Eyeing a 1994 with mileage discrepancy

[Robsnit]

Hello,
I have been looking for a Gen 1 and see one I like. A couple things concern me,the one main thing is that it shows 5000 miles on the odometer but the last reported mileage was 22,000 in 1998. This owner says it has to be a clerical error. The car is in great condition inside and out. I believe him because the front tire is original and shows alot of tread and like I said,the overall condition is really nice. Also, is it true that the console and some of the trim is painted? There is a spot right above the driver's side door panel that shows wear and it actually look like a small amount of coating wore off. Any input , help or questions I would greatly appreciate. Thanks

[Corse]

Is the reported mileage coming from the dmv? Seems an odd clerical error to me. Is it an original owner car? If from a different owner I would see if there's any other reports of mileage. That's definitely odd.

[Robsnit]

Not an original owner, it was bought by a museum about 5 years ago. I did a vin number check and the only thing that it told me was the date and state last registered. Nothing else reported.

[Robsnit]

Only 1 event of reported mileage and the date of that. What's the best resource to use for a more thorough report? This one was called Vin verifier I think.

[Steve-Indy]

Try a CARFAX...as it should give you enough info to get a feel for "the story".

On a Gen II, I have used a DRB III cross check the odometer with "the brain". But, I don't know if one can do this with a Gen I.

[MO_Better]

Hmmm, is there no other paperwork that shows mileage, such as annual state inspection paperwork? If the rear tires aren't original, is there no receipt for them being installed? Every tire dealer in the world writes down the cars mileage on the receipt (or battery purchase, etc). You would think there would be some maintenance paperwork SOMEWHERE over the years that would correlate the story. In the absence of any other supporting documentation, even if YOU believe him, you should still consider that it will effect the future value of the car as well, i.e. it will put doubt such that the car will be worth less to the next buyer (that you may some day want to sell to).

So I always try to tell myself when I buy a car (I'm not always successful, I admit) - if there is any reasonable doubt, then there is no doubt - and walk away, as there are other fish in the sea.

Mark

[Horsepower junkie]

If possible have a Viper owner in that town to look it over. Should not be difficult to see the difference between 5000 and 22000 mile car.

[MO_Better]

One thing I would try that is fairly easy (if you haven't yet), you can call any dodge dealer, give them the vin #, and if it was worked on by a dealer at any point, it would most likely be in dodges big computer in the sky with the date, mileage and service performed.

[Robsnit]

Owner 1
Purchased: 1994
Personal Vehicle
Source
Comments
10/15/1994
Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Kingston, PA
Titled or registered as personal vehicle
11/17/1994
219 mi.
Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Kingston, PA
Title #47877903 01 CI
Title or registration issued
First owner reported
06/05/1997
2,000 mi.
Connecticut
Inspection Station
Passed emissions inspection
07/31/1997
27,000 mi.
Connecticut
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pawcatuck, CT
Title #023612304
Title issued or updated
06/09/1999
43,000 mi.
Connecticut
Inspection Station
Passed emissions inspection
06/19/2001
46,000 mi.
Connecticut
Inspection Station
Passed emissions inspection
07/30/2009
Connecticut
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pawcatuck, CT
Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as Red
08/23/2011
Connecticut
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pawcatuck, CT
Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as Red
07/31/2013
Connecticut
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pawcatuck, CT
Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as Red
04/15/2015
4,922 mi.

Brustolon Buick GMC
Mystic, CT
860-415-4738

4.7

/ 5.0
45 Verified Reviews
Vehicle serviced
Emissions inspection performed
MILEAGE INCONSISTENCY

The mileage reported here conflicts with this vehicle's odometer history. Ask a mechanic or the seller to confirm the actual mileage - this entry may just be a clerical error.

07/29/2015
Connecticut
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pawcatuck, CT
Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as Red
09/27/2015
Connecticut
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pawcatuck, CT
Title or registration issued
Vehicle color noted as Red

[uvbnbit]

My first thought was clerical as well just as you noted.

[Robsnit]

I just got in at midnight last night. I drove 10 hours Monday to look at it and drove 10 hours back yesterday. I did get a Carfax and put it in the post above.
Sorry, that it is a little hard to read. It is listed as a 1 owner but the discrepancies are kinda weird but from what I think, it is clerical. It goes from 2000 miles in the first 3 years to 27,000 in a month, that was in 1997? Then 43,000 in 1999,then 46,000 in 2001. Which is all possible, but I think it should be 4,300 and 4,600. Then in 2015, it's mileage 4,922. The dealer's name and number was listed ,so I called. They looked up the VIN and verified that's what they had in their system but also in 2007 they did an emissions check and recorded 4,700 miles ,which wasn't on the Carfax. Another thing is, if the 27,000 ,43,000 and 47,000 mile records were correct, wouldn't there be some service records. It makes sense that if it still only having under 5000 miles,it wouldn't get serviced. Any more input from anyone would be appreciated. Thanks to everyone who has chimed in.

[Lightz2050]

So you drove 10 hours to look at it and drove back, so I assumed you didn't buy it. I would walk away from it. Why take a chance? You can't verify mileage!

[SNKEBIT]

Had the same thing happen on my 94. Same sort of "added zero" in the mileage on a few dates. Looked through it carefully and realized , just as you did, if you take off a zero, it all adds up in the end.

Carfax has its problems along with dealer input.

[ellowviper]

I guess the odometer wasn't Y2K compliant....for those that remember THAT mess....

[uvbnbit]

I guess the odometer wasn't Y2K compliant....for those that remember THAT mess....

[plumcrazy]

I'd never trust carfax personally. I had a truck that was totalled and bought it back, it never came up on carfax and when I sold it the buyer had no idea till I told him.

[SharpesGarage]

How did the car look? A 5k car vs a 50k car should be easy to tell.

[Robsnit]

Ok, sorry for the delay in responding. I bought the car , good idea or bad, time will tell. I got it transported in last Tuesday. Got it off the truck, cranked and sounded great and drove it right into the garage where I'm storing it.
I know basic stuff that should be done right away, like changing all the fluids and checking belts and hoses.
Also, think I should drain and clean gas take, change fuel pump and filter. Any other suggestions. Also, noticed it idles ok but doesn't want to accelerate to much. Any more input would be great

[Robsnit]

Car looks great, seats and interior, paint and body all in nice shape. It's just got so few miles put on it in the past 5 years. Just want to take care of things that could be the result of not alot of miles being put on it. Just concerned about it creeping up in the garage ,cranked right up and idled but didn't want to move much when pressing the gas pedal.

- - - Updated - - -

How did the car look? A 5k car vs a 50k car should be easy to tell.

Sorry,thought I was responding to this, but look above

[Steve-Indy]

"Just concerned about it creeping up in the garage ,cranked right up and idled but didn't want to move much when pressing the gas pedal."

Check brakes to see if they are "frozen"...pads stuck against rotors, pistons not moving.