Problem with buying a used car

bigbet1234 · Mar 29, 2011

I had a friends nephew buy a car. On his way home the car over heated and pretty much blew the engine they are thinking.

They have tried numerous times to call the seller, but he won't answer, nor will he return a phone call.

The car was purchsed from a less desirable neighborhood, and for only $1800.

Legally, is there anything he could do? Legal fees may eat up more than what the car is actually worth.

Thoughts?

sparticus · Mar 29, 2011

How did he pay, cash check or what? Try small claims court & check state laws, try googling laws in that state. I spent over 40 yrs in the business.

bigbet1234 · Mar 29, 2011

bigbet1234 · Mar 29, 2011

did a little research, seems he is screwed. Should have had it inspected

jb777 · Mar 29, 2011

Once money and title are exchanged it's a done deal

curt · Mar 29, 2011

Not much he can do without a wriiten warranty. The thing to do when buying a used car is definitely to at least get a 30 day warranty.

Buckpasser · Mar 29, 2011

That's too bad, transactions like this just add to the already "suspect" reputation of the used car business. Fortunately there are a lot of reputable dealers out there but that means shit, to your nephew at this point. I bought a 66 Ford Fairlane as a youth, same experience, quit on me on the way home from NH. They replaced the fuel filter and it lasted a few more weeks then the transmission blew and that was that. Tough lesson but one that I never forgot. GL to your nephew.

sparticus · Mar 30, 2011

Buckpasser said:
That's too bad, transactions like this just add to the already "suspect" reputation of the used car business. Fortunately there are a lot of reputable dealers out there but that means shit, to your nephew at this point. I bought a 66 Ford Fairlane as a youth, same experience, quit on me on the way home from NH. They replaced the fuel filter and it lasted a few more weeks then the transmission blew and that was that. Tough lesson but one that I never forgot. GL to your nephew.

I believe this purchase was from a private owner & not from a dealer, so it seems to me that there are some "suspect" private individuals selling vehicles. At a dealer[ depending what the state laws are ] you usually get some kind of a warranty, so this probably would not have happened if purchase was from a dealer & not a private owner.

MIKEY.1TIME · Mar 30, 2011

jb777 said:
Once money and title are exchanged it's a done deal

not in every case.. it depends on state lemon laws. you have to check them out..

silver7 · Mar 30, 2011

If private person & "As Is", he's SOL. "Lemon Laws" don't usually apply.

WharfRat+ · Mar 30, 2011

I just sold my 1995 4runner for $1500. I feel bad for the kid who bought it. Glad its not my problem any more.

wabashwonders · Mar 30, 2011

WharfRat said:
I just sold my 1995 4runner for $1500. I feel bad for the kid who bought it. Glad its not my problem any more.

This is why I don't buy used cars anymore...

awmllc2000 · Mar 30, 2011

wabashwonders said:
This is why I don't buy used cars anymore...

That my be the most financially dumb move you may ever make.

wabashwonders · Mar 30, 2011

awmllc2000 said:
That my be the most financially dumb move you may ever make.

Thats your opinion and you are entitled to it. I have 2 cars right now that I bought brand new. One is 14 years old and the other is 10 years old. Both been paid off for years and still run like new. The key is preventive maintainance. As long as you take care of your vehicle you will get 200,000 miles out of it and easily get your moneys worth. When you buy a used car, you get someone elses problem much like the guy who bought Wharfrats car.

MIKEY.1TIME · Mar 30, 2011

silver7 said:
If private person & "As Is", he's SOL. "Lemon Laws" don't usually apply.

depending on the the state....as is also, in some states means it has to pass inspection...what was the state this trans. took place?

awmllc2000 · Mar 30, 2011

wabashwonders said:
Thats your opinion and you are entitled to it. I have 2 cars right now that I bought brand new. One is 14 years old and the other is 10 years old. Both been paid off for years and still run like new. The key is preventive maintainance. As long as you take care of your vehicle you will get 200,000 miles out of it and easily get your moneys worth. When you buy a used car, you get someone elses problem much like the guy who bought Wharfrats car.

Why not buy a 1 year old car and not take the huge loss as you drive off of the lot?

awmllc2000 · Mar 30, 2011

awmllc2000 said:
Why not buy a 1 year old car and not take the huge loss as you drive off of the lot?

Do you happen to live in wabash?

auggiedawg · Mar 30, 2011

awmllc2000 said:
Why not buy a 1 year old car and not take the huge loss as you drive off of the lot?

I agree with what you are saying, but what if that car was absolutely abused for that 1 yr. I mean, you just never know and you are taking a small chance regardless.

wabashwonders · Mar 30, 2011

awmllc2000 said:
Why not buy a 1 year old car and not take the huge loss as you drive off of the lot?

Because that 1 year old car "could" be a lemon and thats why the person who first owned it got rid of it...

And its only a huge loss if I intend on selling it, not if I take care of it and keep it...

wabashwonders · Mar 30, 2011

awmllc2000 said:
Do you happen to live in wabash?

If this was directed at me, no I don't. Live in terre haute,IN

Problem with buying a used car

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