Ben's Refurbished Mitsubishi Miev

[docrings]

Google "Copart Scam" and you will get some interesting reading. That being said, I hope this works out well for you!

Will be watching this thread for further updates on this hobby rebuild.

[NeilBlanchard]

Well, the i MiEV is very maneuverable! And the traction control along with the slightly rear weight bias let it do fine in the snow. A low Cg helps in windy conditions. But the narrow front wheels can tend toward understeer if you get too "sporty".

[Flakbadger]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I like the driving dynamics of RWD, and it also allows for better maneuverability in tight spaces since the absence of driveshafts leaves more space for the wheels to steer

My front-drive Yaris can turn within the space of 3 lanes quite comfortably. The one lane you start in, the middle lane you pass through, and the third land that you end up in.
I have never driven a car with a turning radius this small.

[Christ]

Docrings - Google '[anything] scam' and you'll get the same types of results.

[MN Driver]

Originally Posted by docrings

Google "Copart Scam" and you will get some interesting reading. That being said, I hope this works out well for you!

Will be watching this thread for further updates on this hobby rebuild.

It isn't a scam and I know multiple people who buy from them. You just need to know all of the fees involved with buying the car that aren't included in the bid. I have set certain bid limits of what I would spend almost specifically set to avoid the next trigger point on cars that I tried to bid on. I never 'won' a Copart car because I haven't bid as high as the next guy, but then again if I paid the price that the other person ended up buying it for, I could have gotten one for about the same price on Craigslist including the plane ride to get it so it doesn't always make sense. Eventually I might get a steal.

This stuff:
http://media.copart.com/c2cms/C2-Web.../BasicFees.pdf

I'm less worried about the source of the car and more worried about its condition with the water damage aspect. Best of luck Ben! If I got a killer deal on an iMiEV, I'd be happy to drive it.

[jray3]

Originally Posted by Flakbadger

My front-drive Yaris can turn within the space of 3 lanes quite comfortably. The one lane you start in, the middle lane you pass through, and the third land that you end up in.
I have never driven a car with a turning radius this small.

Whoa- what a yacht! My iMiev can whip a U-ie well within the curbs on a two lane road with no shoulders. It gives new meaning to maneuverability, with a 14'9" turning circle.

[jasantal]

I've test driven the Peugeot Ion which is a Peugeot rebrand of the i-MiEV and I have to say I liked the car a lot! Hopefully your's is in a good enough shape.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Flakbadger

My front-drive Yaris can turn within the space of 3 lanes quite comfortably. The one lane you start in, the middle lane you pass through, and the third land that you end up in.
I have never driven a car with a turning radius this small.

I know there are many other factors that also influence the turning radius, such as the wheelbase, but RWD usually still increases the maneuverability. Did you know the London taxis are required to be RWD due to the turning radius?

[jray3]

Highend, that's a good list, but I think it missed one important part-preventing (additional) corrosion of electrical connections. Assuming that the battery pack was (and probably still is) full of water that wasn't salty enough to cause complete discharge, my buddy the retired submarine electrician and navy salvor says to absolutely not dry anything out before the following: flush with vast quantities of fresh water, and then while still dripping wet, switch to flushing with as much isopropyl alcohol as you can get your hands on. Only after thoroughly washing with alcohol will the electrical parts dry without corroding. And yes, WD40 also works okay for this, it being the stuff's only original purpose!

Originally Posted by highend

exactly - so they washed it from salt & sand probably... inside looks like water penetrated all. I wonder how it smells inside.... What I would do when I buy vehicle like this:
- remove 12V battery first
- remove all interior including dashboard - to pure steel
- remove removable body panels to clean everything possible
- clean all wires & contacts
- wash all I can do with water
- wash electronics with distilled water
- allow to dry (put on the sun for a few days - but protect battery for being so hot)
- re-connect all wires, put 12V
- take good fire extinguisher for safety and few persons for help
- START IT!

[highend]

Originally Posted by jray3

Only after thoroughly washing with alcohol will the electrical parts dry without corroding. And yes, WD40 also works okay for this, it being the stuff's only original purpose!

jray3 - thanks for that, of course my list need these additions
what about water damaged leaf ?