Is there a bigger lie than "it ran when parked"?

It's a rolling shell, I've got goodies tucked in the garage. I actually have two GT's. Windshield is tucked away in my attic because it's worth more than the car!

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yellowvetterapid@reddit

*Some assembly required.

Hoping that the parts in the box actually fit the car...

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dontcrytomato@reddit

All the parts are there but most of it will be unusable or for an entirely different car. Roll of the dice every time. Big bucks, no Whammies!!!

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Ah2k15@reddit

“Have part, it’s only a 20 minute job”

Yeah, it’s only 20 minutes after you get the fucking cab off, or pull the engine.

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jccaclimber@reddit

Great, I’ll pay you for 20 minutes at $150/hour once you’re done, and then I’ll buy the car at the agreed price.

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graytotoro@reddit

“Super easy if you just pull the intake”

Then you find removing the intake requires breaking 50 year old wiring insulation and the fasteners are fused together.

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I'm kind of in this situation because a piece of my MFI blew up just as my lease ran out and my new place doesn't have space. I'm at least not making statements about it being an easy fix or something.

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Recent-Campaign911@reddit

"Just needs a starter" means I have no idea what's wrong with it.

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SazedMonk@reddit

I saw a civic posted in marketplace last week, “Car starts and runs just fine, has no key because it’s lost but my boyfriend make it work anyway idk how come look if you want it”

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mini4x@reddit

Lately it's been "Just needs a fuel pump..."

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Harey-89@reddit

Just needs a battery....

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KeyN20@reddit

Always with the, it runs, needs a battery. Tow away. I feel yea

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I426Hemi@reddit

I've got a fuel pump mounted in a 5 gallon bucket that I'll show up with and have gotten some great deals when I show them "no, it isn't a fuel pump, it's everything else"

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realsalmineo@reddit

Not a lie. They always ran until parked. They just never ran again.

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Threewisemonkey@reddit

Parked itself right in the middle of an intersection!

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mini4x@reddit

With a new vent hole in the oil pan!

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DookieShoez@reddit

Thats a speed hole.

The vent holes are in the exhaust.

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El_Pozzinator@reddit

Adding lightness!

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MilkyWaySamurai@reddit

It ran beautifully all the way to the scene of the accident.

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MiksBricks@reddit

Ran until it parked, then we towed it and it sat where it’s for 15 years

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fiddlythingsATX@reddit

“AC just needs a recharge”

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Grongebis@reddit

There's a reason the refrigerant is missing

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Financial_Stomach652@reddit

Yeah, it’s a close system. There’s no Houdini magic it doesn’t just disappear.

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Quake_Guy@reddit

esp in a hot climate...

Lots of reasons to park a car because of mechanical issues other than it won't run.

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fiddlythingsATX@reddit

Especially vs a $40 recharge can

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Han-YoLo-@reddit

AC just needs a charge/ just needs a tune are definitely in the running.

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Financial_Stomach652@reddit

it does just need a charge just right after you find the leak and fix it or replace the AC compressor that caused the refrigerant to leak

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gravyisjazzy@reddit

"Just needs plugs"

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1998TJgdl@reddit

It's obviously not a lie, just have to be smart. Ran when parked means one of the following: 1. It barely ran. 2. It ran but overheating. 4. It ran with a miss fire. 5. It ran but transmission is shot, it barely moves. 6. It ran and body is completely rust. 7. It ran Like shit. 8. It ran but did not pass inspection.

It's not the 90s anymore, cars don't get parked while running just because you got a new car.

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GrabtharsHumber@reddit

Just needs a fuel pump.

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Apprehensive_Chip_60@reddit

Only driven on Sundays to and from the grocery store by an elderly lady.

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Skarth@reddit

"Runs great" followed by "Needs new transmission"

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zack9r@reddit

“Check engine light is from a bad O2 sensor”

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Mantree91@reddit

It just needs a fuel pump

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Puzzled_Hour8054@reddit

"Easy/cheap fix". If it was , they should have done it already.

