QuestionQUESTION: Ray
This might have been the worst decision I have made; but these golden years are not helping, especially when my brain goes on vacation without me.
I saw a car on Facebook that looked pretty good, and the price was only $1,500. The lady met me half way, but by then it was already dark. I did notice quite a bit of rust along the bottom on both sides, and now know I should have said no. My mind was looping through how the exterior could be that bad when the interior was almost new.
It had over 200,000 miles but it was a Nissan and I assumed it was highway miles because there was no sign of wear or tear, except the floor board behind the driver's seat. It was like the driver was sitting in the back sear. Still cannot figure out either oddity. She did mention that it needed new brakes, and did come down $100, but I bought the car - unbelievable.
I could not believe someone would sell a car that was empty on gas and I was afraid I would run out before I could get to a station. But, it wasn't quite that bad; or maybe it was because the gas gauge was not working. Neither was the tachometer or the hydraulics on the hood. It also had a problem with the shocks and/or struts as well as a cracked windshield, hail damage, and the air bag and engine lights were on. How could I be so stupid?
I had someone to put on new brake pads, but he discovered the brake pad was damage due pins frozen in the brake caliper brackets - on both sides. I called a shop, the quote was $343 to replace the caliper brackets and $400-500 to replace the struts/shocks. By the time I get all of the other minor (hopefully) things fixed, the total will be as much as I paid for the car.
Please tell me there is something I can get done. No, the mind is not foggy right now, I am just hoping to be wrong. Is there anything good you can tell me. I really appreciate the volunteers at All Experts, as do many others that cannot afford an attorney.
ANSWER: Hi Je,
I wish I could wave a magic wand and your problems be solved but facts are you purchased AS IS and like thousands of other consumers learn from mistakes the hard way, consider yourself fortunate not having been burned for thousands of dollars like so many others do every day.
Had you asked me how to proceed with a purchase getting a fair deal and checking for red flags this transaction never would have materialized, we all learn through our mistakes, burned once but never twice.
I could have you contact an attorney to view your case for free, but I firmly believe there is no case to be won, where we go from here becomes the question, I will help you should you be buying another car down the road to make sure you get valid value for your bucks, you simply contact me before the fact not after the fact.
If interested here is a link that will explain AS IS purchase along with red flags buying privately http://usedcartips.org/privatevsdealer.html
Have a Blessed day
From the computer of
Ray Paulsen ^_^
http://www.usedcartips.org/index.html
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I did not think there was any recourse for a foggy senile brain, but I was hoping. I thought only men done this kind of deals, but apparently women do too. One remaining question, is it legal to sell a vehicle with inoperable airbags in Iowa? The airbag light stays on constantly, and in searching the internet, I found "If the airbag light is on, it means that the airbag will not be able to deploy in the event of an accident. This is a dangerous proposition, and it means that you should avoid driving if at all possible in that vehicle."
Thank you again for your assistance
AnswerI like your style" foggy brain" I really thought you were talking about me there for a moment. You are so right in your thoughts about only men doing these kind of deals, made me think I must have had hundreds of complaints over the last few years about someone buying a lemon and every one has been a man seller, wow, be proud you are the first,lol
Re - airbags,,, Again that magic word * as is " means just that, getting a vehicle registered to a new owner becomes another matter as each State has different regulations and I don't know about Iowa, but if you care to check the Iowa DMV here is a link on my site http://www.usedcartips.org/DMV.html
Again,,, Don't go shopping for another car without me,I really want you to get your money worth next time.
Ray
