UPDATE 3/3/20 – It’s back! After nearly two years this dusty Z06 has resurfaced here on eBay. We aren’t sure if it has changed hands, but the milage did go up from 720 to 780 so we can only assume someone had a little fun with it! The sale also includes a clear title so that’s good news.
UPDATE 8/29/18 – This one is back on eBay after getting bid up to $57k! We can only assume the high bidder backed out. How high will it go this time?
FROM 2/13/18 – We’ve all seen those shows where some pawn shop owners show up and bid on unclaimed lots at self-storage depots. Sometimes, they strike it big and find some rare piece of ornamental china or a hairpiece belonging to King George the III of the Canary Islands (I made that up). But rarely do these same “storage wars” competitors strike proverbial gold like the seller of a 720-mile 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The story seems too good to be true, but check it out here on eBay where bidding has already cleared $30K.
Truth be told, I’m always a little shocked when I see shows like the one I’ve described here, as it blows my mind how some folks make a living. Shows you that there’s no shortage of opportunity if you can convince someone at the Discovery Channel to review your script. Anyway, check out this Z06 – the seller says it isn’t a theft vehicle and there’s no outstanding claim to ownership. It is considered abandoned for all intents and purposes, which really blows my mind. This sort of thing happens in Dubai but rarely at a storage facility in Duluth, Georgia.
There’s no paperwork with the Corvette, which makes this purchase seem potentially risky to me. Usually, to claim a car via abandonment, some legwork has to be done with the municipality to establish that no one else can lay claim to ownership before legally transferring it to another party. The seller says repeatedly there is no title and not to ask them to get you one, as the only way they’re doing that is if they decide to pull the listing, wait two months for a title and then sell it for a much higher price. Check out that odometer – barely even broken in.
2009 models were motivated by a 7.2L 505 b.h.p. V8, but that’s all we know about this car. Perhaps someone with a VIN decoder can determine if it has the desirable Magnetic Selective Ride Control Suspension or the more common Z51 upgrade. Either would make this Z06 more tempting than it already is. The story still seems like a potential work of fiction, so if you want to buy a brand-new 2009 Z06 in 2018, give this one a look but also do your homework.
Here are the photos of it all cleaned up as of March 2020.
According to the paperwork in the ebay ad, the car was originally sold at Maxie Price Chevrolet in Georgia. First thing i would do if I was interested in this car would be to see if Maxie Price Chevrolet could tell me who the original buyer was and then do some research on that person.
I think I would call my dealership “Mini Price”
If they were willing to help, they probably wouldn’t give out any more information than, yes or no as to whether they sold the car. They don’t need to get tangled up in something and potentially violates privacy laws.
Steve R
I had a used car lot for over 15 years and giving out the name of who purchased a vehicle would not violate any privacy laws. As a matter of fact, the sticker that is required to be placed on the inside of the windshield near the vin states that a dealer is required to furnish the name of the previous owner (if available) to any potential buyer who requests it. The question would be how far back they maintain records and how much help they are willing to provide. Depending on state laws the DMV may be able to provide information, but no doubt there would make a formal request.
Wow….. just…..wow. How does someone FORGET a Z06 in a storage locker?? The payments on the car were more than the storage fee…. it might have been some kingpin’s ride, and he got locked up… Good luck in getting the title, otherwise it’s gonna be a heck of an upgrade for someone’s ride…
It’s easy to “forget” a car if the person who bought it died. And many times, a spouse or children may be unaware of storage locations (and the things in them) when a person passes. I’d say most of the good finds these storage bidders land on are from where a person has passed and their payments on the unit lapse.
@Malthus. I believe that all of these so called FINDS are a set up. After all they are reality TV shows and the padlocks tey cut off always look very new.
exactly. I have cars purchased my wife does not know about in off site locations.
Seems that that happens more commonly than expected. Guy I knew of in Dunfermline, Scotland, had, I believe, seven American classics stored around the town in different places (only ever saw his 1950s Buick). Lived alone and sadly died of a heart attack, with one of his friends telling me that they were struggling to find where they all were.
That’s because the storage company put a new lock on so the original renter that faulted on there rental agreement can’t sneak in to get there stuff out after normal operating hours since most storage facilities are open 24 hours
George Donato…Then why in these “reality shows” would they cut off the storage company’s new lock when they had the key?
Yup. One easily possible scenario – guy bought the car, put it in a storage facility intending to cash in in 10 years like so many buyers of its 1978 Pace Car and upteen special edition ‘ Vette predecessors, and then expired at some point thereafter. Family boxes up his stuff and doesn’t take any notice of the keys or paperwork – or the landlord just tosses it out after he can’t locate the family. Car is thus forgotten.
For people that say why would they cutoff a new lock, that they have the key for. Just remember it is a TV show and they want you to believe no one has looked into the unit and cherry picked the good stuff.
