Sweet Deal - $5k Quigley / SoCal

[MountainBikeRoamer]

No affiliation ---
this just popped up on the local CL.

Seller mentions the title is missing, so there might be some hoops to jump through to register. Still looks like solid rig buy! :d8:

-------------------------------------------------------

1996 4WD Ford Van - $5000 (Mission Viejo)
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/6205440181.html

"Great van that has been sitting since my father passed away. It was used as a hobby car for desert trips. Im clearing out his things and this has to go. It was parked here about 11 months ago and ran fine. It hasn't been driven since though so it probably needs a mechanics once over. It will probably start right up and drive but I would recommend a flatbed until it has been fully checked. Perfect for a camping enthusiast or desert rat. It has a Winch, Roof lights, Gas and Tire Rack on the rear. Also has a spare gas tank built in for long trips. He loved this van and took great care of it. What he didn't take great care of was the paperwork. I cant find the title in any of his things so you will have to go through the process of a missing title. It should be a great vehicle for someone else to have a lot more adventures in. Im sure all the extra gear on it is worth at least as much as the asking price.

First 5k takes it but you have to deal with the paperwork. Im the trustee of the estate and can sign it over to you but I have too much paperwork already and don't want to deal with more.

Ill be in Mission Viejo tomorrow (Thursday 6/6) if anyone wants to take it."

-------------------------------------------------------
:b5:

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Might be a great deal, might be a scam. Some of the phrasing seems fishy to me.


Herb

 

[MountainBikeRoamer]

Might be a great deal, might be a scam. Some of the phrasing seems fishy to me.


Herb

Yeah, I agree, could for sure be a scam....but I guess it just doesn't quite feel like one to me for a couple reasons (seller openly willing to meet right away (tomorrow) for one, and also seller's recommended specifics of what willl likely need to be done to actually physically take delivery of the vehicle since it hasn't been started in 11 months.)

Van is literally here in my (previous) neighborhood, I live/work about 15 minutes away....I'm half-curious enough to go take a look myself.

EDIT:
Gotta admit, a missing title does indeed warrant some healthy skepticism (and doing extra amounts of homework and diligent fact-checking...)

 

[ilazonic]

well thank you google maps you can actually see it in the driveway!!! so it's a legit add

 

[Flux]

With the original owner passed away and no title for the vehicle........good luck. It'll be hard enough for the family members with death cert in hand to do it let alone a private buyer.

Wife is dealing with her dad's truck in this way. Have to go back through Ford.

 

[86Scotty]

Wow, it seems legit to me. And it seems like a steal. Seems like someone could pay cash, get a bill of sale and wait a few months for things to calm down. Then go back to the seller and see if they're more helpful. If not, part it!

Also, I wonder if it might actually be a 97. The grill is 97 up and is and easy swap but the decals on the side of the front corner panel suggest 97 don't they?

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

For this price, I would see if the seller would accept a good faith deposit and a contract that stipulates the balance will be paid upon the state executing a new title.


Herb

 

[Flux]

Yeah, my thought is that only family will be able to get a title. If you buy it, get a copy of the death certificate.

 

[Lugee]

I live 5 minutes away. I may check it out, but paperwork and hassle...

 

[Youngster]

FYI, the owner forgot to mention that van is set up for handicap: chair lift, hand controls for pedals.

...A friend went by and peered in the windows.

 

[Lugee]

Just talked to the owner. It's not registered.

 

[arctictraveller]

This could still be a deal. If i were in the market, I would inspect in person, make an offer, and provide a small deposit, (a few hundred dollars) and in return get a bill of sale stipulating the deposit is fully refundable, if the title can't be transfered in a certain amount of time. Then I would require the owner to go with me to the DMV with all the paper work he has. If they won't issue title on the spot, the ballance of funds would not transfer until title was in my name. If he's not willing to do that, I'd either walk away, or make a low ball offer if I really wanted it, and take my chances. At worst, you might risk a few hundred dollars if the guy's a flake, but on the other hand you might just get a great deal. I got the deal of the century on my van partly because I was willing to work hard to solve a lack of title issue. (There was no title, and the registered owner was out of the country)

 

[Youngster]

Some more info:
A friend went to meet the owner and look over this van this morning. A car fax was pulled ahead of time, which told that the van had been in an accident on the right side a couple of times. Friend said that the side slider door won't close completely, and it dumps a lot of gas when turned over. I don't know if they started it and got it to idle. Details were scant via texting.

 

[Lugee]

Some more info:
A friend went to meet the owner and look over this van this morning. A car fax was pulled ahead of time, which told that the van had been in an accident on the right side a couple of times. Friend said that the side slider door won't close completely, and it dumps a lot of gas when turned over. I don't know if they started it and got it to idle. Details were scant via texting.

I looked at some of the photos and you can see the gaps on the doors. I figured it was hit at some point. Thanks for the update. Did he say want engine it had?

 

[Youngster]

I looked at some of the photos and you can see the gaps on the doors. I figured it was hit at some point. Thanks for the update. Did he say want engine it had?

The engine is a 460, with 135k miles on it.

Talked to my friend briefly on the phone, said they almost got it started but it wouldn't quite do it. Said the interior is pretty rough, has handicap pedal controls and a wheelchair lift in it.

He passed on it, but felt that the seller would have taken less than his asking price.

 

[Yeti Tom]

no title? will be tied up in probate? run away

 

[ilazonic]

well if the dude has a power of attorney to sign whatever paper work then it's no big deal you fill out "pink" form from DMV with is transfer with missing title and you are done

 

[MadScience]

I don't think executor is quite the same as the correct living person or even power of attorney. But I'm not a lawyer. (If anyone is, or has experience with this, and can correct me with details, I'd be happy to learn more.)

I agree that this needs to be a conditional deposit for anyone that wants to be able to register this thing. Otherwise, it kind of is priced right to part out. Which would be a shame.

I've driven a class C with a 460. Those things haul. It has to be amazing in an RB.

 

[ilazonic]

Well my buddy is on his way right now so I will know more details tomorrow once he gets there and see what's up

 

[ilazonic]

Well so a good friend of my picked this van up yestarday and drove it back 400miles home to SF bay area without any issues. Thanx for a free battery I guess whoever was checking it out earlier left it there also that fuel leak was a small leaky hose that was pretty easy accessible. Paper work is also done no biggie on that I'm trying to figure out why people are scared of getting their hands dirty a little bit and get smoking deal, engine runs very good 10mpg for a 460 is pretty damn good. Also reason why sliding doors didn't close is because there is a wheelchair lift so when that is working everything is closed completely without issues.Anyways guys dont be afraid to get your hands dirty a little and risk few bucks in the end this **** pays off big time :d3: