[ElectroTele]

Hi all,
New member and not yet a 124 owner. I’m looking at a used 2018 Abarth at a dealer (not a Fiat dealer). It has 23k miles. I really enjoyed driving it. But when we sat down afterwards I asked about their inspection of the car. They explained they do a 120 point inspection blah blah… I said ok can I see the report. He said ok and disappeared for 10 mins. Came back and said they can’t find it - not sure off the mechanic finished it or just didn’t file it, he’s off on Saturday so they’ll have to try and get a hold of him. They still wanted me to write a check…no thanks.
I told them to let me know what they find out. About 10 mins later he called and said he found a note or got a message or something from the mechanic saying there was a “minor oil leak.” I asked for more info and he said he didn’t have any but the mechanic is in Monday and he can get the full report.

I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt and think he didn’t know about the oil leak prior. In any case, and maybe it’s premature since I don’t know the cause of the leak, if they find the cause and fix it (they are a reputable dealership), should I still worry about this? Or go ahead with it? I realize part of that question is about trusting them to actually go through the car and fix any issues before sale. But apart from that, just because there is an oil leak, does that indicate a potential for larger issues even if the leak is fixed?

thanks

 

[Arthur]

Check if two keys are supplied.

Ask for the VIN then go to a Fiat dealer to check out their database for service history/recalls etc.

Get confirmation re oil leak. As a non-Fiat dealer I would have reservations about them sorting it. Seems rather vague..... is the leak in the engine/transmission or differential ? Not heard of any 124 having an oil leak, let alone one with such low milage. Maybe its had a hard life......... tracked/modded/abused ?

From the limited info available, I wouldn't buy it if I were you.

Good Luck

 

[Steele]

My theory in buying a used car, if you have any doubts whatsoever, do not buy
there is always another

 

[ElectroTele]

@Arthur - good call on contacting the dealer with the VIN. It’s a one owner car and it was serviced at the local dealer so I’ll see what they know. I also should know more on Monday when the mechanic is in.

@Steele - I generally agree. I’ve walked away from a couple already including a Miata today. But this car is pretty unique looking and a manual - most of the 124s I see come up are autos. I’ll walk away if warranted. But I also don’t necessarily want to dismiss it right away.
Thx

 

[Steele]

@Arthur - good call on contacting the dealer with the VIN. It’s a one owner car and it was serviced at the local dealer so I’ll see what they know. I also should know more on Monday when the mechanic is in.

@Steele - I generally agree. I’ve walked away from a couple already including a Miata today. But this car is pretty unique looking and a manual - most of the 124s I see come up are autos. I’ll walk away if warranted. But I also don’t necessarily want to dismiss it right away.
Thx

Totally agree I couldn’t think of it being that big of a deal. If you don’t have that big of a doubt I would get it if you have that feeling like you do pull the trigger now I did.
chances are they probably got oil on the engine when they were replacing the oil and it’s just dripping down I’ve had that happen to a couple other cars in my past. Sometimes when you remove the oil filter, that oil usually goes where you didn’t think it did, and then ends up on the ground freaking everybody out

 

[EDubbs124]

Rule #1 in ANY purchase, car or otherwise……NEVER give anyone the “Benefit of the doubt”!

 

[2020 Nordamericano]

Good advise so far.
As mentioned, these cars in general are not known to have issues with fluid seepage/leakage. The exception being some have had issues with the water pump not having been properly sealed from the the factory and these cases most all showed up while the cars were still covered by and repaired under warranty.
If this car indeed has an oil leak it sounds as though the sales associate you were dealing with was being less then forthcoming in providing information. And that brings up the question of why wasn't this known oil leak dealt with/repaired prior to the car being offered for sale to the public?
If you should decide to pursue further inquiries into this particular vehicle, and were I you I wouldn't, I would suggest being certain the selling dealer provides you with a CARFAx report. And as mentioned check the VIN through an authorized dealer to see what the factory service history is. Also if possible don't be afraid to take this vehicle to a 3rd party that you trust for an independent inspection. If the selling dealer were to have any question or reservation about you doing this that in an of itself would be a key indicator to stay away.
If possible to determine, stay away from cars that have been tuned or have had the engine physically modified, bolt-on or eye candy being the exception here.

