Marauder VT update

[RR|Suki]

So I called VT and they opened it up, needs rod, rings, crank... and the obvious little things that go along when you replace such parts. So the total won't be a monster, but it's alot of money to me certainly more money than I want or even really can spend, also more than I thought I would spend after only drivng it 4 days... Still have not heard what the real cause was, whatever is was, it sucks no matter. Also he's not sure when he can get my engine done cuz they have alot of projects :alone: Hopefully they can squeeze me in somewhere... it's been close to 6 weeks... I really am sad about the whole thing at this point in time. THE PAIN!!!! I miss my baby :depress:

[RF Overlord]

he's not sure when he can get my engine done cuz they have alot of projects That sux, man...

You'd think since they built a motor that promptly blew up, they'd be a little more sympathic... :mad:

[Rkammer]

Do I understand correctly that you will have to pay the cost of this rebuild? Can't believe after only 4 days they expect you to be responsible for the entire job. Tell me it aint so.

[fastblackmerc]

Do I understand correctly that you will have to pay the cost of this rebuild? Can't believe after only 4 days they expect you to be responsible for the entire job. Tell me it aint so.
Doesn't sound like good business to me....

[jstevens]

Consult an attorney.

There may be an "implied warranty" as it is surely not assumed that an engine will blow up that quickly.

Or they should offer to pick up at least a majority of the rebuild price.

[MENINBLK]

So I called VT and they opened it up, needs rod, rings, crank... and the obvious little things that go along when you replace such parts. So the total won't be a monster, but it's alot of money to me certainly more money than I want or even really can spend, also more than I thought I would spend after only drivng it 4 days... Still have not heard what the real cause was, whatever is was, it sucks no matter. Also he's not sure when he can get my engine done cuz they have alot of projects :alone: Hopefully they can squeeze me in somewhere... it's been close to 6 weeks... I really am sad about the whole thing at this point in time. THE PAIN!!!! I miss my baby :depress:

Check with your local state laws.
Here in New York, if you sell any vehicle for more than $1500, you are legally responsible for any
malfunctions and defective parts and labor for 6 months from the date you sell it.

Since you only had it for 4 days, you should have some recourse.
Even if you paid CASH for the car.

[jgc61sr2002]

That's a bummer. :( IMO they should be responsible for the rebuild.

[snowbird]

Gee, the car should hold for more than 4 days even if it was kind of raced before (Forged internals are supposed to be top of the top right ?), AND, they should find time to slip in the waiting list faster than what look like a 2 to 5 months thing, AND, they should yes, propose at least some kind of a joint cost assumption if not assuming most or all of it.

I hope you will find the correct blend of firmness, diplomatie, logic and an appeal to their proudness to resolve this satisfactorely.

EDIT: I recalled hearing only good things about them. Something is weird in that situation.

[GarageMahal]

If my understanding is correct, this car was not purchased from VT directly but from a third party.

See this post (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=269512)

jta

[grampaws]

Ditto! even when you buy a used car there is an implied warranty and
a legal recourse if a dealer sells you a mechanically deficient vehicle..
You could have a seller liable for damages if he sold you the motor
as recently rebuilt...
There should be a Warranty on a rebuilt motor...

Consult an attorney.

There may be an "implied warranty" as it is surely not assumed that an engine will blow up that quickly.

Or they should offer to pick up at least a majority of the rebuild price.

[martyo]

Junior lawyers....

:shake: :shake: :shake:

[SergntMac]

If my understanding is correct, this car was not purchased from VT directly but from a third party.

See this post (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=269512)

jta
Not only that, but the engine was built in 2002, and used as a test/promo car for VT. Now that the company has changed hands, and the car has been sold, what liability does VT have in this? IMHO, not much.

What are ya'll going to say when you sell your MM privately, and something serious like this happens to the new owner. C'mon now, be honest?



Yeah...I bet.

[RF Overlord]

Not only that, but the engine was built in 2002, and used as a test/promo car for VT. Now that the company has changed hands, and the car has been sold, what liability does VT have in this?

Mac, I wasn't aware of those facts...I guess you are right, then...

