What do you guys think of this?

[Highway Star]

It is an email discussion I've been having with someone that has a Jeep for sale for $2300. It appeared on a search result through hank's helper, which is a search engine compiler for vehicles for sale. The ad looked like it was local at first, and it turns out the seller is in Vegas. I quickly sent anemail inquiring if it was still for sale and got this...

Hi and sorry for this late reply but I have been overwhelmed by the number of emails I got from interested buyers after listing my jeep on Yahoo Autos and several newspapers. I must avoid the chit-chat as I don't have time for it so I hope I will cover here all the aspects of this purchase and answer to all the questions you might have. My jeep is in good running condition and comes with a clear title. There is no lien on it, there will be no monthly payments, no take over payments, just final price. No major damages or scratches, of course it's a '89 so it's not brand new. It's 4x4 and it has A/C. It has the most wanted automatic transmission and the Mopar Fuel Injected 4.2L 6-Cylinder engine. It passed emission test recently. It gets 15/18 MPG. It comes with the soft top (best top) and a bikini top - black. Odometer shows 55678 miles(very low for it's year) and here's the VIN# 2J4FY49T8KJ130259 if you want to run a Carfax report to see it for yourself that the above mentioned description is accurate. The total price I'm asking for my jeep is $2,300 which is a fair price and I expect to sell it fast so whoever will respond sooner and accept the price and the terms will be the next owner.

I would like to use a third party service to handle this transaction for our both safety and comfort. I have bought and sold cars, atvs and a motorcycle over the internet using this service and I guarantee you that it's a very easy and fast way to make it happen while you're doing your own business. Yahoo Autos offers a third party service for their premium members only for a small fee and they also have great support team for this. As a Yahoo Autos premium seller I can initiate a third party transaction online in a matter of minutes and I'm willing to pay for their fee. This is how it works. I will initiate the transaction using the terms below and your details for shipping. Yahoo Autos will contact you shortly after that with further instructions. You will send the funds in escrow to Yahoo Autos. They will verify and secure the payment and after that they will advise me to ship the jeep to your address. The jeep will be shipped from Vegas using Dependable Auto Shippers company. I like them because they have low fees(I'm telling you this because I will pay the fees) and also they ship the cars in enclosed trailer which is nice. The jeep will be delivered to your address in a few days and you will have 3 business days to take it for a test drive, drop it for inspection at the local dealership etc. After inspection period ends you will have to confirm to Yahoo Autos that you agree to purchase it and I will get paid by Yahoo Autos at that point. If you choose to return it you will get your money back in full and I will get my jeep back and try to find another buyer. You will have to ship it back to me using the same shipping company and I'll cover the cost for that. This transaction will be free for you, just like a test drive when you pay only after you are 100% sure you like it, so it's your decision. If you agree than please send me:

- your full name (first and last name)
- your shipping address (street, city, state, zip code)
- your contact phone number (home or cell)
- additionally you will have to sign up with Yahoo Autos and send me your Yahoo ID or email address (go to www.yahoo.com click Autos on the left side and sign up)

I will use these details to initiate the third party transaction with Yahoo Autos. Yahoo will contact you after that and tell you what you need to do. Before you send me your details you'll first have to review and accept the terms of this third party transaction:

- shipping and paperwork will be handled by Dependable Auto Shippers
- after you receive the jeep you will have 3 business days for inspection
- I will pay for the shipping fees
- I will pay for the Yahoo Autos fees
- total price you have to pay is $2,300

If you accept the terms and have the cash ready, not waiting for a loan or financing, please send me your details so I can start the Yahoo Autos transaction.


Regards, Sandra

[Highway Star]

And

We have owned this since new and it has been a great vehicle. I still get compliments every time I drive it. It has never been wrecked. All the body panels are original. Solid body- not rusty. Very straight and drives straight. I just last week put on new Raybestos rear brakes and had drums turned. Front brakes were replaced a few years ago and are fine. I also put a new exhaust and muffler on last month- sounds quiet.

The biggest problem with this model Jeep is the notoriously bad carburetor and emissions system. They never run right, are very expensive to repair and no mechanic can troubleshoot the mysterious vacuum leaks. So I got rid of it all and replaced it with a Mopar Closed-Loop tuned-port fuel injection system, complete with computer. This system is designed and made by Jeep as a complete upgrade package. The system is consists of all new parts for a 95 Jeep. It can be serviced at any Jeep dealer, if needed. There are cheaper Throttle body kits available (Howell), but they are not closed-loop. Closed loop means there are sensors that monitor the water temp, the crankshaft position, the oxygen in the tailpipe, the manifold pressure, etc. and sends this info to the computer, which fine tunes everything constantly. The cheaper systems squirt the fuel into a carburetor (throttle body) whereas this system has a fuel injector properly placed in a new manifold by EACH of the 6 cylinders. Jeep dealer would not fix a TBI Howell system. The Mopar system is much more comprehensive in its monitoring and fuel delivery.

Bottom line? This jeep always starts and runs- cold or hot. Super dependable. It is much quicker and uses less gas. This is the same system you would find on any new Jeep. This Jeep has all legal emission control devices- including catalytic converter. It replaces all the emissions, fuel and ignition components with following new ones:

Distributor
Ignition Wires
Computer
Wiring harness
Air Filter
Emissions System
Intake Manifold
Air Cleaner
FuelPump and filter
Crankshaft Dampner
Thermostat and housing

Electrical: I have also fairly recently replaced the alternator (higher output model) and starter. Upgraded the stock (lame) off-road lights to Hella, but retain stock switches & wiring. Also put in the Sylvania Halogen headlights- bright. Battery is about 6 yrs old and will be due for replacement, but shows that there is no mysterious electrical shorts to hasten its demise.

