Purchased my first classic car, just for fun drives, occasional local car shows, 1966 'A' coupe, modified cam, auto, disc power brakes, fog lights, dual exhaust, pony interior, clean, good paint, rust free, straight body, 2 1/2 years ago, from reputable local classic car dealer. The price of 20,000 fit in with estimation tools from Haverty and other similar vehicles I checked out at the time, so we made a deal. Had initial issue with it vapor locking, but eventually got that going. However, at the time, a different shop told me there were 'major problems' with the engine...this was 6 months after I purchased it. After the original shop took it back and fixed the vapor lock issue, I ignored the comments of the second shop, as they had fouled up the vapor lock issue so badly (I had told them that's what was going on when I took it in there - I am NOT a 'car guy', but I can read, and listen.) Now, I'm wondering.
Now I've been retired for a year, driving the car more, but still not lots - have put 9,000 miles on it in the time I've had it. Developed a bad oil leak, took it to a different local mechanic recommended to me as great with any classic car but especially Mustangs. He put it up on a lift, we could see it needed oil pan gasket. The bad news came today after he took off the oil pan - he says there's chunks of bearing and other debris in the pan, and the engine is obviously shot...as he put it, 'you can drive it locally, but I don't know for how long. It's not going to last.'
So- what I'm wondering - do I go back to the original dealer? He told me the car was 'strong', and that 'he'd drive it across the country in a minute' when I bought it. Could that kind of damage be expected when I'm driving the car like a baby, changing oil, etc, for only 9000 miles?
I know the car is over 50 years old, and there are no guarantees in life, and that purchasing a classic car doesn't come with a warranty, especially after 2 years. I also know that 20K is not a 'lot of money' in the classic car world, but it is to me and my wife, and the idea of dropping 5K or more into the car to replace the engine is something this retired guy is going to have a lot of trouble getting across to the still-working wife - if things remain status quo, I'm probably going to have to sell it, take a big loss, and forget the hobby, and I love the car.
The cars at the dealer go through what they call a 40-step check, and you may have the car inspected by a mechanic, which I did not (and now, of course, wish I had), and the dealer does have a solid reputation.
I'm just wondering...what some of you might think? Was the engine likely more worn than I was led to believe when I bought the car? Or could this have happened in the course of events as I've owned it? How much pressure, if any, should I be placing on the original dealer on this deal?
I'm not sure what to do, and want to get some feedback before I approach anyone.
Thanks for reading...
Now I've been retired for a year, driving the car more, but still not lots - have put 9,000 miles on it in the time I've had it. Developed a bad oil leak, took it to a different local mechanic recommended to me as great with any classic car but especially Mustangs. He put it up on a lift, we could see it needed oil pan gasket. The bad news came today after he took off the oil pan - he says there's chunks of bearing and other debris in the pan, and the engine is obviously shot...as he put it, 'you can drive it locally, but I don't know for how long. It's not going to last.'
So- what I'm wondering - do I go back to the original dealer? He told me the car was 'strong', and that 'he'd drive it across the country in a minute' when I bought it. Could that kind of damage be expected when I'm driving the car like a baby, changing oil, etc, for only 9000 miles?
I know the car is over 50 years old, and there are no guarantees in life, and that purchasing a classic car doesn't come with a warranty, especially after 2 years. I also know that 20K is not a 'lot of money' in the classic car world, but it is to me and my wife, and the idea of dropping 5K or more into the car to replace the engine is something this retired guy is going to have a lot of trouble getting across to the still-working wife - if things remain status quo, I'm probably going to have to sell it, take a big loss, and forget the hobby, and I love the car.
The cars at the dealer go through what they call a 40-step check, and you may have the car inspected by a mechanic, which I did not (and now, of course, wish I had), and the dealer does have a solid reputation.
I'm just wondering...what some of you might think? Was the engine likely more worn than I was led to believe when I bought the car? Or could this have happened in the course of events as I've owned it? How much pressure, if any, should I be placing on the original dealer on this deal?
I'm not sure what to do, and want to get some feedback before I approach anyone.
Thanks for reading...