Ok, I'm known to be shy to the point of reticence, except when at work, so I'm not always well versed in socially acceptable behavior. I say that as a preface to this.... Driving down main street in Tally a couple hours ago, when I happen upon an NA Miata that has crashed into the side of a Celebrity or some other non-descript chevy. Front of the Miata looks shifted over. Driver is out and ok and talking to a cop. So focus shifts back to the Miata, and a quick 10 second eval shows good top, rear panels, tires, rims, etc. Light changes so I drive off, but immediately start thinking that some tow truck is going to pick it up and put it in a yard, overcharge him for storage, and may end up with it. Or insurance will total it and offer nothing much for it and some wrecked car dealer will part it out for too much money for a skinflint like me to afford much. I got this HUGE urge to turn around and go talk to the driver and give him my number, but I thought better of it, partly because if it were me that had crashed I wouldn't want to be having that conversation at that time. Is there a better, more sensitive way to get my info to the owner without coming off as an ASS? Have any of you been faced with something like this? Or am I just a HUGE ASS for even thinking this way?
See if you can find the thread where someone asks: "Where do you find you stuff?"
It's called research, being first on the scene or helping out a Bro. Guy's in a jam, maybe you can help.
Worse case scenario he takes a swing at you. 
Dan
If you're not that smooth, don't go in on something that might get you swung at. Me? I'd leave it alone, or scope out the wrecker service he uses and follow it from there.
"Dude, this sucks. I love these cars, if the insurance tries to screw you, gimme a call. Maybe I can help out.."
If the owner's not an enthusiast, he may deal just to get a buck or two out of a bad situation. Problem is, if the owner's an enthusiast, there will be initial denial over how bad it really is. That will fade once it's in the garage and the anger wears off. Being approached by somebody who actually cares about the things makes it less confrontational. The engine out of my grey market E21 323i (I got hit in a downpour, spun & hit the median wall..trashed everything behind the rear axle, and big scars on the drivers' side panels, since it slid so far after the 1/4 roll) ended up in a US market E21 that my buddy's wife owned. I had an "..at least it didn't go to waste.." feeling about it.
As far as being an ass, do you want that stuff for your own car, or just to flip some parts? Make a decent offer on the carcass, and you're not.
DoctorBlade wrote:
Me? I'd leave it alone, or scope out the wrecker service he uses and follow it from there.
Added to my personal list of tactics. Never thought about hitting up the wrecker service..and a lot of the ones around here sure seem like they've got a yard full of stuff in limbo. Can't believe I never thought of it myself!
How do you guys come across enough fresh wrecks for this to be an established technique? 
In reply to ransom:
1.) I'm 50yrs old, so I've had lots of time to practice.
2.) I live in Atlanta Metro. 
My spiel: "Hey, I part these things out and have lots of parts available if you should decide to repair this car yourself". "Oh, you don't work on cars? Ok. Well, give me a call if you do have any questions, I love these cars"
Puts it in there mind that you buy these things, and they may call should they decide to sell the wreck.
Joey
Krass? Only if there's a Bernie.
Sometimes having a big net helps find neat stuff!
I have only stopped at one wreck to check about buying cars or selling parts/repairs. Miata rearended by a Ranger that was rearended by a Fox Mustang. Ranger guy ended up buying front end parts from me.
Asking is NEVER a bad idea..kinda like asking out a pretty girl!
Don't ask..don't get.
My favorite is the code enforcement officers that clue me in about the red tag sweeps. Had one lady give me a running Taurus SHO with 4 slashed tires..if I mowed her lawn! Haul a few to the scrapyard with a profit. My latest favorite was a soldiers car that was red tagged because he was just not there to keep the licence and inspection current.
Car was not for sale and his Mom was a little helpless about what to do after the car had been sitting for a year and a half while son was recovering from a wound. Made me (and 2 of my car club members and a guy from Moms church) feel good to clean the car, tune it and had it in beautiful turnkey condition when the son arrived home.
Always follow your gut about asking, you never know where it might lead!
Bruce
In reply to egnorant:
I just wanted to thanks for fixing up that car.
Thanks guys!! I'll definitely use those suggestions in the future. Had not thought about parting it, as I need most of the stuff to get my own non-running, torn top '92 going. Suppose there would have been extra stuff left over though. Didn't hang about to see which wrecker service got it, but I sure will talk to the owner and wait around to see next time.
And Egnorant, that was simply awesome!!!!
In reply to egnorant:
I don't care what your political views are. This is awesome, as it boils down to helping another car guy when they're unable to help themselves.
Kickass!
mndsm
UberDork
4/24/12 5:37 p.m.
I'm sure more than a few remembers me tracking a car I saw at a wreck via public records in WI... It turns out it WASN'T the car I was hoping it was- but I had no qualms over trying to find out if it was and contacting the owner. I did want it for my personal use.