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whiskey_formymen@reddit

it's been parked for a couple months

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Revolutionary-Half-3@reddit

I used to play with antique military trucks, the guys that ran the yard didn't get paid extra if the trucks sold for more. Sometimes it was the reverse of "ran when parked."

If it ran out of fuel 10 feet from where they wanted it, "Cranks but doesn't start. Pushed into yard."

If the driver dropping it off pulled the emergency shutoff instead of flipping the master switch, it needs reset by opening the hood. "Cranks, no start."

Batteries taken out to start another truck to get it unloaded, "Cranks with jump, no start" because the 24v truck has a 12v center tap to the control board...

Tank drain left open, "starts but doesn't build air pressure." Or "No brakes, parking brake doesn't release" because some idiot tried pushing it and cut the air lines to the spring air brake cans, instead of caging them with the j hooks in the truck's toolbox.

"No reverse" because the transfer case is in low and the lockout wouldn't let the transmission shift to reverse.

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Im_Not_Evans@reddit

No low ballers, I know what I got

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Bruiser80@reddit

Rust only on one quarter panel

Dude, you know the whole undercarriage has more than surface rust by then and the sub frame is getting iffy

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Taffr19@reddit

Ran when pulled. Don’t have video.

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hillbillytech@reddit

Your the best I ever had.

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nmuw@reddit

I've bought multiple "ran when parked" or "just needs X" (starter, fuel pump, coil, etc.) cars and trucks that really did end up just needing one or two things to be back up and running. Don't let scepticism keep you from cool projects and good deals, go take a look at it if it's something you really want and decide for yourself based on your own inspection if it's worth buying.

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onearmedmonkey@reddit (OP)

Trust, but verify. Good advice.

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nmuw@reddit

If i trusted i wouldn't verify.

I'm just saying you should verify. You can look at a car before you buy it, what the seller says doesn't matter much.

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DragonfruitFlaky4957@reddit

"It's your baby"!

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Patc131@reddit

Ready for paint

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CaryWhit@reddit

Overheats, just needs a thermostat.

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Lazy_Hall_8798@reddit

Yeah, I passed on a BMW Z3 that had a "slight overheating issue." Car was tricked out for tracking, almost a certainty the head was warped.

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Skvora@reddit

Dude......im currently cleaning out the water jacket of crap in a 52 Studebaker v8, but that aside i lucked out on almost everything else

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FearfulRedShirt@reddit

"I have too many projects and don't have time for it." "Probably an easy fix."

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No-Entertainment242@reddit

I know I have a second set of keys. I’ll call you as soon as I find them.

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RexCarrs@reddit

Almost. Take a muscle car (any vintage) that has been loaded with racing accessories (list a mile long) and the advertiser advertises "never raced".

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Harey-89@reddit

It's only been sitting a few years...

..no it's been 15 years.

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Skvora@reddit

I got a 7 year sittin MR2 that only needed a fuel pump - and it actually only needed a fuel pump outside of consumables for a tune up.

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Harey-89@reddit

That i feel is a rarity.

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sjacksonww@reddit

Not a lie, just a worthless statement. Just like “up to” or “as little as “

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Electrical_Ad8246@reddit

Just needs a freon top up. Otherwise HVAC works fine.

No it doesn't, always a min $1000 to repair unless you can do it yourself.

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CoolaidMike84@reddit

Just needs fuel pump and battery.

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FesteringNeonDistrac@reddit

Saw one the other day. Modified WRX that "has a slight knock, probably something simple"

I guess to be fair, it is pretty simple to pull a Subaru motor.

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Syscrush@reddit

Chicks dig it.

No. No, they don't. They never did, they never will.

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shady_mcgee@reddit

A nice car does a great job attracting dudes

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Syscrush@reddit

I can't tell you how the fat old guys come out of the woodwork the second I roll into a gas station on my vintage CBX.

