Tips on Buying Cars: can I get my deposit back?, refund, buying


Question
Today I put down a $500 deposit on a 2002 Nissan Altima that we agreed to pay $9700 for. We got in writing that the deposit was refundable if the independent mechanic that we're going to take it to in 3 days does not find it acceptable. We brought it home and and later that evening the "service engine soon" light came on, so I started looking up potential causes. It turns out that there have been serious problems with the engines of these cars, and that a recall has been issued for certain engine parts for this car. There have been hundreds of documented cases of excessive oil consumption leading to premature engine failure. Is this grounds to terminate the contract and get the deposit back? Will we be able to get the deposit without having to take the car for an independent inspection, or will the inspection still be necessary?

Answer
Hi Kate,
From what you say I don't see a problem with you just telling the dealer our mechanic advised us not to purchase,  the dealer will ask why, simply say we don't feel comfortable buying this car " end of story " you don't have to disclose whom the mechanic was.

I find the written condition you being able to drive this vehicle for 3 days before having to make a final decision not normal practice selling a car, in most cases the buyer will have an independent inspection performed prior to taking delivery of vehicle, it leaves me with these thoughts.

1,,, What exactly is written on bill of sale ? How is the condition worded.

2,,, The seller feels very confident with nothing to hide selling you a vehicle that will pass any mechanical inspection, I assume the 3 days allowed for an inspection ties in with the time frame being a weekend, and an inspection can't be performed till Monday ?... normal practice would be for dealer to hold vehicle till monday for you taking car for an independent inspection at that time and not letting you drive vehicle for the weekend.

I wish you would have read this window  http://www.usedcartips.org/TESTDRI.html  on my website prior to taking car home, it could have made you discover the service engine light sooner.

You started looking up potential causes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I am not going to say your wrong in your findings except that you don't know for sure what your reading is related problems, and the more you read the more buyers remorse will set in, driving you nuts for the whole weekend,,,lol

You are buying a car 9 model years old, in my mind vehicle will have passed issues that other same type vehicle may have encountered, and all that matters now is present condition, personally I would still consider purchase if vehicle passed an inspection done my way,,, here is a link that shows my idea of a proper inspection  http://www.usedcartips.org/MECHANI.html

Ray  
http://www.usedcartips.org/

PS,,, Now Relax, and enjoy the weekend.