeling, somethings either wrong or their just not customer friendly. Hence getting someone you trust or yourself to take a look-see at the car.

Lou

 

[dblankenbaker]

I have been interested in this car, too, but I've been sitting on the sidelines. My first concern was that the seller wanted a $5,000 deposit wired to him within 48 hours. He states the deposit is fully refundable if you fly out and don't like the car. I offered to fly out WITH THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE within 48 hours of auction end, but I was told that he couldn't accommodate me in that short of timeframe, and that I needed to wire him a deposit before I flew out.

I checked all his feedback, and the feedback of the people who left him feedback, and a few things bothered me. He sold at least a couple cars where the buyer and seller both left feedback the same day as the auction ended. Also, there is a Corvette that he sold TWICE in 2 months, and got/gave good feedback to both buyers. The person who bought it in OCTOBER got/gave good feedback on December 31. However the person who who bought it in early December got/gave good feedback two weeks EARLIER(??).

I got the service history from Dodge, ran AutoCheck, etc. The first owner was 25 years old when he bought it. He got married 6 months after selling the car... seems reasonable. The last owner died on November 24 at the age of 71.

I am still thinking of bidding if I can get him down to $2,000 on the deposit. "If it looks too-good-to-be-true it probably is." If you guys want to talk me out of it, please do. If Joseph stays in, I probably won't bid. But I do think it's ridiculous to put a timeframe on the deposit, yet he won't let the buyer take delivery in that timeframe!!!!

 

[snowmann]

That's a good point. The guys seems really friendly and up front. I don't think he is shady and his Ebay feedback is excellent. I honestly think if he knew more about the car he would say something, just hate to inspect cars for myself and have to find stuff out. Much nicer when you get the story. Still seems to be a big mystery why the Hennessey badging with no signs of Hennessey work?

 

[Jerome Sparich]

The same reason Nissans can be seen with Vtec stickers. Some people are real posers.

 

[46hemi]

I would not trust anyone with a 50k purchase who uses "Spudman" as a name on an email. Seems a bit goofy for such a serious transaction.

 

[snowmann]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jerome P. Sparich:
The same reason Nissans can be seen with Vtec stickers. Some people are real posers.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't think you can call Hennessey and just buy the badging.

 

[Jerome Sparich]

Is it a badge or stickers?

Stickers are easy to copy.

It is a nice car.

 

[dblankenbaker]

The gas cap, exhaust tips, and metal badge below the shifter are from ZAF.

 

[toddt]

If you want a perfect 99 ACR (with a warranty and new tires) for 51K you COULD just buy mine .

 

[jpa99acr]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dblankenbaker:
The gas cap, exhaust tips, and metal badge below the shifter are from ZAF.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Interesting observation. We sure have some sharp eagle eyes here in the Viper club

BTW, would it be possible to call Hennessey, give VIN # and find out if they have ever modded the car?

 

[John ACR]

Gents,
When looking for my ACR there was one in AZ with a blown engine @ 70 miles.
It was a DC buyback and then sold by the original dealer.
It was Bl/Bl and no stripes.
I believe Luke was the dealer I spoke with about the car.
Have a Dodge dealer run the VIN #.

 

[snowmann]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dblankenbaker:
I have been interested in this car, too, but I've been sitting on the sidelines. My first concern was that the seller wanted a $5,000 deposit wired to him within 48 hours. He states the deposit is fully refundable if you fly out and don't like the car. I offered to fly out WITH THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE within 48 hours of auction end, but I was told that he couldn't accommodate me in that short of timeframe, and that I needed to wire him a deposit before I flew out.

I checked all his feedback, and the feedback of the people who left him feedback, and a few things bothered me. He sold at least a couple cars where the buyer and seller both left feedback the same day as the auction ended. Also, there is a Corvette that he sold TWICE in 2 months, and got/gave good feedback to both buyers. The person who bought it in OCTOBER got/gave good feedback on December 31. However the person who who bought it in early December got/gave good feedback two weeks EARLIER(??).