As for a car without a title and the seller says if we have to go through the hassle of getting a new tittle, the car is going to sell for a lot more. I wave the BS flag! If you could get a title, they would do it, to get even more money. Someone is going to come after the new car owner, some day and want the car their Dad that died has the title for. Too many red flags on this one. Just remember a fool and his money are soon parted.
Karl- Because it’s a “Reality Show”.
How do you forget? Be rich like this guy:
“Stoke City star Jermaine Pennant simply could not remember owning an expensive Porsche, after leaving it at Zaragoza train station for a staggering five months.”
http://metro.co.uk/2011/01/19/jermaine-pennant-forgot-he-owned-porsche-629935/
The author of this article is just about as absent minded as the footballer. Couldn’t even mention the year and model of the “expensive Porsche.”
Maybe too many headers from a soccer balls caused brain damage
Can it be “clear title” “one owner” “loan/lien” and also “no title”? Interesting VIN, too. All those zeros.
Sorry, but quick trip to the local DMV or police office would tell you if the car is hot or being looked for by a lien holder.
Giving the benefit of the doubt, it could well be that the owner has passed away and none of the beneficiaries knew where the car was. Otherwise, to quote a superhero, “My spidee senses are tingling!”
It’s really the most plausible reason. Many times that original owner will put something of value into storage, then die. Their spouse may not even know or recall they had something. This is especially true if they’d set up automatic payments on the storage unit.
They die, the payments continue from the joint card or bank account until the spouse passes. Then the unit’s contents are sold unseen at auction.
In order to do a lien sale inmost states a certified letter has to be sent to the address of record.
I would guess the spouse would at that point know of the storage unit.
Subject to the will, isn’t it still the spouse’s property whether they know about it or not?
I smell something fishy here.
The seller states, “Car has never been even registered!” If you look at the free attached Autocheck report in the ebay listing, you’ll notice that statement is PURE FICTION! This car was first titled and registered in 1/6/2010 and a lien was reported. My guess is someone bought this with a car loan, placed it into storage and stopped making payments! You can’t repo a car in a locked garage or enclosed storage. I’m sure the lien hasn’t been satisfied! Not sure how someone can sell something that DOESN’T LEGALLY BELONG TO THEM?? Your suppose to obtain a title PRIOR to reselling it! IF the story holds true, the storage facility should of obtained a title BEFORE selling it to the high bidder. BUYER BEWARE!!!!
In Kentucky you can sell a vehicle that someone hasn’t paid the storage on at a towing service, but the lien holder has no obligation to provide a release or title for it. If a lien is still active on the title, you can not get a reconstructed or rebuilt title.
Many years ago I bought a motorcycle out of a storage unit auction in Ohio. Even had the key. But the storage company had to have their lawyer’s office petition the state for a title. They were told that they should not have sold it without first getting the title.
Depending on the state’s statutes, the storage company and the eBay seller might both be in the wrong here. A potential buyer had better realize that someone might come after the car, and it might be taken from them. What I see when I look at the photos is a litigation nightmare!
Cool car though. If someone wanted to just make a track toy out of it, why bother with registration?
The last time this seller listed it on eBay they were pitching it as a track car.
Steve R
+ Steve R,
I had not realized that the car was listed previously. Can you post a link to that auction? I’d be curious if they had a no-pay bidder due to title problems. (Or, their shill wound up with the top bid? – oops)
After I got divorced I needed a place to store my CTS-V. I rented a storage unit and they didn’t care what I put in there till I told them one of the things I was storing was the car. They requested a copy of the title. When I asked why I was told if I wanted to store the car with them I needed to sign a document stating that if I missed three months payments they had the right to sell my car to cover the cost of the missed rent. I never stored the car in the unit I rented. I wish I owned a storage facility because if someone didn’t pay me I’d crack open the unit and sell the stuff on my own.
Sounds good, But it doesn’t work that way in some states.
The storage facility can only retain the amount due under the terms of the signed contract. All monies exceeding the terms of the contract must be turned over to the lessee. Meaning if their crap brings $1000 at auction and you are owed $200 for rent, late fees and other fees (the cost of selling) You must give the renter the $800 difference. The government doesn’t want you to profit from their loss. That’s their job!
C. Jay — it is the same in GA. LEGALLY the storage facility can only get back what they are owed. Excess goes to the lienholder first then what is left goes to the owner listed on the title. As mentioned above, if all the proper steps haven’t been completed as part of the storage locker sale then the lienholder and owner still hold rights to the car. What a mess. Bet this thing leaves the country about 5 minutes after it’s sold.
C. Jay, you are right but in most states the storage facility doesn’t have to voluntarily give it up.
If the owner of the items requests it, they will pay, but most people don’t even know that is in the law, so they never go back and get the money.
