Horrible experience with Seth Scally (Formerly: Puresports)
12-27-06 | 05:53 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Darkside FD
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Horrible experience with Seth Scally (Formerly: Puresports)
Last October (14 mo. ago) I took it upon myself to pursue the purchase of an RX7. I found one in the San Diego area that I thought was a good fit for me. I was looking for something with the reliability mods done, a few performance parts with the associated engine management, and especially a good tune.
My search led me to an owner whose car was at Seth's shop, Puresports, in Ramona, CA. I talked to the owner briefly about the car, but was instructed to speak directly with Seth since the car was in his shop, and he was the mechanic whom had just finished the engine rebuild. I asked the usual questions about the car, suspension in good shape, quality of paint on the car, interior condition, etc. I then went into the engine and asked about compression, boost, etc. He constantly reassured me that this car was in impecable condition, the engine was meticulously built with new parts (the previous owner provided me with a Puresports recepit that stated a $2000 deposit on new engine parts), that the car was totally track ready following a tune.
I waited for several weeks, talking directly to Seth asking about when the car would be ready to come look at, and when it would be done with the tune. He led me on a couple of weeks and finally I flew in to see the car. Seth even provided me with a dyno chart of the car's power output.
When I got to the car, it was in great shape on the outside, paint was in good shape, the engine was very clean. Interior was in great shape aside from a very worn driver's seat. I took it for a test drive but was instructed to take it easy on the new engine. Which I did.... I wasn't really all that concerned about the condition of the engine and drivetrain because I was trusting in Seth's work and taking his word.
I buy the car.
In driving it home I realize that the suspension does not seem all that buttoned down, the rear end floats over bumps and clunks under moderate acceleration when changing gears. I get to Los Angeles and realize that under the hood of the car there is oil smoke building. I immediately call Seth, he says the detailer put a dressing on the engine that must be burning off.
I drive the car all the way home, Phoenix, AZ and when I get there, night time, I pop the hood again because it still smells of smoke. This time I see a mini flame burst as a drop of oil hits the turbine housing. I know this isn't right... Call him up leave voicemails, ultimately I take things apart and find that an oil line was finger tight.
A day later I decide to take the car into boost to atleast see how the turbos transition, it is at this time that I see the car is only making 6 psi of boost. This is getting me thinking that he didn't actually dyno and tune the car. I subsequently find the dyno chart he provided me was a fake (lifted from this very website and modified to list the PO's name and date of tune). I take the car to a local shop (dynocomp) throw it on their dyno and discover an incredibly lean condition and that the car is FAR FAR from the stated output.
I file a legal suit against the PO. I have no recourse against Seth because he isn't the one that actually made the sale... I get a small settlement from the PO out of court, just because I couldn't afford to take it ALL the way. I had mucho evidence of fraud and misrepresentation.
But the list got longer. As I took my lumps for not having a non-involved third party inspect the car (I assumed Seth was honest and ran an honest business), I go to rebuild the car this time better than before. I replace all the pillow bushings, I replace the diff mounts (which were destroyed) I replace the engine mounts (this was incredible!!! The DRIVER'S SIDE MOUNT WAS TOTALLY FLOATING!!!) If he rebuilt the engine this is something he would have HAD to fix it was rediculous, but it didn't stop there. There were major oil leaks (PLURAL..again freshly rebuilt engine) Every critical system seemed to have it's flaws...
I fix it all, new suspension, new mounts, new bushings, a new turbo system...on and on...hoping at least his engine building skills were adequate (which I knew was a totaly futile hope...how could anyone with such a lacking attention to detail build a quality engine?)
Then I had an issue with my tranny spinning pilot bearings...which led to the engine being torn down. Attached are some pictures of what the inside of the engine looked like; parts FAR out of spec...worn irons...a mishap with the porting grinder...etc...
This engine at this point only had about 3000 miles on it! (click tumbnail for larger photo)
Should I have been more proactive in my inspection of the car? Of course, many people ask me to inspect cars for them and I am very thorough, this was a very embarrassing experience for me. However, is it safe to say Seth Scully is a scumbag? Absolutely, such blatant misrepresentation is total heresy to the RX7 community! I have never, and will never again, be so deceived.
My search led me to an owner whose car was at Seth's shop, Puresports, in Ramona, CA. I talked to the owner briefly about the car, but was instructed to speak directly with Seth since the car was in his shop, and he was the mechanic whom had just finished the engine rebuild. I asked the usual questions about the car, suspension in good shape, quality of paint on the car, interior condition, etc. I then went into the engine and asked about compression, boost, etc. He constantly reassured me that this car was in impecable condition, the engine was meticulously built with new parts (the previous owner provided me with a Puresports recepit that stated a $2000 deposit on new engine parts), that the car was totally track ready following a tune.