I always wanted a machine like that, but I knew I'd kill myself on it right away.

My cousin had a CB750!

Boy, it must be tough lookin' after 6 carbs.

My uncle knew a guy who had a 0 mile CBX in a crate for 30 years. Prolly worth a ton now!

What's one of those go for now?

6 cylinders, huh? Must have lots of TORQUE!

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18dsf@reddit

Interior is gutted. But I have all of the (really expensive and rare) parts. Sure you do…

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Dr_StrangeloveGA@reddit

"Never been in saltwater" - any boat/trailer within a half day's drive from the coast.

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Dapper_Application37@reddit

“nothings wrong with it” test drove it and the only issue seemed to be the bearings and bushings. nope. Radiator had a massive crack and lift kit was also fucked up. text dude about it “idk what’s wrong with it, it ran fine and i’ve let it run multiple times.”😑

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largos7289@reddit

everything works. I know what i got, and i'm gonna get to it some day.

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m3phil@reddit

“When it drifted to a stop, it was running.”

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Cheetah-kins@reddit

"AC just needs a charge".

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v8packard@reddit

Numbers matching.

Real SS.

Driver quality.

Fully loaded.

Needs nothing.

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lonnie440@reddit

My dad always put adult owned. He was the biggest fucking hoonigan I ever met. He’s the reason I’m the way I am.

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OrangeHitch@reddit

Rare

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Dnlx5@reddit

"Ran when parked" is 6-12 hrs of lie.

"Only surface rust" is 6-12 weeks of lie.

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Dontneedflashbro@reddit

"Car just needs a battery". Like bro you couldn't drop $100 on a battery.......yeah I'll pass on this lmao.

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overindulgent@reddit

Check engine light is because of a faulty o2 sensor. Easy fix.

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Admirable-Leopard-73@reddit

Well, then, fix it!

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overindulgent@reddit

I don’t have the time and just want her gone…. Hahaha

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techieric@reddit

Got me with this one

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nesto92@reddit

“2nd owner”

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RorschachsBestFriend@reddit

Ive always wondered if that worked. Idgaf how many owners the damn thing had.

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That-Web7343@reddit

Transmission for sale : works well..

Me:.. no one in there right mind pulls a transmission that worked good for shits and giggles.

(I'm a auto dismantler that pulls engines and Trans from wrecked cars as a job, and I don't even buy that crap 🤣🤣👍)

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GTAwheelman@reddit

Hey now! I sold a working trans and transfer case out of a junk truck I bought just for the engine. Only paid $200 for the truck and sold trans and tcase for $300

However I told the guy multiple times that I only drove up to 30mph. The frame was gone and it had no front brakes.

When I say the frame was gone I mean it. When you accelerated the gap between the bed and cab would widen. When you applied the brakes the cab and bed would come into contact.

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That-Web7343@reddit

The amount of times this is the case, is very small.

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RYDSLO@reddit

I have a transmission I'll be selling that I pulled from a running/driving car I'm using as an engine donor for my swap. So it definitely does happen

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RorschachsBestFriend@reddit

I bought a transmission from someone i know in the same situation. He needed the engine and i the trans.

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whiskey_piker@reddit

Owned by an old lady

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moparguy_alec@reddit

“Just needs a clutch.” My friend bought an 88 Volvo 240, seller claimed it just needed a clutch. Turns out 4th gear was completely stripped and the spider gears in the differential were destroyed. How they managed this feat with 110hp is a mystery.

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musicpeoplehate@reddit

"I was just helping the sheep over the fence."

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rufos_adventure@reddit

''no title, but i'll give you a bill of sale...''

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jking7734@reddit

A/C just needs charged…

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Adventurous_Bid4691@reddit

"The engine was rebuilt before I got it"

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toomuchweld@reddit

I like the this one "always brought to the dealer for repairs and maintenance"

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redlobster1984@reddit

Check engine light on - it just needs an O2 sensor .