Vast majority of stuff you get in storage facilities is pure junk that’s more of a headache to sell than it’s worth. A friend owns one and one of his “prizes” is a 1989 Corsica that belonged to the customer’s dead son. Ugh!
Where does it say on the Carfax that it was registered? It says title issued – not registered. Also, the autocheck does not have any “registration” events either.
At least in Texas, you can apply for a title without applying for the registration. There’s actually a box on the top of the form for “title only”. For instance, if you buy a project car that will not pass inspection, you get the car titled but not registered. Once it’s restored and passes inspection, you go back and get the car registered. Personal experience on that one.
So this owner could have gotten his title (with a lien attached) and never registered it for use on the road.
I don’t buy the rest of the story but the never registered seems ok.
Same in WI., I buy cars/trucks that I plan to fix and resell and get title only.
Same in Georgia. You do not have to register it. I have two like that now.
Abandoned? For how long? I’d say the storage payments just stopped recently. I can’t see the storage facility letting any grass grow under their feet on this sale. How long since it’s been driven? Quite a while I suspect. Getting a title? Depends on local law. The most recent debt may trump all other claims. That’s the way a mechanics lien works in some states I’m about sure. Regardless, I see this car as a potential great big headache.
Yuuup!
Neat car but how could a tow company do that much damage? It will at least need a new bumper cover and the carbon fiber splitter as well as at the front fenders painted at a minimum along with painting the new bumper. It must’ve been locked with no keys and they drug it out or something. Seems like that could’ve been avoided.
I would guess there are a lot of these with ultra low mileage out there. I know the C5 Z06’s were plentiful in low mileage condition when they were 5-10 years old so the $30k+ already is surprising to me for a car with a questionable history. I guess if you can get a clear title and don’t mind the front clip being repainted it would be a great car.
Something about this deal does not pass the smell test… If this car is at an auto shop it makes no sense that they would not chase down the title before selling.
It would if they tried and couldn’t get one.
How about a soldier on deployment, possibly kia and family without a clue about the car
Military personnel and next of kin would be protected by the “Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 50 U.S.C.”
Supposition, wondering, guessing even fantasy of thought…don’t do it, feel compelled to throw away your money than go to Vegas. Should one of you purchase this piece of slight of hand I would be very happy to know the outcome. To many possible players in the mix from law enforcement ( local ) ( state ), finance company, insurance company, repo man, relatives and last but not least if the owner is dead coming back from the grave to dish out hell!
Rules vary state to state.
Some states can issue an abandon vehicle title. It will become a “Branded Title” meaning it has a permanent notation on the title that it was abandon. That will only happen if the name on the original title and the name on the lease for the storage unit are the same.
I have storage units.
The last vehicle that attempted to get a abandon vehicle title for did not meet the requirements. So it cost me $1283 in attorney fees, for a 12 year old Chrysler Sebring.
Scrap yards a cautious about no title cars.
So cut it in half and haul it to two different yards.
I think someone’s hiding it from the repo man
I think you might be right, I have a neighbor lady who lost her job and she is doing just that, she hides her Lincoln in the garage locked up and takes it out only late at night for a quick run to Walmart then right back in the garage. I heard through the neighborhood grapevine they will be evicted as soon as winter breaks because they are behind on their rent and her lazy husband won’t work. Too bad for the kids. Can a bank flag a car at the DMV not to be relicensed for non payment ???
No, the DMV will continue to issue tags as long as their taxes and fees are paid on the car and the insurance is active.
The seller is trying to make $30K+ without doing the work to get a clean title. It’s that simple. There could be anybody from a bank, to the owner, to the deceased owner’s family who has a legal title and can take the car back from whoever buys it without paying anything. I’ve seen it happen more than once.
The way it is, it’s a parts car at best, I wouldn’t bid $5 on it without knowing who really owns it. Even if you parts it, whoever has the title can sue you for the value of the car. I hope whoever bid $30K+ has done their homework, otherwise it’s the gamble of the century. I’d like to know how this turns out. Maybe we could make a soap opera or a reality TV show out of it . . . . . . .
Soap Opera, for sure, “How the Wheel Turns”
I spent much of my law enforcement career in vehicle theft and insurance fraud investigation. This vehicle is a can of worms right now without further investigation. IMHO much has to be done to both legally possess and ultimately title this Vette. Has the potential of a huge headache.
Would an MSO (Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin) be a starting point for some paperwork?
Just wanna say. You win the website award for best screen name ever.
MSO’s will only get you somewhere if the vehicle has never been titled before.
If the seller was on the up and up, they would do a lien through their shop, then sell the car. Their story is pure BS.
Steve R
A quick Google search on Georgia Self Storage Laws will explain the laws.
The person with the title of the car has a piece of toilet paper. IF the sale was performed within the guidelines set forth in those laws.
Before selling this car online the current owner should make sure and provide the documents required to prove all laws were adhered to.
The storage facility holding the sale would be able to provide these documents.
Unless the storage company has proof that car was in the locker when it was sold they wouldn’t want to get involved, why should they. It’s not their problem, they don’t inventory lockers and they don’t need to insert themselves into a potential problem that could foreseeable wind up in court.
Steve R
Nope.
I expect the moment anyone shows up at the DMV to register it they will find the car impounded and given back to the bank whom holds the loan. The buyer will lose everything.
Classic hot potato. Excellent deal, but you will likely pay full original retail price in the end, so bot so good.
IF the title is clear, then it is a bargain. Or an immediate 40-60k debt.
I bought a truck once with a supposedly clean title, and I did all the appropriate checks and it was squeaky clean. But some random person happened to recognize it . They told the original owners 4000 miles away where it was and they tracked it down. The point being that even a clean title can be fishy. A car with no title and just an internet story for explanation would be nothing but grief.
A fool and his money are soon parted
Bank lien or loan lol …repo man on his way
A VIN search reveals that the car was originally bought by a woman in Hoschton, GA, name and full address available online. Shouldn’t be too hard to track down the title if someone is determined to do so.
And if you look a bit further into it, the storage facility is just a few miles up the road in Duluth.
How did you do a VIN search? Are you a member of law enforcement?
Just fyi..I’ve done many vin searches and its fairly easy..just take the vin to you’re nearest sheriff’s department or other local police department and ask them for a check for stolen or whatever..I’ve never had a problem with cars trucks motorcycles etc
Too many red flags here to risk going on this journey. If someone has the money to risk losing and is willing to take that risk, it could be an incredible buy. On the other hand it could be quagmire they’ll never get out of.
Yup. There’s a state of GA system that all licensed dealers have access to that will tell you who owns (owned) the car and any lienholders. Bonded titles are available but typically cost 10% +/- of the car’s value and can have limited protection against others that have a claim against the vehicle. As mentioned above, the usual route for these is to go through the process of getting an abandoned vehicle title which involves listing the vehicle in a public paper for a period of time so that lienholders have a chance to reclaim it, and then selling it at a public auction (not sure that ebay meets that legal requirement). It sure sounds like this process has been bypassed which will limit the rights of the purchaser to get a clean and transferable title. If the purchaser goes through the abandoned title process I believe an active lienholder has the right to reclaim the vehicle for only the expenses incurred by the current holder of the vehicle. Would make me wonder if this is valuable enough to end up as parts or shipped to some foreign country where the only requirement for use is a bill of sale.
Quagmire….gigigity
193 – ebony 19i – black interior trim
1sz – preferred equipment savings 2lz – 2lz preferred equipment group am/fm stereo, 6 disc cd changer, bose premium 7 speaker system, (replaces std/opt/pkg radio) pwr telescoping steering wheel heated seats memory package universal home remote side impact airbags, driver and passenger luggage shade & parcel net bluetooth for phone
41u – black aab – memory package
aj7 – air bags, frontal & side impact, driver & passenger al0 – sensor indicator inflatable restraint, frt pass/child presence detector
an4 – child restraint provision aq9 – adjustable sport bucket seats w/perforated leather inserts
bgr – bowling green plant bs1 – insulation acoustical pkg
cfb – roof non- removable cj2 – dual zone, electronic a/c
d42 – luggage shade & parcel net dd0 – electrochromic mirrors inside rear & left outside rear
dd8 – osrv fe4 – z06 suspension
gu6 – rear axle 3.42 ratio il3 – trim interior design-aq9
j56 – brake system power jjb – pt dress subassembly
jl5 – control manual trans, 1st to 4th gear skip shift k63 – 110 amp generator
ka1 – heated seats knp – transmission oil cooling system
knr – cooling system axle kps – cooler oil, engine
ls7 – 7.0 liter 505 hp engine dry sump oil system mm6 – 6-speed manual transmission
mn6 – 6-speed manual transmission n37 – pwr telescoping steering wheel
nc7 – federal emissions override ne1 – 50-state emissions
nk4 – tilt leather wrap stng wheel nu1 – cal emission system, lev2
q76 – z06 original chrome aluminum wheels r9n – processing code – seat
slm – stock orders u2k – xm satellite radio – service fee extra. 1st 3 months incl.
u52 – electronic instrumentation u65 – speaker system 7, premium
ue1 – 1 yr onstar safe & sound(ask dlr about turn-by-turn nav upgrade) ug1 – universal home remote
uj9 – low tire press. indicator uk3 – steering wheel controls
upf – bluetooth for phone us3 – antenna diversity
us9 – am/fm stereo, 6 disc cd changer bose premium 7 speaker system, (replaces std/opt/pkg radio) uv6 – head-up display
v73 – statement of vehicle cert.-u.s. /canada va5 – english language label
vdd – vehicle information dvd vh9 – envelope owner info manual
vk3 – front license plate bracket vt7 – owners manual english
xfa – front tire – p275/35zr18 yfj – rear tire – p325/30zr19
Base price for this was north of $72K, according to the VIN decoder I ran…
Someone is going to pay this seller x and then the lienholder y before they can tag this vehicle. Chances are with such low mileage before being parked/hidden the lien amt could be quite high.
