Pictures never lie?

Steamdrivenandy · 12th January 2021, 12:20

There's a new ad for a 75 Saloon for sale in Newton Abbot on Autotrader. Browsing it I noticed that in one of the pics it clearly shows a Haynes manual for 75/ZT on the passenger footwell floor.

It made me ponder that showing a manual like that could suggest the seller hasn't much confidence in the car if they have to have instant manual access. Or it could be a show of confidence that the floor is dry and the manual isn't floating or turned to paper mache. Or it could be a way of instilling confidence in a potential buyer that they get a manual thrown in as part of the deal.

Maybe on the other hand, the seller hasn't given much thought to presentation or photographic angles at all.

As an aside to the latter point, if you look at a Toyota dealers used car pictures you'll see they all feature the same photographic positions for every car. I suspect that whoever's takes pics at a Toyota dealership is sent on a course about how to portray a vehicle in it's best light. A lot of sellers could learn a trick or two from that.

planenut · 12th January 2021, 13:31

I wouldn't read anything into that at all: yes it may have just broken down, or never due to the due diligence by the owner, or it might be included in the sale.

stevestrat · 12th January 2021, 13:39

If there was a selection of tools lying around I'd be concerned but not about a Haynes manual. Maybe the owner likes reading fiction

AndrewJames · 12th January 2021, 13:51

Maybe he rubs his feet on it on rainy days. Nothing worse than squeaky shoes on pedals.

coab · 12th January 2021, 15:18

I took a car in part ex and the old chap gave me the Haynes manual. Inside was a lovely note saying “To the next owner I hope you enjoy the car as much as I have and if you need any help it’s all in here, happy motoring!”.
Obviously a chap who loves the car and was old school like Trikey. ( Mind you this older gent didn’t look like an advert from ZZTop!)

bendrick · 12th January 2021, 15:48

I never understand those posting up pictures of a 'car for sale' who put them up with the inside of the car absolutely hanging due to the lack of cleaning the seats, hoovering the carpet and picking up all the sweet papers and crisp packets chucked all over the place.

I give them a miss immediately, if they can't even be bothered cleaning up a car for sale then what general maintenance could they be bothered with?

Sonic ZS · 12th January 2021, 17:49

I wouldn't over think this, the seller's probably just giving the book away with the car

I'd be more happy about the original handbook pack and owners club key fob, both of which you didn't mention !!

StewartIngram · 13th January 2021, 13:19

Having the Haynes manual puts me off! 2 useless pieces of cardboard either side of a stack of waste paper, I'd rather have the proper Rover manual, or as I have, a copy of RAVE.

grivas · 13th January 2021, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steamdrivenandy

There's a new ad for a 75 Saloon for sale in Newton Abbot on Autotrader. Browsing it I noticed that in one of the pics it clearly shows a Haynes manual for 75/ZT on the passenger footwell floor.

It made me ponder that showing a manual like that could suggest the seller hasn't much confidence in the car if they have to have instant manual access. Or it could be a show of confidence that the floor is dry and the manual isn't floating or turned to paper mache. Or it could be a way of instilling confidence in a potential buyer that they get a manual thrown in as part of the deal.

Maybe on the other hand, the seller hasn't given much thought to presentation or photographic angles at all.

As an aside to the latter point, if you look at a Toyota dealers used car pictures you'll see they all feature the same photographic positions for every car. I suspect that whoever's takes pics at a Toyota dealership is sent on a course about how to portray a vehicle in it's best light. A lot of sellers could learn a trick or two from that.

Toyota is the world's biggest automotive manufacturer, with some of the best and most well engineered vehicles, budget in the billions etc....so presenting cars for sale is a professional act not a cowboy operation.!

Haynes manual on floor means nothing, other than perhaps that the seller undertakes own services, my advice is buyer beware, if interested, view in person, ask questions, and be prepared to walk away.!

hst125 · 14th January 2021, 00:08

One or two things always make me pass by with ads:
“Here we have”
“My beloved”
“Rare” when it is nothing of the sort
“Needs” unless it’s a project
“But will pass easily”
“My wife/GF doesnt like it”
Any eBay replies in broken English or call me “mate”
And on, and on....
I’m so glad I’ve finally got a car I really like, so I won’t have to tread these murky waters for a good while yet..