Ac doesn’t work, just needs charged

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Red92SLC@reddit

"The sunroof never leaked when I had it" lol

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Building_Everything@reddit

“You should be able to get a new title with no problem”

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BWa1k@reddit

"just needs a ..."

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Warm_Regard@reddit

Shitload of money and time

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Abe-early@reddit

FUEL PUMP!!!

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mpython1701@reddit

O2 sensor to pass smog

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13Vex@reddit

Brakes to pass safety

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HOLDstrongtoPLUTO@reddit

"Needs carb clean and should be good"

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ny0000m@reddit

250k on body 30k on motor

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Key-Tiger-4457@reddit

I lost the title but I swear it’s clean

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Whizzleteets@reddit

"I will always love you"

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rtwpsom2@reddit

Unless you are the actual Dolly Parton. Woman is a goddess who has infinite love.

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Whizzleteets@reddit

Or Whitney.

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freelance-lumberjack@reddit

Brb Just going out for smokes.

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Whizzleteets@reddit

Dad?

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onearmedmonkey@reddit (OP)

Ouch. I felt that one.

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Whizzleteets@reddit

Sorry ☹️

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BuckyCornbread@reddit

Usually that isn't a lie. It did run but they parked it 10 years ago.

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Shock_Hazzard@reddit

“Just a fuel pump”

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sams64@reddit

No rust

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totalbrodude@reddit

"It's 90% complete. I have the parts to complete it." = The parts don't work, or there's been a major flaw at an earlier step, like not accounting for transmission tunnel shape before picking parts and setting engine location.

"All highway miles." = Not all highways miles.

"Never been raced." or "Never been off-road." = Definitely has been raced or off-road.

"Just needs a _." = Will need a LOT more than a _.

"Old lady owned." = Abused all its life by a young douchebag.

"Selling because I'm moving." = "There will be major problems I've lied about, but hopefully you won't bother chasing me down if you think I've already left town."

"Salvage because of a small bumper ding." = "I bought this thing at an auction with major accident damage and I'm a lying sack of shit."

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aj8j83fo83jo8ja3o8ja@reddit

if it “just needs a…” and it’s so easy, why don’t you do it yourself and double your money?

oh right, because you are LYING TO ME!!!

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1320Fastback@reddit

I parked my Mustang for 17 years and it too ran when parked. To get it running again I had to: Remove fuel tank and clean it out, new fuel pump, new coolant hoses, new radiator, new water pump, rebuilt carburetor, new vacuum hoses on engine and transmission, new vacuum advance, oil change, prime oil system with distributor shaft tool, replaced a bunch of ratty wiring.

Other things that not necessarily make it run but needed to be done are : new tires, bleed brakes, new turn signal switch, all exterior LED lights.

Ran when parked is still a ton of work and a minimum of $1k

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Baby_____Shark@reddit

How is that a lie?

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Lazy_Magician@reddit

If the car is over 20 years old, and the ad says no rust.... It's a lie.

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Very-Confused-Walrus@reddit

Just needs a fuel pump

runs and drives but bring a trailer (well if it runs and drives I should be able to fucking drive it home right)

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clockwork_punk@reddit

that one really depends how brave you are. “runs and drives” doesn’t say “stops” or “turns”

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ThrowRA_6784@reddit

“Rust free”

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aredd007@reddit

Ran should be in quotes

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joezupp@reddit

“Rust free”

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Senior_Net_8901@reddit

"it will pass safety"

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njroma@reddit

AC just needs freon

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giziant15@reddit

Freshly rebuilt transmission, lost the receipts

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Feeling-Income5555@reddit

The oil leak is a valve cover gasket.

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tk8398@reddit

"AC just needs charged".

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sojourner116@reddit

"No rust"

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chucklesmcfarland@reddit

"I don't have time to mess with it".

MF you know exactly what's wrong with it and it was probably you that broke it.