There are lots of 124 Spiders on the used market. Be patient. Don't shy away from an internet search and possibly traveling to get the right one.
Good luck, these cars are well worth owning and you'll know the right one when you find it.

 

[ElectroTele]

Rule #1 in ANY purchase, car or otherwise……NEVER give anyone the “Benefit of the doubt”!

that’s why I said “I’d like to.” 😉

 

[ElectroTele]

Good advise so far.
As mentioned, these cars in general are not known to have issues with fluid seepage/leakage. The exception being some have had issues with the water pump not having been properly sealed from the the factory and these cases most all showed up while the cars were still covered by and repaired under warranty.
If this car indeed has an oil leak it sounds as though the sales associate you were dealing with was being less then forthcoming in providing information. And that brings up the question of why wasn't this known oil leak dealt with/repaired prior to the car being offered for sale to the public?
If you should decide to pursue further inquiries into this particular vehicle, and were I you I wouldn't, I would suggest being certain the selling dealer provides you with a CARFAx report. And as mentioned check the VIN through an authorized dealer to see what the factory service history is. Also if possible don't be afraid to take this vehicle to a 3rd party that you trust for an independent inspection. If the selling dealer were to have any question or reservation about you doing this that in an of itself would be a key indicator to stay away.
If possible to determine, stay away from cars that have been tuned or have had the engine physically modified, bolt-on or eye candy being the exception here.

There are lots of 124 Spiders on the used market. Be patient. Don't shy away from an internet search and possibly traveling to get the right one.
Good luck, these cars are well worth owning and you'll know the right one when you find it.

All good input. I don’t see any reason not to inquire further, but in the spirit of your and others’ posts, it will be with due caution. According to the Carfax it was a one-owner car, dealer serviced. I’ll call them Monday morning. Taking it to a third party is a good idea. Maybe I’ll call the selling dealer on Monday and ask them, and see if I can take it to the Fiat dealer where it was originally purchased and serviced. The car looks extremely clean and there’s no indication of mods that I can see.

 

[Steele]

I think it’s just an accidental spill while doing your oil change that is finally dripping to the ground
Fingers crossed I wish you luck

 

[ElectroTele]

Well, if the selling dealer changed the oil, I suppose that is possible… I’ll keep you guys posted. Thanks

 

[Steele]

I sure hope it’s a simple issue and not a big deal. They are very fun.

 

[ElectroTele]

Me too. I really enjoyed driving it and love the way it looks. Yet I will follow my own oft-shared guidance of not getting emotionally attached to a car you are considering buying and wait to see what I can find out. But I do have my fingers crossed for a good outcome. If not, I’ll just be patient. There are several others for sale but very few MTs.

 

[Steele]

I’m not sure if you’ve already done this, but I set up some of the requirements I wanted on the Carfax app and eventually it popped, up more than I wanted popped up, but I found the right one

I bought all 3 of my vehicles from that app

 

[Steele]

very few MTs.

I know, don’t get me wrong. I love an automatic, but for vehicles that have two extra doors and carries two more people.

a lot of the Spiders were ordered with an automatic, whatever
MT was #1 on the list without the El‘Manual it was a no go

 

[MikeL]

If I bought it and the selling dealer isn't a FIAT dealer, I would change the oil to ensure the proper oil is used. The selling dealer probably used the oil they had on hand.

 

[ElectroTele]

I’m not sure if you’ve already done this, but I set up some of the requirements I wanted on the Carfax app and eventually it popped, up more than I wanted popped up, but I found the right one

I bought all 3 of my vehicles from that app

yeah, the unfortunate thing about CarMax is they came in $1000 below every other dealer I’ve been to on my trade. If they get the car I want I’d probably do it. But I wish they’d give me what every single other dealer has offered.

 

[Steele]

yeah, the unfortunate thing about CarMax is they came in $1000 below every other dealer I’ve been to on my trade. If they get the car I want I’d probably do it. But I wish they’d give me what every single other dealer has offered.

I never traded, just bought, that sucks though

 

[Steele]

News
Inquiring minds want to know

 

[ElectroTele]

No news. I texted the salesman this morning and haven’t heard back. Maybe they’re not interested in trying to fix it in favor of saving some margin by selling the problem to someone else. Or maybe they’re still working on it. We’ll see.