Front bumper vin is under the hood, there is a little tab that sticks out with it (I think more on the drivers side at the front edge of the engine bay)

 

Okay I definitely found the one sticking out on the front bumper. That is comforting to know. Does anyone have a complete list of where all the vin numbers can/should be found on the car? Are they on the front and rear quarter panels? I've seen them on the doors when opened.

I haven't been able to find it on the rear bumper, but I could be looking wrong. Regardless I'm pretty sure after having a friend look at it who is good with body work that the back bumper was changed and he says the car might have been repainted as well. He wants me to bring it to his shop after the holidays next week and let them look it over and get a full report of what looks to be changed.

So I know there was some body work done on the car. I spoke with my lawyer and he says that the dealer is liable since they advertised no paint or body work on the car. He wants me to stay quit on it for now and find everything there is to find on my trip and then he will contact the dealer next week and work something out.

Before then I have to decide if I want him to try to get them to take the car back, or do I want to keep it and get them to take some money off. I wouldn't mind that as much, but if it has had body work I am worried a bit about resale value.

I will say this, tonight after Christmas midnight service at a local church I found, I went out for a spirited ride around some of the back country rodes they have here and the car rides beautifly. I haven't been able to find any evidance yet that anything drive-wise was effected by whatver was done. I did notice while in gear the shifter seems to vibrate a bit, but that is probably normal. I believe my last manual car did this as well but it has been too long.

It shifts smooth, accelerates smooth (and fun), and brakes on a dime. I just need to have the body inspected throughly (since Honda's inspection turned out to suck) and make a decision as to what to ask of the dealer.

Merry Christmas everyone!

- J

 

Made it up the mountain last night in the pouring rain . . . that was no fun! lol Regardless I have now put over 1500 miles on the car without any problems, good sign?

I did a search online as to where the vin numbers are on this car (at least the public known ones). I found all of them except the rear bumper and trunk lid. I'm assuming those two have been changed. The car was repossesed from the original owner, maybe they messed up the bumper while towing it? Who knows. The quarter panels in the front and back, hood, and doors all have the vin numbers correct on them.

It does seem like the car might have been repainted alll around though as I found a bit over overspray towards the front of the car. The car is otherwise perfect with barelly even a scratch. I'm assuming that is not normal for a one year old car, even if it did only have 2237 miles on it.

I am taking the car to a friends body shop when I get home and will have them inspect it and tell me if anything else was changed, and if they think it was repainted (and if it was a quality job).

From there I need to make some kind of decisions as I'm going to be meeting with my lawyer at the end of this week and he will be contacting the dealer who sold it to me stating it was perfect with no paint or body work.

I guess if the car is indeed perfect drivetrain wise, was 24k still a good price for an 2004 with 2237 miles if it had the rear bumper and trunk lid replaced? Should I worry about resale being effected?

 

Have you ever found out what that "Safe Parts" sticker is? I was wondering about that sticker too. I have it everywhere. Under the hood, trunk, doors, ect... I googled it, but come up with nothing.