Hey guys,

Don't be alarmed, I'm just moving to the dark (RWD) side. I’ll be listing my 855t for sale very soon and would like some input on dealing with buyers. Mainly, I’m looking for suggestions on how to handle requests to “have a mechanic look at it.”

A legitimate request but a real PITA when you might have several interested parties over the course of a couple of weeks.

To begin with, it’s my opinion that unless a mechanic is familiar with 850’s in general and 850 turbos in particular they’re not likely to give an accurate assessment. For example, how many posts have we seen here describing how a mechanic suggests a turbo replacement when it’s the $2 return pipe seal? (Which I replaced last month BTW)

When I sold my 180,000 mile Nissan Sentra I didn’t care much about letting someone drive it around the block. I didn’t even wince when a woman started it up and instantly revved the snot out of it "to check the engine."

Not with my 855t, thank you very much. No one’s taking this car out of my sight unless I have cash in hand. After the experience with the lady above, no one is even starting it. I’ll do it. You abuse it you bought it. Am I being too rigid? There has always seemed to be this grey area of permission when the buyer, seller and car are standing in a circle on the driveway. Sort of a twighlight zone thing. Bottom line of course is that it's my car 'till I say it's your car, and I dictate what's ok for you to do with it until then. How to maintain this position without driving someone off is part of what I'm asking.

The car is near perfect (I’m replacing the right headlight wiper motor that doesn’t work and the drivers door’s red marker light is missing. Could be inside the door, I’ll look this weekend)

Reason for sale? My wife really wants into a 240 wagon and I’ve always liked the 240s myself. So we’re selling the Caravan and my 855t to get into a couple of 240s and have a substantial chunk of change left over. (Visions of sway bars, Konis, headers, camshaft, etc…) Mine will be the hot rodded sedan, hers the mommy wagon. She's also given me the go ahead to again own my dream bike, a late '80s BMW R100, this time an RS instead of the RT I had before.

How would you guys handle the prospective buyers? I don’t want to take it to a mechanic each time someone’s interested but I certainly don't want to give the impression I'm hiding something. Nothing to hide, the car is great!

Thanks,

--
Erwin in Memphis, '95 855t