I waited for several weeks, talking directly to Seth asking about when the car would be ready to come look at, and when it would be done with the tune. He led me on a couple of weeks and finally I flew in to see the car. Seth even provided me with a dyno chart of the car's power output.
When I got to the car, it was in great shape on the outside, paint was in good shape, the engine was very clean. Interior was in great shape aside from a very worn driver's seat. I took it for a test drive but was instructed to take it easy on the new engine. Which I did.... I wasn't really all that concerned about the condition of the engine and drivetrain because I was trusting in Seth's work and taking his word.
I buy the car.
In driving it home I realize that the suspension does not seem all that buttoned down, the rear end floats over bumps and clunks under moderate acceleration when changing gears. I get to Los Angeles and realize that under the hood of the car there is oil smoke building. I immediately call Seth, he says the detailer put a dressing on the engine that must be burning off.
I drive the car all the way home, Phoenix, AZ and when I get there, night time, I pop the hood again because it still smells of smoke. This time I see a mini flame burst as a drop of oil hits the turbine housing. I know this isn't right... Call him up leave voicemails, ultimately I take things apart and find that an oil line was finger tight.
A day later I decide to take the car into boost to atleast see how the turbos transition, it is at this time that I see the car is only making 6 psi of boost. This is getting me thinking that he didn't actually dyno and tune the car. I subsequently find the dyno chart he provided me was a fake (lifted from this very website and modified to list the PO's name and date of tune). I take the car to a local shop (dynocomp) throw it on their dyno and discover an incredibly lean condition and that the car is FAR FAR from the stated output.
I file a legal suit against the PO. I have no recourse against Seth because he isn't the one that actually made the sale... I get a small settlement from the PO out of court, just because I couldn't afford to take it ALL the way. I had mucho evidence of fraud and misrepresentation.
But the list got longer. As I took my lumps for not having a non-involved third party inspect the car (I assumed Seth was honest and ran an honest business), I go to rebuild the car this time better than before. I replace all the pillow bushings, I replace the diff mounts (which were destroyed) I replace the engine mounts (this was incredible!!! The DRIVER'S SIDE MOUNT WAS TOTALLY FLOATING!!!) If he rebuilt the engine this is something he would have HAD to fix it was rediculous, but it didn't stop there. There were major oil leaks (PLURAL..again freshly rebuilt engine) Every critical system seemed to have it's flaws...
I fix it all, new suspension, new mounts, new bushings, a new turbo system...on and on...hoping at least his engine building skills were adequate (which I knew was a totaly futile hope...how could anyone with such a lacking attention to detail build a quality engine?)
Then I had an issue with my tranny spinning pilot bearings...which led to the engine being torn down. Attached are some pictures of what the inside of the engine looked like; parts FAR out of spec...worn irons...a mishap with the porting grinder...etc...
This engine at this point only had about 3000 miles on it! (click tumbnail for larger photo)
Should I have been more proactive in my inspection of the car? Of course, many people ask me to inspect cars for them and I am very thorough, this was a very embarrassing experience for me. However, is it safe to say Seth Scully is a scumbag? Absolutely, such blatant misrepresentation is total heresy to the RX7 community! I have never, and will never again, be so deceived.
Last edited by cozmo kraemer; 12-27-06 at 06:03 PM.
12-27-06 | 06:26 PM
#2
Thread Starter
Darkside FD
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Original Thread which lists the car for sale on the forums... I never saw this, I saw the autotrader ad.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=451508
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=451508
12-27-06 | 06:29 PM
#3
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
All I can say is WOW! Sorry to see that happen to anyone; people like that need to be taken outside and flogged...
Well at least you found out about it before the entire engine grenaded and you had zero usable parts
.
Good luck with the new build!
Well at least you found out about it before the entire engine grenaded and you had zero usable parts
.Good luck with the new build!
12-27-06 | 08:26 PM
#4
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 3
From: california
Man! Sorry to see this kind of thing happen. you just can't trust anybody these days. when I bought my car I looked it over to fast and missed things too. I wish I knew about the forum before I bought my car I would have known what to look for and would have got a better deal, but I came out better than most . at least thats what I keep telling myself (LOL).
Jeff
Jeff
12-29-06 | 04:59 PM
#6
hey cozmo, I had a very similar experience with my FC. I blew mine after a 6k on a supposed rebuild. Total crap job. The car itself was very nice, like yours, just the engine was a hack job.