Stereo: I upgraded the stock cassette unit to a Aiwa MP3 cd/RW player w/ remote and disappearing face. Nice unit- lets me put 100 or so songs on a disk- MP3. Remote is a must as stereo is low on the dash- stock location. Upgraded the speakers to Infinity.

Suspension: The Jeep has a 2 inch Soft-Ride spring lift. Most 2 inch lifts are extended spring shackles, but that is not proper. I replaced the springs and shocks, along with the steering stabilizer. I also installed the polyurethane bushings in lieu of the spongy stock rubber ones. I also added the transfer case lowering adapter- not required for a 2 inch lift, but it keeps everything in line and vibration-free. The reason I only lifted 2 inch was to fit the wheels I wanted on and keep it streetable. I did not want this Jeep for 4x4 ing. I have Landcruisers (FJ40) and dirtbikes for that. This was made to be very drivable, but I wanted it to look right. Stock wheels on these Jeeps look silly.

Wheels: I ponied up some cash here, as well. Went with Centerline Racing aluminum rims, which I just polished. They sparkle. Wrapped them in Mickey Thompson MTX rubber. They look mean, yet are quiet on the highway. I wanted to widen up the stance, so I went with 31x11.50 sized tires. I also put them on the proper sized rims- 8 inch wide, so they are wearing perfectly and have a ton of life left in them. The slightly wider-than-stock wheels combined with the polyurethane bushings make this jeep very stable at cornering.

Paint/Interior: - original paint and decals. Never in any kind of an accident, well, there is a gouge on one of the rear plastic fenders where the Mrs. backed into my table saw. Interior is original- and so is carpet. Pictures show it to be in good condition. I always liked the color scheme on these Saharas- even better than current model.

Body: pictures show it to bein very good condition- straight and original. Took out the carpet and took a few pics- not a rust bucket. Was undercoated and well maintained -only appreciable spot is that common small spot on rear tailgate lower-right corner. Why is that? Top is a replacement SuperTop. Usual scratches on windows, with a crack in drivers-side that has been clear taped.

Misc: Never had a tow bar/hitch installed. Never a snowplow, I have got a 1-ton diesel pickup for that stuff. Never abused. Never mudded or rock-climbed. Automatic trans works fine. Includes original manual and Jack. Jeep has been garaged, not left in rain w/o top, etc. Original straight-6 motor has another easy 100,000 miles left. Properly maintained w/ Castrol products.

I sent a reply questioning the legitimacy of the ad/seller, because it just seems waaaay too good to be true, and got this reply...

Because I'm in desperate need of cash to pay my debts, this stupid financial chrysis almost ruined me. My jeep is located in Las Vegas Nevada as I already told you and if you can be here anytime soon to pick it up you're welcome. You will meet me and after you take it for a test drive and inspect it and you decide to purchase I'll handle you the keys, clear title and we will go to a local notary to sign the bill of sale so you can register it in your name. If not I'll just ship it to your address at no extra cost for you and only if you like it you'll purchase it and I will get paid at that time. Of course you'll see it and take it for a test drive first and only after that if you're satisfied with it you'll buy it. So it's your choice, one way or another first of all I need your details so I can start the transaction with Yahoo:

- your full name (first and last name)
- your shipping address (street, city, state, zip code)
- your contact phone number (home or cell)
- additionally you will have to sign up with Yahoo Autos and send me your Yahoo ID or email address (go to www.yahoo.com click Autos on the left side and sign up)

They will contact you with further instructions and after you'll send the payment in trust to yahoo and they inform me that the payment has been secured I will ship or you could come and pick it up.

Regards, Sandra

This is the cleanest used jeep I have ever seen. The ad has tons of pictures, and like 56k miles. It is listed for $2300. That sounds ridiculous to me.

Pass your smell test?

[Highway Star]

So, you tell yahoo that you want it, they contact seller, seller has it shipped (on his own coin) to you for test drive/inspection, pending approval. If you like it, pay yahoo, and seller sends title etc. If you don't like it, send it back at the seller's expense. All this shipping happens in enclosed haulers. I've shipped a vehicle before & it has to be at least a grand per thousand miles, or more with the current cost of fuel.

I've just never heard of this, and it sounds awfully fishy.

[elcoman]

It is a scam. He is broke, but will pay fees.

[Highway Star]

That's what I figured. Thanks.

By the way, I posted this on "the other site" too, because I want a few opinions.

[grumpy]

Third party is almost always a scam. Run, don't walk away from that.

[Hank70SS]

Shipping, possibly both ways, on his dime sounds fishy. Especially since the jeep is only $2300.

[Hank70SS]

Originally Posted by Highway Star

That's what I figured. Thanks.

By the way, I posted this on "the other site" too, because I want a few opinions.

I wouldn't trust those guys over there.

[piette]

Wow huge scam, but one that will likely suck in a few people first.

Jeff

[1969 El Camino Dan]

Jake, it's a SCAM:

http://blogs.cars.com/safe/payment_shipping_scams/

Among others listed there, slide on down the page to the Yahoo part and you'll see the same words listed in your Scam Deal.

Dan