Like in your last truck thread... Been through this so many times. If the seller is willing to part with their vehicle WAY under market value it's almost certain to be not as described. Your budget was way under market for the truck... This was to be expected.

Tried all of this with eBay and paypal. You are wasting their time. I even had bad feedback taken away because they called it feedback extortion. Car showed up not as described, I told them I wanted money back for repairs or I would leave bad feedback. When they didn't pay and I left the feedback they had eBay take it down. Floored me.

Get a used driveshaft for $150, swap it in a few hours. A quick google search shows them for $250 or less New or Reman if yo uwant that. $600 labor for the driveshaft is insane. It's a 3 hour job maximum on that truck. A good mechanic could do it in half the time. You were informed about the leaks. It could have been much worse. I've had much worse several times over. Like a 1998 S320 where the seller did bribe off the shop. Mechanically perfect inspection came back with a bad head gasket, transmission (wouldn't shift out of second) vacuum pump, and serious cosmetic issues.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I have put an ad on craigslist for gigs and gotten random car enthusiasts to inspect cars for me. $50 and drive an interesting vehicle. I've had much better results than third party inspections mechanic shops, and the seller doesn't have to take the car anywhere. I get photos of all the bad spots and can even walk them through on the phone.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Dodge Dakota SLT Crew Cab Pickup 4 Door | eBay

How could you not tell from the eBay ad it was not a plow truck until it showed up? The holes in the roof, wires, etc are obvious. The seller did his diligence and had a safety inspection done. Probably knew about the driveshaft but AHA! that's why it was so cheap. Also possible if he parks the truck in the street he would have no idea about leaks. From the photos you can tell it was obviously worked hard despite the low miles. You get what you pay for. The seller has nothing to apologize for especially at the $4000 you got it for. Now you want him to pay $1200? I'd have a few choice words as well. I would have given him $3500 for it and flipped it here in Wichita for $5000. It would have sold instantly.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Where do you see holes in the roof and wiring? It was a huge shock that it even HAD a plow mount on it... One is a 1" circle for a CB antenna whip, and 4 1/4" holes for a light bar? Ok, fine, no description of body damage, its old I get it, that's fine. Clean interior? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA yeah, if you work in a sand mine, but small potatos.

How'd I find the shop? The seller gave me his location, I "yelped" 3 in the local area that acceped my request for a used vehicle inspection. No mention of plow use or anything, but it's fine. Drives ok (seems to, put about 100 miles on it driving it home from the shipping depot)

The shaft is $680 parts and labor, getting a junkyard one and rebuilding it will save a bit of money but still... We've been bickering back and forth for a month, I have no title, but the truck's here... Pisses me off... He said not one mechanical flaw, his words. I feel the major mechanical flaws should be factored into the price, because it's not as described.

Trucks not going to return to the seller unless I get every penny back invested into it (shipping, payment WITH DEPOSIT, and fuel costs for driving to and from the depot). I have submitted a claim with paypal outlining my requests. Depending on what happens, I "may" do a chargeback with my discovercard if I dont feel I'm made right. We'll see. Just playing a waiting game now.

Seller refunds me 100% including costs, and gets it out of my garage within 1 week.
Seller refunds me SOMETHING for repairs, and sends me the mofoing title.
Seller does nothing, I part it out, and we play in small claims court for the next several? years. Not getting a lawyer or doing any leg work untill I have something to legally respond to.

I got 20mpg driving it back, tells me a lot about running condition. Got some maint records from coloroado, trans and filter changed yearly (8-12k ) diffs and t-case bi-yearly. Coolant and p/s in 06 and 2011. Brakes and ball joints in 2013. Retired from service Early 2014 (never understood gov veh maintiance... Why spend the $$$ if you're going to sell it immediatly?) Go Colorado maintiance shop union!!! (and thanks for paying your taxes to pay for that lol)

I think I'll like the truck, once I own it, and it's fixed... Seems to start up fine. Almost a quart down on ATF4... Thats nice for the enfiroment. Had a catch pan under it...

Frustration continues. I have too much time to be angry about this, because I'm not able to work or do much (see other thread lol)

Thanks everyone
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

If it were me, I'd sell it for what you can get for it, then start over looking for a better truck.

You've done a good service here testifying how far South things can go buying-sight-unseen. I've done it - once, but was fortunate on the deal in my merchandise bought from across the Country. I doubt I'll ever do it again.

There's an old bromide when dealing with a retailer - "when you don't know the merchandise, you better know the dealer."

You knew neither. That makes any recouping and recourse of financial damages almost impossible.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

I really don't see any excuse for him not having told you about the blown driveshaft. That's not a small flaw, that's a major mechanical issue.

Was it disconnected while in government use or while in the current owner's use? If it was in the government's use, then maybe you could give him a pass on not knowing it (though he should still make you right and the shop that inspected your truck is incompetent).

New trans every year? I mean, I've heard that these Dakotas are bad about that, but...

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

What? You used an independent shop he recommended? WTF! I would not trust an independent shop you send me to. A dealership at least has someone higher up you can complain to. An independent shop can take a bribe to let anything through and you have no regional manager to talk to.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Sooo confused. Where are the holes? The tailgate says 4x4. Looks like a 4x4 switch on the dash. But the inspection says 2 wheel drive...

Am I victim of trolling?

If not, lighten up man. Take it easy on the poor guy.

I had a similar deal with a vintage BMW I bought. The car was advertised as only needing tires. Right now I am rebuilding the AC, a complete suspension overhaul, and replacing the entire exhaust system. I already rebuilt the fuel system and replaced almost the entire cooling system.

Sometimes the only way out is to go all the way in.

$600.00 labor to replace a driveshaft? So very easy to do, and that is robbery..

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Сделать Америку великой Снова
"I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left." Margaret Thatcher

Ok, so bottom line is that, if you want to buy a used vehicle, you need to eyeball it yourself, not rely upon strangers to appraise a prospect.

Yeah this is the story of my Benz. I probably realized what in needed but didn't realize the work involved. Financially, it worked out. Selling extra bits ads up, especially internationally on eBay.

But time. Ppfffttt. It was fun though.

Now I'm hoping to find a buyer that recognizes the work put in.

Now that I actually know a little, I want a 109.

What's the saying? There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Benz.

As the owner of a W109 and many OM61x powered cars, you are in for a shock.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

Oh I have a 220D right now with a 615. It doesn't get much slower. It's fun because you need it 100% with the little power it has. Lol.

I want to do a a lot of custom stuff. 606 and different drivetrain and such. But I'm a ways away from a project like that. Kinda just watching for the right one.

Saw one awhile back with a straight body and blown motor. But if I bring a third one home I'll be in trouble.

I'm discussing costs of ownership, not performance. A w109 air suspension valve costs more than my last 220D did.

Anyway, don't want to get the thread too off topic, if you buy one, drop me a PM, I may be able to shed some light on it.

To the OP, it sucks, I'm sort of torn. Tyler's assessment may read harsh, but he's entirely right.

However you did attempt to do your due diligence and pay for a UCI. Usually these threads are people who found a car on eBay for 1/10 market value and pulled the trigger without as much as phone call to the seller and they are shocked at what showed up.

As someone peripheral to the car business I'd like to see you sue the seller. People hold car dealers accountable for everything and car dealers generally lose lawsuits because juries hate car dealers. If my dad or Tyler used the term "mechanically perfect" they'd be entirely screwed. Private sellers should be held accountable for their B.S., however legally in a private/casual transaction, at least in Ohio you wouldn't really have a leg to stand on.

Send it to Judge Judy or something and you'll both get paid, I don't know what to tell you other than too good to be true always is.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i