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1999 Blue JH4NA2160XT000184

backing out

Hey,

I spoke to the salesmen at the dealership. I expected him to be a little upset, however, the reaction I received was incredible!! He threatened that he was going to seek legal action and come after me for the money from the auction. Once he took this approach I became furious, I told him, look I am very sorry if you think I wasted your time but I took time off from my job (I am a contractor and could have been working that weekend) and went to VA with my wife, 7.5 hour drive each way!! We even stayed over a night because we were exhausted from working Friday and leaving for VA at 5:00 AM Saturday morning. I told him if he wants to come after me he can try, because he sure as hell knows that the NSX was NOT in "excellent condition" as he reported, also I tend to believe that it wasn't Acura certified because of the repaint and the engine miss. Further more he claimed in the heading of his add that it has an extended warranty, then in his revisions he states, "if anybody bids over 52,500 he will throw in the extended warranty", what the hell is that!!! This car was in such poor shape, I have no idea what happened to it, but it was DEFINITELY NOT excellent. The way I look at it, I will be writing EBay and letting them know about this car, I will let them know that I took roughly 75 high quality photos showing all the paint, and interior flaws and if they would like to see them they are more then welcome. Then I am going to call ACURA and ask if a car can be certified with all the damage that I have proof of. If ACURA says "no" I will let them know that they have a private dealer in VA claiming to have a NSX "certified" by a local dealer in the area. I worked for 2 Honda dealers and a Acura dealer, I can easily get the number to the district MGR for the region, I'm sure he would love to hear how people are trying to pawn off their "Flagship" car. You know what really gets me mad is I wasn't even going to go this far, but the salesman became very rude and insulting, he claimed that this transaction reflects what type of person I am!!! I was just gonna say what the hell, and write this off as a "learning experience”, now I'm not!! If anyone else wants more info about what happened please send me a private message.

John
 
well just to set the record straight from my end, The dealer did not bid against himself to raise the price. I was bidding on the car as well and even reached the reserve price. After I did I noticed a thread talking about the poor shape of the car and I retracted my bid. That is why it looks like someone bid against themself. I know how you feel. I was high bidder on a yellow 98 from SC. I went down there and found it was wrecked and not fixed very well. :(
 
whew....for a minute there i thought it was my X!!

i noticed the same JH........000184....identical to my number!

then, it's a blue/tan color combo....

however, mine is a '98 which makes the letter before "T" a "W" instead of an "X".....close call.

hope you guys get to the bottom of this. it's good to let potential buyers know the history of the car and new findings.....
 
yellow in SC

I was wondering was that the yellow one on Ebay with the aftermarket 5 stars? If it was, that was another car I was interested in but I didn't have the funds at the time to bid. Damn!! I would have been 2 for 2!!! Thank god I found the 1998 Black in Jersey.

John
 
Re: backing out

jadkar said:
...I wasn't even going to go this far, but the salesman became very rude and insulting, he claimed that this transaction reflects what type of person I am!!!
John, he's right. It reflects that you are a person who takes someones word at face value, enough to take a weekend of your time for travel to inspect a car, which in his word was in excellent shape. Upon inspection, you found different (if we take your word...much different). The friggen bal%$ some people have to make themselves out to be the victim.

Fact of the matter is, if the car were in as good a shape as he claimed, he wouldn't have a big problem getting rid of it. That's why he's pissed at you, because he lost his sucker and now must try to con someone else.

I forgot to check the thread for the VIN, but you might want to include it in here for others to reference. I'd be happy to host some pics of it if you want.

Edit: Duh! The VIN was staring me in the face. :rolleyes:
 
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Here is a sample of the damaged NSX from VA, this may not work the way I want, but it's worth a shot!!


Is the air duct the wrong color, or is it me?
 
didn't work :(

Oh well for that, I didn't think it would point to my C drive, I thought it would upload the picture from C:

Anyway KGP, I think I may be taking you up on your offer. I will send you a email with a ZIP file with some of the pics. Your help is much appreciated :)

Thanks again,

John
 
Spare Was No Good Either

Actually the spare tire was missing the hardware to keep it attached... it was flopping around inside the front trunk, up against the radiator.

John
 
Flame party without my invitation

Couple points to say since John is having a flame party without giving me an invitation. Shows character. First of all, have an independent inspection of this car before you believe a word John says. His is not an "objective" report.

