A guy I know here in the Sacramento area just posted a Craigslist ad about his stolen Mera. I've met him a couple of times, even sold him the seats that you see in the pictures. He gave me permission to post this here. He's a good guy and he could use our help.
The police are investigating but it will probably just disappear into a chop shop or get shipped out of the country. Please take a look at the pics in his ad and keep your eyes open for this car, or any parts being offered for sale, that may have been stripped from it.
------------------ John Wayne as John Bernard Books in The Shootist... " I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."
My rides... 1988 GT with a 3.4L V6 automatic 2006 Harley Sportster 'cause I love the twisties on two wheels or four.
I wonder if someone thought they were getting a real Ferrari.... I am guessing it will be sold or just destroyed as there is little in the way of value in chopping it (very limited number of buyers).
A shame. Who would steal a Fiero? They're hard to hide. Most people who are in the community would be on the lookout for a fellow member's Fiero. None of us would buy a stolen car. Other than a quick joy ride, what woukd they do with it? Can't really sell the parts, because only Fieros use them.
Thanks for posting this, Rider, and offer condolences on his (temporary) loss to your friend.
Most of us would give a ride to anyone who asked. We're more than happy to help others get cars & parts, or talk about our cars.
That's the major risk that I see with my rebody. No value as a chop job. It's a Murci so it wouldn't be a good choice as a joy ride without attracting attention and I have pretty good anti theft but a trailer would always work. I'm betting joy ride. Hope it is recovered undamaged.
I wonder if someone thought they were getting a real Ferrari.... I am guessing it will be sold or just destroyed as there is little in the way of value in chopping it (very limited number of buyers).
Let's say that jaskispyder is correct in his speculation, namely:
"I wonder if someone thought they were getting a real Ferrari...."
If the thief believes that he's stolen a real Ferrari, he may try to sell it. Things then could get interesting: Suppose, for example, that a lowlife would-be buyer of the stolen Mera, or one or more of his equally lowlife buddies, realizes what the original thief did not --- that the car is a stolen Mera --- NOT a stolen Ferrari.
After that epiphany, I don't imagine there to be nothing but the bemused smiling faces of these lowlifes, as they're "having words" () with either the original thief or his lowlife representative.
Most stolen cars are found within a few days to a week, unfortunately who know in what condition, I had a car stolen and the thief's did more damage trying to break into the trunk and ripping out the stereo and speakers, they went as far as ramming the rear of the car into a pole to try to get it into it, sadly nothing of value was even in there. But it would be a good idea to get the vin number posted so other member will know if they come across it. Quick question does Mera body panels have any serial numbers on them although I doubt any smart thief would leave them on if they did.
I can just imagine someone on a Ferrari forum somewhere frantically trying to get rid of a "Dirt Cheap 308GTS" only to find out that they picked the wrong car.
Most stolen cars are found within a few days to a week, unfortunately who know in what condition, I had a car stolen and the thief's did more damage trying to break into the trunk and ripping out the stereo and speakers, they went as far as ramming the rear of the car into a pole to try to get it into it, sadly nothing of value was even in there. But it would be a good idea to get the vin number posted so other member will know if they come across it. Quick question does Mera body panels have any serial numbers on them although I doubt any smart thief would leave them on if they did.
Grrrrrr!!! A thought, I may get ahold of the Ferrari club of America. I know they probably have some disdain of the Mera. However, they can spread the word on there end of a stolen "Ferrari". You never know....?
kevin
p.s. Were the employees questioned? Were the keys used to start it, or was it hot wired?
p.s. ll, Hello there Rsvl-Rider
[This message has been edited by kevin (edited 01-08-2015).]
Grrrrrr!!! A thought, I may get ahold of the Ferrari club of America. I know they probably have some disdain of the Mera. However, they can spread the word on there end of a stolen "Ferrari". You never know....?
kevin
p.s. Were the employees questioned? Were the keys used to start it, or was it hot wired?
p.s. ll, Hello there Rsvl-Rider
I think they way it happened was he left the car there. Maybe for a wash and detail, something that might take a while. When he returned it was gone. I don't know if that makes the car wash responsible but if it happened that way then it was under their care and control and that should be covered under the "garage keepers" provisions of their policy. I think he mentioned the car itself was uninsured.
Could be that someone thought he was really stealing a Ferrari. Or might have just been looking for a joyride. In either case it might be found abandoned somewhere. A real Ferrari would already be in a container shipping out to someplace where the ownership would never be questioned.
It could be stripped for parts. Don't think that would happen with the Mera since so few were ever produced and so the market for parts would be very small and could potentially expose them to identification. Still. I think there's plenty of non-Mera specific parts that could be stripped and sold so who knows?
Hi Kevin!
[This message has been edited by Rsvl-Rider (edited 01-08-2015).]
Definitely the responsibility of the car wash. If they took the keys and it was understood the owner would come back for them later, they're responsible until the owner gets those keys back. Sucks for all parties.
It is definitely the car. Found the owners number in the CL post. I guess CHP found it or something, as they are literally on the way to pick it up now. They are just a mile or two away. It is on a seedy street across from a strip club. 5800 Auburn Blvd in Citrus Heights if you want to google it.
Looked fine to me. I think the t-tops were gone, but hard to say whether they were on when it was stolen. Didn't appear to have any body damage, and they were jumping it to get it started.
I was leaving Harbor Freight and headed towards Lowes to pick up some plywood when it caught my eye. I drove about a half a block then commented to my gf "I think that is a stolen car." We turned around and pulled up behind it and I looked up the ad on CL to compare pictures. We were out front of an military surplus shop on a less than great street, so I started to wonder about the nature of the person who stole it. We didn't get out of the Suburban, I just called CHP and then the owner.
Rex suggested it wasn't staying charged, so maybe whoever stole it didn't get far and then ditched it. Crazily, where it was is like a mile from local PD and maybe four from CHP. Regardless, the owner has it back and all is well.
Looked fine to me. I think the t-tops were gone, but hard to say whether they were on when it was stolen. Didn't appear to have any body damage, and they were jumping it to get it started.
I was leaving Harbor Freight and headed towards Lowes to pick up some plywood when it caught my eye. I drove about a half a block then commented to my gf "I think that is a stolen car." We turned around and pulled up behind it and I looked up the ad on CL to compare pictures. We were out front of an military surplus shop on a less than great street, so I started to wonder about the nature of the person who stole it. We didn't get out of the Suburban, I just called CHP and then the owner.
Rex suggested it wasn't staying charged, so maybe whoever stole it didn't get far and then ditched it. Crazily, where it was is like a mile from local PD and maybe four from CHP. Regardless, the owner has it back and all is well.
Great job SameGuy! That was my best hope when I posted the message but I never really thought it could end so well. Thanks!
Edit- I can't help but think that Cliff must get a real surge of pride knowing he's put together a forum as interactive as this one. There has been SO MUCH good that's come from this forum, and it's all because of the people. But if it weren't for Cliff we wouldn't all be here as a collective. It's got to be a good feeling.
[This message has been edited by Taijiguy (edited 01-11-2015).]