Is this a car you would pass on or buy?
Please chime in.

 

I'd think it would give some peace of mind regarding the spun camshaft issue and either be neutral or additive. A car with welded coolant pipes and a pinned camshaft is practically invincible.

 

I just received the technicians notes and I'm going to pass. Thanks

 

That's a 2011, it shouldn't have the cam issue.

 

It's an 08.

 

Oh, I saw purchased 2011 and made an ASSumption.

If it's an 08 it's not a big deal at all. I wouldn't hesitate. There's basically two modes of '07-'09. Those that have had the cams pinned/replaced, and those that WILL have the cams pinned/replaced.

If you're not much of a mechanic it sounds really scary, but it's just a tiny press in sleeve that rotates in the cam and blocks off an oil passage. That sounds even scarier right? It's not a lubrication issue, it goes to the variocam actuator. Pin the cams, put it back together and you're good to go.

 

Common 07-09, if it's been replaced and not pinned, it'll probably spin again.

No dealership is going to pin the cam, would have to be an independent shop. However, I wouldn't worry about it on this model.

 

Here's a note from technician showing oil residue.

 

Bingo. Cars that have had both of those fixes done are out there but a needle in a haystack. Both fixes would save a new prospective owner huge amounts of money and aggravation.

 

You look at those notes and it's oily residue that sends you running? Car sounds beat down. completely trashed paint on every panel, curbed wheels, beat up interior, mismatched tires, diy painted wheel wells....


Oily residue is probably the best thing on that report.

 

I wouldn't buy that thing if it were only $40k. Mismatched tires?!?

 

Exaggerate much? Completely trashed....really?


Paint scratches. Ok, maybe legit but who knows what the tech considers severe. (Most of these issue can probably be corrected with a good detail person)


Curbed wheels. ONE wheel with some curb rash (Easily repaired or replaced)


Beat up interior. Where do you see a single mention of the interior other than the minor scratches on the door sills and some minor scratches on the ignition?


Mismatched tires. Who cares front to back? Would I do it? No but they are at 50% tread, ask for $1000 off to get all new tires.


The car has a clean DME report and sounds like a "driver" quality car with 30k miles. You don't have any clue on the asking price so how can you say it isn't worth it.

A nice detail job by a GOOD detailer (not you in your garage) could get rid of 90% of the issues on this car.

I think it is a solid car that you could use the small little problems to haggle the price down. I would say maybe $50 would be a good price that would allow you to fix some of the easy issues and increase the cars value a lot.

 

I don't think I've ever heard of a TT going for $50k, especially with ~30k miles. Maybe a Tiptronic cab in a gross color scheme with 100k.

 

If the owner can't put 4 matching tires on a $140k car, who knows what else has been neglected, especially mechanically.

 

I got my 08 with 25k miles on it , perfect DME, PCCBs, GT2 seats from the factory, factory aero kit and lots of other extras ($152k sticker) for $50k in 2013 and she is mint....


I understand I was lucky but it does happen