Ive gone on way too many long road trips to look at junk. From Long Island to KY to look at a 71 Nova that was a piece of junk with new paint. A few years before I bought the wagon I drove to RI in the pouring rain to look at a one owner Malibu. Tolls over the bridges, towing my trailer. It was an expensive ride for nothing. The guy said it was recently painted. He even gave me the number for the body shop. The guy at the shop said the only rust was on the hood and they fixed it. Car was in a garage. I popped the trunk, reached into the quarters and felt the jagged edge of rot that they left when they lap welded the seam. Doors were blown out at the bottom and covered with sealer. I closed the door, walked out of the garage with my son and my buddy, got in the truck and drove away. I never even spoke to the guy selling the car.
Ive learned over the years that a lot of people selling cars just suck. They lie. Its not their time thats wasted nor their money.
These days I ask for very specific photos. If the spots look bad in a picture, most likely its going to look even worse in person. Dont want to spend time taking the photos I ask for, conversations over. Its that simple. Thats the reason I still have my wagon. I was trying to buy another Monte SS up in the NW corner of VT. At least 7-8 hrs away. Friend of mine was going to buy my wagon. I asked the owner for photos of the door bottoms, interior and a few others. He reposted the ad on CL with a few pictures taken in a dark garage. He refused to send me any more. I walked away and kept my wagon.