1) John has a 911 that was salvaged. Bought it for $6000 and put $7000 into it. Practically rebuilt it from the bottom up.
2) I disclosed the paintwork that I saw BEFORE he came down.
3) His first words out his mouth when I met him was, "Where is the paintwork. I don't care if it does, because it doesn't scare me. I just want to know if it was fixed right". The whole time, he kept telling me he didn't care about the paintwork, as long as it was done right.
4) Quote from the ebay listing: "Bumper to bumper warranty extension available until 2010 or 125,000 total miles thrown in (if $1000 over reserve is met). " Mr. Defino didn't read the entire description, I guess.
5) He claims the engine was running rough at idle but fine at open throttle. If it was, it's covered under bumper to bumper warranty.
6) John's was supposed to be staying in town until Monday to talk to the Acura dealer who certified the car and maintained it. Keep reading.
7) John called Saturday night and said: "I have a list of stuff I want you to take care of. If you do it, I will take the car at $49,000. Or as it sits I will take it at $45,000". He said he would email me the list. I said go ahead and send it.
So obviously the car was "suitable" for him to take it. He just wanted a few things done to the car or he wanted a discount.
8) THE TRUTH: John found out another dealer had a 98 NSX in stock Sunday night. It was supposed to be a 97 automatic, but they sold that and had a 98 stick in stock. So even though we had CLOSED the deal after inspection, John left town, went to another dealer, and bought the car.

Truth is, the car was good enough for him to take. Truth is, John just found a better deal elsewhere and backed out on his word. It would have been a different story for John to turn down the car when he got there, or turn it down after he looked it over closely, or to turn it down before he spoke to me Sunday night. Not only that, but he refused to answer my phone calls & emails, 2 calls Sunday, 3 calls Monday, and emails scattered throughout. He only answered my 3rd call Monday AFTER he had closed on the 98 NSX. So what John was really doing was using my car as a backup in case he couldn't close the 98 NSX. So there you have it, the truth about John Defino.

Bottom line is, this car IS under bumper to bumper warranty. It has had paintwork, and that has never been covered up. I went through a lot of hassle accomodating Mr. Defino. He outbid 2 other bidders to get this car. After inspection, he agreed to take the car, but backed out. This is a great car and gets plenty of looks. If you're insanely crazy about paintwork, this car is not for you. Go buy a 97 or 98 out of warranty. If you're practical and realize cars do get scraped up and want to get more car for your money, then this is for you. Mechanically, it's sound. If it's rough at idle, it's probably an O2 sensor, or plugs, or so forth. But even John admits it runs perfect at full throttle. Bad sensors happen all the time - good thing it's covered under warranty which most people's NSX's ARE NOT.
Last but not least, I never misrepresented our dealership or our car. I never promised something that was not. And lastly, yes I do get upset at deadbeats who promise you they will buy a car and back out when they find another deal. All you NSX sellers know what I'm talking about.
 
color mismatch r us

while we're talking about "color mismatch" let's show a picture from John Defino's website...
Ouch! That Porsche 911 looks horrible with that terrible mismatched paint.
 

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Dear seller, I went back and read the auciton John was bidding on and also your current acution on this 99 blue/tan. I don't see any info in there stating that the car has been repainted or has any type of body work done to it. You said in your above post that paint work is not covered up, now that everyone knows, why don't you do yourself a favor and disclose this info. Also show the photos of all the blemishes on the wheels, torn t-top weather stripping, missing spare and what not in your auction. As for the rough idling, why don't you take care of it under warranty so you can sell the car with better confidence and possibily at a better price..
 
what!!!

Wow!!

Cars By Design

First:
Please do yourself a huge favor and stop trying to "one up" on this website. All you are doing is giving yourself, and the dealer you represent a bad name. If you haven't noticed most of the subscribers to this site have more then one high line car, and word does get around. YOU DON'T NEED MORE NEGATIVE PRESS

Second:
You shouldn't assume that is my website, and that is not my 996 twin turbo, I told you I have an 88 911. So you just insulted someone else’s car. By the way, his car looks like it has NEVER been repainted. As a matter of fact it looks perfect.

Third:
Yes, I do have a salvaged 911. I have no idea how that point has any relevance. Actually, what that proves is I am truly NOT afraid of restored automobiles, as long as they are repaired correctly, which your car wasn't.