In Missouri, you can take the VIN number to Local Police, and request a VIN number check. They will take the info, and with in 7 days you will have a report.
According to my buddies at the Local Police it cost $25.00, and they will trace the car to find out a few things.
1. is the car stolen
2. is the current owner of the car wanted for any crime, which they can seize the vehicle
3. is the current owner or owners living
4. is there a lien on the car, and if so by who.
5. the most current address of owner.
Now if the owner of the car does not want you to know this info, they can request the info not be released, which means you are out your money.
I have used this type of search before to find info of a car I bought in a storage locker, it was nothing like the “Storage Wars” on TV it was a listing in a local paper that I came across. The truck was a 81 Dodge Pickup, and had been in storage for 5 years, the original owner had paid up front 5 years to store the truck, but he died leaving no next of kin, so I bought the truck and other contents for $200.00. It took me 2 months to get it titled and tags. Plus a few weeks to get it running again, the owner parked it with gas in the tank!!!!!
Some one will be upset when the bank steps in to repo this Vette because they will be out of 30 plus thousand dollars .
Sorry salvage kills pricing even with zero miles.
Borrow a drug sniff dog prior to state police inspection as this car was left probably like the owner left via bad drug deal gone bad with the “ lure of easy money” (Glenn Fry Eagles song)
You pays your money, you takes your chances, big risk.
This does happen. I bought an estate of Porsches once where the family had no idea there was a storage unit full of cars, until they found an old bill. But it could have gone either way.
As far as contacting the original owner or his family, that could be risky, they could just take possession of the car, if they hold title, then the guy who bought is out.
The real trick would be for a dealer to buy it and just slap dealer plates on it and drive, drive, drive!
This car is nine years old, I dont see why so many people here think there is a lien on this thing. The seller claims they have checked the vin and it is not a stolen vehicle and was never titled. But the CarFox report indicates it was titled 1/6/10 with one service at 12/17/09. Best of luck.
Basic question would be to the storage place, who has the lien as to who paid for the storage. Obviously the storage place has to provide proof their request for payments & arrears was delivered and went unanswered, but by whom?
Maybe the buyers are looking at this for parts and don’t care at all about the VIN.
Based on the type and age of the car there are likely many eligible VINs that can get cloned – or – it gets popped into a container and sent someplace overseas where they are not too picky about it.
Very interesting points from everyone, I wonder what the real deal is?
Georgia has a process for obtaining clear title on an abandoned vehicle over both the existing titleholder and any lienholder. The ebay ad does not make clear if the process was followed (in which case a clean title can be obtained), or if the storage facility just opened the door and let the winning bidder roll the car out (in which case you probably need to follow the process which includes notifying the existing titleholder and lienholder). Unless its the former, I wouldn’t bid because my use for the car is as a car, and not parts…
I agree!
Right, car has to advertised locally for 3 weeks prior to sale in order to assure lienholders and others have opportunity to reclaim. Price to reclaim is limited to holder’s costs. I’m with you that it doesn’t sound like this was followed which leaves the new buyer at peril. Abandoned titles are not that hard to get which makes me wonder why the current owner didn’t follow the process and get that done.
I’m not buying it. Nothing will make you a BFP ( bona fide purchaser) if there is a loan, lien or stolen. You would be SOL. And NO ONE forgets a ZO6 in a storage building.
Except the soccer player that forgot about his Porsche lol.
…there are 2009 Z-06’s out there for sale with not many more miles on them for about the same money as this one…why go through the hassle of getting this one bona fided when you can get one and drive it today? It would be worth the hassle if it were half the price…which is what this flipper may have bought it for…
I had a neighbor who sold an estate family member passed etc 80k z06 manual etc
10,500 last summer etc.
A two owner but no games
This a problems and pain and wtf later.
The seller knows it too
What amazes me that the keys were in it. I am surprised the gas didn’t turn into varnish. Good luck to the seller with registering it.
My son just traded for an exact replica of this. It is the baddest car I have ever been in. Torque is through the sky all the way to 6 th gear.
Wow this is one hot ‘tater and I’m not saying it’s stolen but what a story. Hope nobody’s shill bidding this thing up, that doesn’t happen anymore does it? As long as there have been possetions people have squirreled them away. Some never returning like the Roman soldiers who buried their coin pouches or the likely Viking gold and jewel hoard found a couple years ago.
Here’s *part* of the applicable Georgia law. Run very fast and very far from this one. https://dor.georgia.gov/abandonment-process-court-order
Amazing,,,,, all the “Lawyers ” on this website. Suffice it to say buying this car is risky as presented.
