[BORMAC]

Hi Lee.
We know one another through the 10TALK forum and I can say that we are friends in some small way. I have enjoyed your build threads and your attention to detail is awesome.

Saying this I also spent a couple of years racing the original 501X and even wrote an article for an Australian magazine on it. In my time with this car I can say that the diffs are open to the elements and I opted to go with decal covers for the diff pulleys. Without them the diff attracts every ounce of dust and to be fair I would consider the pulleys mint (or near mint) if the teeth had not seen belt slipage. I really looked after my car and replaced parts along the way to keep it in top form.
Even so when I finaly sold my beloved 501 I had a good look over it and whilst it still looked ace it was not new.

Perhaps this is where the real problem lyes. Perception.

I have owned, built and raced countless cars from all the manufacturers back dating to the early 80's. With this I can say the only really mint car is one that comes in a box unbuilt. I've purchased new built cars and like yourself have found myself a little deflated with less than perfect. I too have sourced new in pack parts to get these cars up to a standard that I have been happy with.

In all honesty it's near impossible to get a mint car to your (our) standard if it has been used in any way what so ever. I understand and appreciate your opinions on this but feel the seller has been served a little too harshly with this. I don't know this seller or those that speak in his favour but have to say reading this thread that if he did offer you a refund you should have accepted it.

What I'm trying to say is, buy new. It's not an old car. What I have learnt with all things r/c is that patience is parramount. Just because it's not available right now doesn't mean it won't be in the future. Purchasing a used car for 250GBP and expecting perfect aint right and I think we all know it.

From the photos I have seen the car was not flogged. Driveshafts, shockshafts etc bend, that's a fact. Detecting them at times sometimes aint easy. The seller seems like a reasonable guy and those that have stated their thoughts have been fair and reasonable. I consider Oople a top forum for the seriously adept in r/c and I ask that you possibly let this go.

Personaly i'd like to see you stick around and be part of the fabric that makes this scene what it is.
Cheers-Jason