Just a story or maybe I'm venting! About two months ago I decided I needed a bigger truck. Saw a 1952 Mercury M3 flatbed on Kijiji and went after it. Emailed back and forth, talked on the telephone, and he finished putting the truck back together. New flatbed, spark plugs etc because the truck had been in storage for 7 years. This week I travelled to Halifax to buy the truck and arrange for the shipping back to Ottawa. Truck looks great, starts, runs, needs a little interior work, but he refuses to go for a test drive. Buy it as it sits! After hours of talking still no test drive and I walk. Now I'm home, out a grand for expenses and no truck.
Yah that really sucks, I'm an impulsive idiot and would likely have gambled, then got it home and found it needed a trans, diff or something equally shty, you did the right thing even tho it sucks.
I knew the truck had heavy duty 4 speed non synchro(crash box)tranmission, a 4.86 rear end that would make the truck very slow but only wanted to see that it drove. He claimed it had new kingpins, steering parts and brakes. I needed to see it work.
You made the right decision. Something was wrong. I have done a lot of interviewing in my career and when someone does something small that makes no sense, then that is where you investigate further. Transfer or differential was toast. Good decision. Sorry you, lost your travel money.
I drove 9 hrs two years ago to look at a truck that was supposed to be in good condition. It was a wreck. Spent 5 minutes looking at it and then drove home. That's just how she goes I guess. Another adventure.
At the very least he could have given you a ride, if he was worried about other people driving it. It must have had an issue, but I think you did the right thing with walking away.