Fk me I am getting old and grouchy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12th January 2021, 12:20	#1
Steamdrivenandy Avid contributor Thinking on Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Madeley, Staffs Posts: 142 Thanks: 27 Thanked 24 Times in 15 Posts	Pictures never lie? There's a new ad for a 75 Saloon for sale in Newton Abbot on Autotrader. Browsing it I noticed that in one of the pics it clearly shows a Haynes manual for 75/ZT on the passenger footwell floor. It made me ponder that showing a manual like that could suggest the seller hasn't much confidence in the car if they have to have instant manual access. Or it could be a show of confidence that the floor is dry and the manual isn't floating or turned to paper mache. Or it could be a way of instilling confidence in a potential buyer that they get a manual thrown in as part of the deal. Maybe on the other hand, the seller hasn't given much thought to presentation or photographic angles at all. As an aside to the latter point, if you look at a Toyota dealers used car pictures you'll see they all feature the same photographic positions for every car. I suspect that whoever's takes pics at a Toyota dealership is sent on a course about how to portray a vehicle in it's best light. A lot of sellers could learn a trick or two from that. __________________ Morris 8 S2 Convertible, Fiat 500C Topolino, 105E Anglia, 1071 Austin Cooper S, MK 3 Cortina, Mk 2 Escorts, Renault 6, Renault 12, Maestro, Talbot Alpine, Citroen BX19, Vauxhall Carltons, Ford Mondeos, RAV4, Volvo 850, Octavia Est., Yaris Verso, Transit Camper, Adria motorhome, Kia Sorento, Kia Cee'd Est., Volvo V70, Yeti, Skoda Scala but where will it end?

12th January 2021, 13:39	#3
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 18,768 Thanks: 397 Thanked 3,521 Times in 2,649 Posts	If there was a selection of tools lying around I'd be concerned but not about a Haynes manual. Maybe the owner likes reading fiction __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

12th January 2021, 17:49	#7
Sonic ZS Posted a thing or two 75 Conn CDT Tourer, 75 Conn SE V6 x2, 75 Conn V6, 75 Conn CDTi Tourer, ZS 180 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Devon Posts: 1,802 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 863 Times in 484 Posts	I wouldn't over think this, the seller's probably just giving the book away with the car I'd be more happy about the original handbook pack and owners club key fob, both of which you didn't mention !! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Last edited by Sonic ZS; 12th January 2021 at 17:55..

14th January 2021, 00:08	#10
hst125 Avid contributor 2004 ZTT CDTi manual, 2017 Fiat 500L MPW, 1946 MG TC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 217 Thanks: 14 Thanked 19 Times in 16 Posts	Pictures never lie? One or two things always make me pass by with ads: “Here we have” “My beloved” “Rare” when it is nothing of the sort “Needs” unless it’s a project “But will pass easily” “My wife/GF doesnt like it” Any eBay replies in broken English or call me “mate” And on, and on.... I’m so glad I’ve finally got a car I really like, so I won’t have to tread these murky waters for a good while yet.. Fk me I am getting old and grouchy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ My other car's got 3 V12s under the floors.

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12th January 2021, 13:31	#2
planenut motorvatin Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 5,611 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 1,570 Times in 1,050 Posts	I wouldn't read anything into that at all: yes it may have just broken down, or never due to the due diligence by the owner, or it might be included in the sale.

12th January 2021, 13:51	#4
AndrewJames Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 116 Thanks: 45 Thanked 29 Times in 18 Posts	Maybe he rubs his feet on it on rainy days. Nothing worse than squeaky shoes on pedals.

12th January 2021, 15:18	#5
coab This is my second home 2007 57 GOLF GTi EDITION 30 DSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,990 Thanks: 2,210 Thanked 1,363 Times in 812 Posts	I took a car in part ex and the old chap gave me the Haynes manual. Inside was a lovely note saying “To the next owner I hope you enjoy the car as much as I have and if you need any help it’s all in here, happy motoring!”. Obviously a chap who loves the car and was old school like Trikey. ( Mind you this older gent didn’t look like an advert from ZZTop!)

12th January 2021, 15:48	#6
bendrick Gets stuck in 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto saloon Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Barry Posts: 539 Thanks: 63 Thanked 239 Times in 133 Posts	I never understand those posting up pictures of a 'car for sale' who put them up with the inside of the car absolutely hanging due to the lack of cleaning the seats, hoovering the carpet and picking up all the sweet papers and crisp packets chucked all over the place. I give them a miss immediately, if they can't even be bothered cleaning up a car for sale then what general maintenance could they be bothered with?

13th January 2021, 13:19	#8
StewartIngram Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connoisseur 2.5 V6 auto Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chatteris Posts: 586 Thanks: 204 Thanked 108 Times in 86 Posts	Having the Haynes manual puts me off! 2 useless pieces of cardboard either side of a stack of waste paper, I'd rather have the proper Rover manual, or as I have, a copy of RAVE.