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ItsaWykydtron@reddit

I had a 66 f100 that ran when parked. It sat 20 years and I decided to take a look at where I left off. It had no starter and a rusted out fuel tank. I replaced the starter and battery, gave it fresh fuel and it fired right up! I was excited to keep it for a bit and did a bunch of work but ended up deciding to sell it as a running, driving project.

Had I not fixed anything, it would have been sold as ran when parked.

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boganism@reddit

Will pass roadworthy,so why hasn’t it got a roadworthy?

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KiryuinSaturn@reddit

Had a guy tell me a car just needed the fuel pump “rewired”. Really not even sure what that meant, so I knew he was probably lying. But in the end it wasn’t even that, the ignition relay just was straight up in the wrong spot. Dude definitely had no idea what was wrong with it. But I basically ripped him off at that point so karma I guess.

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washapoo@reddit

AC just needs recharged.

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shamanfromtheforest@reddit

When the listing says "it needs carby tune". It means I will get overly excited while looking at it, I will pay asking price and 36 minutes after bringing it home the engine will be in pieces on my work bench. Don't ask me how I know

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AdvertisingOk8536@reddit

Has a new engine/transmission etc "but can't find the paper work"

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ActuallyNotRetarded@reddit

That's a good one lol.

Hasn't happened to me but my buddy bought a bike that wasn't running but had a "rebuilt" motor. In his defense the wiring was all over the place cause the owner was in the middle of installing a new gauge cluster so he thought that's why the bike wasn't running.

We thought it was carburetor related cause it'd start up but just wouldn't stay running. After we spent hours trying to figure out the problem, he finally took it to a shop. They called bullshit on the rebuild and compression tested it. I think 2 cylinders had horrific leaks and a rebuild would cost more than the bike...

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Sea-Monk549@reddit

It had a new engine 20years and 100k miles ago.

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katzunderground@reddit

Wasn’t an issue until I brought it in to you

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AVgreencup@reddit

Anything that's "new" or " just replaced" is not new and probably was replaced 5+ years back

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RepulsivePeng@reddit

Just needs a battery. Every time when I pulled up with jumpers the seller either didn’t have time for that or it wouldn’t start while being jumped lol

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Good_With_Tools@reddit

It wasn't my project car, but it was a car I was stuck with. BMW X5. Wife came home and said it was making a funny noise. It didn't take long to figure out it was Uncle Rodney. I sold that shot to Carvana. It ran and drove. No check engine lights. It's not my fault that the kid they sent to look at it only listened to the engine while he test drove it. Had he opened the hood, it would have been pretty obvious.

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PM_Me_A_High-Five@reddit

Most unreliable car I ever had was an X5. And it had such weird problems, too. That 4.8l was fun to drive, though.

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Jatoman23@reddit

Ran when parked is technically correct. Its the “hasn’t been started or moved in 10 years” part that gets you

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mrjbacon@reddit

"It ran when parked" is extremely subjective. It could mean anything from "runs and drives with no major mechanical problems" to "the engine barely idles, and the car doesn't drive".

More telling is whether the owner bothered to renew the tags after it was last driven.

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graytotoro@reddit

"Easy fix, will drive to 6.022 x 10\^23 miles once you fix it because it's a [make]!"

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bingagain24@reddit

Ok Avogadro, do you think I'm a blind mole?

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ElGuapo315@reddit

And I just happen to be reading this at a restaurant called Avogadro's Number....

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juwyro@reddit

It only needs (blank)

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rapalosaur@reddit

Probably not. My neighbor had interest in my project and I told him “it just needs a starter” and he rolled his eyes thinking I was bullshitting him. One day I needed to move the car so I got underneath and started hitting the starter so it would start. Moved the car and decided to do a few laps around the block. Honked at the neighbor as I drove by and he later told me he thought I was BSing.

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IntheOlympicMTs@reddit

All original

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boriginals@reddit

CEL is from "O2 Sensurs"

Positive it has not once been a check engine for an oxygen sensor in my experience.

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