Car Search

I've been looking for a car for Rob, and am about to get serious, as money has magically appeared for it! I'm primarily looking via Craigslist, but also dealer-related sites like cars.com, vehix.com and the Star-Ledger's on-line site. Also occasionally trolling local dealer's inventories. I have found that many people have no freakin' idea of how to advertise a car!

For example, take a look at this ad from Craigslist -

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02 VW Jetta grey/blk - $4800 (Iselin)
Date: 2010-06-07, 4:00PM EDT
Reply to: ************

runs great, rides great,great on gas, ice cold A/C , pwdl, pw/windows

* Location: Iselin
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

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Included is a low front 3/4 shot. So, no info on engine (there are 4 different types available in the Jetta) or trans (auto or manual??). No indication of the number of miles! No model (again, there are several different models available). No contact info other than going through the Craigslist contact (which can be slow). But at least they note the location, many ads will say 'New Jersey' or 'North Jersey', which isn't much help, considering it takes me an hour in either direction to reach the borders of the state!

This guy is advertising his services as a mechanic -

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MG Triumph British Car Mechanic (Windham, NY)
Date: 2010-04-28, 5:04PM EDT
Reply to: sale-eb8ev-1715034096@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

MG Triumph, British Car Mechanic available to help complete your restoration project or repairs to British Cars.

The shop is located in Windham NY area, reasonable rates by the hour or the job. Many MGB parts available!

Jack
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So what is missing? How about a telephone number of e-mail? Or an address? Geez....

And why can't people take 10 minutes and give the car a quick cleaning before they take pictures? I mean, really....