Opie & Dave-RoR's Rebuilds

[Opie]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

How difficult has it been getting the paint matched?? I need to paint my hood, spoiler and some flares,,, don't want to blend but I'm leery about getting the paint matched. .

Paint hasn't been horrible, had a few that were dead on perfect, a few that were just a hair off and one Whiteout that was horrible. But our paint guy is generally very good at matching without blending.

Originally Posted by dowroa

@Opie - this is what happens when you disrespect the WRB Gods!

Glad it was simple to fix. Things happen.

When it happened I imeadiately remembered that I was supposed to have torqued them before I left...luckily was going pretty slow.

[YamahaR86]

Are you guys going to different junk yards and inspecting potential repair cars?


I've always been interested in picking up a project car, just don't know where to look.

[Opie]

Originally Posted by YamahaR86

Are you guys going to different junk yards and inspecting potential repair cars?

I've always been interested in picking up a project car, just don't know where to look.

We very, rarely, if ever go and inspect a car prior to purchase. That being said we do our own checklist of things to minimize our risk.
1. If you have the opportunity, inspect the vehicle in person.
2. If using pictures only, inspect every picture from the auction site, use the auction sites HD & zoom features if available and don't assume anything you can't see in a picture (damage, no damage, transmission, etc.). Auction sites like to take pictures of the good stuff on a car while leaving some damage, or rust, or other difficult to see in order to increase the cars value.
3. Read the auction listing, does the car start? Move? Do any of the pictures show it running (RPM)? Was it flooded? Are there bio-hazard issues? Etc?
4. Run a CarFax. Does the listed mileage match? Has the car had issues in the past? Does it have a decent maintenance history? How many owners? Where was it owned (rust state)?
5. Make a calculation of the parts needed to repair the car, take that figure plus your bid and auction fees and see if the purchase makes financial sense.
6. Don't forget to consider auction fees and transportation fees (if car is being delivered).
7. Don't over-bid!!! Set a price and stick to it, don't get caught up in "winning" the bid only to lose because you overpaid.

I've bought cars that looked good and weren't (a $500 '02 Subaru OBS) and bought cars that were a steal and an easy fix (a $375 '04 Forester XT), so it can go either way.

There is a whole lot more to it I (we) can go into like title types, salvage & destruction designations, how to register to use on street again. Where you can buy with or without a dealer license, etc. In the end every purchase is still a gamble.
We currently are using 2 sites to purchase insurance auction cars, A broker called;
erepairables.com, this is a broker that allows you to purchase cars from any state and any auction they are affiliated with (CoPart, IAAI, etc.), fees are slightly higher than buying direct, you cannot live bid and the title work sometimes takes a little longer - I use this exclusively.

CoPart.com, this allows you to purchase cars from any CoPart auction, your purchase ability may be limited by state rules, some require a dealer license, others do not. You can participate in live bidding - Dave uses this exclusively.

Both require a membership and your bidding power is limited by a required deposit, credit check, etc. Check the websites for details. And these are by no means the only 2, there a plenty of other brokers and sights where you can bid.

[YamahaR86]

@Opie



Thanks a lot for the info! I've looked at CoPart before (based on youtube's B is for Build). I know you need a dealer license and some proxy dealers will purchase it on your behalf for a cut of commission.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by YamahaR86

@Opie



Thanks a lot for the info! I've looked at CoPart before (based on youtube's B is for Build). I know you need a dealer license and some proxy dealers will purchase it on your behalf for a cut of commission.

To buy a Florida car yes. However you can go to copart and go to the vehicle finder and search for "No license required" lots. Those are available to the public. There are usually around 70,000 lots available to the public.

[Opie]

Project 10: - Update 2:
Well that's better...

[Dave-ROR]

Maybe try a torque wrench on those lugnuts next time.. just saying...

[Opie]

Project 10: - Update 2:

Remembered to torque the lug-nuts, thanks Dave-ROR

Just need to charge the A/C, address a few small details and get her inspected.

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by Opie

Paint hasn't been horrible, had a few that were dead on perfect, a few that were just a hair off and one Whiteout that was horrible. But our paint guy is generally very good at matching without blending.

How much of the car do you give him to match with?? Do he mix it himself or is it a paint shop/supplier?? thanks!!!!!!!

[Opie]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

How much of the car do you give him to match with?? Do he mix it himself or is it a paint shop/supplier?? thanks!!!!!!!

It's a paint & body shop, they mix themselves. We give them the Year, make, model, VIN, paint code & color name. And give them the old, damaged part to match.

[Opie]

Gonna try and wrap #10 up tonight or this weekend at the latest. Have to recharge the A/C, figure out why the power mirrors stopped working, program a new key and clean the interior out. Then Dave-RoR can take it for inspection!

Have to get a '13 Impreza in the garage that lost a cylinder so I can replace the engine...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Opie

Gonna try and wrap #10 up tonight

?

[Opie]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

?

If I had some property and no HOA I might!

[Opie]

#10 - Update #3:

Replaced power mirror switch - power mirrors are now working again!
Programmed new key & fob

Hope to recharge the A/C after work this afternoon or tomorrow!