My former 1985 1/2 Spider FOUND!!!

[coffeejolts]

In case you are unfamiliar with the story, I've been searching for my first car: a 1985.5 Pininfarina Spider. I found the VIN among some old papers, which prompted me to find out what became of the car. You can read more here if you're interested: http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... 526#p57942.

Today, my investigator came through. I have the Spider's current owner's name, address, and telephone number. I even have the license plate number and expiration date. The car is only a few miles from the house I grew up in. Now I need to get the huevos to pick up the phone and call the guy. Which brings me to another problem: how exactly do you start a conversation like this? Umm, I hired a guy to track you down because I want to buy your car? I hardly think that will work.

I really have no idea how to approach it. I guess I never expected this news. I expected to hear that the car had been junked and the title office somehow missed it, or that it hadn't had plates in a decade. This car has recently renewed registration (classic car tags), which suggests that the car is running, cared for, and being driven. This person has owned the car for a long time, too.

I'm looking for suggestions, folks. Any takers?

[gigi]

No need to go into the story for him -
If it was me, I'd just make him an offer he can't refuse...

[coffeejolts]

I don't think I can really say: I know what's in your garage, and I want to buy it. That will just freak him out.

[So Cal Mark]

I wouldn't go into the nuts and bolts of the investigation. Public records are just that, so he doesn't have to think you've been stalking him.
I'd just tell him you were the original owner of the car and would like the chance to buy it back. If he says no, have the car stolen. After all, you know where he lives

[Jimb]

Hang around until he takes it out for a spin...then pile into him.
I'm sure he'd be more inclined to sell once it's beenin an accident.


Jim

[Gunsmith]

Well if you have just a little patience you could just follow him around and wait until he has a problem with the car and buy it for a song.

If he is straight you could have one of your friends try to pick him up while he is driving the car and then ask him if he wants to sell it.

If he is married talk to his wife, if he is like the rest of us he has spent way too much time with the car and she will help you get it for a song as well, perhaps offer jewelry.

If none of those are options you could have another friend tell him he is a reporter doing a story on old obsolete cars and why people dump so much money into them with no hopes of getting a return and then approach him.

If those fail, approach him in a dark suit with dark glasses and explain to him his car was used the other day with out him knowing and it is very important to your boss that he owns the car now.

Finally you could offer to buy him a replacement so you could have your car back.

I am sure there are more plans out there. Denice is usually pretty devious ask her.

[mbouse]

unfortunately, i am betting that he truly knows what is in his garage, and loves the thought of it.

prying a prized possession from someone's hands may be difficult at best. but, it certainly is worth a try.

make him a great offer, but be willing to ante up more than your first go.

[katsi]

I may not be the best mechanic or have a lot of patience but, I am really good at negociating purchases. I think I am the only person in the world who actually made money at a dealership when trading in a 2 year truck on a newer version. Anyway, If you have gone through this much trouble and espionage you need to at least know the current status of the car. Is it being driven? What is the age of the current owner? How long has the current owner had the car? How long does it sit between uses. All of these things come in to play when offering up $ for a car. I would NOT in any way, shape or form let him know you are or have been searching out THIS PATICULAR automobile in a sea of clones. You need to find a way of accidently making him an offer for this car. For all you know, the guy has just not yet got up the mustard to actually put it for sale even though he really wants it out. If you tell him that you have been searching for this paticular car and that you have an emotional bond to this paticular peice of metal then he's gonna think your Rockefeller and hike that price sky high. He does not know you and you are trying to take something from him. DON'T GO WITH THIS APPROACH! Make it seem like you're doing him a favor by buying the car and taking care of it.

But, and this is a BIG BUT, if he reads this forum and is a HUGE fan like the rest of us, your F'd!

[coffeejolts]

Mark: You're absolutely right. It's public information, so there is no need to dance around it.

Mbouse: You're right, too. There is no way that he has owned the car for so long, spent money maintaining it, and doesn't know what he has. I figure he knows what it's worth on the open market. More importantly, he knows what it is worth to him. He may consider it priceless. If so, I can still rest easy knowing that it isn't sitting in a junkyard somewhere. If he's willing to sell, we both know what it's worth so negotiation is easy.

Katsi: I too am known for getting deals on cars. I purchased a Flex back in February for $9500 under sticker and no trade-in. I understand I'm in awful bargaining position here; I just don't see a way around that. The car is 700 miles away from my current home. It's not as if I can claim that I was driving by and noticed it tucked inside his garage. When I call I'm not going to ask about purchasing the car unless he mentions it. If he does, then I have the upper hand. I'm going to ask generally about the car and how he likes it, then ask if I can see it the next time I'm there visiting family. I want to see it even if I can't buy it, just because I'm curious. If it's worth buying, I'll make a fair offer dependent upon condition. If he accepts, then great. If not, then that's fine too. After all, it's HIS car.

If he surfs the Italian car forums, he's awfully quiet. I cross checked every 1985 owner I could find, none were the car I was looking for. You'd think he'd pop in to tell me to bug off if he wasn't interested in selling, right?

Thanks for all of the great (and humorous) suggestions. You've helped a lot.

[Gunsmith]

I still think any one of my plans would work. How do you think I got my wife?

[mdrburchette]

Hmmm, I was appalled at all the mean advise you were getting, then I read this:

I am sure there are more plans out there. Denice is usually pretty devious ask her.

So, here's how I would do it. Find the guy's home and, while he's gone, make sure you find a way into the garage. Then, sneak in and bugger up the wiring and make sure the car doesn't run right. He'll have to repair it and if you're able to do this several times, he'll decide the car is posessed. The more you can undo after he repairs it, the less money you'll have to spend to buy it from him.

[Brian]

So, like Denise said, if you can get in . . .

Then you need to do something REALLY hard to diagnose, like part the wire that provides positive to the cold start circuit, somewhere between the computer and the thermoswitch under the intake manifold.

I think someone may have done this to me as I have no juice there and it is damned hard to start

[Darsella1]

That's fantastic!

If it were me, I would decide how much the car is worth to you. There is going to be a certain amount of negotiating either way and you have the advantage of cash in hand in a bad market. You can always tell them if they ever want to sell it- you want first dibbs.

You can blame it on me. Tell him there is some strange girl who keeps track of the vin#'s on these cars.

[azygoustoyou]

Denise,
I wouldn't make any statement about having the car tracked down. Do you know anyone in that neighborhood still? If so, You could say you were talking with your friend and they informed you that they noticed how the neighbor had a Fiat. And, as being so friendly just wanted to meet the person. You might want to talk to the neighbor your saying you know though. I'm sure they'll be pleased to show you the car.
If that isn't good. Then , just before you get to their house. While driving your Fiat. Let some air out of your tire and stop in front of their house. Stay outside for a few to see if anyone notices you. If not, walk up to the house and ask if they would happen to have a compressor. Once they see your car, Your in!

[coffeejolts]

Thanks, Darsie. I have an idea in my head of how much I'm really willing to pay to have it back. That number could go up or down depending upon the car's condition. I still think the chances of him selling are slim, but we'll see.

Really, just finding the car with current tags is a huge relief. Even if he doesn't sell, I can rest easy knowing the car is being cared for and driven.