Can’t tell you about the others but I’m a licensed dealer in GA and have navigated through the abandoned vehicle process a number of times. Lots of red flags on this one. The one thing that makes sense is selling it as an export where only a bill of sale is required.
No lien release on the carfax.
When the car gets to Dubai, the issues of the title will evaporate. I’d like to have it, but I have to save my pennies a while longer.
I don’t think sheiks bother with pedestrian cars like a Z06. They are after Veyrons and Huracans and such…
As an employee of 23 years at the same Dealership, I couldn’t give out the name of the previous owner because it’s a Privacy Issue say they did and you contacted him or her or both and they asked you how you found them and say innocently the Dealership you bought the Vette from gave it to me! That’s a Lawsuit for the Dealership just for that!!
You can just go to your state DMV, it is public record they can tell you the name on the title, if you have the VIN.
Come home stolen vettte and money lost
Guy gets his car back free due to insurance never paid a Claim on loss
(Gosh this could never happen could it$😗🤑😜
https://youtu.be/M6j2YYJilac
Is something wrong with that vin number.. all those 0s don’t look right to me !
Valid VIN :)
Bids now up to $36,500…I wouldn’t touch this one with a 10 foot pole, at any price…too many “unknowns” regarding titling & truth of past ownership. Run, Forrest, run!
My C5 looks almost the same as this ZO6. it has a smaller motor, but for half the price and only 40K miles I can drive it with no worries.
Just because you buy the unit doesn’t mean you own the car. It doesn’t work that way. If that were true then the best you would get is a salvage title..
Currently at $51000 and 130 bids. I don’t know if this is possible but on an unpaid credit card they do charge offs for unpaid balances. If the Bank or Finance company cannot find the car to repo it, eventually they will do a charge off as a loss for tax purposes. This is a 2009 so it is 9 years old. A car loan max is for seven years through a normal finance company like say GMAC. So 2 years has gone by past the end of the loan period and the car hasn’t been located till now. Whomever this Georgia Peach was that owns this car may have had trouble with the law at some point. Lets pretend she was someone of influence who could walk into a dealership and get a new Vette as a demo car and be able to drive it with a dealer tag to go 300 miles to say a Pro football game or Savanah. She gets a little tipsy and on the way back messes up the car and goes off the road. Gets popped for a DUI and has to have the car towed back to GA. The dealer says honey you wrecked it you bought it. Well now she has to buy the car, but has no DL to be able to drive it. So she puts it in storage. That or she lent it to a relative and they got popped for something bad and went to prison. Putting it in storage until they got out might have been a plan. That or something awful transpired during that 700 miles and they just can’t eva get back in that car because of the memories brought about by it. Either way though this deal is problematic. Why you want to throw 51K at it is beyond me. Is that car even worth that much without any problems? Be interesting to trace the VIN in say a year to find out if it got legal for someone.
You should write crime novels.
Yup, my thoughts too .
You couldnt pay me to try and own this. No title+lien holder=no sale
This whole thing is a scam. Even the eBay auction. Check the bidding history. Three players are bidding the car up. One of them bid the car up six times within a minute with no one bidding against them. Why? A little while later bidder number 2 did the same thing. Bidder number three comes in once in a while. They have bid the car up so high it is unreasonable. But they’re hoping for the big score. Check the seller’s profile and his past sales. Text book version of scam, but not even done well.
PMC.. I’ve seen bidders bid 5-6 times in just a few minutes too. Usually they’re just bidding a small amount to try and cap the high bid. Not that unusual.
Now to this sale. I think you’re right about this auction being a scam. I wonder if anyone has even tried to get a title for this car. I’d say they have and weren’t happy with the results or the prospect of EVER getting a title. Based on that, in a legit auction what would a valuable (parts) car such as this really sell for?
But it’s been very nice to get to see a ZO6 this pretty. I was never in the bidding, I just come here to look at the cars.
Over $57K with 10 hours left. Wow.
Just me, but someone has just bent over. Ended: Feb 16, 2018 , 7:11PM
Winning bid:US $57,500.00
[ 153 bids ]
Will be interested to see if it gets relisted.
High bidder (t***g) just posted a negative feedback!
Negative feedback rating Cannot show they have any right to the Z06? Cannot show it is lien free? Scam!!! t***g ( 75Blue star icon for feedback score in between 50 to 99) During past month
2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (#253419203457) US $57,500.00 View Item
If you look at his feedback as a seller, both of his last 2 transactions were reviewed with the same negative feedback stating ownership issues. I (almost) blame the buyer as much as the seller on this for looking at the obvious and bidding $57K anyway. Sad thing if you look at the bidding history he wasn’t alone.
@ Karl ,,,, lock is cut for dramatic effect. Probably a whole lot of creative “film” editing involved also (special effects).
