Driver abuse is certainly another possibility; I simply didn't mention it in an out-of-character attempt to be brief. I've had problems getting the RF wheel aligned properly ever since I purchased the car. P'raps now I'll finally get this daemon exorcised!
Given some of the other things I found when I put it on the road, more that I've found since, and conversations with the previous owner, I'm suspicious that the guy asked a lot from the car, but gave very little back to it in return.