At least we put our cars in the right hands now. Mine is sitting right next to yours...lol.
Check out my blog below to see the port job on my car. I was like you, even tho the engine looked like *** on the outside, and was having starting issues, I thought the engine might somehow, majically be built well. HA
I've seen yours come back together, that turbo kit is looking nice. Also, nice wheels and suspension mods. Thats next for me once I get the motor back from Elliot, I mean, IF I ever get it back. LOL
At least we put our cars in the right hands now. Mine is sitting right next to yours...lol.
Check out my blog below to see the port job on my car. I was like you, even tho the engine looked like *** on the outside, and was having starting issues, I thought the engine might somehow, majically be built well. HA
I've seen yours come back together, that turbo kit is looking nice. Also, nice wheels and suspension mods. Thats next for me once I get the motor back from Elliot, I mean, IF I ever get it back. LOL
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01-02-07 | 09:23 AM
#9
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,580
Likes: 567
From: FL-->NJ/NYC again!
Originally Posted by topaz
For the Love of God, didn't you test drive the car? 
Originally Posted by cozmo kraemer
When I got to the car, it was in great shape on the outside, paint was in good shape, the engine was very clean. Interior was in great shape aside from a very worn driver's seat. I took it for a test drive but was instructed to take it easy on the new engine. Which I did.... I wasn't really all that concerned about the condition of the engine and drivetrain because I was trusting in Seth's work and taking his word.
01-02-07 | 11:45 AM
#10
Interruptor Illuminada
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 0
From: MD
Originally Posted by topaz
For the Love of God, didn't you test drive the car?
Good luck with it. Sorry to hear what happened. Time to start from scratch and do it right.
01-02-07 | 06:03 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Darkside FD
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Originally Posted by SDrotary-FC
it's seth scally not scully FYI
01-09-07 | 11:08 AM
#14
Archie is Gay
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
Holy crap....well....that's one less person to take my FD to. Sorry you had to go through that man. Thanks for letting us know though.
had one experience with him in the past when I bought my FD (he checked it out) and that went relatively smooth. Looks like I won't be taking my car to him when I need serious work done. Again, sorry for your incident. I feel for ya man!
had one experience with him in the past when I bought my FD (he checked it out) and that went relatively smooth. Looks like I won't be taking my car to him when I need serious work done. Again, sorry for your incident. I feel for ya man!
01-12-07 | 01:19 PM
#15
Thread Starter
Darkside FD
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: AZ
I will add to the situation as well... the dyno sheet they provided me is the Josh_dyno.jpg file (even labeled "Puresports" with a date...). This came from Seth and he vouched for it when I asked a question about it straight to his face, as I was standing right in front of him. I asked if he had the A/F data as well, and he said that it might be possible to get from the dyno operator. He would have to check and get back to me....
And here is where they lifted the chart from...post number 18 on this page...notice the date of the post (3/15/2004) https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...7&page=2&pp=15
the attachment that was copied is titled evan_radler_dyno.jpg
Obviously I figured this out a little too late...
And here is where they lifted the chart from...post number 18 on this page...notice the date of the post (3/15/2004) https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...7&page=2&pp=15
the attachment that was copied is titled evan_radler_dyno.jpg
Obviously I figured this out a little too late...
Last edited by cozmo kraemer; 01-12-07 at 01:30 PM.
01-12-07 | 06:08 PM
#16
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,580
Likes: 567
From: FL-->NJ/NYC again!
Wow, that is disgustingly dishonest. That pathetic loser is lucky he's on he other side of the country, I have some choice words for him......I should point my friends Chris and Ari over at www.rx7.com to this thread and let them know that their dyno results are being stolen and misrepresented.....
01-13-07 | 06:59 PM
#20
I went over there a couple of days ago and confronted him on all the bull-**** he has been doing to people on the forum. Wow that dude got pissed, not because i put him on blast but because there were other co-workers around and customers.
01-13-07 | 08:55 PM
#21
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,580
Likes: 567
From: FL-->NJ/NYC again!
Originally Posted by teddyrx2
I went over there a couple of days ago and confronted him on all the bull-**** he has been doing to people on the forum. Wow that dude got pissed, not because i put him on blast but because there were other co-workers around and customers.
01-15-07 | 12:14 PM
#22
Thread Starter
Darkside FD
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Originally Posted by teddyrx2
I went over there a couple of days ago and confronted him on all the bull-**** he has been doing to people on the forum. Wow that dude got pissed, not because i put him on blast but because there were other co-workers around and customers.
The images in my original post are on the fritz so I am attaching them here for future reference...