Well, that didn’t take long. The negative feedback from the buyer on eBay states:
“Cannot show they have any right to the Z06? Cannot show it is lien free? Scam!!! Buyer: t***g 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (#253419203457) US $57,500.00”
https://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=in_service&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2776
You all predicted doom, and you all were correct!
Well I was the guy who bid it up to that 57K amount when it first hit the EBay market but didn’t meet the Reserve Price and got outbid by about 500 bucks. I just bought a 2012 Grand Sport about a month ago with 7883 miles on it. Would like to have it but that was as high as I could go without laying hands on it and seeing some more paperwork and information on it.
Well the guy that has the car up for sale did repair the front end damage that it had. It had some big deep scratches on the front end from loading it on trailer I was told. I spent a couple minutes on the phone with the seller about 6 months ago when it was originally posted. Still wonder why he hasn’t reposted it to sell before now.
Brett, what did you plan on doing about the no title situation?
It is a fairly new car so there are a lot more restrictions on getting a title for it than if it was an old car.
6 months later and the seller still doesn’t have a title? I thought the whole process only took 2?
Why would you guys repost a grey market car like this?
The previous “winning bidder” posted up a negative feedback claiming that the seller didn’t have sufficient paperwork to demonstrate the vehicle was lien free and that they had the right to sell it. Current ad claims they have police documentation, but a bit vague in the wording of what all that entails. Buyer beware, it’s due diligence time……….a Carfax might also give some info to follow up on.
Ha. A bidder with ZERO feedback is bidding up the price of this car. Not many e-bayers let zero feedback bidders bid on anything, let alone a Z06 Corvette… as for the ad, it is sold with a court order and a note from the local police saying the VIN is “ok”… doesn’t even say he will provide a bill of sale which is pretty standard when you don’t have a title.
This sale/story is so full of holes, why would anyone even THINK of making an offer on this car? If it looks too good to be true…it is.
Run, Forrest, Run!
I HAVE 10 PRE 74 CAR’S & TRUCK’S ALL COMPLETE OEMs + NEW PARTS, PROJECT’S
David, if you would like to sell your classic vehicles, you can list them with us here on Barn Finds!
u can stick your grrrr where the sun does’nt shine, when u r past 3/4 of a century, your eye’s & finger’s don’t fair well, that said f#$%k off
sorry my reply was’nt ment 4 u it was 4 little car’s tbank’s
What would they be?
60f100 63gmc6’4x4bg wndo63gm1tontow67qcodebird68f250cmspc69cdv69galdrop42969travco72gmcvanshort3/4ton73ranchqcode4sp73vwwindowvan
ALL CAPS IS A GREAT WAY TO DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELF DAVID6. Please go through the proper means to sell your “complete original equipment manufacturer” car’s and truck’s (sic). LOL. LMAO. Grrrr.
I know in the state of California, if you buy a storage unit and it has a vehicle inside it, another lien sale has to be done on that car to notify the owners that they have a right to come and satisfy the lien.
I am sure there are similar laws in other states.
New listing now shows it with a court order and a T-22 which should allow you to get a title in GA. Not sure how it translates to titles in other states.
If the process were that simple on the vehicle, the seller would have done that in the last 6 months since the initial post. The seller KNOWS this vehicle is worth more WITH a title than WITHOUT. IF it were possible to get the title, they would have done so by now…especially given their proclivity to the almighty dollar.
Please re read the article where the seller essentially says, IF you don’t offer the money I want, I will take it off the market until a title is attained and then we will repeat the process anew.
Where is the title???
If the guy selling it wants a title he has to pay the GA TAVT on it (7% of book value) so he has probably decided to sell it this way instead of putting out the extra money. Wise choice? That’s debatable but he can legally sell it with just the court order. If he doesn’t get what he wants then he can shell out the extra and get his own title.
The car has to be worth more than 7% above the ask so I don’t think that would be an impediment to getting the title.
I mean just to get rid of the hassle of all the people asking where the title is.
I’m pretty sure this is not the only Z06 for sale in North America. I’m also pretty sure it is overpriced and radioactive due to the title horsehooey.
Long thread here. One thing I know about car sales is that you will NEVER be able to transfer the title of a car without satisfying the lien against it. That applies to abandoned cars, seized cars and treasury department/IRS sales. Without researching the title, you will not know what is owed on the car. The car could easily be upside down and/or in default. Apply for a title and the bank, which technically has first ownership rights of the car, can seize it. Your money is then lost and you have to sue the seller to get it back. I have tried to purchase IRS sale cars only to find that the bank liens have to be paid off to get a clear title. Unless the title to the car is in the glovebox and it clearly says there is no lien, just stay away from these deals. You will lose your ass on them.
The lien sale process in most states is a way to give the lien holder a chance to come and satisfy the lien and take the car if the vehicle has a mechanics lien against it.