Although, since the NAME is the same, and part of the value of the company to the new owners is its reputation (or should be), I would still think they could be a LITTLE more helpful to Mr. Suki...

[Mad4Macs]

Junior lawyers....

:shake: :shake: :shake:

No, but some of them did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night.

:lol:

[RR|Suki]

Indeed it does suck, however I'm not in the bussiness of causing trouble, who is at fault would be a huge mess. The dealer where I bought it actually sold it FOR the owner of the car, and something could of very well happened to it there, as far as the builders I can't be mad at them, and the previous owner had it running fine, seems likely that it's a fluke. I'm gonna call oliver (makers of the rods) whenever I hear back as to what the builders think the cause is. At this point it still could of been bad gas, which I am not about to fight with Marathon about... eventhough I have the receipt, and it says the grade on there. Live and learn I guess. The owner of VT and his techs feel confident that the motor will hold fine as a daily driver after the parts are replaced, so that makes me feel better... however that won't be for 10 or so weeks :bigcry: seems they are swamped right now. So now I wait. Don't get me wrong, it does suck that I didn't do a thing to the car and it had this bad of a problem, but I took a chance. That's life I suppose, and I still love my car, inside and out. So I'll just have to deal with it :)

[SergntMac]

A.J....Did you have a "melt down"?

Gee, the car should hold for more than 4 days even if it was kind of raced before (Forged internals are supposed to be top of the top right ?) By and large, I would agree that forged internals should be more durable. However, the truth is that forged internals are just as fragile as stock engines. The difference between forged and stock hinges on the deadliness of the threat.

An aluminum forged piston from any of the famous names, such as Manley, JE, Diamond and so on, are still aluminum, and they will still melt down when threatened by detonation. Ditto for high end rods, such as Eagle, Manley, Oliver, and so on. Once the piston melts and depresses on the rings, the pain of detonation now attacks the connecting rod.

Use a forged aluminum piston with a stock rod, (like our 2V Mustang brothers like to do) and the OEM cast "cracked rod" splits like a toothpick in an instant.

VT uses only the best of internals, and they know how to build engines. so, it's not a matter of "bullet proof", but more a matter of "bullet resistant". IMHO, forged internals are more durable, more tolerant of the threat from detonation, but they will fail when bullied by detonation.

Detonation is a fairly big and bad bully, don't underestimate this. A lot of detonation occurs long before you hear ping one, any custom exhaust will cover it. Forged internals are stronger than stock internals, in only one way, endurance. A.J. mentioned that he drove out of state OTR to pick up his mother, and if he drove that distance with a full tank of 87 octane, he could have melted a forged aluminum piston in that trip, because a stock engine would have melted down in 100 miles. His forged internals got him home

Forged internals will break and you don't need hard driving, or, a 125 shot to prove that. Just run lean and light for about 3 hours non-stop, and the strongest of internals will cry uncle.

Indeed it does suck, however I'm not in the bussiness of causing trouble... You're being quite a gentleman about this, A.J., and because you are, I suspect that good things will come back your way.

I've met the VT team, so has our friend Mad3R, Phil Shovar. I've drove your MM a few years ago too, before I bought the Kenny Brown 1x, so, my impression is that they are good guys, who will do the right thing.

I supect that in the 11th hour, VT, the previous owner, and/or the selling dealer, all may pitch in and make life easier on you. When that happens (if it happens) scream your head off here about them, in a good way.

I also suspect that the reason you're getting put off is that VT is in the middle of a busy race season and they are sticking to their committment to paying customers right now. When their build shop is cleared of that, they may offer to rebuild your engine, and ask you to pay for the parts.

By that time, the selling dealer and the former owner may have regrets, and offer to pitch in on parts, once approached by a gentleman. Maybe Marathon too, would participate with your R&R costs, when asked by a gentleman. Yes, this souds like a long shot, but it never hurts to smile at these folks until they deliver their final decision. Your goal is to get back on the street, and as inexpensively as possible out of your pocket, and it's best to be a gentleman while negotiating.

Best wishes my friend, your patience is honorable.

[jstevens]

Junior lawyers....