I got the service history from Dodge, ran AutoCheck, etc. The first owner was 25 years old when he bought it. He got married 6 months after selling the car... seems reasonable. The last owner died on November 24 at the age of 71.

I am still thinking of bidding if I can get him down to $2,000 on the deposit. "If it looks too-good-to-be-true it probably is." If you guys want to talk me out of it, please do. If Joseph stays in, I probably won't bid. But I do think it's ridiculous to put a timeframe on the deposit, yet he won't let the buyer take delivery in that timeframe!!!!


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Dave, I am pretty sure he would work with you. He has been really nice to me in emails. Usually if you give a buyer proof that you bought a plane ticket I think they are pretty nice about waiving the deposit. I don't think too many people get on a plane to joke around. If he doesn't understand that then this is leaning towards a scam. If someone buys a plane ticket they are not kidding around and they should not have to pay a deposit. The only time I think a deposit is really needed is if you are not going to pick up the car that weekend and need him to hold the car for you. Any other rules are bogus (in my opinion). I am mildly interested in the car, but I really want to figure out the connection between the Hennessey badging and the lack of Hennessey work on the engine and exhaust

Doesn't seem logical and I don't like buying cars with incomplete stories. My max bid is 51,500 and I don't intend on paying any more. I told him I was "iffy" about the car and he said not to worry about it since he was sure I would be outbid and that if I won the auction I did not have to buy the car.

 

[8AVETTE]

Hey what about the 2001 ACR on ebay at 55,300k and N/R.Does anyone know this car?

 

[snowmann]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jerome P. Sparich:
Is it a badge or stickers?

Stickers are easy to copy.

It is a nice car.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No there is metal badging inside the car too, I don't think a poser would go to that extreame.

 

[Jerome Sparich]

Someone could always just ask JH whats up with it.

I could do it but I just don't want people putting me on one side or another on that issue.

 

[kverges]

Am I crazy?

This thread is like many others where the bidder is concerned about the car, but bids anyway, SIGHT UNSEEN. Do you understand that a bid, if accepted, is a contract? YOU, not the seller, are in the wrong if you decide not to buy the car because of some unseen flaw or unasked question (I'm not talking about a misrepresentation, but rather the car not being quite what you hoped for when you see it in person or perhaps having a mechanical problem that neither you nor the seller knew about).

I recently posted my car for sale and same thing; a bunch of low-ball bidders who never communicated with me at all. Only one person looked at the car and never bid, although I think he will end up buying the car.

It seems simple to me. If you are serious, have a qualified person inspect the car carefully, run a a carfax, and run the VIN through Dodge. This will cost about $250 or so.

THEN bid. If you aren't willing to do this or the seller balks, then one or both of you have issues that make the transaction a bad idea to begin with.

But this speculation followed by an apparent intent to walk the deal if not satisfied upon winning the bid is wrong, is a breach of contract, and is plain flakey.

Am I crazy?

 

[Janni]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kverges:
Am I crazy?

Am I crazy?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, on both counts...

I know that lots of folks use eBay as really just an advertising medium as opposed to thinking that they will actually close the auction with a winning bid - however, it is an AUCTION, and if you BID and meet the reserve then you should BUY the car and complete the transaction. Ask questions before you bid - study the pictures.

It's frustrating that folks in transactions like this think it's ok to bid and feel that if they decide something isn't what they thought it was, that they can just flake.

 

[dblankenbaker]

In this case, the car is not available for inspection until after the auction is over and after you wire a deposit. The auction says the winning bidder has the right to walk away after inspecting the car....

"Owner Guarantee!!"

"While it is not required, the "Serious Winning Bidder" of this "Snake Bite Mopar" is offered to accept the owners guarantee. Fly/Drive into Mercer Island, Washington with cashiers check in Hand for Final Payment Prior to Transport and if you are not Thrilled that it was as described, You won't Own It!!! Controlled by the Spudman! The Deposit will be refunded. NO DISAPPOINTMENTS!"