Lastly:
I am not going to get into a pissing match over the internet; I explained events just as they occurred. I thought reporting my experience on a "NSX" site was the just thing to do. After all, I wouldn't want someone else to drive all the way to find out the same info, or worse buy the car site unseen. Now I especially feel good since you relisted the car without mentioning anything I brought up to you while I was in VA. You even still claim it has an extended warr. in the title!! then in the body claim you have to buy it.


John DeFini (not Defino)
 
Re: color mismatch r us

sportscars4less.com said:
while we're talking about "color mismatch" let's show a picture from John Defino's website...
Ouch! That Porsche 911 looks horrible with that terrible mismatched paint.
A. That is not John Defino's website.
B. You're blind about miss-matched colors, becasue that car was one hell of an example of a perfect 911 turbo.
C. My son thanks you for posting his pic on Prime!
 
Re: Flame party without my invitation

sportscars4less.com said:
1) John has a 911 that was salvaged. Bought it for $6000 and put $7000 into it. Practically rebuilt it from the bottom up.

if john's 911 looks like the one in the pic you've posted, i buy it even if it doens't run.....by the way, that's not a mismatch in paint, it's called shade due to variance of light....

$6000 for that model is a total steal even if it's got a salvaged title!!

i think you need to get the facts straight before posting. furthermore, if your NSX is in fact good to go as you say, then there's no need to be so defensive on this board.

furthermore, a legal contract is what counts in the end. all verbal agreements mean nothing. i once went to a dealership and settled on the final price, trade in price, etc. they needed a day to get the low interest rate i had wanted. guess what? the next day the car was sold to someone else. i don't blame them a bit because if i agreed to a higher interest, i would've been able to drive off the lot that day. in short, all talk and no contract means nothing!!

john , you did the right thing to share information that is true to the NSX. that's what prime members want to know. though some may not agree with the way you shop for cars, but that's not the point of sharing in this section.
 
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I'm a little confused with Acura "Certified".

My 1st NSX was actually an Acura Pre-Owned Certified Vehicle. I purchased the car at my local dealer. Apart from the car being used, it was like buying a new car.

I even got road side assistance TLC cards with my NSX's VIN printed on it, and a letter from Acura congratulating me on the purchase of this Acura Pre-Owned Certified Vehicle.

If your use of "Acura certified" means that an Acura dealer checked it and gave it a clean bill of health, then I think your description is very misleading.
 
Please don't assume the car has been in an accident without asking for facts or having an eyewitness report. The left door, front quarter panel, and front spoiler has been repainted for cosmetic reasons. ALL PANELS ARE ORIGINAL AND THERE ARE NO BOLT MARKS OR WRENCH MARKS. No Part # stickers are missing and they only come on original panels. I know many people who have NSX's that are repainted. These cars are extremely low and get chipped, dinged, door dented, etc. How many of you don't have rock chips on your front spoilers? How many of you guys have had your front spoiler repainted? One local nsxprime guy with a Black lowered NSX had his car repainted twice for cosmetic reasons. Bottom line is check for bolt marks and replaced panels.

Bottom line is, this car is in great condition. Yes it has had some cosmetic work, but no accidents and it's 100% mechanical tip top shape.

That was a quote from sportscarsforless when asked back in march if this car had been repainted or in an accident...yes, the vin # is the same and he first offered the car on this site in Novemeber. I guess everybody has their own definition of what the terms "dinged" and "cosmetic work" mean. Nice of him to disclose it here on this site when questioned but he leaves it off of ebay listing hoping for a sucker...yeah, sorry sportscarsforless, I did make an assumption there, forgive me.
 
not all acura dealerships certify their used vehicles. i had requested the dealership to certify my NSX when i bought it from them.

this means forking up $1000 for the 150 point inspection to ensure that the car is in stock condition before it receives the certification.

i got the extended warranty after it was certified.

there's a site that gives the certification process.

RyRy210 said:
I'm a little confused with Acura "Certified".

My 1st NSX was actually an Acura Pre-Owned Certified Vehicle. I purchased the car at my local dealer. Apart from the car being used, it was like buying a new car.

I even got road side assistance TLC cards with my NSX's VIN printed on it, and a letter from Acura congratulating me on the purchase of this Acura Pre-Owned Certified Vehicle.

If your use of "Acura certified" means that an Acura dealer checked it and gave it a clean bill of health, then I think your description is very misleading.
 
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