:shake: :shake: :shake:


So what you're saying is if I buy a car that has a professionally hp built engine and I drive it for a day,

That the company can wash their hands? Don't think so.

Just because someone has an opinion is not necessarily a bad thing. We are all here to learn, right?

But, if it was third party, well thats another story. Nevertheless, its all about reputation.

[snowbird]

A.J....Did you have a "melt down"? ...
... ... ...
Your goal is to get back on the street, and as inexpensively as possible out of your pocket, and it's best to be a gentleman while negotiating.

Best wishes my friend, your patience is honorable.
Very good answer and guideline for our infortunate member.

I can't help to think about the godfather movie thought !! You sound like a good "consigliere". Any relations with Marlon Brando family ?!!:D

[sailsmen]

Alot of people here wouldn't mind having your problem. It's an awesome car! :banana2:

I realize you never thought you would be doing a rebuild this early, but I have raced enough things long enough to know that they all eventually break!

Thye only way they don't break is if they are a garage queen!

[Warpath]

I also suspect that the reason you're getting put off is that VT is in the middle of a busy race season and they are sticking to their committment to paying customers right now. When their build shop is cleared of that, they may offer to rebuild your engine, and ask you to pay for the parts.

Indeed they are busy:

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=685639

[RR|Suki]

A.J....Did you have a "melt down"?
By and large, I would agree that forged internals should be more durable. However, the truth is that forged internals are just as fragile as stock engines. The difference between forged and stock hinges on the deadliness of the threat.

An aluminum forged piston from any of the famous names, such as Manley, JE, Diamond and so on, are still aluminum, and they will still melt down when threatened by detonation. Ditto for high end rods, such as Eagle, Manley, Oliver, and so on. Once the piston melts and depresses on the rings, the pain of detonation now attacks the connecting rod.

Use a forged aluminum piston with a stock rod, (like our 2V Mustang brothers like to do) and the OEM cast "cracked rod" splits like a toothpick in an instant.

VT uses only the best of internals, and they know how to build engines. so, it's not a matter of "bullet proof", but more a matter of "bullet resistant". IMHO, forged internals are more durable, more tolerant of the threat from detonation, but they will fail when bullied by detonation.

Detonation is a fairly big and bad bully, don't underestimate this. A lot of detonation occurs long before you hear ping one, any custom exhaust will cover it. Forged internals are stronger than stock internals, in only one way, endurance. A.J. mentioned that he drove out of state OTR to pick up his mother, and if he drove that distance with a full tank of 87 octane, he could have melted a forged aluminum piston in that trip, because a stock engine would have melted down in 100 miles. His forged internals got him home

Forged internals will break and you don't need hard driving, or, a 125 shot to prove that. Just run lean and light for about 3 hours non-stop, and the strongest of internals will cry uncle.
You're being quite a gentleman about this, A.J., and because you are, I suspect that good things will come back your way.

I've met the VT team, so has our friend Mad3R, Phil Shovar. I've drove your MM a few years ago too, before I bought the Kenny Brown 1x, so, my impression is that they are good guys, who will do the right thing.

I supect that in the 11th hour, VT, the previous owner, and/or the selling dealer, all may pitch in and make life easier on you. When that happens (if it happens) scream your head off here about them, in a good way.

I also suspect that the reason you're getting put off is that VT is in the middle of a busy race season and they are sticking to their committment to paying customers right now. When their build shop is cleared of that, they may offer to rebuild your engine, and ask you to pay for the parts.

By that time, the selling dealer and the former owner may have regrets, and offer to pitch in on parts, once approached by a gentleman. Maybe Marathon too, would participate with your R&R costs, when asked by a gentleman. Yes, this souds like a long shot, but it never hurts to smile at these folks until they deliver their final decision. Your goal is to get back on the street, and as inexpensively as possible out of your pocket, and it's best to be a gentleman while negotiating.

Best wishes my friend, your patience is honorable.
Thanks much for the kind words, another good thing is the 10 weeks will help me save up >_> hehehehe. Hopefully it'll all work out ok. Such is life, I trust that they know what they are doing, and hopefully the engine will last the second go around un abused. :)