Tips on Buying Cars: lemon law, gas tank, private seller

Question
I bought a car from a couple in my area on Thursday of last week, they told me it needed a few things and told me what they were ie; spark plugs wires and dist cap so basically a tune up, plus a mooter mount eventually and some back brakes in which they sold me with the car, on Friday my 1st day driving i felt a little pull and called the husband and asked was there ANY other problems with car? he no and it was from needing sparks plugs etc.I said okay and drove the car home parked it until the following Monday the 5th when i bought all the stuff for tune-up and had it done I even did extra things like a roter and air filter i also put some fuel cleaner in gas tank and filled it up. The car did seem to run a lot better just a little shaking still from needing the moter mount but was told that was not a dire need, I had explained to the owner that this was a emergency buy i was even spending my rent money but was in NEED of car! I work in San Francisco and catch bart to work so I have not put over 100 miles on car in the week that i had it but on the very next Thursday after my first day driving the car it stop going into drive all of a sudden. at a stop light called the people i got it from they at 1st were being concerned and even sent they own mechanic to look at the car when he did he thought he could fix it i paid to have it towed and trans kit and 6 bottles of fluid, this didn't work they 1st said they could give me the money i spent on car now they wont and even their mech is saying they are wrong please give me any suggestions thanks

Answer
Hi Kimberly,

The sad part here is you were rushed into buying without knowing the process buying a used car, it sounds to me like a tranny problem, and that I am sorry to say can be very costly if the added fluid did not solve the problem. here is a link on my website that will explain further the danger buying from a private seller VS dealer.  http://www.usedcartips.org/privatevsdealer.html

I want to be on your side of the fence, but sorry to say you're at the mercy of the seller for any help towards expense as the Lemon Law only applies to new vehicle's.

Ray    http://www.usedcartips.org/