If they don’t, the state voids their lien and issues a new title.
To clarify I know what I am talking about, where I used to live my business was doing the lien paperwork for mechanic shops and the like so they can obtain a clear title to a vehicle when the owner did not pay for the work.
If the lien holder gets his hands on the vehicle, he can legally take it, but the mechanic shop does not have to turn it over until their lien is paid.
My point is that there is a way to obtain titles on vehicles even if there is a current lien on it. On any vehicle under 10 years old, the miles will be marked as not actual as the person making the application for the new title cannot attest to the actual mileage of the vehicle, so that does bring down the value of a lot of cars.
Miguel, what’s the procedure when the bank or any lending institution still has a valid claim to the property? It’d be a safe bet their claim would take precedence. But I’m just asking. Dam,,,, this is taking on a life of its own.
The procedure, at least in Nevada, was that certified letters were sent to the registered owners, the legal owners, and the person that brought the vehicle into the shop.
They had the chance to either pick up the vehicle and pay what is owed against it or let it go.
I think one time the legal owner went to court to retrieve the vehicle because the registered owner was not the one who brought the vehicle in for servicing.
The court told them that was not the shops problem and if they wanted the vehicle to pay the bill.
When I presented my package of papers to the state it either had the signature of the person that signed for the certified letter or the letter that came back unopened.
From that the state has to assume the legal owner gave up their rights to that vehicle and let it go if they did nothing to get the vehicle back.
I would assume it is basically the same in most states.
The process is the same in GA. If he has a court order that means that he has legally cleared all the hurdles to own the car and that any previous owners or lien holders have surrendered their rights to it. He can go get a title but has to pay the GA sales tax (TAVT) before GA will provide him a title. He may have also have back ad velorum taxes due since the TAVT process began in 2013. It looks like he chose not to spend the extra money to actually get the title (wouldn’t surprise me if all the owed taxes surpassed $10K). I also think that some states won’t accept court orders from other states as a basis for a title. A good case of buyer beware is still warranted or you should at least understand your local laws before bidding. It wouldn’t surprise me if it comes back one more time if the buyer finds out they can’t title it in their state with the current paperwork.
Commented on this in the initial posting. I worked auto crimes many of my 27 years in L.E. There are a number of great questions raised here. My first inquiry would be to NICB (National Insurance Crime Bure) which maintains an active data base for all US sold vehicles. Start the trace there. I do not have a good feeling here. I am not sure why the seller has not gotten a negotiable title. So many issues would be cleared up,( unless there is a monetary roadblock somewhere). IMHO there is a lot more to this story! For the right price I would wade into the water, but certainly not where the bid price is.
Is there a link please? Thank you
@UK Paul – The first paragraph has been updated with the correct link. Thanks for catching that!
Thank you!
So the car didn’t sell originally, over a year ago as stated, and to quote the winner then:
“Cannot show they have any right to the Z06? Cannot show it is lien free? Scam!!! 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (#253419203457)”
Then prior to that they sold an Audi TT:
“ScammerSent me car with no bill of sale,title incomplete,broke down in 5 min
Audi: TT Base Convertible 2-Door (#252459328556)”
The other thing they have for sale currently is a pair of sneakers. Sneakers may be the better option.
57 large and the guy wants nothing to do with getting the title. Bad feedback already. I’m thinking someone still owes $$ on this. Great thread and great advice, guys! Caveat Emptor for sure.
Cheers
GPC
Looking at the listing it shows a Georgia title by court order dated 1/22/2020. Perhaps now it’s a legally easy purchase for someone.
$37.5 gasman. And a clear title. Figuring AT BEST it is a $40k car needing $2k for tires and $$$ for a sketchy frontend repair and the only real value is the novelty of the back story.
I have a nutty buddy (hey, isn’t that an ice cream bar? LOL) who has a Victory Red 2008 Z06 in his garage with 13 miles on the clock! He won’t admit it but I think the drive home from the dealer made him soil his shorts and he’s been afraid to get in it ever since. True story.
C6 Corvettes are the best looking generation of the vette!! This ones no exception!! Beautiful!!
C2’s beat them all in looks. I know it’s only an opinion, but the C2 was named most beautiful by many in the industry who “rate” this things… It’s my favorite gen. of Corvettes. I’ve often considered selling my Austin Healey 3000 for one.
There are many more Corvettes than there are Austin Healeys so if I were you I would stick with the Healey.
Y’all need to review the newest listing.. there’s a title and plenty of laws allowing legal transfer.. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F254527313210
Wow! Record comments. I bought a ski boat at a garage sale. “Owner”, had no title. Found out they had bought it in Georgia, and ran off with it to California. Never made payments. Found the bank in Georgia and explained that I was a “ holder in due course”, and asked for the title. They had written it off and sent me the title. Maybe, that happened here.
7.2L lol
$42,600 *might* have bought it this time around…..