Our website has been live since 1996 and we have always had some method of advertising cars for sale and cars wanted. Many people have joined the DeTomaso Community through this website. I have personally purchased cars that have appeared on this Forum and sold them as well. This market place works well as does our Cars for Sale web page where a seller can present more photographs and descriptions to potential buyers.
Sadly, not all sellers tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. When this occurs, it is unfortunate for the buyer and could even lead to hardship, as we have seen in some instances. It is also a black eye for the DeTomaso community, although this situation is hardly unique to the Pantera world. In any event, PI wants to be very clear that any car presented on our website, unless marked otherwise, is not endorsed, recommended or in any way offered as being advertised with our knowledge as to condition or approval as to fitness, quality or condition. We will not tolerate this type of behavior and if it is reported to us, the offending ad will be deleted and the responsible party will have his I.P. address blocked, permanently. We will also have Wally haul out his Argentine bull whip and prepare to dispense a "tune-up" to the moron or Pinocchio who deserves it.
Almost every transaction in the business world is based on trust. If we didn't have trust, our economy would come to a screeching halt. If nobody would ever give out a credit card number, make a deposit in advance or rely on someone's representations or handshake, you could imagine what things would be like.
However, never, never, never buy a car or for that matter, any large purchase without seeing the goods in advance. If you can't travel to inspect the car, hire a knowledgeable expert to do it for you. You can also use the volunteers whose contact information is shown on our regional representatives page to assist as they are able in previewing the car for you.
Likewise, we have seen many cases where some buyers expect too much when they purchase a car and have not gotten on top of the information curve sufficiently to understand some of the quirks and teething problems that a Pantera can have. These are not new cars, they are now pushing 35 years old! A clutch can't last forever and neither can the "bullet proof" ZF.
As impulse buyers ourselves, Linda and I walked right into a Lincoln Mercury dealer and bought a Pantera with a 2 year 24,000 mile warranty! We traded in a righteous 1971 El Camino (that is probably worth more now, but that is another story.) Even with a warranty, our car spun the rod bearings and had pandemic engine failure, and the amount of the repairs exceeded the warranty policy limits. We didn't have all of the data, publications, websites and owner's networks then that exist today. We weren't prepared for what the Pantera experience was like. We recommend those that are looking for a car to do your research in advance! A car you may think is a "rip-off" may be exactly what you paid for and even a great bargain. We constantly treat this topic in Pantera International Magazine and we invite you to join our organization as well because we are very sensitive to this problem. In fact, PI took legal action against Ford to force them to recall Panteras and to supply parts, which they did.
Finally, we are very sad to learn of an extreme case where recently, a buyer purchased a Pantera advertised on our website that is not anything like it was represented. After the purchase, I did see the car and can verify it as being, tragic. To this purchaser, who did not personally inspect the car in advance, we offer our apologies for what the seller has apparently done. Don't give up on the DeTomaso community. This is not typical of the ownership. We stand ready to help as we are able with advice and support and probably much more, knowing the good people who own and drive these cars. Respectfully, Dave and Linda
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