181 replies to this topic

[Zagadka]

Doing my 60k service today and having a right time getting the airbox in and out. So while the OSR wheel was off and the liner partially out and I was tugging and pulling, I looked along the chassis towards the front and the box section seems curved or at least sloped from bottom to top. I know they curve front to rear but bottom to top?!
I know the obvious thing to do is check the other side but I'm not home now till later tomorrow and didn't make time earlier(Subconscious trying to ignore it maybe?) I've just been googling images of the Elise chassis and I havent seen anything that looks like what I'm seeing.
I was once followed and stopped by a local mechanic who told me out of the blue that he was one of the team who'd repaired my car. Now I had no idea it'd been in an accident! Obviously I'd had HPI etc done before buying and it was all clear. I've done 54K in it and never had any problems (besides the state of the body work - still in progress Baron Von) Tyres wear evenly handling seems great to me but I've only ever driven one other Vx and can't say I really pressed that.
So does anyone know if the rear chassis box should have a curve or slope? Or have a good image of that part?
Also if it has been badly damaged any opinions as to what I should do next?
Thanks Kev

 

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[mandarinvx]

Really need some pics to be able to tell Are you sure it was the chassis and not the rear subframe, as the rear subframe is very different on the VX to the Elise/Exige

[mandarinvx]

Can you see where it is on these pics

Edited by mandarinvx, 12 March 2009 - 07:19 PM.

[Zagadka]

Thanks for the pics Mandarin. Unfortunately I don't think it is the subframe. In the first pic imagine I'm at the rear hub looking forward. The curved section of the chassis seems ,... concave. Kev

[Pete0810]

concave to the extent that it's had an impact or that it's been exerted to excess stress/strain?

[Zagadka]

Well that's the question I guess. Hard to say. Obviously planning to have a proper look tomorrow, but it was concave/skewed so the top of the box was more towards the centre of the car than the bottom so I'm bracing myself for the answer being impact. Think I have much chance of getting my money back,... four years later? Kev

[vocky]

I've just looked through my rebuild pics and the chassis does curve inwards where it joins the rear subframe but from top to bottom the chassis beams are straight.

[Zagadka]

Well I just got home and had a better look and it's fooked as they say. Looks to me like impact damage and a nasty repair attempt(cover up) perhaps. The longitudinal box section is not only deformed but split too. Utterly gutted. Keep wondering if I can claim somehow but it's been four years and I don't know if there's anyway I could prove I bought it like that. I know I shouldn't but I also keep thinking it's held up for FIFTY-FOUR THOUSAND MILES. Maybe I should invest in some blinkers and just try to forget I'd ever seen it.  VxChassis.jpg   275.13KB   92 downloads

[techieboy]

That doesn't look good.

[Muncher]

Oh dear that's buggered

[ollster]

Oh dear that's buggered

Damm thats had a heavy side impact, i would image that would be cat b / c... gutted for you mate

[james141]

Jesus is that the metal actually ripped at the far end? truely awful for you Whoever botched that back together and sold it needs their nuts cutting with razor blades and hanging upside down in TCP!!

Edited by james141, 13 March 2009 - 10:17 AM.

[n1k_ns]

Ouch! Gutted for you mate! Did you get it from a dealer or private?

[Zagadka]

It was from a small dealer I contacted via ebay. Half a dozen cars and based at home but VAT registered etc. Thanks for the comments guys. Feel a little lost at the moment. Didn';t look right yesterday but I just happened to glance at it really. Today with better light,... well you can see. Really just not sure what to do next.

[techieboy]

I know you've done 50k+ in it without issue but I'd not be happy to drive it again long-term knowing about that damage. It's really not honest (and I fully expect to get hammered for this by someone in the trade) but I'd be sorely tempted to trade it in against something else. It's not on the HPI register by the sound of it and the "trade" did the same to you in the first place. Easy for me to say that, sat where I am and I'm not sure whether I could do it if I were in your position in reality. But, it's an option. I certainly couldn't knowingly sell it on to an individual though.

[n1k_ns]

My fist port of call would be to run a search of the VIN no and/or original reg on this forum and try and trace/contact the original owner and fins out what happened. There may be other hidden nasties that you need to know about. Best get as much info on the damage and repair as possible as when you sell the car; the buyer will want to know.

[drpau]

Jesus, I bet you feel sick mate!

[n1k_ns]

I certainly couldn't knowingly sell it on to an individual though.

Me either, especially as i would be expecting a knock at te door a few months down the line when they discover the damage themselves.

[Garry.L]

I certainly couldn't knowingly sell it on to an individual though.

Me either, especially as i would be expecting a knock at te door a few months down the line when they discover the damage themselves.

But what if he'd have sold the car without knowing about the damage?......

If someone knocked on your door six months after you'd sold your VX after 3 trouble free years and said it's got old chassis damage that you didn't know about, would you just say sorry and give them their money back or would you just say "Caveat Emptor" (buyer beware) and tell them to go away?..

I'd hate to be in Zagabkas situation - it's a real 'rock and a hard place' type position, but what it does show is that all the CAT C/D's around advertised as "light Damage Only" can sometimes not always be the bargain they seem.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Gutted for you fella. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting the car back into the trade as some other individual will come along and like you, buy a bad'n. Is there no way this damage can be attributed to a shunt you may have fairly soon and then claimed from your insurance (assuming you are fully comp). That way you get your dosh and the car is dealt with properly?