aw man sorry to hear that. At least you know the history behind it. I don't think I'd mind it if it happened on my watch.

 

thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately right now my search radius is probably about 250 miles driving due to a newborn. Basically being able to go there and come back the same day. I guess I can fly out, have it transported, and fly back. Never really considered that till today after seeing this post: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-ta...s2000-1169428/

now how to convince my wife...

 

Do you want a driver or a collector? One missing vin sticker on a bumper is no big deal to me (mine is missing the tag on the rear bumper). Those are common places to get bumped. But it is a great negotiating point.

 

Do yourself a favor and take the time to educate yourself first. Read this. Good luck
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/new-york...d-off-1148423/

 

You have to remember these cars are older and in many cases accidents etc or body work may have not been reported. Secondly not many things were picked up by carfax/autocheck before 2008. Too much is made of the VIN tags, but it does help to prove a panel was not replaced. But I have seen accident cars where rockers were cut and rear fenders destroyed including suspension and all panels had VINS. My original 2002 S2000 had the front bumper VIN come off, just peeled off from cleaning. I can tell you 5 years ago you could find a clean s2000 locally within 250 miles, now 7 out of 10 have some accident history or missing VINs or modded out. So you will either have to be patient or look nationally and make sure you jump on one that was clean right away. The video I did you saw. I was on the phone with that dealer, asked immediately for pics of every VIN and panel and underbody shots of suspension, frame etc. I was 70% confident and immediately gave them down payment over phone. But it is NOT easy. That whole process was stressful and the travel was nof easy, cancelled flights, got stuck in LA, 3 connecting flights, then there was coordinating shipping. I got lucky with that dealership, family owned with integrity, picked me up from airport, took me out for lunch, drove me around, no BS at all. With private sellers and more mainstream dealers it gets more risky. The market is really bad right now, which is why I regret selling my last one and why this is my last one to keep.

If you need some help with anything PM me Ill give you my number can give you some tips. Its all possible to pull off with 24 hours including traveling to see and buy just have to be organized.

 

The VIN stickers merely confirm the panels are original to the car and are primarily an anti-theft marking like on some auto glass. Intact tags does not mean that there was never any damage or even a complete repaint of the vehicle. I'm beginning to think I was lucky in finding mine two summers ago with all the tags intact. As noted these are impossible to remove and a good body shop will mask them before a respray or repair.

Just like a 'rebuild" title makes the car worth less the same applies to missing or mis-matched body panel stickers. Up to the buyer to determine what either of these is worth to him. The car won't drive any better or worse with a missing VIN tag. But it will never be a "100-point" car without them.

-- Chuck

 

yeah I read this story a couple weeks back from beginning to end. Pretty crazy situation. I think there will always be ways to be scammed or lied to. That's one of the reasons I'd like to do everything in person including driving the car off and always have a paper trail. But i also realized how great this s2k community was to provide support in any way possible especially in that insane situation to help make things right.

 

It's definitely doable..

In my case, when I had my front bumper repsprayed due to me shaving the Honda emblem off of the front bumper, my guy stupidly covered up the VIN sticker on the bumper even though it was the OEM front bumper.. meh.

Perhaps you could ask for documentation or explanation as to why VIN numbers are missing or whatnot, a little perhaps could go a long way, provided it's valid.

 

My feeling is that if a vin or two are missing and there is a credible report explaining why and it is a minor event then it is nothing to worry about. But, if the report is not clear and credible - I would be more hesitant and depending on the situation I would have a trusted body guy look at it and maybe expect a price adjustment.

 

Agree with you on that one.
I highly doubt there's many other variables that could be factored in.